Schnauzers are popular family dogs.
Schnauzers are intelligent, highly energetic working dogs that come in miniature, standard and giant sizes. They are highly social dogs that are good with children when they're trained properly. Consequently, many Schnauzer owners choose to breed their dogs. Breeding your Schnauzer is a difficult task that should not be undertaken lightly, especially given the problem of pet overpopulation. Schnauzer owners should only breed dogs to improve the breed and should be prepared to care for all puppies in the resulting litter. If you can't find a home for each puppy, you'll need to raise the puppies yourself. Reputable dog breeders provide new owners with puppy guarantees and promise to take back puppies for any reason at any time. This guarantee is put in place in order to prevent a puppy from being euthanized in a shelter.
Instructions
Before You Breed
1. Consult with your veterinarian before you breed your dog. Breeding carries with it the risk of uterine rupture, infection and even death so only dogs who are in ideal health should be bred. Dogs should not be bred if they carry any genetic defects so a thorough examination is necessary. Schnauzers are especially susceptible to retinal atrophy, cataracts and liver shunt and no dog with these illnesses should be bred. Miniature Schnauzers may only be able to give birth with the assistance of a vet because their small birth canal may not allow a puppy to pass through safely.
2. Select an appropriate mate for your dog. It's not always best to choose two random Schnauzers you happen to own. Any Schnauzer who is being bred should have AKC papers, particularly if you plan to sell the dog later. They should also conform to breed standards and have an excellent temperament. See Resources for more information about Schnauzer breed standards.
3. Wait for the female to begin her estrus cycle. Females go into heat twice a year and begin bleeding a few days before they are ready to be bred. Females will fight off males who attempt to breed with them before they are ready. A few days after your female has begun bleeding, allow the male to approach and sniff her. If they begin fighting, separate the dogs immediately. If the female is ready to breed, she will allow the male to mount her. He may latch onto her for several minutes.
A female only needs to be inseminated once, but some dog breeders recommend allowing two or three matings. If you are a novice breeder, it's best to only allow one preliminary insemination to reduce the risks of fights.
4. Separate the male from the female after breeding occurs until she is no longer in heat. The male will continue to try to mount the female even after she has been inseminated but the female may fight with him.
5. Take your dog to the vet about two weeks after breeding to confirm pregnancy. The vet will also be able to warn you of any potential problems and advise you on preliminary puppy care after the puppies are born.
6. Prepare a whelping box. This should consist of a large enclosure that a female can easily get into or out of. Provide soft bedding and make sure the box has sides so puppies can't climb out easily and get injured. Sandboxes with tall sides as well as very large rubber containers also work well for this purpose.
7. Wait for the female to go into labor. When she is in labor, she will enter the whelping box and may pant or pace. Puppies are normally born about an hour apart and litters range in size from just one puppy to as many as 15. If a puppy is stuck for more than a few minutes, if your female appears to be in distress or if she begins bleeding profusely, contact an emergency veterinary clinic immediately.
8. Provide proper care for the puppies. They will need to be dewormed and vaccinated before they go to their new homes. Deworming and vaccination schedules vary depending on where you live and the particular health concerns your dog may have. Your vet should advise you on appropriate care for the puppies.
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