Pet Information > ASK Experts > Dogs > Reproduction > Pit Bull

Pit Bull

18 13:41:36

Question
I have a female Pit Bull that i want to breed. Please tell me everything I need to
know to have a safe pregnancy. When? How? What? Why? Where?

Answer
Prior to breeding, you want to ensure your female is in top physical and mental health and as no issues (typically skin issues are predominant in Pit's).  A female can be bred on a her second heat, but it really depends on the female.  

I would treat her for a week, with a low dose of clavamox or amoxicillian to clean any low grade infection she may have. This is just a preventative.  The best time to do this is when you see her starting to swell.  

Depending on her ovulation cycle, she could be bred starting on the 9th or 10th day (when she's flagging and standing for a male). You start counting on the first day you notice the bleeding.   This is the old school method. But to guarantee a breeding and to save the guessing game.  You can take her for simple blood tests (she would require three or four over a course of a few days) to test her progesterone levels.

The only problem with your breed of choice is a)would you be able to find responsible homes and b)is there now, or will there be a breed ban in your area?  It's important to know and understand the lines you are breeding, how close the fighting lines are in your blood? How much line breeding or inter-breeding was done? And so on. Remember, it's important to know the answers on both sides of the sire and dam.