NATURAL BREEDING OF DOGS
Natural breeding is classified as physically breeding the bitch with the stud dog via introduction(s),
bitch reception, and sire mounting. Timing of natural breeding is different from artificial insemination
because with natural breeding, the sperm can live for several days. Therefore, timing does not need to
be as exact.
Proestrus is considered the first day that any signs of the heat (estrus) are noted, such as vulvar
swelling or vulvar discharge. Record this day on your calendar. Five days after the onset of proestrus
(Day 6) introduce the bitch to the stud to see if she will stand for him (be receptive to him). For
territorial reasons, always take the bitch to the stud. The stud will be more comfortable and confident
and more likely to attempt mounting. The bitch will likely be more submissive in an unfamiliar
environment. Present the bitch every other day to the male until she stands. Once she is receptive,
allow the dogs to breed every 2-3 days until she will no longer allow the stud to mount her. Record all
activity on your calendar. Bitches usually stop standing around Day 16-17. With a healthy, young
bitch and fertile male, 86% success rates can be achieved with this technique.
If using progesterone test kits to maximize timing, start testing on Day 5 of proestrus. Test every
other day until progesterone reaches 5 ng/ml. Breed the dogs 48-72 hours later. For most test kits,
5ng/ml is indicated by the high end of the color range.
If a Cesarean section (C-section) delivery is a possibility, vaginal cytology can be done daily to help
safely time the C-section. Slides can be made at home, after instructions are provided by your
veterinarian. Once breeding is complete, bring the slides to the clinic for evaluation. Cesarean sections
are usually scheduled for 57 days from the onset of diestrus and diestrus can be determined from the
vaginal cytology. This technique provides for maximal survival of pups by timing surgery
appropriately. In some instances, progesterone levels may also be measured at the end of the
pregnancy to aid in timing of the C-section.
An abdominal ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy can be done at Day 28. Puppy counts are not
accurate at this time, however. On Day 52 from the onset of diestrus, the bitch can be radiographed
(x-rayed) for a puppy count. The radiograph does not harm the developing puppies but allows for an
accurate puppy count. Counting the puppies allows dystocia to be recognized early if there is a delay
between puppies at the time of whelping. The radiograph also allows puppy size to be evaluated, to
estimate whether the puppies will likely be able to pass through the pelvic canal.
Dystocia is identified as the bitch going for more than 3 hours without producing a pup, straining on
the part of the bitch for 1 hour without producing a pup, or development of a black, green, or red
vulvar discharge before any pups are produced. This discharge indicates placental detachment. Call
your veterinarian if you suspect your bitch is experiencing dystocia.
It is recommended that all breeding dogs be tested annually for brucellosis. Stud dogs that breed
frequently should be tested twice yearly. Vaginal cultures on bitches are not necessary unless
infertility is suspected.
MANAGEMENT OF THE PREGNANT BITCH
An initial pre-breeding visit involves a complete physical examination of the bitch, with submission of
a complete blood count and biochemistry profile, especially in older bitches. If the bitch is showing any
signs of heat, vaginal cytology is performed and a progesterone testing plan is established.
An abdominal ultrasound is usually performed about Day 28-30 after the last breeding to diagnose
whether the bitch is pregnant. Plain radiography (x-rays) can identify fetal skeletons at Days 43-45 of
gestation. Radiographs may be delayed until Day 50-52 of gestation to avoid false-negative results
that can occur earlier than Day 50. The bitch should be fasted the morning of the radiographs so a full
stomach does not interfere with interpretation of the films.
Nutrition
In obese bitches, weight reduction before breeding improves conception rates and decreases the risks
of poor lactation and dystocia. Weight loss is never attempted during pregnancy. During the first 3
weeks of pregnancy, the well-conditioned bitch may experience little weight gain. Consumption of a
high-quality, adult food is sufficient for the first 2/3 of the pregnancy. Overfeeding during the first 2/3
of pregnancy is a common tendency. Bitches that become pregnant that are excessively thin should
eat a growth or performance diet to correct their low body condition.
Around Week 3 of gestation many bitches experience appetite loss that may persist for several days
