How dogs mate for the first time: how to help your pets

What is mating of dogs?

Mating or mating is the process of mating dogs of different sexes with the aim of fertilizing the bitch and subsequently producing offspring.

To subsequently obtain documents for purebred puppies, the owner must fulfill several conditions. One of them is the frequency of mating.

The Russian Canine Federation recommends mating dogs once a year. As an exception, pregnancy is allowed 2 times a year, with an interval of 6 months and with the condition that the third mating is carried out no earlier than after 12 months.

Features of mating dogs of small and large breeds

How do dogs mate? The mating process for dogs begins with introductions. The gentleman gently bites and licks his friend’s face, ears, and withers. Doesn't ignore the genitals. A female ready for mating will enthusiastically accept signs of attention. Then everything will happen in accordance with natural instincts: mounting, ejaculation, mating, unsticking.

Depending on the breed, there are some mating features. For large dogs (shepherd dogs, Great Danes, mastiffs, etc.) this is a threat of injury to the female skeleton under the weight of the male. The owner is recommended to support the female's belly with his knee.

Small dogs are prevented from mating by size discrepancies. Males usually fail to reach their mate’s noose. You can help your pet by placing something under its hind legs.

How to properly take dogs for the first time

To obtain healthy offspring and maintain the health of the female, you should follow certain recommendations when mating. They are like this:

• You cannot mate dogs younger than 1.5-2 years;
• for the first mating, a bitch must be mated with an experienced male, a young male with an experienced female;
• Close relatives cannot be crossed.

Dog Mating Stages

How dogs engage in mating can be described schematically. The process can be divided into several stages:

1. Acquaintance;
2. Mounting with the release of lubricant and penetration into the female genital organ;
3. Mating itself with ejaculation;
4. Gluing;
5. Unsticking.

What's the right way to happen?

Mating between an experienced male and female, as a rule, takes place without any particular difficulties. But it still requires some preparation.

How to properly wean dogs? Before the intended mating, it is necessary to undergo tests to confirm the absence of infections. A month before the expected estrus, the pet is given broad-spectrum anthelmintic drugs. After another week, vaccinations are carried out against the most common infections.

Before mating, animals must be walked, but not fed. When the bitch is completely ready for a “date”, she is taken to her gentleman.

Mating takes place only in the territory of the male dog.

Otherwise, the bitch will show aggression, defending her territory, and the male may lose interest in her.

Dogs are given 10-15 minutes to get acquainted and courteous. The following manipulations are then possible.

1. When the male dog begins to “mount,” the owner can lightly hold the bitch’s head.
2. If the male does not match in height, a pillow is placed under his paws. Or the owner places his knee under the bitch’s belly, lifting and fixing her in the desired position.
3. When the male has entered the bitch and begins active thrusting, he can be lightly pressed against the bitch. This will help prevent the penis from slipping out.
4. After ejaculation, a contraction occurs, the so-called “lock,” due to the strong enlargement of the penis and contraction of the vaginal sphincter. Gluing can last 10-60 minutes.
5. You can carefully help the male cross his paw so that the dogs are back or sideways to each other.
6. If there was no coupling and the owner is not confident in the effectiveness of the mating, it can be repeated after 1-2 days.

How to prepare for an event

The main guideline for starting preparatory activities is a diary or estrus calendar, since the mating of dogs always adapts to the natural cycles of the female. Active activities of breeders begin a month and a half before the animals are ready to mate. During this time you need:

• get tested for anaerobic infections;
• carry out therapeutic and prophylactic treatment against external and internal parasites;
• vaccinate the animal.

These procedures must be completed by animals of both sexes, which must be confirmed by the availability of appropriate certificates. If any infection is detected, the owner will have time to treat the pet.

You also need to take care of the mating site. For breeding representatives of small breeds, a separate room is enough, but large dogs require a lot of space, so in most cases mating takes place in the fresh air.

About two weeks after the start of estrus, the dog begins to ovulate, which lasts 3-5 days. This is the most favorable time for fertilization, increasing the chances of becoming pregnant and bearing the maximum number of babies.

The beginning of a bitch's cycle is determined by a change in the appearance of the vulva - it softens and swells. This is characterized by the release of a secretion that attracts males, which has a yellow-pink tint.

