How does pregnancy go in a dachshund: basic rules step by step and how to care for your dog

Dachshund is one of the most popular and widespread breeds.

She is loved by both hunters and ordinary dog ​​breeders.

These are loyal, active, cheerful pets with a light character and a loud bark.

Sometimes dachshunds bark so loudly that they drown out even the largest dogs.

They easily learn commands, understand their owner and interact well with other animals and children.

How to choose a pair?

Before you start choosing a “groom” for your girl, you should critically and carefully evaluate her advantages and disadvantages . After all, owners of male dogs are usually very picky about the choice of a bitch.

Also, an important role in the selection of a partner is played by the dog’s exterior and character matching.

But, you should remember that the chosen male should not be inferior to your bitch in any respect, since puppies from an ordinary manufacturer are not popular and will be difficult to place.

What qualities of a male dog should you pay attention to?:

• Health.
• Mental stability.
• Compliance with the breed.
• Age.

Features of mating dogs of the Dachshund breed

When is the best time to breed a dachshund?

The dog can be bred for its second, or better yet, third heat. This is important both for the bitch herself and for her children. After all, before 15 months, the reproductive organs are considered not yet fully mature, and this can affect pregnancy and childbirth.

It is permissible to breed males after a year. It is also not recommended to breed a female dog after 6 years of age. It is important to notice and record the first day of estrus in time. Typically, sexual intercourse is carried out from 10 to 14 days, and the process is consolidated after a couple of days.

How to choose the right dog for breeding

The choice must be made in advance. It is better to have several candidates in case of force majeure situations. The male must be of good pedigree, preferably with exhibition titles. If a male dog already has children, then it is advisable to find out their qualities and conformation. It is also important to choose a groom based on external characteristics, so that he is not much larger than the bitch or, vice versa; possessed all the necessary external and operational data; An experienced adult male is desirable, especially for the first mating of a female.

Basic rules step by step

• About a month and a half before the heat, give your pet a comprehensive test for infections (staphylococcus, streptococcus, herpes virus, etc.).
• A month before the start of heat, treat your dog with medications against ticks, fleas, lice and other parasites. And after another week, give her an anthelmintic.
• 12-15 days after the start of estrus, the bitch is ready for mating and can be taken to the “groom”.
• Plan the mating for the morning, do not feed the dog beforehand and let him take a short walk.
• The place for mating is prepared in advance, and the “bride” is always taken to the “groom” so that the male feels confident.
• When introducing pets, owners should be careful. If the male is inexperienced, he may mount incorrectly, be overly excited or aggressive. The same goes for the bitch. If the pets do not find a common language, you will have to resort to the help of a specialist, and on this day the mating may have to be postponed.
• When the “bride” is ready, she takes a stance and moves her tail back. The owner should sit down in front of her and hold her firmly by the collar. In this case, the owner of the dog sits down on the side, holds his pet by the stomach and carefully directs the bitch’s loop to the male’s genitals. At this time, the male makes preliminary mountings (jumps on his partner, clasps her with his front paws, looks for the entrance to the vagina). The purpose of such cages is to find a comfortable position.
• As soon as the optimal position is found, the male inserts the genital organ into the bitch’s vagina and begins to make thrusts, gradually increasing their strength. As soon as the tremors become weaker and their number increases, you know that ejaculation occurs. After ejaculation is complete, the male falls exhausted onto his partner’s back.
• During sexual intercourse in dogs, a so-called lashing occurs. In this case, the loop tightly covers the penis and the male cannot leave the bitch before the muscles of her vagina weaken. Dog owners simply need to know this and under no circumstances “take away” their animals by force! The duration of cutting is from 15 minutes to 1 hour.

Expert opinion

Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich

Expert dog handler.

“As an experienced breeder, I would recommend doing another control 2-3 times after mating. This is especially true for owners of show dogs who are planning appropriate offspring. Do not use force during mating under any circumstances. And if you are not experienced, use the services of an instructor.”

Preliminary preparation for mating

The first thing to do is to choose a pair for the bitch. The male must correspond to the breed standard and exterior, the characters of the dogs must fully correspond. The male in question should not be inferior to your girl in any respect, because puppies from a simple manufacturer are not at all wildly popular among buyers and breeders. Check to see if the male is physically and mentally healthy and suitable in age.

