Dog Breeding?

Question

I have a female maltese (1 1/2 yrs old, 6 lbs.) and a male havanese (1 yr old, 7 lbs.) that I would like to breed. I have never bred dogs before so I am just learning and am in need of some serious advice. I decided to ask this with hopes that anyone would be so kind as to share their knowledge, experience and insight with me to help me through this process. Let me start by explaining a few things because I know that many people are against breeding dogs, especially mixed breeds. First, my 2 dogs are the only pets that I own, their safety and well-being is my number one concern. They are both AKC registered purebreds. Both dogs have had excellent vet care, my vet checked them both numerous times and sees no problem with mating them now. I have no intentions of becoming a puppy mill or backyard breeder who produces litter after litter for the purpose of making money, my intention is to produce 1 litter for members of my family and friends, who are already waiting for these puppies and I will only ask them to pay what I have paid for the expenses of their vet care and other care required for them. All that being said, I hope you will see fit to give me any advice that you have in order for me to breed my dogs the right way.
Now for my issue at hand. On Tues Sept. 3, I first noticed signs of heat in my girl. There was a tiny spot of blood on her tail, however I'm not sure if she'd gone into heat before this as she is extremely clean about it and her vulva was not swollen enough to be really noticeable. Around this time my male was constantly trying to mount her, she would stand for a second or two for him and then knock him off, but he just kept on trying and trying (although his penis never came out of the tube). So at this time I figured she was in the first phase of heat, where bleeding is present but she will not accept him, and I figured she would not let this happen for 7-10 days. However, on Thurs Sept 6, I found them tied, around that time I looked at her vulva again and it was alot more swollen. Now I was confused, the only explanation I could think of was that she had started her heat way before I noticed it and was now in the second phase and that is why she accepted him. Ever since then she has been trying to flirt with him, sticking her butt in his face, mounting him, and backing up to him, but now he is not showing any interest in trying to mount her. He will smell her vulva and lick it but that's about it. Yesterday Sat. Sept 9, I noticed a tiny bit of blood coming out of her vulva, then a short time later I saw her drip a spot of blood on the floor and my male licked it up as soon as it fell. So, now I'm really confused, I'm not sure what is going on or which stage of heat she is in. The blood makes me think she is still in the first stage of heat and not fertile yet. But her actions and the fact that they tied already makes me think she's in the second stage and is fertile now. So I can't figure that out, and I also don't have any idea why suddenly my male does not want to mount her or how to get him interested again. Any advice is well appreciated, people wanting to bash me need not reply.

PLEASE...if you are going to preach don't bother, and if you are going to respond at least fully read my post before answering. I have researched this for at least 6 months and this situation seems to be puzzling because I cannot find answers for this in my books, which is why I'm asking here. I am looking for people with similar experiences. THANK YOU to all who give real advice!

Answer 1

I've never bred before, but I will try to give my best advice:

Take the female to the vet to see what stage she's in. You may be too late, or when your dogs tied, the pregnancy was initiated. If you're too late, you'll have to try again next time; if the latter is correct, just take precautions.

And please, after this one litter is born, spay her!

Answer 2

I think you should be asking your vet this question. No one here is going to know what stage of heat your female is in.

And I feel compelled to say that you may have read about breeding for 6 months but you did NOT do all the research that should be done to be a quality breeder. You did not find a mentor (someone who has many years of small dog breeding experience.. preferably with your breed dog), you did not do genetic testing on both of your dogs (to ensure they would not pass down a bad gene thereby causing birth defects) you did not show your dogs (to ensure they are breed standard) nor are you breeding same breed dogs (so therefore not bettering the breed) so whether you are breeding once for family and friends or many times to (try to) make a ton of money you are still a backyard breeder because you did not take the time and effort necessary to be well informed and to breed properly.

I am sorry if you are annoyed that I chose to lecture you but that is the risk you take posting your question here to a multitude of strangers instead of having a respected mentor who you really can rely on to give you the needed answers.

Answer 3

1) both dogs are too young to be bred..NO dog should be bred under the age of 2 your dogs are neither mature enough mentally or physically to give birth
2) neither dog has had OFA done for hips or paetella nor have they had any other genetic tests done..simple vet exams are NOT good enough they can NOT tell you if there are any underlying genetic issues that can be passed on
3) so they are AKC registered..they are two different breeds, therefore it won't make a bit of difference with any litter they produce..the pups will only be mixes nothing more
4) small breeds are very prone to pregnancy & whelping issues..they often need emergency c-sections, they often have low/no milk production, they have a high rate of stillborn puppies, they have a high rate of low birth weight pups, etc

Answer 4

You should take your female to the vet and see if they can tell you. You said these 2 dogs are your only pets but are you aware that a lot of females die during labor and delivery? If they are truly your pets and you love them, why would you risk your females life? It doesn't make any sense to me if these are just your pets. If you still want to breed, I would do all genetic testing first. Why would you risk producing puppies that could possibly inherit some sort of genetic disorders? But, if you are still wanting to breed, ask a licensed veterinarian all of these questions or a professional breeder that can answer your questions. I really urge you to think about this more and ask yourself if you are willing to kill your female by breeding her, this stuff does happen.

Answer 5

Contributing to any public forum is, by its very nature, an invite for a variety of opinions. It can't be helped. I will STILL urge you to spay n neuter your pets, by acquiescing to pleas from your family for your dogs to produce a litter you are denying puppies ALREADY born a good loving home. More thinking within the bubble.

If this is "preaching" so be it, it IS a public forum.

Should you still persue this action, involve a vet and perhaps a breeding mentor who will support you.

Answer 6

I think i missed the real question on here, because wasn't it first how to mate, yet they arleady tied? SO, that question was answered.. Was there more than 1 question.. Sorry.. I didn't get everything your saying since you already know the answers to everything that you would have asked..

Answer 7

If you are truly asking to recieve honest advice...I would listen and not get offended when people tell you to spay and neuter your dogs. You will not find anything in books that tell you how to breed mix breeds.

Answer 8

just remember it can go wrong my jackrussel was 2 Weeks pup got sick pups where all dead inside her she had to be spayed nearly lost her

Answer 9

After reading all of this I don't see a question.

Answer 10

ur playin with fire kid