Breeding from your bitch and raising her puppies can be extremely rewarding experience or it may produce frustration and failure. Pet bitches are often torn between their instinctive desire to be with their puppies and the routines they have acquired with their owners. This can lead to problems and should be kept in mind before breeding is contemplated. Also raising a litter of puppies is an extremely time-consuming exercise and one which should not be embarked upon without due consideration. The following information is provided to increase your chances of success. How often does a bitch come in to heat? The bitch comes into heat about every 6 months, although very large breeds of dogs may cycle anything up to once in 15 months. In most giant breeds (e.g. Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, St Bernard) a yearly heat is normal. Normally most dogs are on heat for about 3 weeks. What are the signs of heat? The most notable sign of heat is vaginal bleeding. This begins about the end of the first week and lasts for about 9-14 days. Another consistent sign is swelling of the vulva. During this period male dogs will be attracted to her. What should I do to be sure that a mating is accomplished successfully? Male dogs are more successful when the environment is familiar. Therefore, it is preferably to take the female to the male’s home for breeding. The timing for mating is critical. The most fertile time is considered the 10th-14th days of the heat period. However, some dogs will be fertile as early as the 3rd day and as late as the 18th day. Are there tests to determine when to mate my bitch? A microscopic examination of vaginal cells to detect changes in cell appearance and numbers is possible by your vet and will determine the stage of the cycle the bitch is in. A blood test to determine progesterone levels in the blood is also available inhouse at most vet clinics. What should I expect during my dog’s pregnancy? Pregnancy, also called the gestation period normally ranges f