breeding for the first time

Question
Hi Joyce,
my mini schnauzer is "due" to come into season again in jan, this will be the first time that i have bred a litter or pup and also her first litter.
she is a great example of the breed and ive found a very good dog to sire her,he has great champion bloodlines as does she. tho this too will be his first cover of a bitch.
i want to make sure i do this right so have been reading up alot to try and prepair myself for whats ahead, when i was little girl our family pet had a litter of pups.tho this was not planned.i have experanced the rearing aspect of breeding and i have always been intrested in it,but wanted to get the right dog and make sure that i was breeding pups that are of good quailty.. the pups wont be ready (if everything goes to plan for a few months yet but i already have people intrested in these puppies only thing is now ive read articles and books ,scrolled the internet.. making sure that am getting it right.as i have never done this planned before.  ive read something says that the two dogs should be introduced to each other when she is 10 days into her heat but better to be early rather than late cause what you think is her first day may infact be her third. then i come across some advise that you have given to someone else and it said every bitch is different.and it could be in the early days. so when i notice that she is inheat should i bring the stud dog to her everyday until she is ready to accept him. i also read on something that i should breed her three days in a row . but i see that u have said together one day have a break for one and then together again .. how long should this happen for . ? until she wil no longer accept him ? i am very greatful for any advise you have ..thanks lisa .n.ireland

Answer
Hello Lisa ---  kudo's to you for doing your research and starting off the breeding process on the right foot.   Before you do anything make sure that a Brucellosis test is performed on both "partners".  A simple test that can save you all kinds of heartache.

An experienced male will save you a lot of time and will help you determine when your girl is ready. An inexperienced male may tire himself out before the "big day".

If you have the opportunity, bring the male around once or twice a week to introduce and get them used to each other. When the female stands and flags (cocking her tail to the side)indicates that a female is ready.

When she starts bleeding, breeding them on the 11th and 13th, or 12th and 14th day is optimal.  But because every female is different, the most proof positive way to tell when your female is ready is to do a swab or simple progesterone test and it will take the guess work out.  

But by all means, you can continue to bring them together...your female will not let the male mount her if she's had enough.

Good luck!