Restless Jack Russell Terrier dogs are increasingly being purchased as a companion and family friend.
The small size of these dogs, cheerful disposition and friendliness towards people around them make them an excellent city dog, with whom it is pleasant to travel and participate in exhibitions. But the cute puppy is growing up and the owner is faced with the question of whether to breed or not.
If a male dog may not participate in breeding work, happily existing in the role of everyone’s favorite, then for a female dog there is a risk of an unplanned pregnancy or unsuccessful birth.
It is for this reason that the owner must have an understanding of the nuances of the pet’s reproductive period .
Features of puberty of Jack Russell Terriers
Like all small breeds, Jack Russell Terriers mature quite early. Males become ready to breed at one year of age. Females can bear eggs as early as six months. This breed is characterized by good health, so problems rarely appear during puberty.
Male Jack Russell Terriers are allowed to breed when they are two years old. During this period, the male is most productive. Females are bred for the third heat. Usually by this time the dog becomes physically and emotionally ready for procreation.
When does the first heat start?
The first heat in Jack Russell Terriers usually begins after all the baby teeth are completely replaced - at 6-10 months. Less commonly, estrus can linger until the age of one and a half years.
Typically, the age of puberty is influenced by heredity. To determine when your pet will go into heat for the first time, you need to find out at what age her mother was ripe.
Often the first estrus has no pronounced symptoms and does not last long. The Jack Russell Terrier's body is not yet ready for the first pregnancy. The girl does not emit very many pheromones, so males react to her rather restrainedly during street walks.
Symptoms of estrus and behavioral characteristics during this period
During the period of estrus, serious hormonal changes occur in the Jack Russell's body. The character and behavior of the pet changes significantly. A previously obedient dog may refuse to follow commands. She does not want to communicate with the owner, or, on the contrary, follows him with her tail.
During walks, the girl begins to timidly flirt with male dogs. She urinates frequently, thereby marking her territory. Due to hormonal imbalance, unseasonal molting begins. Her appetite is getting worse. The loop swells a little, and bloody discharge oozes from it. If you touch a dog's croup, it begins to move its tail to the side.
Stages of estrus and their duration
Normally, a Jack Russell Terrier's estrus lasts about 20 days. This period can be shorter or longer depending on the individual characteristics of the animal’s body.
Estrus is divided into three stages:
- Preoestrus lasts 8–10 days. The Jack Russell Terrier's body prepares for conception and pregnancy. Bloody discharge appears from the loop. The girl flirts with the males, but does not allow them to mount.
- Estrus lasts on average for a week, but can last up to 21 days. Ovulation occurs. It is during this period that conception is possible. The discharge becomes pinkish and translucent. The loop is soft and pliable.
- Metestrus lasts on average 8 days. The discharge becomes transparent and gradually decreases. The female no longer allows males to approach her.
If the girl does not become pregnant during estrus, a period of sexual rest, called diestrus, begins. Hormone levels return to normal before the next heat.
How many times a year does she go into heat?
Jack Russells come into heat twice a year, every 5–9 months. Estrus often occurs in autumn and spring. Dogs that are bred do not come into heat as often because there are longer intervals between cycles.
How to understand that your pet is ready
Usually, bitches are bred for 10-15 days.
But in order to accurately determine the most favorable time for mating, you also need to pay attention to some changes in the dog’s character and behavior, as well as physiological signs of readiness for mating:
- The dog's behavior changes: it treats males more favorably: it allows them to approach itself and flirts with them.
- By the beginning of ovulation, the discharge from the loop becomes lighter - golden with a pinkish tint and acquires a pungent odor.
- The loop increases in size and becomes soft. By the day of mating, it should retain some elasticity only at the top, near the base.
- If you put your hand on the dog's croup, it lifts the loop and moves its tail to the side.
- When the loop is touched with a finger, it also rises and its edges open.
If the owner of the bitch is not sure that he was able to correctly calculate the day suitable for mating, then he can take the dog to the clinic, where it will undergo a special test that determines the level of progesterone in the blood.
