Special days for a female Spitz - Spitz estrus

Breeding Spitz, especially mini and dwarf ones, is a difficult task, which is primarily due to their small stature. Breeding Spitz dogs requires careful preparation. The health of the puppies and the bitch herself depends on how correctly everything is done.

Features of estrus

The first heat in Spitz dogs occurs at 8-12 months. However, these are averages. For the first time, estrus can occur either earlier or later, everything is individual. Bitches shed twice a year, i.e. every 6 months. But the interval between heats can be 8 months. This is considered the norm, the main thing is regularity. In this case, the discharge can be both abundant and insignificant. In a Spitz with a lot of hair, the discharge is not easy to notice. A dog, if it is clean, can simply lick them off. Therefore, it is often possible to understand when a Spitz goes into heat only by drops of blood on the bedding after sleep.

After the Spitz's first heat has occurred, the owner must conduct observations and record the beginning of subsequent ones. You need to monitor the onset of estrus in order to determine the optimal time for mating.

In case of any deviation from the norm, you should consult a veterinarian.

At what age and symptoms

Spitz dogs begin their first periods at the age of eight to twelve months. This period may vary, because the speed of puberty depends on many factors - nutrition, genetics, lifestyle.

You can ask the breeder when this process began in your pet’s mother; often the dates coincide.

For the first time, menstruation lasts very little time, the discharge is scanty and almost unnoticeable, because the body has not yet fully matured. You cannot organize mating during this period - it is very difficult to tolerate, various diseases and tumors can develop.

You can prepare for the onset of this period in advance if you know about the symptoms. Here they are:

• urination becomes more frequent;
• males begin to pay special attention to the girl, sniffing her;
• the lady leaves marks for the opposite sex, trying to cover as wide a territory as possible. Because of this, she is stubborn, does not obey her owner, and tries to run away;
• the dog is in a playful mood, plays with the boys and pays attention to them;
• Appetite increases greatly, even if it was rather large before, now it becomes even larger. The cutie begins to actively beg for food and eat more. You should not overfeed her, because this threatens obesity;
• Shedding begins, the fur comes out in large tufts;
• the loop swells, sometimes bloody drops appear from there;
• the character deteriorates, the previously obedient animal becomes aggressive, nervous, and ignores commands.

Once you notice all or most of these symptoms, rest assured that a special period will soon begin in which your little animal will need a lot of attention, love and patience from you.

Estrus phases

Estrus in a Spitz, like other breeds, occurs in several stages:

And when the first heat begins, and in all subsequent periods, caring for the dog is important:

• The Spitz is kept warm and not exposed to drafts.
• In snow or rain, time outside is reduced to a minimum.
• They are not allowed to sit on wet grass or damp ground.

What to do?

How should a good owner behave in such a difficult period? Everything is not as difficult as it might seem to an unprepared person. To begin with, remember that you should walk the beauty on a short leash, and if there are too many other males nearby, then do not let her leave the house at all, but place her in an enclosure or train her to use a litter tray. You should not hope that the Spitz is obedient and calm; during the games of hormones, nothing can be predicted. Males should not be allowed even close, otherwise you won’t be able to pull them away later.

Watch out for drafts at home, do not take the female outside in the cold - she is now especially prone to colds, her immunity is weakened. Do not allow her to lie in the cold or swim - this is also contraindicated because she can easily get a genitourinary infection. Avoid open water.

Avoid exhibitions and shows - the animal will not follow commands, and it may leave drops of blood on the floor, which will not be very convenient. Do not spoil your pet too much, otherwise you will have to wean her off this for a long time. You should not give prohibited treats and food from your table, but you can give special treats from a pet store.

Get special underwear that will help protect furniture and carpets from secretions, and your pet from infections and attacks by males. However, you should not wear panties all the time; it is better only during periods when there is especially a lot of blood, because this interferes with natural self-hygiene.

Carefully monitor the lady, make sure that the cycle is not disrupted, and if this happens, contact the clinic. Don’t leave everything to chance - it’s very dangerous, you shouldn’t hope that it will “resolve itself.” Spitz is an artificially bred breed; its representatives need a lot of attention and care from humans.

How to determine sexual heat

The main problem for dog owners is to determine when estrus begins, how long it lasts, and calculate the day of ovulation. Thus, it is important for the Spitz owner to find out the beginning of the second phase of the “hunt”.

On the first day of the “hunt,” the level of luteinizing hormone increases. The second day is the beginning of ovulation. Then, within 2-3 days, the egg matures and becomes ready for fertilization. Thus, it is better to knit on the 5th day after the start of estrus. However, conception is still possible over the next 3-4 days.

