Dogs Mating: The Process and how to Recognize a Pregnant dog
The female dog's reproductive cycle is not unlike a human females. In humans, a female can begin her reproductive cycle as early as age 8. In dogs, the female reproductive cycle begins in puberty. This means that the process of dogs mating can begin as early as 5-6 months of age in small breeds and at up to two years of age for large breeds. However, the average age of puberty for dogs is 7-10 months. The process of dogs mating begins after the female experiences a bloody vaginal discharge which typically lasts anywhere from four to nine days. After the discharge has stopped flowing, the female dog is ready to engage in dog mating. She will stand for breeding for anywhere from a few days up to two weeks. The crucial stage of dogs mating can occur anytime after the discharge has stopped, but breeders usually breed dogs on the 9th, 11th or 13th day from the first vaginal discharge. Keep in mind that female dogs have two reproductive cycles annually. Towards the end of the process of dogs mating, an unusual spectacle occurs. The two dogs will appear “tied” together for a period of time that can last up to an hour. In some cases, the male dog will turn around and the dogs will appear end-to-end. While this may seem unusual, it is actually very normal and no cause for alarm. It is important to allow the dogs to remain this way as trying to separate them may cause injury. When the process of dogs mating officially ends, the female will (or she should) become pregnant. Some of the symptoms of pregnancy in female dogs are similar to pregnancy symptoms in human females. Pregnancy dog symptoms include: lack of appetite, loss of interest in physical activities, changes in behavior and attitude, weight gain, increase in abdomen size, increased appetite, and enlargement of nipples. When you discover that your dog is pregnant, do as much as you can to keep her comfortable. Remember, she’s carrying an entire litter!