A dog's reproductive cycle or how many times dogs go into heat.
Monocyclicity, i.e. reproduction once a year is typical only for wild animals - strictly in a certain season favorable for this. The gonads of male and female wild animals function only during this season. A distinctive feature of domestic animals from wild ones is that they reproduce two or more times a year, the so-called polycyclicity. Female domestic dogs have a polycyclic cycle of two to three sexual cycles during the year. In male domestic dogs (breeding dogs), the testes function all year round. The number of sexual cycles your dog has is mainly determined by the conditions in which the dog is kept.
Dog mating
- How does this happen
Puberty in males occurs at 6 months. This means that from now on the male can mate at any time. And don’t think that if you have a brother and sister from the same litter, and the sister is in heat, the male will be stopped by the relationship. However, it is best to start breeding your pet from 18 months of age. Early separation of a male dog can lead to early stunting.
The first estrus - estrus in bitches occurs at the age of 6 months to 1 year. The intervals between estrus in dogs can be from 6 months to 12. Of course, for you as the owner, the longer the dog's period between heats, the less hassle. However, if these periods are always different, you should contact your veterinarian.
The optimal age for mating females is 2 years. If you didn’t breed a bitch until she was 4 years old, then it’s better not to do this, because... late labor becomes dangerous for the bitch's health, the pelvic bones diverge poorly, and a caesarean section may be necessary.
A dog's estrus period lasts 21 days (3 weeks). Before a dog goes into heat, the loop swells. The heaviest bleeding is observed during the first 10 days. To avoid unwanted stains on furniture and floors, you can purchase special panties for dogs at a pet store. Of course, your dog will not like them very much, however, be persistent and encourage him and he will get used to it.
From about the 10th day, a period favorable for conception begins, when it is desirable to mate the dog. Jack Russell Terriers are of the “early” type and can be bred starting from the 8th day.
In general, the owner himself will be able to determine when his bitch is ready for mating. At this time, the dog forgets about everything, even that the owner took him outside “on business.” She is busy looking for a partner to procreate. As soon as you stroke the dog on the back, the tail rises and falls to the side, opening a loop.
It is at this moment that you should take your girl to mating with the groom. As a rule, mating takes place on the territory of the male dog. There he feels like a master and mating success is more likely. In the territory of the bitch, the male may become nervous, and the bitch may begin to snap.
The process of mating (mating) of Jack Russell Terriers is quite simple, because... dogs are light. If you choose the right mating day, you don’t even need to invite a mating instructor. Give your pets freedom of action. After a short period of acquaintance and courtship, sexual intercourse occurs directly. Ejaculation in a male dog happens quite quickly, literally, after several frictions. After this, the bitch continues to hold the penis in the vagina by contracting the vaginal walls. The male gets down from the bitch and turns his back to her. At this moment, it is better to hold the dogs so that the dog does not try to run away, thereby injuring himself. A “lock” in nature is intended not only to prevent sperm from leaking out, but also to prolong pleasant moments for the bitch. The duration of the castle can be from 5 to 40 minutes. In general, it is believed that the “castle” does not affect the likelihood of conception, however, the owners prefer that the “castle” happen.
For greater confidence, a control mating is carried out every other day.
Whether the bitch is pregnant cannot be determined until about the 30th day, even with the help of an ultrasound. The fact is that dogs have a two-horned uterus and during the first half of the bitch’s pregnancy, the fetuses are located in the horns of the uterus. The fruits emerge into the uterine cavity only on the 17-18th day. From this moment on, the bitch's belly will begin to increase. At this time, the bitch may begin to refuse food, sleep a lot, and even experience toxicosis. However, in the first half of pregnancy the bitch leads the same lifestyle.
Well, the 30th day has come, and you finally realized that your pet is pregnant?
Congratulations! Now get ready for a new, troublesome, but very exciting period in your family’s life - pregnancy, childbirth and raising puppies.