to a week. Mild gastrointestinal (GI) upset and nausea may also occur. Appetite typically returns to
normal about Week 4.
Energy requirements increase, as well as the need for more proteins and carbohydrates, during the
last half of pregnancy. Percentage of calories from dietary protein should be 29-32%, from
carbohydrates should be 40%, and from fat should be 18%. Gradually increase the amount fed for
pregnancy and/or lactation. A rapid diet change may lead to GI upset. The amount of food needed
during the last 1/3 of gestation increases in proportion to litter size and growth of the fetuses.
Gradually increase the volume fed by 25-30% over the last 4 weeks prior to the whelping date.
Feeding multiple small meals is sometimes better, especially if the litter size is large. Many, but not all
bitches stop eating 24-48 hours before delivery. During lactation the bitch’s energy requirements are
increased by 250%.
Administration of supplemental vitamins and minerals to bitches is discouraged. Few supplements
are a pure source of a given nutrient. Calcium supplementation is actually contraindicated. Cottage
cheese is not recommended. Increased calcium requirements are usually met by increased food
consumption of a well-balanced diet. Excessive calcium intake above that provided by a high quality
diet can suppress parathyroid hormone production and increase the chances for hypocalcemia
(eclampsia).
Excess Vitamin A has been associated with congenital defects in the offspring, including cleft palate.
Folate deficiencies have been associated with fetal defects in humans. Most premium diets provide
adequate folate, but supplementation of B vitamins is not considered harmful. Dogs produce enough
Vitamin C from their diet and do not require supplementation. Excess Vitamin D intake can affect
calcium metabolism of the bitch and is not recommended.
Supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids maximizes cerebral and retinal development in the fetus
and may even help produce larger litters with fewer stillbirths. The ideal ratio is 5:1 omega-6 to
omega-3. The veterinary product, 3V Caps, provides this ratio. Most bitches should receive a fatty
acid supplement.
In bitches that do not eat voluntarily, dietary supplementation is needed. In severe cases,
termination of pregnancy may be needed to avoid life-threatening hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or
pregnancy toxemia. Bitches that do not receive enough carbohydrates are also more prone to
pregnancy toxemia. Pregnancy toxemia causes a significant increase in stillborn puppies and neonatal
death within the first 3 days of life.
Exercise
Regular exercise is important during pregnancy to maintain good body condition. Brisk, short walks
and short episodes of swimming are the safest forms of exercise. In late gestation, bitches with large
litters require shorter walks. Advanced obedience and agility work are not recommended during
pregnancy. Significant mental or physical stress should also be avoided.
Vaccinations
Routine vaccinations should be completed before breeding. The puppy’s immune system is dependent
upon high levels of antibodies passed to them in the bitch’s colostrum (the mild produced soon after
birth). The amount of antibodies in colostrum is dependent upon the mother’s immune status.
Administration of modified live vaccines is not recommended during pregnancy.
Parasite control
Infection of developing fetuses by Toxocara canis (round worm) and Ancylostoma species (hook
worms) during the last trimester can be treated by administration of oral fenbendazole 50 mg/kg daily
from Day 40 of gestation through Day 14 after whelping.
External parasites are best controlled by environmental management and approved topical formulas,
such as Revolution or Frontline. Use of organophosphates and pyrethroids should be avoided.
Heartworms do cross the placenta and pregnant bitches should be maintained on preventive agents,
such as Interceptor, Sentinel, Revolution or Heartgard.
Low Progesterone
Although uncommon, some bitches do not produce progesterone levels high enough to maintain
pregnancy. The progesterone level must not drop below 2 ng/ml. If the bitch has a history of losing a
pregnancy or prior infertility, the progesterone level may be checked daily if it is discovered to be less
than 5 ng/ml. Low progesterone levels can be treated with daily injections of progesterone in oil (2-3
mg/kg) intramuscularly (IM) or maintained with daily, oral ally-trenbolone (Regumate) at 0.88 mg/kg.
Progesterone supplementation is discontinued within 72 hours of the timed whelping date.
Drug administration
Administration of any medication during pregnancy should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
