I posted a topic on the breeding page about contraceptives for bitches, which I have now changed my mind about.

My problem still stands if anyone can give me any suggestions.

I have 2 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, bitch age 3mths and dog age 5mths. I would like them to have a litter in about 15mths or so but how can i keep them apart during Tilly's seasons before that? I will not put my dog in kennels and I do not know anyone that can take him into their home for a couple of weeks whilst Tilly is in season. I was thinking about putting one in the kitchen and one in the utility room using a child's safety gate to seperate but I have been told they will jumo it to get to each other. I have also been told if I close the door they will try their best to get through it.

Any ideas ?????????

A member of the family once had a dog and a bitch Yorkshire terriers for 12 years a baby gate worked everytime! Barney once got to Amy when the gate was left open once but the bitch kept sitting down and he couldn't mount her....I know nothing about breeding dog's but I think a bitch is only truly receptive for a few days of her season???? The unfortunate thing is seeing how worked up the male gets - it must be torture for him ;)
He may cry a bit?

I have heard it is best not to breed the bitch till she is 2 and would be only 18months in 15minths time.
About keeping them apart have you got a dog crate or could you have you male stay with a relative/friend for the 3wks

At this present time I have four bitches in season and two entire males.I have two doors between them and they only go into the garden in gender groups. I do put the girls in the outdoor run and let the boys loose in the garden but only if I am in the garden with them. I do not find it too much of a problem.
Diane

If you dont want pups the only way is to buy two dog cages big ones and put dog in one bitch in the other and put in different rooms dog goes out in garden first/ then bitch. hose down garden each time, it does helps, that is the only other way, and how do you know that these two dogs should be mated, the dog or the bitch might not be good enough and you have to have all the test done on both dogs,and she should not be bred from until she is at least 2 years old.

As I would only like them to have 1 litter together and I am not wanting to be a breeder I am thinking about having one of them "done". I could never send Ozzy away to stay with someone else for 3 weeks, it would be too heartbreaking for me, and probably for him. I do have afew months to think about it as Tilly is only 3mths old. They are going to the vets today so i am going to discuss it with her.

Thankyou everyone :-)

I think geting two good sized crates and keeping them in seperate rooms shut in them sounds the best bet.

It would be best if you can excersise them and take them to toilet in seperate parts of the garden. The male is most likley to create when he can smell where she has been.

You will need to get the eye tested, hip scored and heart tested once they are both over a year of age. I know not too may people hip score Cavaliers but scores right up to the maximum possible have been known, so it is best to have them done to ensure they have good hips.

I have spoken to my vet about what checks they both need if I do decided to breed. She said that i should contact her when they are 12mths old to arrange for eyes, heart and hip checks. She will recommend me to an eye specialist at Manchester Animal centre for their eye checks as he is one of the best in UK.

I have also decided that if I do breed (even if I don't for at least Tilly's first season) I will let Ozzy have my spare bedroom at night and when i am at work. He will be upstairs and Tilly will be downstairs so I don't think they would have any chance getting to eachother, unless they can get through 3 doors.

Thankyou to everyone for your advice. I will let you know if i do breed, so watch this space in about 18-24mths time!