How to care for a bitch in heat
During the period of heat, the dog needs special care. The pet should not be in a draft. A bitch in heat is prohibited from lying on a cold floor or wet ground or swimming in open water. In cold and wet weather, the animal should not be walked for a long time. It is also not recommended to wash your pet - this can lead to irritation of the loop.
To avoid traces of discharge, the dog is taught to lick the vulva from the very beginning on hunting days. Special panties for dogs in heat also help solve the problem. During walks, protective diapers additionally protect the bitch from accidental mating and prevent infection from entering the genital tract.
Special sprays that mask the smell of the female’s secretions will help protect your dog from males:
- Male Stop;
- Dog-Stop;
- No Love;
- Touchy.
They will not help completely eliminate the smell of a bitch in heat, but they will make it less pronounced. The spray is used to treat the inside of the paws and the tail area before a walk.
To neutralize specific odors, oral preparations are considered the most effective. One of these is Canina Dog-Stop-Forte. The product neutralizes odorous substances that are released by a female dog in heat along with her urine.
To prevent an unplanned mating, a dog in heat is not allowed off a leash and is walked in places where there is less chance of meeting a male dog.
Another problem that the owner will have to face is the frequent urge to urinate in the bitch. A dog in heat may begin to mark its territory in the apartment. To avoid this, more frequent walks will be required.
If false pregnancy occurs after estrus, it is necessary to contact a veterinarian to stabilize the pet’s mental state.
For purebred dogs from which they plan to produce offspring in the future, diaries are kept to record the beginning and end of estrus. This will allow you not to miss the moment when the bitch can be bred.
During the period of estrus in dogs, the owner must show maximum attention to the pet. For a bitch in heat, the period of sexual heat is very difficult mentally.
In addition, during estrus, the risk of developing genital infections increases, since the dog’s birth canal opens. The main task of the owner is to monitor the mental and physical condition of the animal. If you notice any abnormalities during estrus, you should immediately contact your veterinarian.
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Why is there no heat
If a female Jack Russell Terrier is not yet in heat at the age of two, you should consult a doctor. Reasons why delayed puberty occurs:
- Hormonal disbalance.
- Heredity.
- Inflammation and infection.
- Congenital diseases of the reproductive system.
- Severe stress.
- Poor living conditions.
It is important! In some cases, estrus may be asymptomatic. This is not harmful to the Jack Russell Terrier's health, but it becomes impossible to determine when to breed. In this case, a blood test will help to accurately determine estrus.
Why might mating not happen?
Surprisingly, it sometimes happens that despite all the favorable conditions, dogs do not mate. There can be many reasons. For example, a male dog is very shy and refuses to mate in the presence of strangers. Dogs may simply not like each other. It happens that a bitch flatly refuses to mate with one male, snaps at him, bites him, but behaves perfectly with the other and the mating goes well. Do not forget that dogs are highly organized and social creatures with their own preferences and principles.
Don't forget the importance of courtship. Do not rush the dogs, give them the opportunity to flirt with each other, perform a series of ritual actions - licking ears, chasing, kissing, etc.
Preparing the bitch for breeding
Before the upcoming mating, both the female and the male undergo mandatory training. Both must have all vaccinations, information about which can be seen in the animal’s passport. A month before mating, deworming is carried out and fleas are removed.
The animal must be taken to a doctor for a routine examination. If any diseases are detected in a female, she should not be allowed into breeding. If a female Jack Russell Terrier is overweight, she needs to be put on a diet and increased exercise.
It is worth taking a responsible approach to choosing a male. He must meet breed standards and have all the necessary documents. For the first mating, it is better to choose an experienced male who will not be afraid of the possible aggression of the female. Mating should take place on the guy's territory.
An instructor should be invited to the first mating. Sometimes the dogs themselves can’t cope, and then a dog handler will help them: hold the bitch, or guide the male.
