Mating of Yorkies, what you need to know: first mating for a bitch

Yorkshire Terrier is a popular toy breed of dog. They are distinguished by their compact size, recognizable silky coat and mischievous character. These dogs are bred by both professional breeders and private owners. Pregnancy and childbirth greatly affect the health of the future litter, and mating a Yorkshire Terrier itself often leads to the development of various problems. In this article we will look at how to properly mate this breed in order to get healthy offspring.

Which dogs are suitable for mating?

The choice of a partner for mating depends on the appearance of the future offspring, the health of the puppies and the opportunity to participate in exhibitions. Even before introducing dogs, you should check the documents confirming the pedigree, and also officially register the planned mating with the RKF. What parameters to pay attention to when choosing a partner:

the bitch’s weight should be within 2-3 kg; with a lower value, she may not survive pregnancy and childbirth;
The best age for the first mating is the third estrus, by which time the Yorkie’s body is ready for reproductive functions, usually at 1.5-2 years. Cables reach sexual maturity by 10 months, but mating is advisable only after 1 year;
females and males undergo all necessary routine vaccinations; at least 1 and no more than 10 months must pass from the last vaccination to estrus;
childbirth for Yorkshire terriers will be easier if the male weighs less than the female, the difference in height should not exceed 5 cm.

It is recommended that bitches give birth before the age of 4 years, when the birth canal is most elastic. After 8 years of age, pregnancy can become life-threatening even for a healthy dog.

When the dog is ready

The first heat in Yorkshire Terriers occurs at approximately 8-9 months of life. But this is only approximately, each has its own “beginning”, but do not rush to breed her with a male, this is not the best time.

The Yorkshire Terrier girl already has a desire to mate, but she does not have the necessary physical training, and she has not yet gained the required weight to bear puppies. The best option is mating after 3 heats (around 2 years).

As for male boys, the situation is different here - their puberty occurs at the age of 1 year. And this readiness lasts all year round in dogs, unlike in girls. A young dog can be bred, and it is better if the bitch is experienced and this mating is not her first.

It’s good to invite a knowledgeable specialist to help at the first mating; you may have to keep the girl. Yorkie girls are not always supportive of their partners.

In a Yorkshire Terrier (girl), estrus occurs regularly at 6 months and lasts about 2-3 weeks. To find out when to breed a Yorkie bitch, you need to take a closer look at her behavior 8-9 days after the start of her heat. If she is playful, she is attracted to male dogs on the street, and when stroked, she moves her tail up and to the side, most likely this time has come.

But it’s not just behavior that needs to be monitored. It is very important to examine the dog's discharge, take a clean sheet of paper, and blot the loop every day. If the color has become transparent, then you can knit. At first the discharge is bloody, then yellow, white and finally becomes transparent. Inspect the dog's loop, if it becomes soft and swollen, it is time for a date.

Preparation for mating

Proper preparation before breeding a dog or bitch helps to avoid many unpleasant problems. Useful tips:

select a couple in advance, discuss all the details of the contract - payment, the issue of child support;
no later than a month before the start of estrus, get all the necessary vaccinations and treat the dog for parasites;
undergo a full examination by a veterinarian, including tests and ultrasound of the heart;
3-4 days before mating, wash the dog, trim its nails and fur;
2-3 hours before mating, take the bitch and male for a walk; the last feeding should be no later than the evening of the previous day (this avoids regurgitation).

When choosing a date, you should take into account the characteristics of the dog's estrus. On average, the greatest readiness for fertilization in Yorkie bitches is observed on days 8-14 of estrus. It can be determined by a change in the smell and shade of the discharge, an increase in the loop. Some animals change behavior - the bitch becomes more active or shows excessive passivity.

You can accurately determine the period of ovulation using laboratory tests for progesterone (sex hormone). This diagnosis is recommended for very young and elderly Yorkie bitches. Some breeders conduct testing themselves, which requires a microscope.

When is a Yorkie ready to reproduce?

The age at which female and male Yorkies are ready to mate varies. Boys' bodies are ready for full sperm production at eight months. But veterinarians do not recommend mating at this age. This is due to the following reasons:

The sperm are not yet fully developed, which means few puppies will be born, or some of them will be sick.
A young dog that has already been bred is more difficult to train and educate. It is often difficult for owners to manage.

