Breeding a dog

[Woody]

When is the best time to breed a dog?

I ask as I have a 3 yo Beagle.  We've been asked if we wanted to breed him with a Basset hound.  Both dogs are purebreds.  Niether are a hunting dog. 

I'm pretty certain if I asked my dog when and how often to breed him, he'd reply with...."Whenever I want and as often as I want!"   

We are keeping one pup for ourselves and the other dog owner plans to keep the rest. 

Thoughts?
Suggestions?
Things to avoid?

I'm thinking once he becomes a dad, he's getting fixed.  This should take care of his "greeting" to strangers at the door!  The "He's just hugging you" excuse is wearing thin. 

[The General]

IMHO it is best for them to have the litter late april early may.  Gives them the summer to grow up if you plan on keeping them outside during the winter.

[Woody]

Ok, but when do you breed them?
How long is the gestation period?
Yes, I'm almost clueless about this. 

[The General]

Oh sorry miss read the question.  Get them together and when the female allows the male to do his deed that is the time.  Then get them together for as many times as she will allow the male to mount.  Done deal...........nature takes it's course.

[blabman]

A natural breeding usually takes place 7-10 days after the female goes into heat. Gestation is 63 days. Here is a link that would be useful to research.
http://lowchensaustralia.com/breeding/breeding2.htm

[Woody]

Thanks for the advice and the link! 

I know how it goes down, what I don't know is....is there a particular time of the year?  I'm not sure when she was in heat or will be in heat.  I'll look into that. 

Should he bring flowers?  Take her out for dinner?  Go to a movie?     Slip her a roofie? 

[The General]

Sorry again, I was reading the question as she was in heat right now.  She will start to spot when she goes into heat.  The female part gets bigger too.

[Woody]

I'll have to talk to the females owners and see.

[Woody]

Thanks for the advice General! 

[The General]

Anytime.

[GirlGuide]

OH Woody, Woody, Woody.....

Do I have to teach you EVERYTHING?     

I'm just teasin' ya!!  I have a great book that I used both times that we wanted to breed our springer spaniels.  It worked both times for our dogs, and it is a really easy book to understand and it explains things very well.  I also always kept the dogs together the whole time the female was in heat, just to make sure they did it quite a few times ...and hey, they wanna have fun too!    Anyway, I will look for the book today, and if you think you need it still, I will mail it out to you.

~gg