The “lady”’s behavior changes, and she begins to flirt with male dogs and encourage them to have intercourse, moving her tail to the side. However, there are cases when estrus does not appear. In such situations, it is useful to refer to calendar data or conduct a hormonal analysis.

Optimal period

Mating dogs, on what day of heat? Typically, ovulation in dogs occurs 10-15 days after the start of estrus. And it is best to determine the exact period of ovulation in a bitch by the level of hormones in the blood.

The period when a dog is ready to breed may vary among different breeds of dogs. For example, when should you breed a shepherd? In this breed, ovulation begins on days 10-13 and lasts 2-3 days.

When to breed a dog, on what day of estrus, if the breeder cannot carry out tests? There are several external signs that a bitch is ready.

1. Dog behavior. Before ovulation, the animal becomes nervous, restless and does not respond well to commands.
2. The “loop” (vulva) swells and becomes soft.
3. Demonstration of readiness. If you forcefully stroke the back, the bitch takes a characteristic position and moves her tail to the side.
4. Color of discharge. The brightly colored discharge of dogs turns light pink by the time of ovulation. It is recommended to check the presence of discharge and its color every morning using clean cotton wool.

Some bitches lick themselves thoroughly and it is quite difficult to determine the nature of the discharge.

Reproductive system of bitches

The main reproductive organ in bitches is the ovaries. They are paired sex glands responsible for the production of eggs. Since elevated temperature is not critical for the pathogenesis of eggs, the bitch’s ovaries are located in the abdominal cavity. Each egg is “enveloped” by several layers of epithelial cells, which serve as protection from damage and supply nutrients. Together with the epithelial layer, the egg forms a follicle (in other words, a vesicle). As estrus approaches, the follicles enlarge, and the protective tissue and the egg “separation” occurs, as a result of which the egg seems to float in the resulting cavity, which is filled with follicular fluid. It contains hormones and biologically active substances that are extremely important for the successful fertilization of the egg and subsequent gestation.

During estrus, ovulation occurs, i.e. rupture of the follicle, during which follicular fluid flows out and the egg is released. This process is accompanied by the transformation of the ruptured follicle into the so-called “corpus luteum.” The main function of the “corpus luteum” is the production of a special hormone that contributes to the normal course of the bitch’s pregnancy in the event of successful fertilization. Typically, during estrus, the same number of corpora lutea are produced as there are ovulated eggs.

Owners of bitches should know that there are reproductive pathologies that are characterized by “asymptomatic” ovulation. That is, there are no external signs of estrus, but ovulation nevertheless occurred. This phenomenon is called “silent hunting”. Indirectly, it can be the cause of infertility, since a bitch in which hidden ovulation occurs usually does not strive to mate during a period favorable for conception. However, the exact opposite case is also possible, when all the signs of estrus are present, but ovulation does not occur. A veterinarian can determine the absence of ovulation by palpating the surface of the ovaries through the wall of the rectum: if there was no ovulation, then the “corpus luteum” will be absent, whereas normally they should be palpable during examination.

The specificity of ovulation in dogs lies in the fact that the eggs leaving the follicles are not yet ready for fertilization. It takes about three days for the cells already in the oviducts to mature. Nature provided for this moment, so sperm that enter the female genital tract retain their viability for 7 days so that fertilization inevitably occurs.

First mating

The first heat can appear at the age of 6 to 12 months, but it is recommended that the animal be born only after the 3rd heat. In a male dog, the ability to mate can appear as early as 6 months, however, a male dog should be untied from 15-18 months.

Early matings lead to weak puppies, slow development and health problems in the future.

If a male or female does not have sexual experience, then the mating of dogs for the first time can be done “manually” - the owners fully control and regulate the process.

1. The owner fixes the bitch by the collar and places his knee under her stomach, holding her in the desired position.
2. If necessary, the “loop” is lubricated with Vaseline.
3. When the male begins to jump onto the bitch, he is guided to be held slightly above the tail.
4. After ejaculation, they help you take a comfortable position and do not allow you to lie down or make sudden movements until they disengage.

You must not touch a male dog's penis.