It is important to prepare for pregnancy 1 – 1.5 months before the expected estrus. Take your dog to a veterinary clinic, conduct a comprehensive examination, and check for infectious diseases (streptococcus, staphylococcus, herpes, etc.). It is important to treat against ticks and worms, lice, and fleas. After a week, worm the animal. After the onset of estrus, your pet is ready for mating already on the 12th – 15th day. It is recommended to plan mating for the first half of the day, preferably in the morning.

When the “bride” meets the “groom”, be careful: an inexperienced male may well make mistakes, show excessive aggression or agitation. If the animals do not find a common language, postpone mating and show them to a specialist.

Subtleties you need to know about

How can you determine a dachshund’s readiness to mate with males:

• she pulls her tail back;
• flirts with “men”;
• reacts sharply to stroking the back, raising the tail;
• light discharge appears.

If, after the appearance of all these key points, mating is carried out immediately, the desired pregnancy may not occur at all. If the opposite happens and it occurs, there will be very few puppies in the litter. There are certain deviations from the norm that prevent a dog from giving birth to healthy offspring:

• very light, almost invisible discharge;
• throughout all days of the cycle, discharge is scanty;
• the dog “loop” is very rigid and of the usual size;
• The female behaves aggressively towards dogs of the opposite sex and does not allow anyone to approach her.

To quickly secure a “marriage” between two animals, just watch how your dog is in heat. It is the individual characteristics and characteristics that will help you accurately determine the time for mating. For dachshunds that are not yet a year old, mating is contraindicated for many reasons:

• the “bride” is not yet mature at all and is not psychologically ready for a confrontation;
• the dachshund has not gained the necessary body weight that will help her bear puppies;
• the body of a “young” dachshund is not yet fully formed, only a mature dog is able to bear offspring for the entire term without problems;
• at this age there is a risk of having underdeveloped or very weak babies;
• childbirth occurs with serious complications and leads to health problems.

If a small, immature pet becomes pregnant, her metabolism (metabolism) is disrupted, and due to feeding, a lot of vital calcium is removed from the body. To accurately determine the favorable period for crossing, you can contact your veterinarian at the clinic. In the laboratory, material is taken for a smear, which will help to find out the stage of the cycle.

Dogs also have their own menstrual cycle, consisting of 4 stages:

1. Proestrus is a period that lasts approximately 9-10 days. The dog's appetite and behavior change dramatically; the dog may not eat at all or eat everything in its path. The vulva begins to swell and a small reddish discharge begins to appear. At this stage, the bitch is not yet ready for mating.
2. Estrus - lasts 2 weeks, discharge is yellowish or brownish, but there is less of it. The swelling of the vulva subsides, while touching itself, the dog raises its pelvis and moves its tail slightly to the side.
3. Metatrus – lasts from 2 months to 150 days. The dachshund has noticeable changes in behavior and the swelling of the vulva has almost subsided. Males are now completely uninterested in the animal.
4. Anestrus - the dog completely calms down, ovarian activity decreases.

It is important to know how to properly prepare a male dog for mating. Boys can be bred from 12 to 15 months, and in order for the male to feel good, 3–4 matings are arranged per year. If the male is not untied, he normally tolerates the company of females, which cannot be said about a sexually mature and untied male. As a rule, the process takes place on the territory of the male dog - he feels much more confident and calm in his area. There is no need to create special conditions for pets. However, if at least one part of the couple shows anxiety, uncertainty or gives in, it is important to save a favorite toy or treat for such a moment.

How can you tell if your dog is pregnant?

In the first month of pregnancy, this can only be done based on indirect signs; some dogs’ character changes, they become more affectionate, and their food preferences may also change.

Sometimes during pregnancy a dachshund experiences toxicosis; she may refuse her favorite food and generally lose her appetite..

Starting from the fourth week, the dog’s nipples become larger and the tummy becomes rounder.

