my bitch will be on day 7 tomorrow and i am a bit concerned about missing the right time. Last year when we tried she would not accept the stud dog at 11 and 14 days. it was 19 days before her colour started to pale, is this too late??

For my last litter the bitch wouldn't stand till days 18 and 20. We had a lovely litter from that.

Have you a friend with an entire male, who is willing to let you use him as a 'teaser'? By that I mean take the bitch to his house and see how she reacts when she sees him? I found that to be the best test of all - I was on the phone to the stud owner every day "not today"until one morning "We're on our way!"

But the dog owner needs to be prepared for the dog to be beside himself.

Some bitches are ready late. None of mine have been ready before 15/16 days.

You can get premate blood tests done at the vets to identify when ovulation takes place. They usually test from day 10 onwards. Watch the price of the test... my EX vet charged us £50 + a time, my NICE new vet charged £22!

Al

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Hi sasha`s mum
all bitches vary my bitches are pretty universal standing between days 9-14 but I have known a bitch that stood and got pregnant on day 3!
looking for the change in discharge colour isn`t alway reliable either some bitches bleed all the way through
jeangenie`s advice would be very help full if you know any one with a entire dog.
we have tended to try the bitch with the stud every third day from day six onwards but we are lucky enough to have a very accomidating stud owner.

I have had the all clear from the vet and have arranged to visit the stud dog tomorrow(day 9). this may be too early but as they are only 10 mins away its not a problem. thanks for all the good advice i have been given on this site. x

Hi sashas mum
Did everything go ok and did you managed to get your girl mated?

no i think im about to give up. shes 13 days now. on friday she flirted a little bit but that was it and he wasnt overly keen. he seemed put of by her constantly barking!!! do you think shes just not ready yet or its just not to be??

Don't give up. For my last litter the bitch wouldn't stand till day 18. :)

Hi sashas mum
as jeangenie said dont give up we have just mated a bitch the stud wasnt interested in her till day sixteen, I paniced as but thankfully got some excellent advice from everyone on the forum

Well today was day 16, another trip to the stud dog who this time was very interested( although several times he tried the wrong end!!). Unfortunately she still wouldnt let him, how much input should i have? I did put a muzzle on her as she snapped at home so she couldnt hurt him. Will she fight him off then let him or is she just not ready? I was worried i'd missed her time but the neighbours dog keeps howling at the back door and stud dog was so much more interested tonight that i feel that maybe not? I feel very ignorant but you have offered so much valuable advise on this forum that i feel you can help me more than the stud owner. Any advise greatly appreciated.

Del x

As the dog has only just become more interested, she may not be quite ready yet, and maybe day 18 will do the trick. Good luck!

All my Spanish Water Dogs have been mated on their 18th day, youve got plenty of time yet:d

Thanks for the advice. Today is day 18. Yesterday the dog just didnt want to give up but sas was definately not having any of it, i was told that untill she moved her tail too one side that there was no chance of a successful mating, is this correct? Will she definately do this at some time? I feel a bit cruel that i have taken her to the dog so often and maybe she just will not let it happen full stop. Very concerned mum. x

I tried breeding millie on 3 different seasons but to no joy, but i also gave up trying earlier then the 15th day, this time i just carried on and she really did get on well with the dog and showed loads of interest, this time was different she mated on the 16th day and on the 18th day, and now we are just waiting to find out if she is going to finally be a mum, we cant wait... So just keep trying, we did and it seemed to work, Good luck

We've got a bitch come to us at stud now, and I'm getting more than a little fed up with blood tests. The test told her owner to come last Sunday, which she did, no joy. We've just served her, day 18, 20 min tie. Trouble is, she's been staying here, and the poor dog has worked so hard for much longer than needed. Would have been great to have a teaser!

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

I've given up now i think i have missed her time. if she had not had a muzzle on she would have had big chunks out of the dog today but he just doesnt give up!! Today was day 18, i just wish she would stand up too him and let him do the business but i think its just not too be. I'm finding this too stressful so it must be much worse for her. Thankyou all for your great advice. x

I just recently had a bitch mate on day 20, I had never had a bitch mate this late before, And was getting quite worried, On day 20, we visited the stud and they tied in mins, For ages, I also was about to give up, I am glad now I didnt.