Male dog not interested!

Question
I have a 2 year old male GSP and he has not shown any interest in my female that is in heat.  Besides a few sniffs, he seems uninterested!  What does this mean?  I didn't even know this could be an issue!  Will I eventually be able to breed them?  

Answer
Hello Sarah:
There are several possibilities as to why your male is disinterested in your female currently in heat. It's possible that, if he's never bred prior to this, he may simply be too inexperienced & unsure of himself. However, the most likely reason is that your female may not yet be in estrus, the fertile portion of the heat cycle. It is only during this part of the cycle that she will allow mating to occur & when her body will naturally submit the proper scent which will encourage him to respond in kind. On average, the entire female heat cycle lasts approximately three to four weeks. The initial onset of the cycle, known as "proestrus" is when you'll see the swelling of the vulva & a bright red discharge. During this portion of the cycle, the male will usually be interested but may not attempt to mount but if he does, the female will reject his advances. Around day 9 or 10 of the cycle she will enter the estrus portion & this is her fertile time. She will not only allow mating but will also encourage it and normally the male will respond accordingly. The estrus portion lasts anywhere from 5 to 12 days but varies from dog to dog. At 2 years of age, your male is sexually mature & should respond to mating once she's reached the estrus portion of the cycle. Often it's difficult to pinpoint exactly when the estrus portion has begun -- normally the discharge will lighten in flow & color, becoming more of a light pink to straw color. I'm including some links to web sites that explain in greater detail & graphics about the entire heat cycle for your review. As to whether or not if you will ever be able to breed them it's difficult to answer that with certainty. As you stated, it's normally not an issue -- nature & instinct take charge & usually things happen accordingly. If your female is in full-blown estrus yet your male is still reluctant you may have to encourage him to breed by manually stimulating him & then aiding in the actual breeding process. I know this may sound somewhat obscene but it's not uncommon for a young male to need a little guidance during his first few attempts. Once he's had some successful matings he should be able to progress solo. It may be wise, if this situation continues, to have your veterinarian give both dogs a thorough examination to ensure there's no physical explanation for this problem. I hope this helps & wish you the best of luck!

http://www.superk9.com/article-doghealthcare32.asp
http://www.yourpetsbestfriend.com/your_pets_best_friend/2007/02/dog_heat_cycle_....