Hello gang,

I'm completely new to breeding, and right now I'm offering stud service for the first time. My male tends to get aggressive with the female, wondered why this might be. He does show interest, as she shows acceptance, but he gets a little aggressive towards her when they get too close to one another. I never let my dog too close enough to make contact with strange dogs during training sessions, so he never has an opportunity to show dominance or aggression towards them. I'm thinking thats what it is, maybe he just needs to get that frustration out of his system. But she's at the peak of her heat right now, so I figured mother nature would take it's course. I'm thinking I need to muzzle him and let him get that out of his system so they can do their thing, but wondered if wearing a muzzle would be a distraction during breeding. I know there's always the option of AI, but I'd like to hear some feedback on doing it naturally. And I think he would appreciate that too
Any thoughts?

I don't know anything about breeding. I do know it just takes one time for the bitch to get impregnated when they get stuck.

I would get this dog tired before taking him to do his thing. And I mean tired, not a 30 minute walk tired. You run the risk that he will be too tired to be interested in sex, although I think that only happens with us humans

If he is still aggressive after being tired, then I would consider the muzzle. I don't think the muzzle will interfere (most likely they won't kiss), and you might as well try that before running with your dog.

Again, I know nothing about breeding. Just offering my $0.02.

Mike, try this link to Ed Frawley's articles on breeding (not sure if your particular question is addressed): http://www.leerburg.com/breedingdogs.htm

Mike,

It takes a male several breedings before he figures out what to do. Some males that are breeding-worthy suck at breeding. I wonder if this quality is genetic and if these dogs should be bred? Is it responsible to use AI's routinely? I mean, can it weaken a breed considerably? I don't know the answer (or if there is an answer) and I certainly don't have enough information to form an opinion. It's something to consider.

It doesn't hurt to try the muzzle. Make sure it is a closed-end muzzle so he can't nip the female.

Also some dogs spar a little before breeding. Perhaps you are seeing this rather than aggression?

I'm not sure what you mean by "the peak of her heat," but if she's still dripping red blood it's likely too early to breed. Some males know better than the people do and won't breed a female that is too early. ( A very nice quality in a breeding male!)

Is there a reproduction specialist vet in your area who is qualified to read a vaginal smear on the female?

Breeding is full of gray areas and it just takes years and years of experience, good judgment and good guesses. If you want to pursue breeding, find a VERY experienced breeder and see if s/he will mentor you and advise you. Breeding mistakes can be extremely costly in terms of $, time and the female's health.

P.S. I know just enough about breeding to know that there is a lot that I don't know

Hi Mike,
We routinely muzzle both the dog and the bitch during breeding. It just takes that one worry right out of the equasion, especially if you don't own both dogs. Use basket muzzles though, not the cloth ones that hold their mouths closed. It hasn't seemed to be a distraction in any way for our dogs. I would go with muzzles before trying to tire the dog out because breeding is a lot of hard work. Some dogs get a little overexcited.Some dogs take time to learn what to do, some get it right the first time. Some never get the hang of it at all. We had one guy we called "the dud stud" because he NEVER figured it out and was only good for AI. His son, on the other hand sired a beautiful litter on his first try without any help from us; so there doesn't seem to be a genetic component to breeding ability . If you keep him focused on her butt that should help too, and make sure they are both on leash. I hope that helps.

Thanks guys for all the info so far. Anne, yeah the vet has confirmed she's at her peak. The blood isn't red anymore, it's more of an orange mucus-like consistency. I know this doesn't last long, so it's either now or wait til her next heat. You're definately right, there's so much to learn about this, and this is one topic I'm completely new to.

Thanks Kristi, yeah I ordered the jafco style muzzle from this site, should be here today. I'll have to keep you guys posted and let you know how it goes.

 Quote: Kristel Smart

If you keep him focused on her butt that should help too

Yeah that usually works for me too, lol.

 Quote:

Yeah that usually works for me too, lol.

hehe... Definetly keep us posted

a male that doesn't know what to do?

(ducking)

lol

I bred cocker spaniels when I was a teen and every male we bred to our female was a jack ass as soon as he figured out what was going to happen...we definitely needed muzzles every time.

Mike, you might want to look up the threads that I posted back when I bred Fetz and my old Czech bitch together for the first time.

Much bloodshed was involved, mainly mine. Use my "experience" there to save yourself a collection of new holes in your clothing, and skin.

Breeding two Landsharks together is not for the faint of heart.

Thx Will, yeah I did check that out. Sounds like you had a tough time with that Gator of yours. Man, whatever happened to mother nature just taking it's course? I guess she can be one wicked b--ch if she wants to be, lol.

It's a critical time in her heat now; we may even miss it if things don't pan out this time around. But for now, I look at it as a new experience. There's always next time.