Orange sauce for fish
The sauce goes perfectly with white. For such an original sauce we need 2 oranges, lemon juice, honey, potato starch, salt and chili pepper to taste.
1. Rinse the fruits well. Pour boiling water over one orange and leave for 5 minutes so that all the bitterness comes out of the zest. Then use a grater to remove the zest.
2. Using a juicer, squeeze out the juice. We do the same with the second orange. For two oranges you will need 2 tbsp. lemon juice. Add a spoonful of honey (can be replaced with sugar), a little salt and chili pepper for piquancy.
3. To thicken the sauce, you need to add a couple of tablespoons of potato starch and a slab. After heating the sauce on the stove, you can cool it and serve it.
Basic rules step by step
Dogs are not fed before mating: the last meal should be no less than three hours before the “event”.
Immediately before mating, the partners are walked: this can be done separately or together.
How to knit according to the rules:
- To carry it out, you need to choose a place on the dog’s territory. A room in a house or a private yard is ideal for these purposes.
- It is advisable to cover slippery floors with old carpets or mats.
- If mating takes place outside, it is advisable that there be a canopy there.
- The dogs are allowed indoors or into the yard, where they begin to look closely at each other and get to know each other and play with each other.
- After the bitch allows the male to approach and sniff her external genitalia, he mounts. Further events can develop in different ways: either the male manages to get into the loop, or the female turns out and runs away. In the first case, it is better not to interfere. But in the second, the dogs will have to help: hold the bitch by the collar and under the belly while mounting.
- The male dog may also need help. This happens if the bitch is larger. In this case, you should place a stand under the dog’s paws.
- After ejaculation occurs, a so-called “lock” is formed, which lasts from several minutes to an hour. All this time, the dogs must stand with their backs turned to each other.
- If the bitch is nervous during the “lock”, whines and tries to wriggle out, the owner must hold her by the collar.
- The next day or every other day, a control mating is carried out.
In case the bitch won’t let the male in or the male doesn’t want to breed her, it is advisable to select a spare partner in advance.
Description of the breed
There is a regular variety of these creatures and mini ones. But you need to be especially careful with the latter; sometimes unscrupulous breeders can offer instead sick and weakened individuals who simply weigh less than they should. Here are the characteristics of Yorkies:
- height at the withers from fifteen to eighteen centimeters,
- weight from two to three and a half kilograms,
- long silky and absolutely straight fur, similar to the touch of human hair. The coat is thin, some are very long. It grows all the time and needs to be trimmed regularly,
- the color from the back of the head to the tail is gray-steel, on the muzzle it is bright golden. Long golden bangs, dark ears and nose. In this case, puppies are born black. In summer, the fur may temporarily turn grey.
The character of terriers is very active, they are ready to have fun and amuse everyone around them for hours on end. It is better to wear a leash when walking so that they do not start a fight with someone larger than themselves. Even though they can be litter trained, they still need to be taken for long walks regularly, because they need fresh air and exercise.
In autumn and winter, wear special warm clothes, because babies are very prone to colds.
Signs of pregnancy
The first symptoms of pregnancy appear within two weeks after mating. The female Jack Russell Terrier becomes less active. Her mood changes dramatically from cheerfulness to apathy. Appetite decreases or, on the contrary, increases. From the 3rd week after mating, the female Jack Russell Terrier begins to develop toxicosis. She vomits and may refuse to eat. The nipples become swollen and may ooze fluid. The abdomen increases in size. Appetite increases. You can feel the fruits already on the 30th day after mating.
On what day of heat should a German Shepherd be bred?
Mating of German Shepherds should be carefully planned, focusing on the optimal days of estrus. If you know its exact beginning, you can easily calculate these days. Before the first mating, you can keep a diary where all the changes that occur with the animal before estrus will be stored.
Aviary for a shepherd (German) in the courtyard of a private house
So, on the first day, a dog that was previously gentle and calm may suddenly change its behavior. She becomes lethargic and inactive or, conversely, embittered and disobedient.
