Planning a litter usually
involves a time frame of several years! From
initially showing the dam to her conformation
championship and then waiting until she’s mature
at 2 years of age. At this time most of the
medical clearances are pursued. While doing
this we cast an eye towards the conformation
ring to see what stud dog would be complimentary
with the dam’s positive points and
to fill in her weaknesses. Pedigree comparisons
are also done. Our kennel seldom has done
close line breeding which has allowed for
a great deal of diversity in genetic make-up.
This is not to say that line breeding is
not beneficial but it is our position to
use out crosses for the diversity it provides.
Anticipating the breeding involves taking
the future mother to a fertility veterinarian
to do a medical work-up. Suggestions for
diet, vitamins or supplements are made
during this visit. It’s also time to
contact the stud dog owner to iron out details
- these details are enumerated in contract
form and signed by both the stud dog owner
and the owner of the dam. At the signing
a discussion of whether the breeding will
be a live cover, or artificial insemination
using fresh collected or frozen semen is
decided. Hoping for a successful conclusion
to the breeding process can be confirmed
as early as 17 days post mating with a
sonogram. Usually at day 28 palpation by
an experienced veterinarian can give similar
results. Alternatives are a sonogram or a
blood test that determines the amount of
relaxin produced by the dam which indicates
fertilization. After day 55 if birth occurs
the pups should easily survive and to confirm
the number of pups an x-ray can be safely
done. Between day 60-63 the dam should go
into her nesting pattern and labor after
which the fruits of the past will reveal
itself! The dam is the central character
for care so that she can nurture her family.
To realize that in nature she could have
done all this by herself is a humbling view
of life.