Check with your veterinarian before administering any products, supplements or medications to the
bitch.
OVULATION TIMING IN DOGS
Ovulation timing is important when artificial insemination (AI) techniques are used because shipped,
frozen, or chilled semen have decreased survival times. Survival time is only a few days for cooled
semen and as low as 12 hours for frozen semen, in contrast to fresh semen that can live for 5-11
days. Several techniques are employed to maximize conception rates and litter size when insemination
techniques are used.
Day 1 of proestrus is considered the first day that any signs of heat (estrus) are noted, such as
vulvar swelling or vulvar discharge. Record this day on your calendar. Five days after the onset of
proestrus (Day 6), progesterone testing is started. Progesterone testing requires sending a blood
sample to a referral laboratory for evaluation. The bedside progesterone tests are not accurate enough
to use reliably for artificial insemination. Progesterone samples are submitted every other day until
ovulation occurs, which is usually at a progesterone level of 5 ng/ml. Depending upon the laboratory
results are available within a few to 24 hours. Once ovulation has occurred, insemination is planned
for 3 days later. This delay allows time for shipment of frozen or chilled semen. If a second breeding is
planned, it is done 48 hours after the first breeding. A progesterone sample is taken at the time of
breeding to ensure levels are between 15-25 ng/ml. This range maximizes litter size and conception
rates.
Vaginal cytology is combined with progesterone testing to determine when diestrus has occurred.
Slides can be made at home, after instructions are provided by your veterinarian. Once breeding is
complete, bring the slides to the clinic for evaluation. Cesarean sections are usually scheduled for 57
days from the onset of diestrus or 62-64 days from the time progesterone reaches 5 ng/ml. Diestrus
can be determined from the vaginal cytology. This technique provides for maximal survival of pups by
timing surgery appropriately.
Vaginoscopy (examination with a viewing scope) can be used to evaluate changes within the vaginal
vault that occur with proestrus and estrus. Vaginoscopy is typically recommended when transcervical
AI is planned.
Artificial insemination can be achieved by several techniques. A common technique is instillation of
semen into the vaginal vault using a pipette. The pipette is advanced to the level of the cervix and the
semen is deposited there. The bitch’s hindquarters are elevated for 15 minutes after the insemination.
This technique works best with fresh semen because fresh semen lives 5-6 days. This longevity gives
the semen time to cross the cervix and enter the uterus. This technique is not recommended for
chilled or frozen semen.
For chilled or frozen semen transcervical or surgical insemination is recommended because these
techniques deposit the semen directly into the uterus. Chilled and frozen semen do not live as long,
so intrauterine deposition maximizes conception rates. Surgical insemination is best for bitches with
previous infertility problems, because the uterus can be visualized and any intrauterine cysts manually
broken during surgery. Surgical insemination is done under general anesthesia and requires an
abdominal incision with sutures. Surgical insemination is only done once during the estrous cycle.
Transcervical insemination (TCI) offers several advantages over surgical insemination. TCI can be
done without sedation in most bitches, especially if the owner is present. The procedure takes 10-15
minutes. Insemination can be done multiple times within an estrous cycle, usually 48 hours apart. The
technique involves the use of a rigid viewing scope to visualize the cervix. The scope enters the
vaginal vault similar to placement of the pipette for vaginal insemination. The cervix is identified
through the scope and a catheter is passed through the cervix into the uterus where the semen is
then deposited. Conception rates in healthy females with viable sperm reach 86% with these
techniques.
Litter survival rates are higher with properly timed Cesarean sections (C-sections). C-sections are
often done 57 days after the onset of diestrus. An abdominal radiograph (x-ray) is done at Day 52 for
a puppy count. An abdominal ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy can be done at Day 28.
If natural whelping is planned, the radiograph allows evaluation of the size of the puppies to
estimate whether they will be able to pass through the pelvic canal. The radiograph is not harmful to
the developing pups. Dystocia is identified as the bitch going for more than 3 hours without producing