Note! The first signs of impending estrus are swelling of the mammary glands and genitals. At the beginning, the bitch begins to actively flirt with males, but at the same time does not allow them to approach her
When readiness for mating begins, her attitude changes radically - aggression disappears, and she takes an unambiguous pose in front of male dogs.
At the beginning, the bitch begins to actively flirt with the males, but at the same time does not allow them to approach her. When she begins to be ready to mate, her attitude changes radically - aggression disappears, and she takes an unambiguous pose in front of the male dogs.
The start of heat in a shepherd dog
The most favorable time for mating animals (shepherd dogs) is considered to be the period 11-13 days of estrus. The bitch must mate before ovulation, since after it the genitals lose their elasticity and discharge stops.
How is pregnancy progressing?
The length of pregnancy for a Jack Russell Terrier varies from 58 to 63 days. The period depends on the dog’s age, weight, health, diet and the number of fetuses gestated.
The first two weeks after mating, symptoms of pregnancy may be completely absent. Fertilized eggs develop into tiny embryos and attach to the wall of the uterus. In the third week, the babies already reach a size of 1 cm.
In the 4th week, starting from the 20th day, pregnancy can be determined by ultrasound. The babies reach a size of 1.5 cm. Their muzzle, eyes and spine are formed. During this period, it is necessary to limit physical activity.
At the 5th week, pregnancy is determined by palpation. An ultrasound will show how many puppies there will be. Babies develop fingers, nails, mustaches, and genitals.
At the 6th week, the belly increases significantly in size. The nipples darken and swell. And at week 7, the babies are already fully formed, but they still need time to get stronger.
At 8 weeks, you can feel movement when touching the terrier's belly. Colostrum is released from the nipples. Labor can begin at any time. In the 9th week, the babies should be born.
Sixth to seventh week: pregnancy is obvious
In the period from the 36th to the 43rd day, the development of embryos accelerates. Primary sexual characteristics appear, shoulder blades and fingers are formed and hair grows. The size of future cubs reaches 6.5 centimeters. On the 44th day, the dog’s uterus enlarges and occupies most of the abdominal cavity. Puppies can already be felt by palpation, but it is difficult to determine their exact number.
It is recommended to increase the amount of food by 20%, offer portions more often, but make them even smaller. This is good for pregnant dogs. You can schedule your diet by day and time to simplify your task and not rack your brains about how to feed your pet. On the 47th day, the expectant mother begins to look for shelter for childbirth and spends most of her time licking her nipples. It's time to make an enclosure or equip part of the room and gradually accustom the dog to this place.
How puppies develop in the belly of a mother dog
Let's look at how babies develop while in the womb of a pregnant dog:
- 1-2 weeks:
at the very beginning of pregnancy, embryos, covered with a protective bubble, make their way from the ovaries to the uterus, where they are fixed and grow;
3-4 weeks:
Tiny embryos begin to form important internal organs, the nervous system and the skeleton. The resemblance of ears, eyes, and nose is already noticeable on the head and muzzle. By the end of the 4th week of pregnancy, babies have antennae and eyelashes, and fur develops;
5-6 weeks:
The embryos grow more and more actively, the bones become stronger. The primary sexual characteristics of male and female puppies are formed;
Diagnostics
If you realize that your German Shepherd is pregnant as soon as possible, the owners should contact a veterinary clinic. Starting from 4 weeks, you can determine pregnancy using ultrasound diagnostics, and an experienced specialist can perform ultrasound as early as 21 days.
The veterinarian will establish the fact of pregnancy and assess the condition of the fetuses, but you should not demand to name the exact number of cubs: the probability of error is too high. To find out the number of puppies, an X-ray of the abdominal cavity is taken at 48-50 days.
An ultrasound is necessary if the dog’s condition suddenly worsens - vomiting or refusal to eat, depression. The examination will help ensure that the fruits are alive. In case of frozen pregnancy or fetal hypoxia, urgent medical intervention is necessary.
