The reproduction of dogs is a process that generates many doubts among guardians, therefore, in this article on our site we are going to explain how dogs reproduceThe objective is not to encourage uncontrolled breeding, on the contrary, and that is why we talked about sterilization in the last section.
Even so, it is important that we handle this information precisely to control the reproductive cycle of our dog or bitch and thus avoid problems and litters unwanted. Remember that only legally registered breeders can engage in breeding, otherwise it would be illegal.
Reproductive system of the male dog
Before explaining how dogs reproduce, we must know their reproductive organs. Males have two testicles that descend into the scrotum by two months of age. Otherwise, we should consult a veterinarian, as a retained testicle, known as cryptorchidism, can be very problematic.
The testicles are where the sperm are produced, which will travel to the urethra, located inside thepenis They go outside through it when the dog mates. In addition, males have the prostate , a gland that surrounds the urethra and secretes fluids that are involved in reproduction. The prostate can be affected by different pathologies, such as prostate cancer in dogs.
Although the animal is born with its reproductive system ready, if we ask ourselves when dogs can reproduce, we must know that it is a variable period, but we can establish that males mature sexually between 6-9 months of age.
Reproductive system of the bitch
On the other hand, the reproductive system of the female consists of a bicornuate uterus, which is accessed through the vulva and the vagina, and two ovaries From them come the ovules which, if fertilized, are they implant in the uterine horns, which is the place where the puppies develop.
The reproductive cycle of the bitch begins approximately at six months of age but, with the first heat of the bitch, but as in the case of males, this date varies. Basic to understanding how dogs reproduce is knowing that the female dog is only fertile during a briefinterval of her cycle. Only in this period will she be able to mate. She will attract males and be fertile
It is also important to know that the continued hormonal functioning can lead the dog to suffer pathologies as serious as canine pyometra, which is an infection in the uterus, or breast tumors. If you become pregnant, you must take into account the need for specific care, veterinary monitoring, possible complications in childbirth or lactation, and the search for responsible homes for an entire litter, which must also be dewormed and vaccinated.
Dog Play
Now that we know which organs are involved in the reproduction of dogs, we must know that, as soon as they reach sexual maturity, we run the risk of attending a mounting desired if we do not take precautions.
The type of reproduction of dogs allows the male to be fertile at any time, since he only needs the stimulation of a female dog in heat. The females, on the other hand, will only accept the male during their periods of heat. These are two a year, separated by about 5-6 months. A bitch in heat will attract the males, who can fight each other, and, with a high probability, if we are not careful, she can be fertilized.
With the possibility of starting to reproduce as early as six months and with males always fertile, these animals are considerably prolific In addition, if we wonder up to what age dogs reproduce, we must know that males are going to maintain their momentum practically all their lives. The females are also long-lived in this matter and can continue to come into heat until they are 10-12 or even more years old. Therefore, with animals unsterilized, precautions must be maintained for life.
How do dogs mate?
Among the curiosities of dogs we can highlight how mating or mounting takes place Within how dogs reproduce, once we have two specimens together, while the female is in heat, the male will sniff her. She will ease him, raising her tail so that her vulva becomes visible and accessible. The male will approach from behind and climb on her rump
At that moment he will introduce his erect penis into the female sexual organ, producing a perfect coupling thanks to the bulb of the glans, which increases size and stays inside the vagina.
The male will ejaculate the spermatozoa but will not move away afterwards, both animals will be hooked for as long as30-40 minutes , which seems to ensure semen transfer and that it is not lost. It is a physiological process and we should never separate them.
How do dogs reproduce: explanation for children?
If dogs and children live together in the home, it is not strange that the little ones ask us about the reproduction of animals. It's good that we answer your questions directly. To do so we can use the information we have given in this article, but always adapting it to the child's age, with simple and clear words.
A good idea is to look for pictures, books or movies that deal with reproduction in dogs and similar animals. As it is likely that we do not have all this material at hand just when the child asks us, we can prepare, anticipate and bring up the subject, especially if in our environment there is a pregnant dogor similar that may arouse the minor's curiosity.
Do dogs need to have pups?
Now that we know how dogs reproduce, we are aware of the ease with which a female dog can become pregnant, the difficulty in managing animals throughout her life, and the he alth problems that result from functioning of the hormones involved in this cycle.
If we add to all this that dogs do not need to have offspring for their he alth or happiness, we can only recommend the sterilization as part of responsible ownership.
And if we wonder when to sterilize a dog, we should know that it is possible to plan the operation before the first heat, that is, approximately six months, both in the case of males and males. of the females. Studies indicate that intervening at this time offers the greatest benefits for the animal's he alth, preventing pathologies as important and frequent as breast tumors. Sterilization is a very common surgery in clinics, quick and easy to recover.