Sterilization of Dachshund dogs

This procedure can be performed at any age, but it is recommended to do it in males up to 1 year old and in females before their first heat .
Usually this operation is performed to prevent the dog from reproducing, but, contrary to misconceptions, problems with eliminating the need in the apartment and aggression are not solved after it (these troubles can only be eliminated by complete castration). Therefore, you must first consider in detail whether to make such a decision.

How is pregnancy going?

Tips for male dog owners

If you are determined to nominate your male as a breeding candidate:

• First, maintain his physical health. Watch your diet and its form.
• Secondly, keep the awards you receive at exhibitions.
• And thirdly, keep a vaccination diary.

The Dachshund is a wonderful breed of dog that will delight you throughout its life. If you decide to breed this breed, carefully study all the nuances and then get healthy offspring.

Source

Dog care

In the first half of pregnancy, walk your pet as usual, let her run and play.

This is not contraindicated in the first month. Quite the contrary, the dog must be in good shape in order for the birth to proceed more easily.

Try to arrange a nest for the future family as early as possible . It should be comfortable and warm. There must be access to it in order to provide assistance if necessary.

Also, get the dog accustomed to the nest as early as possible so that it does not look for another place to give birth.

IMPORTANT!

Examine your pet's skin daily; if she has any discharge from the genitals, contact a veterinarian.

Be sure to add vitamins and necessary nutritional supplements to your dog's diet. This will help her bear healthy offspring and give birth to full-fledged puppies.

Some tips for male dog owners

To properly breed a purebred dog, it is important to know not only about the female, but also about the male. Stud dogs are divided into several types: experienced, moderate temperament, difficult to breed, uninterested.

It is very important for further breeding activities to properly untie, and for this it is necessary to select a non-aggressive bitch, preferably an experienced one. Mating should be done on the dog’s territory so that he feels confident .

When a person chooses a pet, he pays attention to the breed in accordance with his taste. Small, loyal and friendly dachshunds have captured many human hearts. This breed is easy to breed and care for, but the owner needs to know the dog's characteristics.

How to understand that labor will begin soon (photo of a pet)

Your pet’s behavior, as well as a number of other signs, will speak volumes about this.

Signs of approaching labor:

• Discharge from the loop.
• Anxious, the dog is actively looking for a place to give birth.
• Discharge of colostrum from the nipples.
• Body temperature decreases.
• Frequent urination, uncharacteristic movements, whining.

Precursors of childbirth in a dachshund girl

Most often, taxi drivers carry pregnancy calmly, without complications. The owner needs to know about the main signs of impending labor in order to prepare in time. The main symptoms of an approaching birth include:

• restless behavior of a pregnant bitch;
• change in appetite;
• sagging of the pregnant belly and hair loss on it;
• the dog asks to go outside and immediately rushes home;
• the dachshunds stop pushing and become quiet in their stomachs;
• The pregnant woman's body temperature drops to 37 ⁰C;
• Gray or white mucus is released from the vagina;
• nipples swell;
• heart rate and breathing increase.

Just before a pregnant bitch begins to give birth, her water breaks. The owner needs to be nearby, especially if it is the first birth.

How is childbirth?

If the dog stops worrying, lies down on the prepared place, its temperature drops, and its abdominal muscles begin to contract, you know that labor has begun. As soon as you notice such signs, do not leave the bitch unattended.

No more than 24 hours should pass between the onset of labor and pushing . If labor has begun but there are no contractions, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Stages of labor:

1. Contractions . At this time, the dog’s vaginal muscles relax, the cervix opens, and the uterus begins to gradually contract. During contractions, the abdominal muscles are not used. The duration of contractions is from 6 to 12 hours. At this point, the dog becomes restless, breathes heavily, and looks around. In some cases, vomiting begins.
2. Childbirth. The birth process begins after your water breaks, with contractions intensifying and using the abdominal muscles. Then the puppies are born. The frequency of their appearance is from half an hour to three hours.
3. Expulsion of the placenta . Usually the placenta will begin to leave the field of birth of each puppy; as a rule, the dog eats it and this is normal. Try to control this process and count how many puppies were born and how many afterbirths came out. If even one remains, it can lead to purulent inflammation of the uterus and serious problems with the dog’s health.

How does a bitch give birth?

