How long does a French Bulldog go into heat?

Each breed of dog has its own characteristics, so before breeding they must be taken into account in order to avoid mistakes. French bulldogs are considered an elite breed. These are small, cute dogs with a flattened muzzle, protruding ears and a stocky build.

They have a variety of colors, but their types are still prescribed by the international standard. Let's look at the features of breeding French bulldogs and what difficulties breeders may encounter.

When does puberty begin and how long does the first heat last?

The dog's first heat (estrus) indicates that the bitch has reached puberty. This period usually occurs between 6 and 12 months of age. If this happened a little earlier or later, you need to show your pet to a veterinarian.

The approach of estrus is accompanied by a change in the behavior of the “French woman”:

• lethargy;
• weak activity;
• hyperactivity;
• excessive or vice versa - weak appetite.

In addition, even a well-trained dog can be disobedient.

Estrus in French bulldogs is divided into the following stages:

1. Proestrus . The period of this stage is from 1 to 9 days. If it drags on, there is nothing to worry about - proestrus can last up to 17 days. At this time, the loop begins to swell and spotting appears.
2. Estrus . The duration of this stage is about 9 days, and can last up to 3 weeks. During estrus, the discharge begins to become more scanty, its scarlet color changes to pinkish, the loop becomes smaller and softens a little. During this period, the bulldog begins to show interest in male dogs. Estrus is the ideal time for mating.
3. Metestrus . The final stage, in which the bitch gradually loses interest in males and begins to avoid them. The duration of metestrus is approximately 2 months.
4. Anestrus . The final stage of a dog's sexual activity, which lasts about six months until the next proestrus.

Important to remember! During the entire period of estrus, the pet must be walked only on a leash. This will help avoid unwanted mating.

When does the first heat occur?

When a French Bulldog bitch reaches the age of sexual maturity, she goes into her first heat . But for each individual individual, the time of onset of the first emptying varies and can vary from 6 months to 1 year or more.

This is interesting! If there is a significant delay in this event or its onset is too early, you should consult a veterinarian.

The behavior of the pet in a few weeks can indicate the approach of emptying: she may begin to mount both males and females, and may also gain or lose weight, increase physical activity, or vice versa, become lethargic and inactive, her appetite may increase, and it will decrease, the concentration of attention may drop, that is, it may show disobedience to the owner and trainer.

Care before mating

The owner of a “Frenchie” who plans to breed a pet in the near future should prepare her even before estrus. Preparation consists of carrying out the following activities:

• Prevention of parasites. A month before the expected estrus, the bitch must be given an anthelmintic and also treated with a flea preparation.
• Make sure your dog has all required vaccinations.
• Normalize weight. If the bulldog is too overfed, you should put it on a diet. And when she is too thin for her breed, provide her with nutritious food.
• As soon as the emptying begins, you need to start giving mineral supplements containing vitamins.

Diet

During this special period for the dog, it is not recommended to change the diet, as this can affect the emotional state of the bitch or generally cause stress, which can interfere with successful fertilization. However, two weeks before the expected estrus, you can increase your nutrition with vitamins and microelements.

The veterinarian can recommend specific medications after examining the “French lady,” since an excess of vitamins in the body (hypervitaminosis) as well as a lack of vitamins (hypovitaminosis) can negatively affect the health of the pet, lead to unwanted miscarriages or termination of pregnancy, and affect the condition of the puppies.

Mating dogs: rules and difficulties

For successful mating, owners of a pair of French bulldogs need to know how to do it correctly:

1. The first mating of a bulldog should not be earlier than 15-18 months. Before this, 2-3 heats should pass.
2. Find a healthy partner. He should not have hereditary pathologies. You also need to make sure that both suit each other in height.
3. At the time of mating, both dogs must be completely healthy.
4. It is better to breed pets in the male territory. He will feel more comfortable and confident.
5. Mating should be carried out in a ventilated, enclosed area; the slippery floor should be covered with carpets. If mating occurs during the cold season, the room should be well heated.
6. Before mating, both dogs need to be given a good walk, but not fed. The process is carried out on an empty stomach.

