Preparing the Bitch for Breeding

One of the most important things a breeder can do before the breeding process even starts is take adequate steps to ensure the bitch is an ideal candidate for breeding and then take steps to ensure the breeding process goes as smoothly as possible. This article will outline the critical steps responsible breeders should follow before attempting to breed a bitch.

Age is one of the factors to consider when preparing a bitch for breeding. Some breeders may rush the process and attempt to breed bitches very early on, often during the first heat cycle. However, responsible breeders should wait until the dog has fully matured before the first breeding. For many dogs this may mean waiting until the dog is at least two years of age. This will give her enough time to fully develop physically, mentally and socially which is all important for breeding purposes because carrying, delivering and nurturing a litter of puppies is a process that is not only extremely physically taxing but also mentally stressful as well. A bitch that is fully matured will handle this process much better than an immature dog.

During the first two years of life the owner can do a great deal to prepare the bitch for the breeding process. The first and most important step an owner can take is to provide the dog with a high quality diet of good nutrition. This is important because a proper diet, combined with a regular exercise program, will help to keep the bitch in top physical condition. Your veterinarian can help you to determine which type of food is best for your dog based on her breed, current health, coat type and physical structure. The diet may consist of dry foods, wet foods or a diet of raw, meaty bones and vegetables. It may take some experimentation but eventually you will determine which food really helps your dog to thrive.

Other things a responsible breeder can do during the first two years of a bitches life is spend time working and showing the dog. This is especially true if the puppies of the litter are being bred for a specific type of temperament that will help them to excel as working dogs or in the show ring. This may sound trivial but it is extremely important because during the course of two years working or showing a bitch, the owners may decide the dog does not have qualities they would like to pass onto the puppies. In this case it will be worthwhile to have the bitch spayed to avoid introducing negative qualities to the lines.

Finally, before any bitch should be bred, it is very important to have her undergo a series of health checks for conditions which are common to the breed. Only bitches which are free of genetic disorders, which can be passed onto the puppies, should be bred. The type of testing required will vary by the breed because certain breeds are more prone to some disorders than others. However, some of the more common tests required include tests for joints and tests for eyes.

If your breed is prone to dysplasia of any type the appropriate joints should be x-rayed by your veterinarian and sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). The joints most prone to problems include the hips and elbows but again this varies by breed with larger dogs being more prone to dysplasia. OFA will examine the x-rays and give the dog a rating based on the x-rays. Bitches receiving a rating of fair, good or excellent can be bred by responsible breeders but those receiving lower ratings should be spayed immediately to prevent these joint disorders from being passed onto the puppies.

Eye examinations and certifications are also important for many breeds. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a series condition for which dogs and bitches should be tested annually. The Canine Eye Registry Foundation provides certifications for dogs and bitches that have been examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist. These certifications must be renewed each year because this is a progressive disease. As with dysplasia only dogs and bitches certified free of PRA should be bred to avoid passing these traits onto the puppies.

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