Important! If a Yorkie male has been mated at least once, he will smell the dog when he is in heat. Because of this, boys often run away and get lost.

The right time for breeding

When studying the rules and recommendations on how to breed a Yorkie for the first time, you need to pay attention to the most suitable age. For males it is considered after a year. Mating should be carried out no more than once a month. This cycle is enough for the sperm to fully recover.

It is best to prepare a Yorkie girl for the birth of puppies no earlier than two years of age. A dog's first heat occurs at ten months, but mating is prohibited during this period. It can lead to the birth of undeveloped, sick offspring. Also, early pregnancy is harmful to the health of the dog itself.

Particular attention is paid to Yorkies over four years of age. If a dog has never whelped before this age, it may have problems with the hip joints. They harden and the dog cannot give birth on his own. Therefore, you must first consult a veterinarian.

Important! Girls after eight years are no longer used for mating. This negatively affects both their health and the condition of the born puppies.

Girls at least two years old are suitable for mating

How to breed

Mating is best carried out in the male dog’s territory, where he will feel comfortable. Breeders recommend placing a table in the center of the room, removing unnecessary objects and closing the windows. Place a rug under the table that does not slip on the surface. After this, dogs can be allowed into the room; they must first sniff each other and get to know each other.

In some cases, natural (free) mating may occur; if mating does not occur, it can be done manually. The dogs need to be lifted onto the table, the male should be placed behind the female and begin to gently push him until contact of the reproductive organs occurs. At this moment, the owner of the bitch should stroke his pet and talk to him.

How Yorkie dogs are mated

It is customary to bring a bitch to a dog. Before mating, she is allowed to get comfortable and rest. Correct mating of Yorkies is productive even without the participation of the owners. The male dog makes a cage. If the bitch is not ready or scared, she may wriggle out. Then he will get scared and refuse to approach again. Again, after unsuccessful attempts, the male is fertile within 12 hours.

The cage looks like jumping from behind - he leans on the female’s back with his front paws and presses him under him, and “dances” with his hind paws. When a male dog inserts a penis into the vagina, it contracts. “Castle” lasts from 10 to 40 minutes. At this time, the sperm moves towards the egg. The pets stand with their backs to each other. You cannot separate them by force; you can injure the dog or bitch.

After boarding, the bitch is not allowed to urinate for a couple of hours. How to help your Yorkie when mating:

hold the bitch by the collar, support the belly with the other hand so that she does not turn away from the dog;
sometimes they put a muzzle on her, because... may show aggression;
a young male is keen on mounting, so the owner can direct his penis to the female’s loop;
During the process, pets are praised and encouraged.

Difficulties during mating arise only in young pets or in Yorkies that have not been met. Therefore, a preliminary meeting and games have a positive effect on the speed and efficiency of the process.

After the process, the dog is isolated from mating with other males. If you leave her unchecked during heat, there is a risk of mating with a non-pedigreed male and the appearance of a mixed litter with different puppies.

Features of mating physiology

After direct contact of the genitals, you can notice that the male begins to fidget with his hind legs and step over them a little - this indicates that ejaculation has occurred. After this, the coupling begins when the male member is held by the muscles of the loop. The process can take from a minute to several hours. This mechanism increases the chance of fertilization; it is impossible to pull the dogs apart at the moment of coupling, this can lead to injuries to the genital organs. After mating, the bitch and the dog need to be separated into different rooms for 1-2 hours, fed and walked. Repeated (control) mating is carried out after 24-48 hours.

Mating of small and medium dogs

There is a fairly significant difference between the mating procedure for representatives of large and small breeds, explained by physiological and psychological differences.