If the dachshund stops thrashing around and lies down on a pre-prepared place, the muscles of her pregnant belly are apparently contracting, which means she has begun to give birth. Childbirth includes several stages. The first of these is contractions, during which the vaginal muscles relax, the uterus contracts and its cervix opens slightly. The duration of the stage is from 5 to 12 hours.

The next stage is childbirth. The pregnant woman’s water breaks, the abdominal muscles contract, and baby dachshunds appear through the birth canal at intervals of 0.5-3 hours.

After each baby, the placenta is separated. The process must be controlled so that the afterbirth does not remain inside. The pregnant bitch is trying to eat him. Letting her do this more than twice is unacceptable.

During a normal birth, the dog copes with everything on its own. Newborn dachshunds are freed from the hymen and umbilical cord, wiped with a diaper and applied to the mother's nipple. She licks the dachshunds very actively. This helps to improve their digestion and breathing, and stimulates the production of milk in the bitch herself. The gender and time of birth of each baby is recorded in a notebook. Taxis can be weighed, but if the mother reacts nervously, the procedure should be postponed to a later date. After the birth is over, the whole family is transferred to the den and the dog is given a drink.

What to feed after?

Sample menu for a feeding dachshund:

• Meat.
• Dairy products and milk.
• Offal.
• Fish.
• Vegetables.
• Cereals.

Don't worry if your dog doesn't eat well after giving birth . This usually goes away within 2-3 days.

Feed your dog at 6-8 hour intervals and be sure to let him drink as much as he wants. There must be fresh water near the food bowl.

Also, do not forget about vitamins and nutritional supplements for pregnant and lactating dogs.

Feeding a pregnant dachshund

Throughout pregnancy, the dachshund needs high-quality and nutritious nutrition. In the first half of pregnancy, the feeding regimen and diet do not change. In the second half, the amount of food increases along with the growth of the dachshund's weight.

The total daily food intake increases, but it is important to ensure that the dachshund does not overeat and does not gain weight, this complicates the birth and development of puppies. But under no circumstances should she go hungry. The percentage of protein foods increases: meat, eggs, fish, dairy products. Products high in fiber and starch (porridge, baked goods), on the contrary, are best given in limited quantities. Vegetables are great as fillers and sources of vitamins.

During pregnancy, it is imperative to give the expectant mother vitamins and minerals. A large number of them are needed for the correct and full development of the offspring; their deficiency will especially affect the health of puppies and bitches. You can buy ready-made vitamin-mineral complexes, or calculate the norms together with your veterinarian and add them yourself according to dosage. Particular attention is paid to calcium metabolism. Not only the health of bones and teeth depends on the calcium content, but also the prevention of postpartum eclampsia, which is often found in dachshunds.

At this time, the daily portion should be divided into 2, and from the sixth week into 3 doses.

When feeding ready-made dry food, dogs are gradually transferred to food for pregnant women or for puppies. In this case, there is no need to add vitamins and minerals.

False pregnancy - what is it and what to do?

A false pregnancy in a dachshund develops during the period of metaestrus, that is, at a time when the estrus has already ended, but the corpus luteum still continues to function.

It is this that sends signals to the brain, thereby forcing it to prepare for “bearing offspring” and “childbirth.” But there are no embryos in the worm.

The corpus luteum is an endocrine gland capable of producing the pregnancy hormone..

It is thanks to the hyperfunction of the corpus luteum that false pregnancy appears in dogs.

What to do:

1. Take your dog to the veterinarian and have her tested and have an ultrasound scan.
2. Do not scold the dog, but do not encourage its desire to build a nest, this can only make the situation worse.
3. Try to keep your pet busy with walks and active games in the fresh air.
4. If your dog is lactating and is licking her nipples, put a blanket on her.
5. Drops such as Galastop will help suppress lactation, but they should only be given with the permission of a veterinarian.
6. Remove items that imitate puppies (stuffed toys, pillows, etc.) from sight.
7. A homeopathic medicine such as Ovariovit has proven itself very well.

When does the first heat start?

