Dog breeding is the act of mating selected dogs with the aim of maintaining or producing specific qualities and attributes. Dog breeding is an act of bringing together of a stud (male) and a bitch(female) during the fertile portion of the bitch’s heat cycle in order for the animals to mate and produce a litter.
Breeding depends on the science of genetics, so the breeder must have a knowledge of genetics, health, and the intended use for the dog’s attempts to breed suitable dogs. No breeding should ever be done lightly, they should be given serious consideration before proceeding.
METHODS OF BREEDING
In achieving a successful breeding process, you have to undergo two different methods which are;
- Natural method
A natural breeding method occurs between the stud (male) and the bitch (female) with little or no human intervention. The male climbs the bitch from behind and starts to mate with her. The sperm are usually supplied during the period of the “tie. The sperm will then move deeper and either meet up with the ovum for fertilization or attach themselves to the uterine wall and wait for the hormonal signal that lets them know the ovum have been released. They will then run toward the ovum in an attempt to be the first one to fertilize them. Once a sperm fertilizes an egg, no other sperm can penetrate it. The fertilized eggs then insert themselves at gaps along the uterine horns where they will continue to develop until it’s time for delivery.
- Artificial Insemination method
An artificial insemination method can be carried out whenever a natural breeding is either impossible or unacceptable. A veterinarian collects sperm from a male and uses a syringe equipped with a catheter to supply the sperm to the female’s uterus. The catheter is threaded into the vulva while taking care to avoid the bladder. The sperm is then slowly evacuated, and the bitch is kept quiet for about an hour to help make sure that the sperm reach their destination. Fertilization will take place and a litter will develop.
When these breeding practices are successfully carried out, the gestation period lasts roughly for about 62 days. Next is the delivery which can take place as early as 58 days gestation, though pups born this early may be a little premature and are normally known by the bright pink skin tone of their furless paws. When these pups are given serious attention when nursing them, they survive very well.