hi i have a bitch who is in season at the mo she has been round the stud every day from the start basil showed interest in her and has also mounted her once she changed into the 2nd part of the cycle they have not locked as far as i know as they didnt like to be watched. since tue basil the stud has lost interest only tries it on a couple of times. i have read that they dont have to lock maybe that was worng on the net. would like to know what could be stopping him from trying now.

they started on the 26th feb and have now stopped since yesterday.

Whether mated or not a stud will lose interest when she is not at her peak anymore, or maybe she has hurt or frightened him which has put him off. You wouldnt know if you weren't watching

It's a very bad idea indeed to leave a dog and a bitch together when the bitch is in season -anything could go wrong, especially during a tie. Not to mention that you do need to know EXACT date of mating -how else will you know if the bitch is due, early or overdue if pregnant?

As has been said a bitch is normally receptive for a set length of time, normally not more than a 5 days to a week, often less.

They may not like being watched but in order to not be in the situation you are in now you need to do so and the male to be a 'Stud' needs to allow you not only to watch, but help his aim, help him turn, hold the bitch steady if she is frightened ,etc.

If she is not pregnant then next time I suggest (assuming she is health tested and of breeding quality) that you pay to sue an experienced stud dog, with more importantly an experienced stud handler.

I would also suggest you get to know a lot more about breeding as the mating is probably the least problematic and worrying bit.

I do hope the male has not been hurt or (if he is a good dog that would be a shame to loose from the gene pool)  put off from performing again.

when she is passed her peak he will loose interest, they should be supervised at all times when being mated as all sorts of accidents can happened, a mating should Never take place without aduts present.
I would say if he is not intetested then she is no longer ovulating.

Having the Stud around all through the season is not the best idea. He could try to mount & if she's not ready, she'll turn on him. Even the most gentle natured girl will tell him to ****** off! Unsupervised matings are really not a good idea...you risk one or both dogs getting injured. :(

Sorry, missed out a bit of my reply...you said you havn't seen the dogs locked together. Many a litter has been born as a result if a Slip Mating. Hope this answers your question.

> they have not locked as far as i know as they didnt like to be watched

I think it would be a very good idea for you to learn a great deal more about canine reproduction before ever trying
to breed a litter.

Do you have an experienced mentor that can discuss this with you.  They would be able to advise on what books you need to be reading, and to teach you the proper way to introduce a bitch to the stud dog.

As to why he's not trying now, she has probably gone over.  A mentor will explain to you how to find out the optimum time for your girl.

thank you for the replies. they have given us no cause to keep a eye on them to the point they could hurt themselves either.  i have kept a eye out on them throught the window even to the point they saw then took cover under the window which in turn made me climb up on work surface, this for me is the 2nd time. the first time was with a male i had and was succesful with a litter of 15.

they are not left alone for too long to cause any damage and they also get on so well is a joy to watch them, he is very laid back and she is giddy but also knows her place too. everything i have read up on and watched and talked about i never seen a dog give up like that i have a idea of when pups maybe born as well as i have kept a date from first try from the stud. so just trying to make sure they are goign to be ok and my girl is too.

they have given us no cause to keep a eye on them to the point they could hurt themselves either.

I had an accidental mating once, the dog and bitch tied in the garden. I went outside and the bitch tried to run to me whilst tied. You can use your imagination as to how and where both were injured. Both had to be rushed to the vet at 10 pm on a weekend, bleeding heavily. It was 3 days before the dog stopped bleeding. That was 8 years ago, but during a vet visit last week, the vet told me she'd just treated a male dog who was quite badly injured after trying to get away during a tie.

So it doesn't have to be the dogs fighting or anything of the sort, all it takes is for one of them to move during the tie -which is why you have to be there and hold them still. For large breeds that means 2 or 3 people, for toybreeds one person will often do.

Hi all

My friend who is a vet nurse has recently experienced a bitch who had an unsupervised mating...unfortunately they did tie but he had penetrated her anus and ruptured her bowel in the process. Sadly she bled to death.

Oh goodness that's horrific. :(

'My friend who is a vet nurse has recently experienced a bitch who had an unsupervised mating...unfortunately they did tie but he had penetrated her anus and ruptured her bowel in the process. Sadly she bled to death'.

I'm sorry, i don't believe that for one minute unless it was humans who them in such a position; and not helpful to to the question.

Nothing else to add as made me feel quite cross when i read the dogs don't like to be watched, i think that's more you don't like to watch maybe out of inexperience.

My first experience of mating my girl was a little embarrassing for me but handled well, since then I've even helped my breeder with hers a lot more confidently (thank god) and got over my embarrassment.

Hope it helps as you do need to supervise them.

The best way to learn about mating/breeding litters is to have a mentor (as mentioned)
I don't breed & don't intend too for some time but at any given oportunity I help my mentor when she has a stud booked in or is having a litter her self.

> i have kept a eye out on them throught the window

> they are not left alone for too long to cause any damage

Even from outside peeking through the window they could try to pull away and by the time you have ran back in through the doors they could have caused damage.

My friend who is a vet nurse has recently experienced a bitch who had an unsupervised mating...unfortunately they did tie

If it was unsupervised how do you know they tied :-D  :-D 

To the original poster, I agree with the above that you should have done more with regards to reading up, etc before trying to breed. However that said, use ALL spare time now to read up and speak to people, (you vet for a start) to at least have some idea of what to expect if she is expecting. The mating is usually the least problematical part of it all, and you are going to needs support and information if puppies are going to be arriving.

There are lots of people on here who can give great advice, so please ask.

If your bitch is in whelp, I hope it goes smoothly