I am new on this forum and wanted to ask a question. I am breeding my first litter - and before you say don't let me tell you a little about myself and my dogs. I compete in conformation shows and have for the past several years I am also active in breed specific events, agility and rally. Both the dogs I am breeding have been evaluated and cleared by OFA and CERF for genetic hip, heart, eye and elbow disease as well as bruselosis tested clear. My question is: My bitch was bred first on the 10th day of her heat and again on the 12th, the dog was very eager and interested and both matings went very well. Today I planned to breed them for a third time and he gave a sniff or two and then wanted to play with the towel, the leash, my hands, etc. He was not interested anymore. I am hoping this means she is pregnant? I had a breeder I used to work for tell me that when their bitch conceived she "came out of heat". Is this something that happens? I will try them together again tomorrow but I don't have much faith at this point. Any input would be very appreciated. Thank you.

I suspect the male has lost interest because your bitch is no longer in "standing" heat. Whether she's pregnant or not is anyone's guess.

A dog's reproductive cycle is quite different than a human's. The corpus luteum does not lyse, and the dog's body thinks it's pregnant, whether it is or not. That's why all unbred bitches go through some degree of false pregnancy after a heat. That's also why there are no blood or urine tests that will indicate if a bitch is pregnant, because the hormone levels are the same if she is or is not. You can have your vet palpate her abdomen when she's 5 weeks along, and it may be possible to feel the little fetuses. An ultrasound can also show if she has puppies in there, and later, towards the end of her pregnancy, you can have an x-ray done to determine the number and size of the whelps.

I'd suggest you go to the library and get some books on managing a pregnancy and delivery. You did all the right things by testing your dog, but there's more involved, now that the deed is done. You have 9 weeks to study about what comes next, and I'd avail myself of any and all chances to learn about the things that can go wrong, and what to do if the worst happens.

Thank you for your comments. I have many great books that I have been reading for the past 3 or 4 years! I have wanted to breed for some time but have not had the right dogs (did not turn out to fit the standard enough or did not clear OFA) I also drove out of state to go to a GREAT 2 day workshop on breeding, whelping and puppy intensive care. I learned so much there but am always happy to get help from others. I have a close friend who had been a breeder for 35+ years, another friend who has been breeding 12 years and also have some great local vets including a repro specialist about 30 minutes away and a 24 hour emergency hospital that is only an 8 minute drive should the need arise.