Hi my pug is 3 I'm going to breed her she's been on heat (bleeding) for 8 days now what's the best day to mate her

Hi Carrie,

We mated our bitch on days 11 & 13 although it is not an exact science. We waited for the colour to change from a blood red to a straw colour. Again, this is not an exact science. Our girl was much more receptive to the male on day 13 and whelped exactly 63 days from the second mating. I suggest that if you do mate your pug that you ensure you have the neccessay funds to one side for an out of hours c-section which can cost in excess of £1,000 and is a likely scenario for your girl. If you do mate her please do take the time to speak to your vets, the breeder of your girl, and do some independent research. Many people on this forum recommended book of the bitch to me and it helped immensely.

Good luck.

Thank you

Pugs are often a hard breed to breed. Not trying to sound rude but if your asking this question it may be in your girls best interest to Waite and do more research before trying to mate her. Don't get me wrong it's good your asking questions but Alot can go wrong so you need to know what can go wrong at each stage, how to spot it and what to do about it. I'd suggest 'the book of the bitch' alot of good information.

Bitches can varie when they are ready, some are ready early other much later. If distance to the stud is far and you need to know for sure you can progesterone test her. You vet can send blood off for testing which is more accurate or do an in-house test with it but its less accurate.

If you haven't yet you should also get her hemivertebrae checking as well before breeding. Don't know if you have allready done this.

> my pug is 3 I'm going to breed

I have a tiny toy breed too and have whelped plenty of bitches.  As a novice I think you need breeding experience.  With my breed I refuse to try mating at 3 years old if they haven't had a litter before then.  Why?  Because I know that I am almost guaranteeing a section.  Honest advice?  You have chosen one of the most difficult breeds to whelp and I would (with the greatest respect) advise you to change your mind.  There are just too many signs of a bitch in difficulty and you won't recognise them. 

I wouldn't risk it if I was a novice with the breed.  I simply won't put a bitch through a section purposely.  As to "straw colour" blood, I have never seen it after over 40 years with dogs.