Depending on the experience of the dog, hand or freestyle mating is carried out . When freestyle, dogs can be left alone, especially if the bitch shows interest in her partner. Hand knitting is required when the dog has no experience - he cannot get into the loop the first time.

In this case, the owner of the bitch supports the pet by the collar and belly, constantly calming and stroking her. The owner of the male guides his dog when he does the mounting, lightly supporting him by the croup. After ejaculation, the dogs can be released - they will behave calmly.

Dogs stay in the castle for up to 15 minutes . At this time, there is no need to touch them, much less take them apart.

In some cases, owners of French bulldogs may encounter the following difficulties during mating:

• The owner is nervous - the excitement is transmitted to the dog. Mating, especially the first one, is a test not only for pets, but also for owners. You should try to pull yourself together and not show your worries to the dog.
• Spoiled bitch. A dog accustomed to constant care and excessive affection may become frightened in an unfamiliar place, bite a male dog, or try to hide. In this case, it is better to entrust the mating to an experienced dog handler and leave. The dog will behave more disciplined in the absence of the owner.
• The male dog does not want to be caged. This usually happens due to the dog's inexperience. You need to take a break: let the dog rest, then cheer him up.
• The dog fell into the noose, but the lock did not form. In such a situation, fertilization definitely does not occur. It is better to carry out a control mating in a couple of days.
• The female and male are of different heights , so the dog cannot get into the noose. A special stand will help here.

Note! For successful fertilization, a second control mating should be carried out a couple of days after the first.

How long do pregnant women go, how to take care of them and what to feed them?

Pregnancy in French bulldogs lasts on average up to 70 days.

As for the care and nutrition of the bitch, it differs depending on the stage of pregnancy:

• Up to 3 weeks. Signs of pregnancy are almost invisible. Successful fertilization can be judged by increased sensitivity to external factors and deterioration of appetite. There is no need to change your diet, and you shouldn’t force anyone to eat either.
• Week 4. “French women” who eat natural foods should be given fresh greens and fill the menu with protein foods. Bulldogs who eat ready-made food need to purchase products for pregnant women.
• Week 5. By this time, you need to carefully monitor the dog's condition. By week 5, her nipples begin to swell and colostrum is released when pressure is applied. In addition, a small amount of mucus appears from the loop. It is important to ensure that it is transparent.
• Week 6. The bitch's hips expand and her belly becomes larger. She begins to look for a secluded place to raise her offspring. Now the dog should be fed 3 times a day, and by week 7 switched to 4 meals a day. Walks should be leisurely, without excessive physical activity.
• Week 8. The dog needs to prepare a box for future puppies so that she gets used to it. The offspring are already beginning to move. During this period, it is advisable to do an ultrasound to accurately determine the number of puppies. It is necessary to remove meat from the diet, replacing it with fish.
• Week 9. From this moment on, the “Frenchie” needs to be fed 4-6 times a day, but the amount of food should be reduced.

Important to remember! A couple of days before the expected birth, fish should be excluded from the diet.

The behavior of the bitch during this period

A few weeks before the onset of estrus, the dog begins to behave restlessly and may become lethargic or, conversely, aggressive. Her appetite disappears or becomes very high. Symptoms of future estrus may include weight gain and disobedience. Dogs begin to mount males or other females. If the bitch often goes to the toilet, licks herself, the loop (the external genital organ in bulldogs) swells, these are also signs of impending estrus. During the first 9 days, the dog does not allow male dogs to approach him and treats them aggressively.

From the tenth to the twentieth day, the dog shows an active interest in individuals of the opposite sex, the dog “substitutes” and sits down. During this period, if mating is undesirable, you need to especially carefully monitor the animal and walk only on a leash. During the period of metestrus, the bitch refuses the attention of male dogs, reacts aggressively to their attacks, and sexual intercourse is undesirable for her.

If accidental sexual intercourse does occur (it lasts from forty minutes to an hour), then under no circumstances should the dogs be forcibly separated. Anatomical features suggest a strong connection between the male and the female.