a pup, straining on the part of the bitch for 1 hour without producing a pup, or development of a
black, green, or red vulvar discharge before any pups are produced. This discharge indicates placental
detachment. Call your veterinarian if you suspect your bitch is experiencing dystocia.
Prenatal Care
Preparing for your dog's labor and puppy care can be both exciting and fun; still, awareness of potential
problems is of paramount importance. It is a good idea to keep track of your dog's breeding date so as to
know when to expect what.
After about 35 days of pregnancy, the mother's caloric requirements will begin to increase. In general, she
should require about twice as much food as usual whereas, when she begins nursing, she will need three
times as much food. The best nutritional plan is to buy a dog food approved for growth (i.e. puppy food) and
feed according to the package; such diets are balanced and require no supplementation, plus they typically
have the extra calories needed by the pregnant or nursing mother. Exercise of the pregnant bitch need not
be restricted until after the first 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy. Do not supplement calcium as this can cause
metabolic imbalances; also, excess vitamins may be harmful to the puppies.
Sometime around the 45th day, your dog should be examined by a veterinarian. At this time, the skeletons
of the unborn pups will have mineralized and are thus visible on a radiograph. Your dog's abdomen should
be x-rayed so that you know how many pups to expect. Ultrasound may be used to confirm pregnancy much
earlier (after 25 days, the embryonic heart may be seen beating) but it is more difficult to count the number
of pups using this method. A general pregnancy blood test can be performed around day 35 just to confirm
whether or not she is pregnant but neither this nor ultrasound will tell you how many puppies to expect;
only radiographs can do that.
A comfortable area should be set aside for whelping and raising the puppies. The bitch should feel at home
here and should be able to come and go as she likes while the puppies must remain confined.
It is important that the mother dog be isolated from all other dogs for 3 weeks prior to labor through 3
weeks after delivery to prevent herpes infection. Herpes is spread by sniffing and licking between two dogs.
Adult dogs rarely have any symptoms but the newborn or unborn puppies generally die. For more details on
this infection click here.
A dog’s gestation period is considered to be 63 days though this is not written in stone and a normal range
might be 58 to 68 days.
Impending Labor
When your dog's due date is approaching, you should begin monitoring her rectal temperature. When her
temperature drops below 100° F (normal canine temperature is 101-102° F), labor may be expected within
24 hours.
The First Stage of Labor
During this stage, uterine contractions begin. The bitch will appear restless and may pace, dig, shiver, pant,
or even vomit. This is all normal and all an owner can do is see that she has water available should she want
it. This stage of labor is long, lasting 6 to 12 hours and culminates with full dilation of the cervix in
preparation to expel a puppy.
The Second and Third Stages of Labor
The second stage is the hard labor stage in which the puppy is expelled. The third stage refers to the
expulsion of the placenta and afterbirth. Each pup may not be followed by afterbirth; the mother may pass
two pups and then two placentas. This is normal.
Puppies are born covered in membranes that must be cleaned away or the pup will suffocate. The mother
will bite and lick the membranes away. Allow her a minute or two after birth to do this; if she does not do it,
then you must clean the pup for her. Simply remove the slippery covering and rub the puppy with a clean
towel. The umbilical cord may be tied in a knot about one inch from the pup and cut with scissors on the far
side of the knot. Be careful not to pull on the umbilical cord as this can injure the puppy. The mother may
want to eat the placenta but this is probably not a good idea as vomiting it up later is common; it is best to
clean away the placenta yourself.
Expect one pup every 45 to 60 minutes with 10 to 30 minutes of hard straining. It is normal for bitches to
take a rest partway through delivery, and she may not strain at all for up to 4 hours between pups. If she is
seen straining hard for over one hour or if she takes longer than a 4 hour break, a veterinarian should be
consulted.
Expect some puppies (probably half of them) to be born tail first. This is not abnormal for dogs.
CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN IF:

