Selecting the Male Dog
Unless you are actively involved in the dog world, you may not know a good stud for your bitch. You can get help from your vet, from the breeder who sold you your dog, or from your local or national specialty breed organization. You should be able to get advice on whether to line breed, outcross, or possibly inbreed.

Inbreeding-—This is the mating of very close relatives—father to daughter, brother to sister, mother to son. The novice or amateur breeder should not attempt this type of breeding. Inbreeding accentuates faults and is not a good practice.

Linebreeding—This is the mating of more distant relatives. Close linebreeding results in more predictable traits in the puppies.

Outcrossing—This is the mating of previously unrelated dogs of the same breed. Breeders usually use this method when they want to correct a fault or when they want to introduce another strain.

It is important to keep your breeding purposes in mind. Are you trying to get better hunting dogs, better show dogs, or dogs with fine temperament for children? Different purposes should result in a different selection of your stud.

This is just a very brief discussion of a complex subject. Those readers who wish to work on improving the breed should do a great deal of research in genetics and study what previous research findings have revealed. Breeding dogs can be most rewarding if done properly. Disappointments and needless expensive mistakes can be avoided by a careful approach.

The Stud
Locating a good stud dog for your bitch is of vital importance. Where you live can influence how difficult this may be. Sometimes if there isn't a quality stud available in your locale, the bitch must be transported to the stud, by rail or air.

Finding the stud can be accomplished by talking to people knowledgeable about dogs—such as breeders, handlers, your vet. All the investigating must be done prior to the time of your bitch's heat.

Once the stud has been selected, arrangements for the mating should be made. The best time to bring the bitch will be decided by her heat cycle. There is now a simple fertility test where Tes-tape is used to determine whether the bitch has ovulated. Many stud owners like to have the bitch arrive a day or so before the actual mating so that she can relax and be more at ease. Often they will keep a bitch for a few days so that the mating can be repeated. The details as to when to bring her to the stud, and how long to leave her, should be worked out in advance.

Stud Fee
The financial arrangement with the stud's owner should be discussed prior to the time of mating. Some stud owners prefer to be paid a set fee for this service, and they will usually give a repeat service if no living puppies result. Other stud owners ask for one or even two puppies, and they will usually specify that they want the "pick of the litter." Champion studs (those dogs that are already champions) usually get a higher fee than non-champions. Supply and demand also affect the fee. Some studs will only be bred to "approved bitches." That is, if the stud's owner doesn't feel the bitch is fine enough to breed, stud service won't be given.

The Female Dog—In Heat
Scientifically, the reproductive period is called the "estrus cycle" or the "heat period" or "in season." A female puppy will "come into heat" after six months of age. Some breeds, usually large ones, may be older. After the first heat, the others will follow at fairly regular six-month intervals. Illness and change of climate can alter this regularity. The first indication of the beginning of the heat period is a swelling of the external genitalia. This is followed in a few days by a slightly pinkish, liquidy discharge which gradually becomes a darker red in color. Some dogs are very meticulous, and you will barely be able to observe any discharge. Others are not so neat, and great care must be taken so they do not soil carpets and furniture. This bloody discharge continues from about a week to ten days. There are "sanitary belts" for dogs on the market if you should find this necessary. When the discharge begins to diminish, the female is ready for mating. She may be receptive for approximately two to 14 days. If you do not plan to mate your dog, extreme care must be used to prevent any accidental encounters. The urine of a female in heat has an odor which is very attractive to all male dogs. Their appearance on your doorstep may well be your first indication that your female is in heat. Many people board their female in a kennel for the duration of this period. Others drive their female some distance from the house so she can urinate without attracting all the neighborhood males to the house. The female in heat must never be left out alone. Even a fenced yard is not safe.

There are some products available which claim to remove this "odor" from the female in season. However, none of them seem to be 100 per cent effective.

Actually, the female is happiest when able to be home with you during this time. So, if you can exercise care that no unplanned meetings occur, heat is really no problem. Often the puppy's first heat is quite distressing to her. She may have cramps and feel very uncomfortable. Affection and understanding will help her to be more at ease during this time. While in "heat," your female will ask to go out quite frequently. She will be somewhat anxious and may not be hi the mood to play or frolic. Her appetite might increase. Such behavior is temporary and quite normal.

Mating the Female Accidental
If an unplanned mating does occur, your vet can be of great assistance. Raising mongrel puppies is expensive and unnecessary! Your vet can give the female an injection which will end the pregnancy and will, in no way, prevent her from having future litters.

Planned
Should you intend to breed your female, planning must be done well in advance. Most dog authorities recommend not breeding at the first heat. Thus, the approximate date of ensuing heats should be calculated after the first.
The reproductive capacity of the female diminishes after age five, and, in many breeds, the reproductive cycle ends by age eight. However, there are great individual differences, and there have been numerous reports of bitches having Utters well past this age.