Pregnant Dachshund
Every dog ​​owner should know when the first heat begins and what signs appear.
As a rule, this happens in dachshunds at 7-8 months. But depending on heredity, living conditions and diseases, the period of the first estrus can shift either to an earlier or later date. Note! If estrus begins earlier than 7 months and later than 14-15, this should alert you and be a reason to contact a veterinarian. Such significant deviations from the norm can be a sign of serious pathologies and dysfunctions of the body.

Signs of approaching labor

Whether you plan to deliver the baby yourself or have a veterinarian do it, you should be aware of how the process works.

If you have the opportunity, you can measure the dog’s body temperature one to two weeks before the expected date of labor. To do this, use an electronic thermometer. The temperature is measured by inserting a device into the rectum. The measurement lasts about three minutes. Natural indicators for an adult dog range from 37.5 to 39.2 degrees.

If the temperature drops below 37.5, this indicates that labor will begin within the next 24 hours.

A few days before the puppies are born, the dog’s behavior changes:

If signs of incipient labor appear, but they have not started within 24 hours, you should take the dog to the veterinarian.

Key points in training

Training Dachshunds is a simple task, despite the fact that dogs are stubborn and willful. Education must begin from childhood, when the puppy can easily be taught the rules. The dog must clearly understand the hierarchy in the family: do not jump on the owner’s furniture, sleep in its place, do not eat from the hands of strangers, do not beg, enter the house after the owner.

After the pet remembers the name and daily schedule, it can be taught commands. Representatives of the breed need to know the basic vocal and sound signals:

• "It is forbidden"
• "Near";
• "Place";
• "To me";
• "Voice";
• "Quiet";
• "Fas."

In order for the owner to be able to control the animal, the execution of commands must be honed to perfection.

You cannot use harsh methods: beat the animal, insult, humiliate. Dachshunds are not only touchy, but can also become aggressive and bitter. Simple motivation with goodies and toys will do, and as punishment - a stern look, ignoring, deprivation of treats.

If a dog is taken for hunting purposes, then it should be raised by special dog handlers. They will instill tolerance and obedience in the pet, awaken instincts, and teach them not to tear prey, but to bring it.

Read about how to properly train a dog in the article: “Training a puppy: effective methods from dog handlers, learning commands at home.”

The puppy needs to be properly socialized. To do this, he is introduced to other pets and people, taken to crowded places, and trained in dog clubs. A poorly socialized pet will be aggressive or timid.

Birth of puppies: stages and features

Childbirth in a dachshund has its own characteristics, but in general the stages of the process are practically no different from other breeds.

Preparatory

Immediately before the puppies appear, the following signs are observed:

• swelling of the labia and secretion of mucus from them;
• the abdomen is drawn - it sags, and the back from above looks rather thin, as if the animal had been starving for a long time;
• swelling of the nipples and at the same time a decrease in body temperature;
• the most important sign is the unusual behavior of the bitch: she is clearly worried, digging the floor, arranging her bed, lying down and breathing heavily, asking to go outside, seeking attention from the owner.

At this moment, it is important to pet the animal and try to accurately measure the temperature. For a dachshund, the normal temperature is 38.5°C, and if there is a drop within 2-3 degrees, this is a sure sign that labor will begin in the next 24 hours.

Childbirth itself

Childbirth lasts for several hours - a minimum of an hour, a maximum of 5-6, sometimes with delays. It is important not to leave the animal alone at home, because even if the dachshund does not need help, the presence of the owner significantly calms it down. Typically, one puppy appears within 15 minutes.

The duration of labor for a dachshund can be several hours.

Typically, outside assistance is required, which consists of the following:

1. First of all, you don’t need to pull out the fruit yourself - the dachshund can handle this on its own.
2. The puppy appears both head first and feet first, which is normal.
3. As soon as it has completely left the birth canal, it is necessary to free it from the bladder by tearing the membrane next to the nose, and cut the umbilical cord at a distance of several cm.
4. The puppy is wiped with a clean, dry cloth and placed under the nipple.

Attention. If the umbilical cord bleeds after circumcision, you need to clamp it and hold it for just a minute. At the same time, it is better not to trust the bitch to bite off the umbilical cord on her own - if you do it too close, a hernia will form, which can even lead to the death of the puppy.