30-60 minutes of strong contractions occur with no puppy being produced.

More than 4 hours pass between pups and you know there are more inside.

She fails to go into labor within 24 hours of her temperature drop.

She is obviously in extreme pain.

Greater than 70 days of gestation have passed.
It is normal for the bitch to spike a fever in the 24 to 48 hours following birth. This fever should not be
accompanied by clinical signs of illness.
Normal vaginal discharge after parturition should be odorless and may be green, dark red-brown or bloody
and may persist in small amounts for up to 8 weeks.
Problems to Watch for...
Metritis (Inflammation of the Uterus)
Signs of this condition are as follows:






fever
foul-smelling vaginal discharge
listlessness
loss of appetite
no interest in the puppies
decreased milk production
If these signs are noted, usually in the first day or two postpartum, a veterinarian should be consulted. Your
dog may have retained a placenta or have suffered some trauma during delivery. Animals who required
assistance with delivery are often predisposed to metritis. She will likely need to be spayed.
Eclampsia
This condition results when the bitch has trouble supporting the calcium demand of lactation. Calcium
supplementation predisposes a bitch to this condition. Usually affected animals are small dogs. They
demonstrate:



nervousness and restlessness
no interest in the pups
stiff, painful gait
This progresses to:




muscle spasms
inability to stand
fever
seizures
This condition generally occurs in the first three weeks of lactation and a veterinarian should be consulted
immediately.
Mastitis (Inflammation of the Breasts)
Normal nursing glands are soft and enlarged. Diseased glands are red, hard, and painful. In general, the
bitch does not act sick; the disease is confined to the mammary tissue. The bitch may be sore and
discourage the pups from nursing; however, it is important to keep the pups nursing the affected glands.
This is not harmful to the puppies and it helps flush out the infected material. Hot packing may be helpful.
Most dogs are excellent mothers and problems are few. The basic rule is to seek veterinary care if she
seems to feel sick of if she ceases to care for her young. Puppies nurse until they are about 6 weeks old and
then may be fully separated from their mother. A good age for adoption to a new home is 8 weeks or later.
Related Articles
Pregnant Dog Care
Are you getting ready for the
pitter-patter of little paws? As
with humans, one can
minimize complications with
proper care in pregnancy.
Having puppies may sound
easy and it may seem like the
dog does all the work, but
that is not always how it turns
out.
So our first assumption is that
the litter is wanted (if not
necessarily planned.) If the
litter is not wanted, please
consider that there is a
terrible canine overpopulation problem with some
shelters in our own area
euthanizing over 100 dogs DAILY. If your litter is not wanted, please consider spaying the pregnant female
or having a medical abortion.
Now on to caring for the pregnant dog:
The female dog is pregnant for an average of 63 days.
Plan accordingly.
Diet
The expectant mother will gradually require increasing amounts of food to nourish her developing litter. A
food approved for growth (i.e., a puppy food) will certainly be necessary during the nursing period and
pregnancy may be a good time to transition into this new diet.
About 3 weeks into the pregnancy, she may experience a little nausea and appetite loss similar to morning
sickness. This should resolve within a week, so if an upset stomach or loss of appetite lasts longer than that
or is accompanied by listlessness, something more serious is going on and the vet should be notified.
Calcium supplementation may be tempting but is not a good idea. As long as the expectant mother is on a
quality diet, supplementation is unnecessary. Further, supplementation can suppress her natural calcium
releasing hormones so that when she really needs extra calcium during nursing, she will not have the proper
hormone balance to get it. This can create a very dangerous situation that could easily be avoided by not
supplementing with calcium.
At around 30 days of pregnancy, bring the female dog to the vet for a wellness check up and to confirm the
pregnancy with a simple blood test.
Exercise
Regular walking helps the expectant mother keep up her strength but intensive training, showing, or even
obedience school is probably too stressful. Obesity is a dangerous problem for pregnant dogs and serious
blood sugar regulation problems can put the litter at risk. Still, pregnancy is not the time for a weight loss
program. Your veterinarian will help guide you regarding the optimal nutrition plan for your individual dog.
During the final 3 weeks of pregnancy, the mother dog should be completely isolated from other dogs at
home (see below). This means no walks
in public during this stage of pregnancy.
Vaccination
A female dog should not be vaccinated
during pregnancy; there are sera in the
vaccine that could be harmful to the
developing fetus. Ideally, the female
should be vaccinated just prior to
breeding. She will be passing on her
immunity to her pups in the first milk
she produces (special milk called
colostrum) so we want her antibody
levels to be at their peak yet we want to
avoid vaccination during pregnancy.
Parasite Control
If the expectant mother uses a
heartworm preventive product normally, she may continue to do so during pregnancy. All heartworm
products available are approved for use in pregnancy and lactation.
Flea control is important during pregnancy though is more important after the puppies are born. It is
important to use a safe product during pregnancy. There are two specifically approved products for this use:


Capstar
Revolution
Roundworms and hookworms can both be transmitted from the pregnant mother dog to her unborn puppies.
This is a nuisance as one usually ends up with both an infected mother and infected puppies, but fortunately
there is a deworming protocol to control this infection. If you have concerns about internal parasites for the
puppies, speak to your veterinarian about worm control. Daily medication will be needed but it is possible for
worm-free puppies to be born.
Isolate the Mother to Prevent Herpes Infection
Canine Herpesvirus infection causes a minor cold in adult dogs but can cause abortion in pregnancy as well
as death in newborn puppies. The best way to prevent infection is to isolate the mother dog completely
during the 3 weeks prior to delivery and the 3 weeks after delivery. This means absolutely no contact with
other dogs.
Just prior to isolation, it is a good idea for the expectant mother to have a radiograph of her belly to count
puppies.
Knowing how many puppies to expect will tell you when she is finished delivering.
Labor and Complications of Delivery
There is always the possibility of a problem with delivery and you will need to be able to recognize labor
when it is occurring, what is normal and what is a sign you need to see the veterinarian for assistance. See
birthing puppies for information on care during labor and nursing.