Features of caring for a pregnant dog
A pregnant female Jack Russell Terrier becomes less active. She needs peace and rest. If there are small children living in the house, they need to explain that the dog should not be disturbed unnecessarily. In the later stages, the terrier should not be allowed to jump even from low surfaces or run up stairs.
Daily walks must be continued. Physical activity needs to be reduced. And in the later stages, completely cancel the training.
The pet's diet should be changed. If your dog eats commercial food, purchase special food for pregnant females. If the dog eats natural food, the diet should include more protein and less grains. The dog should be given low-fat fermented milk products. The number of meals should be gradually increased to 5 per day.
Preparing for childbirth at home
You should start preparing for childbirth a couple of weeks before whelping. First you need to prepare the place. This may be a box with not very high sides. The dog must fit completely in it. Cover the bottom with clean, light rags or diapers. Place the box itself in a quiet, non-traversable place.
You need to prepare for childbirth:
- disinfectants;
- clean rags and diapers;
- heating pad;
- silk thread;
- blunt scissors with rounded ends;
- napkins;
- colored threads;
- notepad and pen.
It is important! It is necessary to find out the veterinarian’s personal number in advance so that in case of complications during childbirth, you can contact him even at night.
Nest preparation
During a home stretch of your Jack Russell's pregnancy, she will show signs of nesting. This is her attempt to find a safe, quiet place to give birth to her puppies. She will appear restless and paw on the floor in the corners of the house. You should do everything you can to make her feel comfortable, such as placing the dog bed in a quiet area and bringing her food and water closer to her so she feels safe having her puppies where you placed her bed.
Source of the article: https://mosfp.ru/beremennost-dzhek-rassel-terera-po-nedeljam/
Signs of the onset of whelping
Four days before giving birth, the female may begin to behave strangely. She will eat less, start wandering around the house and digging on the floor. The belly will drop towards the hips, and the dog's body will begin to resemble a pear. Transparent discharge from the loop may appear. Two days before giving birth, the female’s body temperature drops to 37 °C.
A few hours before giving birth, the puppies will stop moving. The first contractions can begin a day before whelping. The dog will begin to spend more time in the maternity ward. She may begin to tremble. The female will begin to lick the perineum.
Delivery at home
Often, Jack Russell Terriers give birth easily. However, you still need to look after your pet so that in case of complications you can come to the rescue in a timely manner. The first puppy should be born within two hours after the first attempts. The baby can come forward with its head or tail. Under no circumstances should you pull it. The female must cope on her own. She should not be allowed to give birth standing up, otherwise the puppy may be injured.
The baby is born in a transparent cocoon, from which the mother delivers him. If the dog is too weak, the owner must take on this part. The shell must be carefully torn apart. Wipe the puppy's nose and mouth with a cloth. If there is a lot of liquid on them, it can be removed using an enema bulb. The umbilical cord must be tied with a thread at a distance of 3 cm from the tummy and cut off. Treat the edges with a disinfectant. The baby should be wiped well with a dry cloth. After this, it can be applied to the mother's nipple. To distinguish puppies, colored threads are tied around their necks.
It is important! It is necessary to ensure that all the afterbirth comes out of the female. If this does not happen, your pet needs to be taken to the doctor immediately.
How does childbirth go?
Jack Russells are strong and healthy dogs whose births, as a rule, occur without complications. But the owner must be ready to help his pet if something goes wrong.
Childbirth begins with contractions - regular contractions of the uterus, which become more frequent and stronger over time..
At this time, the bitch gets anxious, walks around the house and may hide in a corner. You need to carefully monitor her so that she does not accidentally give birth to a puppy in a completely inappropriate place, and not in a box prepared for this.
A couple of weeks before the expected birth, you need to prepare a special birth box of a suitable size and begin to accustom the bitch to it.
As their intensity increases, the contractions turn into attempts, the outcome of which is the actual birth of the puppy..