Breeders breed pets from 10 to 14 days from the start of estrus.

The owner, in order to correctly determine which day is the best for mating, can conduct tests:

1. Place your hand on the croup (located from the middle of the back to the root of the tail). If the dog freezes and moves its tail to the side, it is ready – it’s time to breed.
2. The second method is more accurate. Run your finger along the skin of the perineum or along the loop, lightly pressing on its lower edge. If the dog stands firmly with legs wide apart, the loop twitches, rises, the tail is pulled to the side - these are good signs. This means you can knit in the next 2 days.

More accurately, the timing of ovulation can be determined in the laboratory of a veterinary clinic.

There are certain problems in Spitz dogs that are classified as pathologies:

• Constant readiness of the bitch for mating. If the dog is healthy, then after mating the male, she should become pregnant. If this does not happen and interest in the opposite sex does not disappear, there is a reason to consult a veterinarian. Problems with the reproductive organs are likely.
• Silent hunt. The dog is sexually active, but ovulation does not occur. In this case, infertility is suspected.

The causes of such pathologies are most often associated with hormonal imbalance.

Stages and their duration

The average duration is from 18 to 25 days. The period increases under the influence of external factors (cohabitation with a male). The cycle lasts for a dog every 5-8 months. In exceptional cases, the intervals between estrus reach 9 months.

Cycle stages:

1. Proestrus is the period of maturation of the follicle and preparation of the egg for fertilization. The girl is characterized by aggression.
2. Estrus (ovulation) is the right time for mating. The period lasts 2-14 days depending on the individual characteristics of the Spitz.
3. Metestrus is the stage of hormone production to maintain a healthy pregnancy. For about 70 days, the dog becomes hostile towards males.
4. Anestrus is the arrest of egg development. The duration of the period is individual.

Estrus occurs in bitches 1-2 times a year. There are “hidden” estruses. To identify it, contact a veterinarian.

If at the age of 1 year the dog’s puberty has not completed, it is too early to sound the alarm. At 15 months it is time to see a veterinarian. The process could go unnoticed by the owners.

Reasons why puberty does not occur on time:

• Improper care and poor diet;
• Hormonal disorders;
• Genetic diseases;
• Problems with the thyroid gland;
• Tumors in the genitourinary system (benign and malignant);
• Inflammatory processes in the uterus;
• Hermaphroditism.

Preparation for mating

If the girl is of a suitable age for mating and mating is carried out for the first time, it is important to carry out preparatory measures:

• Especially for miniature Pomeranians, health is important. Dogs are not bred after illness, or overly thin or fat bitches. Ideally, tests are performed to ensure there are no infections.
• They are treated for helminths and fleas a month before the intended mating. Mating should take place in completely healthy animals. If vaccinations are scheduled in the near future, get them. The next opportunity for pregnancy will not be soon.
• Choose the right male dog. It is important that there are no family ties between the girl and the boy - there is a high risk of deformed puppies.
• If a girl is mating for the first time, it is better to choose an experienced male for her. If the situation arises that both the girl and the boy and the owner are inexperienced, then it is recommended to negotiate with the instructor.
• They find a veterinarian in advance who will monitor the pregnancy and deliver the baby. Small breed dogs are often cesareaned.

Breeding of bitches should never be carried out with the argument “for health”. All dogs get sick, regardless of whether they have given birth or not.

The same is true with boys. If a dog with a good pedigree is a member of a club, there is no need to worry. They will find him a partner in the club, and his sex life will be regular.

If there is no pedigree or for some reason the dog was not included in the club, the owner should think about it. Before mating, the boy, although he shows interest in an individual of the opposite sex, behaves calmly.

If you untie a male, the dog will forget about calm and will be in constant search for a female. His behavior changes: he starts howling, doesn’t listen well, and is capricious when it comes to food. The men in the family become enemies for the dog.

Spitz owners often note their tendency to masturbate. Moreover, neither diets nor increased physical activity help - the Spitz reveals its other side to the owner, which is not the best.

How to find a partner

It is very important to choose the right pair. A lot depends on the dog - he can either improve or worsen the breed.

It is equally important to choose the right bride or groom, taking into account the weight and color of the coat. So, for a girl weighing 2.5 kg, a lighter partner is suitable - 2 or 2.2 kg. This is a condition that, when met, produces high-quality offspring.

For other Spitz (larger ones), the male may be the same or slightly larger than the female. Although breeders still prefer the small guys.