This can cause injury and lead to premature ejaculation.

How dogs are mated for the first time

Mating will definitely go properly if you familiarize yourself with its main features

The optimal period for breeding is considered to be the ovulation period in the female, which occurs after 10–15 days of estrus. To ensure that results are achieved, it is better to repeat the process a day after sexual intercourse occurs.

A dog may go into heat as early as six months of age, but it is better to wait until mating until 15–18 months.

If the bitch has not yet been mated, she should only be mated with a male who has already had experience of successful matings. It is important to introduce the animals beforehand, because this will have a positive effect on both mating and subsequent pregnancy. It is also recommended that the bitch does not go to the toilet for some time after mating.

Mating is carried out only in the territory of the dog.

If mating is successful and the desired result is achieved, the estrus will stop immediately, and there is no need to allow the animal to lie on its stomach. If mating is correct, pregnancy will occur approximately 2 weeks after intercourse.

Preparing for mating

1. Dogs must be healthy and have all vaccinations. Close relationship between partner dogs is excluded;
2. On the eve of mating, animals should be walked alone. This is an important point and should not be neglected. Dogs need to empty their bowels and bladder - it is unlikely that a male will do this in front of a female. It is necessary for animals to free themselves from waste in order to undergo mating without “locks”;
3. There is no need to feed dogs before mating. The ideal time for this is the morning before feeding;
4. When mating for the first time, it is better to put a muzzle on the bitch or bandage her muzzle - she is often aggressive during intercourse;

5. Crowds of spectators should be avoided; only the owners of the dogs should be present during the act;
6. First you need to introduce the animals. It is wiser to conduct acquaintance on neutral territory. The dogs need to get used to each other and frolic together, but in moderation to avoid getting tired. The animals should then be transferred to the male dog's territory;
7. Mating should always take place in the male's territory - this way he will be more confident and decisive. But, if sexual intercourse happened during an acquaintance, do not interfere with the procedure. Usually, having played enough with the suitor, the female willingly allows him to approach her and gives him the opportunity to mount him. If mating occurs in an apartment, then you should clear a place in the room in advance. This procedure involves active movement, so objects that get in the way may be damaged. The floor should be covered with old sheets to absorb secretions during sexual intercourse;
8. It is recommended to smear the bitch’s vulva with Vaseline;
9. The female's owner must stand in front of her and hold her by the collar . The male's owner sits next to the female, holds her lightly under her belly, and guides her vulva toward the male's penis throughout the mating. Such assistance is necessary to save the male’s strength, which helps prevent possible injuries during mating. As a rule, three cages are enough for mating.

Tips for the breeder

One of the first pieces of advice to a breeder is this: study your dog, study its individual characteristics in order to promptly determine the optimal days for mating. Feel free to make notes and keep a calendar for when your heat starts and ends. This will make your task much easier in the future.

If you do not have your own male to breed, but have doubts about the correct choice of mating day, it does not matter. You can check the bitch to see if she will “stand.” To do this, carefully place your hand on the rump at the root of the tail, and with your other hand, use your finger to lightly tap the skin of the perineum (just below the anus) or on the loop itself. If the bitch is ready to mate, she will stand with her legs spread wide apart, her tail twitching slightly, lifting it slightly upward, and her tail will be bent to the side. These are all signs that the dog is ready to mate within the next 48 hours.

It is also important that during the period of heat, both the female and the male become incredibly cunning. Therefore, it is extremely important that the bitch is isolated from male dogs during her entire period of heat. Don't lock her in the room (someone will forget to close the door). But close the windows, no matter where the female is located, it’s better to close the windows. However, even a fence is not an obstacle to mating.

One more tip. Before you walk your dog, think about whether all the nearby males will come running to your doorstep. If the dog is small, you can carry it to the walking area in your arms, or use special preparations to prevent the spread of odor. However, they can be used several days before mating.

And it is especially worth noting that during estrus it is necessary to monitor the health of the bitch as closely as possible, since on such days they are very susceptible to colds and inflammation of the reproductive system. Finally, I would like to say that a good owner should know his dog no worse than himself. This is the key to not only successful breeding, but also the health of your pet. What could be more important for us dog breeders?