Normally, the bitch herself takes care of the newborn: she frees him from the membranes, bites the umbilical cord and licks the puppy, and to top it all off, pushes him with her nose to the nipples.
The puppy quickly understands what’s what and begins to eat his first independent meal in his life.
Then everything is repeated as many times as there are babies born in the litter. And finally, when the whole family is gathered, the bitch can rest a little after giving birth.
Caring for puppies and dogs after birth
Your dog may experience postpartum discharge for two weeks after giving birth. They should be pinkish and not very abundant. If it is cool, you should put a warm heating pad in the birth box. Change the litter daily. The dog should always have clean drinking water freely available.
Usually the mother looks after the puppies. The owner can only help her in this matter. If there are small and weak puppies in the litter, they must be applied to the nipples, which are located on the female’s hind legs. There is the most milk there, and it is the most nutritious. Babies need to be weighed daily and their health and growth monitored.
If a female Jack Russell Terrier has lost her milk, or for some reason she cannot feed her puppies, the owner will have to take care of this. A special mixture for feeding puppies is sold in pet stores. Initially, babies will have to be fed every couple of hours. Gradually the interval between feedings is increased.
How to choose a pair?
When choosing a partner for mating, the owner of a bitch needs to focus on the following criteria:
- Health. The dog must be healthy himself and be free from hereditary diseases.
- Psyche. The male must have the typical temperament and character of the breed.
- Exterior. It is very important that the male dog is as good as possible in terms of conformation and even surpasses the female dog in this regard.
- Origin. The mating partner must come from a good modern line, famous both for its health and victories at exhibitions. The more champions in the line, the better.
- Titles. It is desirable that the male be at least a champion of the breed.
It is better to spend time looking for a worthy sire than to breed a bitch with an unremarkable dog whose only advantage is that he lives nearby.
Expert opinion
Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich
Expert dog handler.
“It is recommended that you select the best male dog you can find for breeding. He must be healthy both physically and psychologically, and his conformation must be as good as his pedigree. Finally, if you are going to untie your girl for the first time, then choose an experienced stud dog as her partner. And it would be nice to also look at his offspring to have an idea of what kind of puppies are born from him.”
Choosing the right pair
When selecting studs, they study the dog’s pedigree, preferably with an examination of close relatives (to detect the advantages/disadvantages of the line), and also look at his exterior, temperament and health, including his psyche.
Puppies from unscheduled matings (born from a non-breeding female) are excluded from breeding, even if they meet all the requirements of the breed standard. Only German Shepherds that have successfully passed the Körung are suitable for elite breeding.
When selecting partners, follow the basic rules:
- the exterior of the male/female must comply with the German Shepherd standard;
- to improve the breed, only males are used;
- it is necessary that the dogs are suitable for each other in age;
- underweight/overweight of one of the partners is unacceptable;
- Shepherd dogs must be in excellent physical/mental condition;
- identify the pros and cons of dogs to make an optimal pair.
The last point assumes that if a bitch has some insignificant defect, she is bred to a dog that is devoid of such a defect, but does not have a counter-feature. When you combine mutually exclusive (alternative) qualities in partners, you will not get a golden mean, but will see offspring with intermediate properties. Also, puppies may be born, half of which have inherited their mother's characteristics, and the other half - their father's.
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Possible problems
Pregnancy and childbirth are a complex and dangerous process for the female. Problems that may arise during pregnancy, childbirth and after:
- The discharge from the loop smells bad or is green in color.
- Post-term pregnancy. If your dog does not give birth to puppies on time, you should immediately consult a doctor. Delayed birth may indicate the death of fetuses in the womb, pathologies of the reproductive system, or infections.
- Uterine bleeding.
- The puppy got stuck in the birth canal. After the first attempts, the baby should appear within two hours. The next puppies are born every 30–40 minutes one after another.
- Miscarriage.