For the first time, babies are knitted at 1.5 – 2 years , depending on the characteristics of a particular pet. Sometimes you have to wait up to 2.5 years for the dog to gain the required weight and height.
Remember , for small dogs the first mating is a huge stress , so the animal needs to be provided with the most comfortable conditions. It is advisable for the first time to invite an experienced partner and specialist - a veterinarian who will help you go through the process without unnecessary problems.
First you need to introduce the animals well to each other . They should not be rushed or get into games. They must trust each other completely.
Take off all clothes and additional accessories , they are very disturbing and distract the animal, and he needs to concentrate.
The location should be chosen taking into account the nervousness and inexperience of the partners . Mating is carried out on the territory of the most nervous and young partner, in the most familiar and calm environment. Extra witnesses and distracting sounds are not allowed.
Accurate timing . The duration of the menstrual cycle in representatives of these breeds is about 16-20 days. However, it is rarely possible to accurately determine the onset, since in the first days the discharge is almost unnoticeable. The best time is from 10 to 16 days. But you can definitely determine it by external signs. As soon as the dog begins to stand in a characteristic position, then the right time has come. It is important not to delay and leave yourself a small reserve of time so that after 24-48 hours you can repeat the procedure if necessary.

Pregnancy

An accurate determination of conception is possible using an ultrasound scan 15-20 days after the last mating; using diagnostics, you can also find out the number of puppies. Pregnancy can also be determined using blood tests. The main symptoms of successful conception:

the dog becomes lethargic and apathetic, often secludes itself;
At first, appetite decreases, and after 5 weeks it increases;
the abdomen enlarges, the nipples swell and the gait changes;
starting from 5-6 weeks, when you feel the abdomen, you can notice small seals inside - these are puppies, they begin to actively move from 7 weeks.

Throughout pregnancy, the bitch's urination increases; in the early stages, mucus is released from the loop. 10 days before the planned birth, colostrum begins to be released from the mammary glands, and the movements of the puppies can be seen visually.

Often, Yorkies experience a false pregnancy - a change in behavior and the appearance of all of the above signs, but there is no fact of fertilization. This pathology is treated with sedatives and proper care for the dog.

How to know that a female is ready for mating

Mating of Yorkies mainly depends on the female’s readiness to mate. And you can recognize this by the following signs:

1. Pet behavior.

The girl begins to be playful, flirts with boys, moves her tail to the side, barks a lot, and reacts less to her owner. When stroking the back, the tail moves to the side.

2. Physical manifestations.

The discharge lightens, becoming almost colorless - this is easy to see, just apply a white sheet to the loop and look at the imprint; the loop becomes softer.

3. Reactions of surrounding dogs

While walking, you can observe how many male dogs strive to “get acquainted” with the four-legged seductress. To avoid unwanted offspring, you need to monitor the female during this period of time. Sometimes it’s even easier to buy special pants that would let only the tail out, so that an unexpected mating of a Yorkie does not occur.

Childbirth

Pregnancy in Yorkies lasts up to 64 days from the moment of mating. If childbirth does not occur after this period, you should contact a veterinarian - overbearing can lead to the death of the litter. The onset of labor can be determined by a decrease in body temperature, the dog becomes restless. The active phase is most often observed at night; after several intense contractions, the water begins to break, and after 1.5-2 hours the first puppy should appear. The bitch independently gnaws the umbilical cord and eats the afterbirth. Newborn puppies should immediately start drinking colostrum, as it ensures the development of immunity. It is recommended to contact a veterinarian for delivery of Yorkies, this will help avoid unpleasant consequences.

Briefly about the main thing

Before starting mating, you should select a partner, check the documents and submit an application to the RKF.
It is better to conduct mating in the male dog’s territory. Successful fertilization requires 2 matings.
Pregnancy in Yorkies lasts up to 64 days. During this period, the dog should receive adequate nutrition and care.
Yorkies can give birth on their own. For your dog's safety, it is recommended that you seek help from a veterinarian.

Have you ever knitted Yorkies? Share your recommendations in the comments.

Place for mating

It is advisable that the Yorkies be mated where the male lives. In an unfamiliar place, he may become distracted from the bitch, start sniffing the place, may get scared and sit near the owner the whole time.

You should not do this outside, because extraneous noise will distract both Yorkies. A cramped room is also not suitable.

It’s good if the bitch is allowed to stay in a room without a dog for some time. If she sniffs everything in advance and gets used to it, she will become bolder.

It is advisable that the floor is not slippery. It should be covered with a small old carpet.

If a dog is often used for mating, then it is a good idea to have a special mat for this purpose. The dog will understand by the smell that mating is coming, and will prepare itself in advance.