problems mating jack russell

Question
QUESTION: my jack russell bitch is in her 13th day of heat we have taken her to a 2 year old dog who has mated once before she stands well and is fine until she is about to tye and then she crys and pulls away, this is the third day in a row that we have taken her and the same thing happens every time, she had a litter last year with another dog but we have had problems with her before

ANSWER: Hi Sheila,

Many breeders don't even put the female with the male until the thirteenth day. It may be that your dog isn't at the right part of her cycle to accept the male.
Most females do not even begin peaking until the thirteenth to sixteenth day. At that point the discharge changes color to a light pinkish or straw colored discharge and isn't as heavy. Once the LH levels (Luteinizing Hormone that leads to ovulation) have peaked the swelling in the vulva begins to go down and that is optimal breeding time.

The best and most accurate way to tell when your female is at her peak is to do either ovulation or progesterone testing.  That way you'll know for yourself and won't waste time,energy and get stressed about when to breed. It's painless and easy tests to do and the peace of mind is invaluable.

Best of luck,

Patti




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i took my jack russell to the dog today and although she would stand(this is the 14th day now )she started to get slightly growly with him so although she is still losing watery red blood i think she is going over her heat (when she mated last year she tyed at 11 days

Answer
Hello again,

You said your dog's discharge is still watery red. Your dog will be ready to mate when the discharge changes to be a light pinkish or straw colored,  that isn't as heavy.

Even though last year your dog was successfully mated at 11 days last year, every cycle is different, just like in people.  I should mention that it's not  healthy to breed a female every year.  It's best for you to breed your female dog every 1 1/2 years.

If you're in doubt, have your vet run a "ovulation timing" test. It's a simple but very accurate blood test that takes the guesswork out of all of this.


Best of luck,
Patti