Dogs - Reproduction and breeding

How do you know when she has started? Premature birth, hand raising premature puppies, stillborn puppies, caesarian-sections and breed type.

Puppies should remain with the litter for eight weeks to ensure proper weaning and social development. Puppies that are taken from the litter and mother earlier than this are known to have an increased chance of behavioral problems.

The early weeks, when should puppies start to take interest in their surroundings, feeding and diet for the mother, lactation, weaning puppies, puppy diet.

What sort of problems to look out for, post natal veterinary checks, lighting for the mother, the mother's milk supply, infection or breast inflammation and milk fever.

Many owners find the companionship of their dog so rewarding that they feel they would like to breed their dog, continue the bloodline and retain an offspring. This can occur with both male and female dogs. Others, especially first time dog owners, will acquire a female dog with the intent to breed her when she is old enough.

Immediately after your female dog has been mated, is there anything you should do? Should you change her food? The sixth week. How can you be certain your dog is pregnant?

Morning sickness, pre-birth behaviour, advance preparation, the whelping process, afterbirth and things you should be on the look out for, what to do if your dog has problems with delivery.

Castration is a relatively easy procedure to perform, fast and inexpensive, and in the long run has many benefits over vasectomizing pet dogs.

This article provides information on when you should have your pet desexed, what is involved in the procedure and some of the myths of desexing.

It goes without saying, desexing prevents the devastating destruction of unwanted kittens and puppies who end up in shelters and rescue facilities, but there are also important medical and behavioural benefits to consider.

What should you feed her during pregnancy? How will you know if she is pregnant? What are the signs of labour? Will your bitch remove these membranes? How long will it be between pups? Seeking veterinary advice, and vaccination and worming during pregnancy

How often do female dogs come into heat? How long does a "heat" cycle or oestrus last? What are the signs of "heat"? How soon after a cycle can she be desexed? Best time for mating. Has mating been successful?