heatless beagle

Question
QUESTION: my bitch is already 16months old... but she is not yet having her first heat.. i assumed that her first was a silent heat but i think 16 months is not a joke anymore.. =(

ANSWER: Hi Deric

Some females are slow to mature. And may have silent heats or bleed just a very small amount and keep themselves clean.

Good luck

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

QUESTION: what a pleasant surprise, my bitch just had her heat cycle a while ago. i have a male beagle too, and they stay together in a cage, i want them to mate.. what must be the most effective way to make my bitch pregnant? =) thanks for the very fast reply doc=)

Answer
Hi again Deric

The best is to separate them completely until she is ready to breed (starting at about day 9 to day 15).  Then bring them together for short periods (about 15 minutes a couple times a day) to interact and breed. This is the where the term "absence makes the heart grow fonder" comes from.  It builds excitement, especially if they are inexperienced.

The biggest mistake most breeders make is leaving the dogs together 24/7 and assuming they need to breed a dozen times a day during the females entire season.   This doesn't ensure pups, but it will tire out and/or frustrate both parties.

Because a female is going to release a certain number of eggs, and the male ejects millions of sperm, "the more the merrier" mentality doesn't apply.  A pair can tie once and have 12 pups or a dozen times and have 1 pup.  

Good luck