The first heat marks the female Jack Russell Terrier's puberty. From now on, every six months the girl will go into heat. Constant hormonal changes lead to the fact that the dog's life is shortened, and she herself becomes vulnerable to many diseases of the reproductive system. If the owner has no desire to engage in breeding, the pet should be sterilized. If the owner wants to try his hand at breeding, it should be borne in mind that this activity will require a lot of time, effort and money. It’s definitely not worth doing something like this for profit.
How to give birth yourself?
Most bitches cope with childbirth on their own. But in young dogs, the maternal instinct may not yet awaken, and therefore the owner will have to accept newborn puppies on his own.
How to do this:
- As soon as the puppy is born, the owner needs to rupture the membranes near his nose so that the baby can take his first breath of air.
- Having freed the puppy from the films, you need to quickly but carefully rub it with a clean soft towel, then tie the umbilical cord 2 cm from the newborn’s abdomen and cut it above the bandage.
- After this, carefully pulling the umbilical cord, pull out the placenta.
- Then you need to give the puppy to the bitch so that she can lick it, and after that, place it on the nipple.
- At the time of the birth of new puppies, already born babies should be placed in a box with a warm heating pad covered with a soft cloth, and then returned to the mother again.
- After the last puppy is born, you need to check the number of placenta: their number should be equal to the number of puppies born.
- Upon completion of the birth, you need to give the bitch warm tea diluted with milk.
CAREFULLY!
As the litter becomes wet during childbirth, it should be replaced with clean one.
Jack Russells are not a difficult breed to breed. And yet, having decided to start breeding them, you need to carefully think and calculate everything.
After all, paying for a dog’s services and maintaining a bitch during pregnancy and childbirth is not a cheap pleasure..
Raising puppies also takes a lot of money, time and effort, and therefore, it makes sense to think about getting offspring from your dog only when the dog is truly magnificent and can improve the breed.
Prenatal period
After a successful mating, the Jack Russell Terrier bitch becomes pregnant. The average length of a dog's pregnancy is sixty days. The entire period of gestation can be divided into four phases:
- twenty-one days after mating;
- fourth week;
- fifth to seventh week;
- eighth week.
In the first phase, the pet has no visible changes either physically or psychologically. Leave the feeding ration unchanged. You also need to add to it preparations with vitamins A, D and E in the dosage specified in the instructions for use. During the entire pregnancy, give the Jack Russell Terrier bitch “Undevit” one tablet once a day and “Ferrum Lek” half a tablet per day.
In the second phase of pregnancy, the dog begins to develop toxicosis, due to which it may refuse to eat, preferring water. You cannot force your pet to eat.
At this time, thick, colorless discharge may appear. If blood appears in them, you need to give the dog a five percent solution of calcium chloride for three to four days - half a teaspoon twice a day.
In the third phase of pregnancy, long, quiet walks in secluded places, where there will be no unnecessary irritants in the form of other dogs or unnecessary noise, are recommended. If you live in an apartment building, do not allow the female Jack Russell Terrier to walk up the stairs by herself: either in the elevator or in your arms. If your pet has developed an appetite, be sure to increase the amount of food, but divide it into three or four meals. Keep giving vitamins.
In the third phase, noticeable movements of the fetuses begin in the womb of the bitch. You need to reduce the amount of meat and meat broths, and a couple of days before the possible day of delivery you need to replace the meat with cottage cheese and cheese. Meat can be given again three to four days after birth.
Preparing the site
You need to prepare the place for the birth in advance, about two weeks in advance. For this purpose, choose a room where the Jack Russell Terrier bitch will not be distracted by extraneous noises or strangers. If there is a window in the room, it is best to cover it so that direct sunlight does not bother the dog. Also clear the room of all unnecessary items so that you can quickly get to the bitch when she goes into labor.
Place a birthing box in the selected room. You can purchase it at a specialty store or make it yourself. The main thing is that it fits the Jack Russell Terrier in size - the pet should be able to freely stretch out to its full height. The box where the birth will take place must always be in perfect condition. Change bedding or diapers as they become dirty.