Breed an Anatolian Shepherd
Anatolian shepherds are one of the oldest dog breeds in existence. Originally bred as flock guardian dogs in the rugged Turkish terrain, the Anatolian shepherd still retains those protective instincts and are often found watching over sheep and goats. The breed has recently found a niche as an excellent family companion, although they can be very territorial. Breeding Anatolian shepherds takes time and dedication, but a litter of healthy puppies is well worth the effort.
Instructions
1. Schedule an appointment to have your female examined by your veterinarian. Anatolian shepherds are fairly healthy dogs but are still prone to genetic conditions such as hip dysplasia and bloat. Your vet will give her a thorough examination to make sure she is in optimal breeding condition and free of any diseases that can be passed onto her puppies.
2. Select a stud dog that compliments your female. The ideal Anatolian shepherd is a tall, strong dog with a straight back and strong bone structure. For example, if your female has a light bone structure, a male with a heavier frame will compliment her well and can help improve the bone structure of the litter as a whole.
3. Determine when your female will come into heat. Most female Anatolians will experience their first heat cycle at approximately 1 year old and will come into heat every six to eight months. Anatolians are typically in heat for approximately three weeks, with the most fertile period around day 12 of her cycle.
4. Place the male and female together around day 10 and every day thereafter until day 15. If your female is receptive, she will appear very playful with the male and will turn her rear end towards him and allow him to mount her and mating will occur. If either dog seems uninterested or aggressive, separate them and try again the next day.
5. Call your veterinarian to schedule a follow-up appointment to determine if the mating was a success. Approximately 25 days after mating your vet will be able to detect heartbeats of any potential puppies and an X-ray can be performed after day 45 to give you an accurate count of how big the litter is going to be.
6. Set up your whelping box in a quiet, low-traffic area of your home. Anatolian shepherds gestate for approximately 63 days, so set up your whelping area at least a week prior to her delivery date to allow your female time to acclimate to her new surroundings. A large, plastic children's swimming pool lined with a few old towels or blankets is an excellent alternative to costly store-bought whelping boxes.
7. Monitor your female closely as her due date approaches, and begin taking her temperature twice a day to help predict her labor. A normal female's temperature is 101 degrees, and this will drop by at least a full degree within 24 hours of labor. In addition to a drop in temperature, you will notice circling and nesting behavior, as well as a reluctance to eat as labor approaches.
8. Watch your female closely as she begins giving birth. You will notice the muscles of her abdomen tighten and relax as she experiences contractions, and the first puppy should be born within 30 minutes of the start of labor. Anatolian shepherds are big dogs and tend to have very few complications during birth, but call your vet if there is a delay of more than an hour between puppies.
9. Lay a heating pad down in the whelping box and turn it on low, moving the new puppies onto the pad to prevent them from getting chilled as your female finishes giving birth. She will break the sac and cord on each puppy after it is born, and will lick each puppy clean. Anatolian shepherds are often very protective, so allow your female plenty of time to bond with her puppies.
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