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Dog in heat; when to breed

19 17:10:42

Question
I think my dachshund is in heat for the first time.  How do you know for sure, how long do they stay in heat, and how old should a dog be before breeding her?  

Answer
You should see spotting blood, licking herself, restless, and swollen vagina area.  Heat cycles are usually 3 weeks.  Having her spayed will help prevent illness and diseases such as cancer, especially as she gets older and will help her be calmer.  No dog should be bred before 1 year old - a mature adult, not puppy acting.  Also, there is so much overbreeding and so many homeless dachshunds of all ages, you should consider not breeding unless she has championship bloodlines.  Each breed has specific genetic problems and if you are not a professional breeder, you may not be aware of this and take the chance of promoting bad genetics.  For example, dapple dachshunds who are bred to other dapples or those carrying the dapple gene, are often born with severe birth defects.  You can also breed back problems and other issues that you  may not see in your puppies, but will be seen in their pups or their pups' pups.