Spaying
When puppies are not desired at any time, it is usually advisable to spay the female. This is an operation performed by the veterinarian which involves the removal of the ovaries. Today, when carried out in a modern animal hospital, this is a relatively safe operation. It is generally agreed that the best time for this procedure is after the dog has reached its full growth and not before. Spaying should, in no way, affect the dog's temperament or personality. It was once believed that dogs that had been spayed would become excessively fat. However, it has been found that this obesity is due to overfeeding and lack of exercise.

Bitches that have been spayed have a lower incidence of cancer of the reproductive system. Thus, this is a real advantage to the procedure. The "heat cycle" ceases, and the dog is safe from future pregnancies. Since this operation is irreversible, the female can never have puppies.

The cost of this operation will vary in different areas of the country. The cost should be weighed in terms of the advantages and other savings—no boarding while in heat—no accidental pregnancies!

The Male Dog
As the owner of a male, you may wonder if you should use your dog as a stud. It seems like a relatively easy and appealing idea. For just a little work you can get a fee or a puppy. However, there is usually more to it than what meets the eye. First of all, some owners of male dogs find that the dog's personality changes when he is used for stud. Stud dogs can become very independent, not as affectionate as they previously were, and they may desire to roam. Most dog owners who have a single male, primarily as a pet, do not use them for stud as a general practice. However, there are occasions when a fine male is used, and it doesn't seem to do any real harm.

The basic question is whether the dog is of such quality to warrant his use as a stud. The purposes of the mating should be kept in mind. If the male is an outstanding hunting dog or a champion in conformation or obedience, it seems only natural to wish to perpetuate his remarkable qualities. A dog used for stud should himself be well-bred; he should have a good temperament and a constructionally sound build.

The care of the stud dog is most important. He should receive at least one good meal per day, and, if working hard, he should receive two. The meal should be well-balanced and high in protein. Ample exercise to keep him physically fit is vital.

Most breeders feel that ten months is the youngest age at which to begin using a male dog as a stud. The first mating must be handled carefully so that the novice stud can be taught everything that is necessary. It is best to use an experienced bitch the first few times. Mating no more frequently than once a month until the age of two years is recommended. After the age of two, a healthy stud can be used once a week. However, if he shows signs of tiring or disinterest, he should be rested for longer periods.

The fee for stud service is based on the average fee being charged for a specific breed. A stud who is a proven sire and a champion will command a higher fee than a non-champion.

It is the responsibility of the owner of the stud dog to care for the bitch while she is in his kennel or home for the mating. This means providing sleeping quarters, food, and exercise, as well as strict protection from unplanned matings.

If the use of the stud is to be a "genuine business enterprise," then he should probably be shown either for conformation, obedience, or field trials. Advertising in dog magazines would also be advisable.

All this work requires time, patience, and money. For the average dog owner, it is probably not the best idea. Even large kennels will often use other studs rather than maintaining their own.

The Mating
An experienced stud dog and an experienced brood bitch may need little assistance in mating, but, for the inexperienced, help is sometimes necessary.

The female will allow the male to mount her only when she is at the stage in her heat cycle when conception can occur. If she is watched carefully, this time is not too difficult to determine. She will become quite flirtatious and allow the male to make advances. It is considered advisable to repeat the mating twice. This repetition seems to give a better guarantee of conception. Although each female is different, noted dog authorities recommend breeding the 13th day and on alternate days until she again refuses.

The mating process itself should be handled slowly and carefully, allowing the bitch and stud to get acquainted in a controlled environment at first so that no fights can occur. Once they have familiarized themselves and seem interested, they can be allowed to come together. If the bitch is very nervous and aggressive, it is wise to use a muzzle so that she won't bite the male.

In the normal progression of mating, the male will mount the female and after the penis penetrates the bitch, the dogs will become "tied." This "tie" may last from just a few minutes up to an hour. Although a long-lasting tie is not necessary for conception, it is wise for the breeder to try to keep the dogs together for at least five minutes.

If there is a significant difference in size between the male and female, they may need special assistance. A male that is small may need a platform on which to stand and toy breeds are most easily mated on a table.

On occasion, the female will take a distinct dislike to a particular stud and not allow him to approach her. In such a case, it is wise, if possible, to use another stud.

Another problem is that sometimes the stud is not able at first to penetrate a willing female. It is best to separate them. Give the stud a rest of an hour or two and then, with much encouragement, let him try again. Never allow the stud to tire himself excessively in unsuccessful attempts.

After a mating, both dogs should be allowed to rest. Therefore, it is best not to rush the female home immediately after mating.