I have a 15 month old female pug I am wanting to breed this fall. She has had two heats. Can she get pregnant anytime or does she have to be in heat? I plan on doing my research before I really make the decision to breed her. I want to make sure she is mature enough to handle it and i would appreciate any advice you have. I only want to breed one time. Thank you.

PuggyLover

I suggest you get the book of the bitch before even thinking of breading. there are more wiser people out there than me that will be along soon.

linda

she can only breed when she's in season but i'm not sure of the age pugs should be allowed their first litter. there are a few pug people on the forum so you'll be able to get specifics from them.

i genuinely don't mean to offend here so please don't take it that way, but as that was a very basic question can i ask why you are wanting to breed from her? also if you think shes good enough to breed from why do you only want to breed the once? breeding is potentially very dangerous to your girl and comes with masses of expense and responsibility- if the pups aren't homed what would you do? i think pretty much everyone on here would advise not breeding unless you have a few names on a waiting list for pups from her.

if your set on it i'd be certain to ensure the correct health tests are carried out, discuss it with her breeder as they'll be able to give you info from experience plus information on her mothers birthing ability (can give you a hint, though obviously not a definate indication,  as to how your girl will get on), make sure you read up on how everything goes etc (book of the bitch is good)

Hi - I'm guessing that you're in the US or Canada? If you're seriously considering breeding a litter of pups you need to do a lot of research first, and set aside a lot of money - breeding a litter isn't cheap! A good idea would be to join a pug club and then talk to specialists - pugs are one of the more difficult and time-consuming breeds. And buy "The Book of the Bitch" by J.M. Evans and Kay White, available on Amazon. It's a British book but the information applies to bitches worldwide!

And yes, a bitch can only get pregnant on a few days during her season, and not at any other time.

> plus information on her mothers birthing ability (can give you a hint, though obviously not a definate indication,  as to how your girl will get on),

Kim is right here as far as the smaller breeds go.  Having a tiny breed myself, I can speak from experience - if a bitch has birthing difficulties, it's going to be genetic.  Before I had that one sussed, I kept a bitch from a girl that needed a C-section.  Yes, like mother like daughter.  Which is why I won't keep a bitch from a bitch that hasn't self whelped, and even place bitches in pet homes, with a signed contract that they won't be bred from.  There are a few breeds that are more difficult to whelp - and you have chosen one of them!   Please bear in mind, that if you have no knowledge of inertia, you are unlikely to recognise it, and risk both bitch and pups dying.  And I'm really not trying to scare you - I am being totally honest.

I agree with the others you need to do a lot of study of the very basics before considering breeding.  As you seem to not even have the basics of reproduction worked out trying to breed a litter would be like allowing a child who had not yet learnt the facts of life (the birds and the bees) acting as a midwife and obstetrician.

Yes I am sure you know people who have just let a bitch get on with it, and have fortunately had no problems, teenagers have also given birth in secret and survived, but it is hardly the way to do it.

First off I suggest you join your breed club and attend seminars about the breed so you know what you should be trying to accomplish when breeding a litter.

Then you should start showing your girl at local shows ans get to know any local breeders of any bred who would be willing to let you sit in and watch some litters being born.  All the better if that breeder has toy breeds or large headed/flat faced breeds where birthing problems are highly likely.

This kind of education may take a few years so I suggest you forget about breeding from this girl but just enjoy learning with her.

After your apprenticeship you may find that your not cut out for the long term responsibilities of being a breeder, as you carry a responsibility to the breed as well as to the individuals.

If you simply want one litter to keep a pup it would be far less risky to buy another from her breeder (assuming they are ethical reputable breeders). 

Breeding especially a breed like this can be very costly and heartbreaking, especially a first litter when you will have all the outlay for equipment etc.

I suggest you also read this thread: http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/board/topic/89071.html and especially this link: http://www.geocities.com/bluegracepwd/virtualbreeding.html

Pugs can be very hard to hve their litter naturally.  I don't think I'd want to risk it even as an experienced person of other breeds.  You really do need to get in touch with other pug people and read articles etc. 

Hi PuggyLover,

Please please please read up on pugs, their health problems, whelping problems, general dog breeding etc etc. It goes without saying, dont breed for the sake of it, even if you want a pup from her. Although those who want to breed, will breed, regardless of the advice given to them (Im not saying this is something you would do, its just we do get alot of hot-heads on the forum who ignore all sensible advice!)

Definately invest in 'Book of the Bitch: A Complete Guide to Understanding and Caring for Bitches' by J.M Evans and Kay White, its a breeders bible. Also 'The Whelping and Rearing of Puppies: A Complete and Practical Guide' by Muriel P. Lee. Both you can buy from amazon. I use these all the time, especially The Book of the Bitch.

Speak to your breeder who bred your girl. They should be able to offer you advice and support.

Pug breeding is hard time and money consuming work! (As it is for any breed). However as with any brachycephalic breed there can be high incidences of c-sections, lost pups and of course lost bitches. Its not worth risking her life and those of her pups for a litter that wont be shown or be of any redeamable quality. Only breed from quality stock that self whelp and that you intend to show.

Please do approach your breeder and speak with him/her, also speak with the breed club of your country. Gain as much information as you can. Then if you decide to breed, save like crazy! You will be spending alot of money, not only on a suitable stud, puppies, equipment, food, vaccinations, suppliments and lost money from not working, you will also need an 'emergency fund' incase of needing a section, sick pups or problems with your bitch. Be prepared for stress and sleepless nights. Even self whelpers need assistance to break the membranes, cut the cord, get the pups breathing. Sleepless nights next to the whelping box. All the mess, poop, wee, smells of a litter of growing pups. The washing (continuous), feeding (continuous) and care (continuous) that accompany a litter. Finding good loving permanent homes for them (incredibly stressful!), selecting families for you pups to go to, offering advice for the life of the pup, possibly having to take it back if theres a family split (often years later). Could you cope?

Whatever you decide, goodluck and think about whats best for your bitch and any future offspring.

Hi Puggylover

Like everyone has already said, please consider carefully before breeding pugs.  You need to really know a lot of what to expect etc before you should even attempt - not only with pugs but with all dogs.  As everyone has said, pugs can have problems giving birth naturally and need c sections, they can also be very poor mothers and not feed their pups.  This obviously isn't the case with all of them but it happens and when it happens you need to be ready.  Make sure you speak with someone near to you who is an expert with pugs.  And wait at least until the first season after she is 18 months.  Pugs normally are bred before two years for the first time but never before 18 months.