After 21 days, the discharge will practically disappear, the bitch will lose interest in the opposite sex, on the contrary, she will react aggressively to males. This will be a sign that the heat is ending.

Preparing for childbirth

Childbirth in French bulldogs is usually difficult, so it is better to arrange with your veterinarian in advance - a caesarean section may be required.

The onset of labor is accompanied by a decrease in the dog's body temperature to 37 degrees , milk appears, and she begins to spend more time in a pre-prepared box.

If the birth goes without complications, then contractions and pushing will soon begin, and the first puppy will be born. The owner should immediately free it from the membranes, clean the mouth of mucus, and then tie the umbilical cord in two places. Then cut it above the constriction points, treat the edges with an antiseptic.

Under no circumstances should you let your dog chew the umbilical cord. It can injure the puppy.

Each new puppy should be placed in a separate box from the mother with a pre-prepared heating pad so that the dog does not injure the babies during the birth process.

Features of puberty

What kind of mating does your French Bulldog have?
First

64.71%

Second

22.35%

Third

12.94%

French Bulldogs reach physical maturity at one year. The first heat in females (estrus) begins at 6–8 months, and males are interested in the opposite sex from 10–12 months. However, the dogs are still developing and mating is prohibited.

An unshakable rule for all dog breeds is to breed after the third heat. It is then that the French Bulldog reaches puberty and the dogs are fully developed physically and psychologically.

Early matings are undesirable. Before the age of 2 years, the female will not be able to bear and give birth to healthy offspring, and the risk of her death during childbirth is high. And early males stop obeying their owner as soon as they smell a female in heat.

Bitches come into heat every six months. You need to keep track of how long the heat lasts and the periods of calm between them. Notes about them and about matings are made in a diary, which is later transformed into a pregnancy calendar.

If shedding does not begin before one year or estrus occurs irregularly, contact a veterinarian.

How long a French bulldog's estrus lasts depends on the dog's individual characteristics, conditions of keeping and nutrition. On average they last 21 days and consist of 4 periods:

• proestrus – duration up to 10 days, ovulation has not yet occurred, and the Frenchie is not ready for mating;
• estrus – lasts 3 – 5 days, the optimal time for mating;
• metaestrus – the final stage, the body returns to normal;
• anestrus - the period of rest until the next estrus and mating is 24 - 28 weeks.

Complications

Problems that the owner may encounter during the birth of a “French woman”:

1. Weakened contractions or pushing. Most often this occurs due to the dog being overweight or having dead puppies. In such a situation, the veterinarian gives an injection to stimulate labor.
2. Large puppies. They can get stuck in the birth canal. The only correct solution is a caesarean section.
3. Incorrect position of puppies. The situation can only be corrected by a veterinarian by giving the dog anesthesia and, after relaxing the muscles, turning them into the correct position.
4. Atypical discharge after childbirth. This usually indicates that there is a puppy remaining in the uterus. Need urgent veterinary help.
5. Ectopic pregnancy. Only urgent surgery with further long-term treatment can correct the situation.
6. Lack of milk. The veterinarian gives a special injection to stimulate lactation.

Help

If we talk about helping a dog, then immediately after giving birth the dog needs to be given something to drink , and if it does not refuse, then something to eat. Warm milk or light broth is good for these purposes. After this, you can take your pet for a walk.

If a dog has undergone a caesarean section, the owner will have to feed the babies himself, and the bitch will have to regularly treat the suture with medication. When a bulldog feeds puppies on its own, you need to take care of the air temperature in the room - it should be at least 24 degrees.

When, for certain reasons, puppies are left without a mother, in addition to feeding, another problem arises - they cannot yet defecate on their own. Therefore, you should regularly massage each baby’s tummy with a damp cloth.

5 days after birth, small French bulldogs have their fifth toes removed. This procedure should only be performed by a veterinarian.

To start breeding French bulldogs, you should monitor its health, diet, and activity from the first time your pet appears in your home. By approaching the issue of caring for the dog responsibly, the owner will receive healthy offspring from his pet.