It is allowed to cross Spitz dogs of different colors. And even if there are 2 dogs of the same color, the puppies can take after their grandmother. It is difficult to predict the color of the offspring. The only thing that is not recommended is breeding white Spitz dogs with colored ones, and mating Spitz dogs with any other color.

If the girl has a pedigree, then the groom is selected at the club. This is done by professionals and you can rely on their choice. If a bitch has no pedigree and the owner decides to breed, then the partner must meet the following criteria:

• Be healthy both physically and mentally.
• Meet all the qualities of the breed.
• Have experience and be in the prime of your life.

If the female partner has a defect, such as a sagging back, the male should not have the opposite defect (humpback).

The owner of a bitch has the right to ask the owner of a male dog for a certificate stating that his pet does not have infectious diseases.

Caring for a dog during heat

The Spitz's heat lasts almost a month, and this is a difficult period for both the dog and the owner. At this time, the pet needs increased care; she reaches out to the person, not understanding what is happening to her. And the owner’s task is to support the girl.

During estrus, it is recommended to keep your Spitz in the following conditions:

1. When a Spitz goes into heat, you need to be especially careful about its health. During this period, the dog can easily catch a cold; it is better to reduce walks on cool days to a minimum or put a litter box at home.
2. It is unacceptable to wash a dog during heat. They do not allow it near water bodies.
3. If a dog show or competition is planned and the dog is in heat at that particular time, it is recommended to postpone the show.
4. Baby diapers or special underwear for dogs in heat will keep the house clean and also protect the girl from getting infections in her reproductive organs;
5. You should not allow your Spitz to lie on a cold floor. It is better to make the girl a warm and soft bedding.

Estrus is not a disease, and there is no need for indulgences. If the girl was not allowed on the furniture, then there is no point in pampering her during this period.

Stud fee

The owners of the animals agree on how much it costs to breed a Spitz before mating.

Payment for mating usually takes place in 2 ways (by agreement):

• puppy;
• money.

Money is paid either after the sale of puppies or before mating. In the first case, it is 20% of the amount of revenue. In the second, the price depends on both the qualities of the dog and the requests of its owner.

You pay with a puppy if there are more than 4 puppies in the litter. However, Spitz dogs, especially Pomeranians, rarely produce such numbers.

There are certain rules for mating: if it did not occur due to the fault of the owner of the dog, then the second meeting will be free.

Main features of mating Pomeranians

Estrus in dogs: how long does it last and when does it start?

The duration of puberty in Spitz dogs takes a lot of time; you should not rush into mating. First of all, you need to know exactly what you plan to do with the puppies in the future, whether sale is possible. Pregnancy and childbirth are not always favorable for the dog and can negatively affect its health, so you should seriously think about it before mating.

Before mating, you should study all the features and make an accurate decision.

It is also recommended to remember that a pregnant and lactating bitch will require additional care and quality nutrition, so if it is not possible to provide it, you should refuse mating.

The procedure is carried out on the male dog’s territory so that he feels more confident and the female dog does not show aggression. It is better to choose a place that is familiar to the dog.

It is better to put a muzzle on the lady or secure her so that she does not frighten off her partner with excessive aggression. There should be no strangers nearby during mating.

Preparing a male dog

If it is planned that a male Spitz will be used as a breeding dog in the future, it must be properly untied.

The first mating of a male dog, which is approximately 10-12 months, is desirable with an experienced and trained female. Before this, it is better that the dog does not come into contact with females in heat.

Favorable conditions are created:

• The dogs are placed together either in a room or in a fenced-off area familiar to the dog. This way he will feel confident both for the first time and for subsequent ones.
• Mating takes place on the partner's territory.
• It is advisable to ensure silence and not distract the animals.
• Mating is not carried out in the hottest part of the day.
• Dogs must be walked before the act, but not fed.

The owner often helps the young dog. He puts his hand on the lower back (croup) when the dog is mounting and helps him. The pet should perceive help as part of the process, this is especially important when the male is already in the castle with the female.

It is important to teach the dog that if the owner touches a male dog’s genitals, the latter does not react aggressively, but considers it normal. If the dog is planned as a breeding dog, he will probably need help at some point when “difficult” bitches come across.

Males for the first time can behave differently: either be very fast and zealous or, on the contrary, slow.

If the first mating of a dog lasts a long time (more than 5 minutes) and is unsuccessful, then it is better to take the bitch away. The partner is allowed to rest and fed a little.

If a boy is indecisive, he needs to be interested. The girl is temporarily taken to another place and returned after 10-15 minutes.