Boxer Female in heat..

Question
QUESTION: OK... my female boxer is approx.3 years old she just started bleeding yesterday that I caught anyway. I am breeding her with a older boxer I believe he is 10 or so and in good health. but my question is, is he too old? My girl weigh 55 lbs. she was the runt, and he is larger. Now also if she approximately. started yesterday what is the day I should put them together? She is quite swollen and the blood is red still. This is my first time breeding her I'm a little scared.. I could use all the advice you can give me..
Thank You Very Much.

ANSWER: He's not too old provided he's in good health, as you said.
Most breeders put them together for the first time on the 13th day. The discharge should lighten to a sort of candy pink color and not be as heavy either. Many times, though not always you will notice a real JUMP in the swelling on the day they ovulate or right after. Then immediately it starts to go down. Try what you think is the 13th day, if there is no tie, try again every day after that until there is. At that point you are probably safe, if you prefer to try to get more than one tie, only put them together every other day. Takes awhile for sperm to regenerate even though the dog is still capable of breeding and tying every day,
Good luck with your litter
Cindi

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

QUESTION: Hi Cindy,
 Thank you for your quick answer I really appreciate it.
I do have another question. i know it sounds stupid ,but this is my first time breeding and I just want to make sure of the tie date. She started bleeding Approx. Tues. April 8th and I just want to make sure i put them together at the right time..
Oh and one more thing, I found out today that the male is 15 years old, I would of never guessed he is that old. But in good health ( as good as a 15 yr old dog can be I suppose) but is he still breeding material?

Thank You Again!!

ANSWER: It doesn't sound stupid. :).I would hesitate to use a male at fifteen. If I'm not mistake AKC has certain requirements for dogs after a certain age. I would check into that definitely you may have to have a vet signed certificate stating that he is the sire of the litter before they will register them. I just personally would find a younger dog, no offense to him, or his owner.
And it sounds like you better find one quickly. Try your local AKC breed club to help find a nice stud.
She should be ready on or about April 21
Cindi


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

QUESTION: Hi Cindy,
Just me again...
Thank You for your answers they really helped me out alot..
I do have one more question for you..
I went to my breeder and got a male 3yr old brindle boxer to breed with, she gave him to me for pick of the litter, The question I have is this, the male had demodeptic(?) mange before and it has all healed up she still treats him so I don't need to right away, he is champion blood line and great DNA but should I be worried about my other dogs that I have in my home? And what about the puppies and my female? Will they get it and what should I do? This is a great opportunity for us but I just want to be sure..
He has not had any out breaks and his hair is fully grown in... Just a worried mama....
Thank You Again.....

Answer
Hi
Yikes, bad bad thing. I'm so sorry. Current mode of thinking is that red mange is usually hereditary,. Most puppies shouldn't be treated, and if the condition is not localized should be neutered or spayed. If more than one area of his body was involved he should NOT be used for breeding. I personally would not use him anyway. I just wouldn't run the risk.
Here's a website that you might find informative and interesting.
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_demodectic_mange.html
It should give you a better idea of what you're dealing with and how to handle it.,
In answer to your question regarding transfer of red mange from one dog to another, most vet's don't believe that to be possible unless the other dog has a predisposition to react to the mite.
Hope this all helps you make an informed decision,
Cindi