I have owned them both since pups, my male is 2 years old and female is 18 months and on her third heat. She is maiden, and currently on day 13 of her heat and my male seems to know what he is doing. Every time he mounts her she sits down or rolls over, however everyone keeps telling me she should be flagging him by now! Why isn't she? What signs should i look for? Will she ever be ready for him?

She is TO YOUNG to be bred!!!!! That is your problem. It is like trying to have a 12 year old girl get pregnant. PLEASE do some research, get all the right testing done, OFA, CERF, BRUCELOSIS, Etc. and find a breed mentor before you breed! If you had done your research you would know what test to ask your vet for to find out when she was ready to breed. Can you afford the multiple vet visits while she is pregnant, ultrasounds, x-rays, 2+ vet visits for each puppy, vaccines, worming, QUALITY diet and supplements, do you know how to handle a whelping? Do you know pet first aid/CPR? Can you afford a C-section (that most small breeds require)? are you prepaired fro your girl to DIE because you want some puppies? These are all things to think about before breeding.

I thought that somebody on this website would have brains and give me a sensible answer. I didn't ask for abuse. I have researched and it states in many shih tzu books that it is safe to breed after her first birthday and second heat passes. I am only letting her have a litter so that i can get her seen to afterwards as we are moving countries and need to get a passport done. I do have the money to pay for all the vets bills, and my dogs are my babies so think about people having done everything before you start wanting to become MR/MRS KNOW IT ALL.

If you did your research you should know that no bitch should be bred before they are 2 years old. What did her last progesterone say? Some bitches are ready before others. How are their CERF's? How are your boys OFA hip, elbow, thyroid and patella clearances? (I know your girl is to young to get finals but did yuo get prelims?) I am in no way a know it all... I still have a lot to learn, but breeding is MUCH more then just putting together a male and a female there is a lot of pre-breeding testing and clearances that need to be done, pedigree research and an understading of the medical aspect of it.


Also, this is NOT a personal attack, anybody who posts looking for basic breeding information on a message board is going to get the same questions asked and reactions from MANY members NOT only myself.

I would seperate them for several hours-overnight where they cannot see or smell each other. You may have to hold your female inorder for the male to conect and tie with her. When he tries to mount her then place your hands under her and hold her up. If he is smaller then her or has shorter legs you my have to provide him a step!

Small breed dogs mature sooner than large breed dogs and you can breed them after their 2nd heat and if they reach 1 year of age. They also should not be breed past 5-6 years of age where large breed dogs can be breed longer.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by maplelane

I would seperate them for several hours-overnight where they cannot see or smell each other. You may have to hold your female inorder for the male to conect and tie with her. When he tries to mount her then place your hands under her and hold her up. If he is smaller then her or has shorter legs you my have to provide him a step!

Small breed dogs mature sooner than large breed dogs and you can breed them after their 2nd heat and if they reach 1 year of age. They also should not be breed past 5-6 years of age where large breed dogs can be breed longer.

Sorry but this is incorrect. Small breed dogs mature earlier than large breeds is true. Average age for small breeds is 2 plus years. You never breed a small breed dog prior to 2 years of age. I have been breeding Miniature Pinschers for over 48 years and under no circumstances do you breed earlier than 2 years. Simply put, she is not flagging is an indicator she is not accepting of mating and this in most cases is she is too young and is doing what is normal. When the time comes, she will flag and at that point she will be accepting. Force breeding is not the solution as in many cases once the pups are born the dam has no real indication as to what she is to do. Is this op knowledgeable enough at that point to know what to do? Sorry, but based on the op and this question, no they are not ready. As noted, if you come to a forum asking advice on breeding than you have not done your homework. First lesson, don't be lazy and ask questions on forums. Get every book on your breed you can find, read it, learn it than get with a reputable breeder of the breed you are looking at and learn all they can teach you. The internet is not a once stop shopping arena for people to get answers to questions such as these where there simply is not enough time to teach and provide correct answers. Providing generalized answers to questions such as this cause more harm than good. If you want to be a breeder, study, read and seek out a mentor. Do not come here expecting a quick answer that could end up causing a serious problem to your dogs.

Are both dogs AKC registered, meet the AKC standards (size, weight, facial features etc) and come from champion lines? If not, then I wouldnt be breeding. Your just making yourself another back yard breeder statistic who is adding to the extensive pet over population.

Its not just about paying the vet bills. Its about paying for all the genetic tests too. BOTH male and female should have a genetic test dont to make sure that they are both in perfect health. This test can tell you if they are prone to problems common in the breed. If they show any signs of having a genetic disorder (maybe they dont have it themselves, but if the gene is there, pups can get it) then DO NOT breed your dogs unless you want a bunch of jacked up puppies who arnt up to standard.

THANKYOU to MAPLELANE who gave me a fantastic answer. You are one of the few people who are honest on this website and give me a fantastic answer. At least i can give that a try!

Oh, and YOGI if you think so little of people who come on the internet looking for answers then "WHY THE HELL ARE YOU ON HERE"???

Originally Posted by pablofrett

THANKYOU to MAPLELANE who gave me a fantastic answer. You are one of the few people who are honest on this website and give me a fantastic answer. At least i can give that a try!

Oh, and YOGI if you think so little of people who come on the internet looking for answers then "WHY THE HELL ARE YOU ON HERE"???

Actuallly, we gave you honest answers. It just isnt what you wanted to hear.

So a toast to you for adding to the over pet population! As a person who rescues dogs, THANK YOU SO MUCH! You just made my job even harder!

[puppylove2009]

Do not breed your dogs.....yet.

I say this because your female is too young. Atleast wait until she is two years old.

Get all the proper genetic and health testing done (This is very important....my dog came from a breeder who didn't do this....he is not healthy. He is a year old and already cost us thousands in vet bills)

If this happens with your dogs it may come back on you. Just realize that.

Do some research and get a mentor (you can find that with your local breed club) Study under your mentor until the mentor deems you ready. It shouldn't take long. And do lots of research.

When you mentor decides you are ready and you are doing this to better the breed....then go for it.

Also make sure your dogs are registered with a reputable breed club (AKC- american Kennell club, UKC- United Kennell Club, or CKC-Canadian Kennel club. Do not get a CKC contenental kennel club dog.....that CKC is a joke)


Good luck on your journey. If you do this and do it right breeding will be very rewarding.

Remember wait until she is atleast 2 years old.

Good Luck.



This isn't a personal attack or anything: I'm just giving you the proper way to go about this....if you do it this way you will get a rewarding feeling because you are working to better your breed of choice and you are breeding for quality puppies.

I have a purebred minature poodle (who is not the healthiest) and I have an adopted rescued mix both are my pride and joy.

I encourage responsible breeding......and I think you still have a bit to learn. But you will get there if you do it right.

Just please think about what I said