“Breeding Gun Dogs”

It’s puppy time! As a matter of fact, while I’m writing this column, we’re a day away from the arrival of another litter of pups at our kennel. The forecast is for sub-zero temperatures outside, but one of our female German Shorthaired Pointers, Suzy, is diligently preparing her “nest” in a heated whelping room. By the time you read this and if all goes well, we’ll be socializing another generation of bird dogs in our on-going breeding program.

Winter and early spring finds many folks busy with litters of pups arriving and talking to prospective buyers on the phone. Planning ahead is the first step in gun dog ownership. Buying a well-bred gun dog is not like buying automobile. If you have any specific expectations, plan on doing your homework.

For those of you contemplating purchasing a new gun dog this year, you’ll find that puppies born during the winter and early spring will be ready for their first hunting season in the fall. Pups born this past January will be eight months old come September. April pups will be old enough in October for some good times afield. Waiting until summer to buy a seven-week old pup, may prevent your new dog from hunting until the following fall.

Breeding gun dogs doesn’t happen overnight and it’s probably good to know what breeders go through producing pups for prospective buyers.

Planned breedings take place when the female comes into heat, or estrus, which is normally a six-month cycle. Each heat cycle lasts approximately 25 days. The pro-estrus, the beginning of the estrus cycle, lasts about 7 to 9 days. During this period females are pretty hostile towards males and normally growl and drive them away. At the end of pro-estrus, their attitude changes and they become more receptive.

During mid-estrus, ovulation usually commences. This is generally occurs during the 9th to 14th days from the first sign of blood. The optimum time to breed is 24 to 48 hours after ovulation. It only takes one mating to create a litter, but to be on the safe side, most breeders mate their dogs on two, or three occasions during mid-estrus. Sometime after the 14^th day, the female will again reject her male suitor, as the post-estrus period begins.

The gestation, or pregnancy period for canines is approximately 63 days. Purina research has shown that normal gestation time may range from 57 to 73 days, depending on the breed and the individual female. While there may be exceptions to the rule, I’ve found that 63 days, give or take a day, is the magic time frame.

When the joyous day arrives, breeders monitor the whelping process and lend a helping hand if needed. Even with a first litter, the motherly instincts take over and in most cases things go well. Many litters arrive during the wee hours of the morning and the process of delivering can take many hours, with the possibility of ten minute to 2-hour intervals between puppies. Normal deliveries can happen within an hour or two, however large litters can drag out to up to 12 hours or longer.

The most critical time after delivery is the first 48 to 72 hours. During the first 6 to 12 hours, colostrum is present in the mother’s milk. Colostrum, which contains anti-bodies, gives young dogs protection against puppyhood diseases. Loss of body heat can be critical, making keeping them warm and dry essential.

By seven to ten days, the puppies’ eyes should open. At 2 weeks they will most likely be crawling around their whelping box. By three weeks, their sense of smell, hearing and eyesight are developing, making them more inquisitive and interactive with their littermates. Breeders will most likely begin the weaning process by three to four weeks, giving the pups some fluid similar to mother’s milk. Eventually, somewhere near the 4^th to 5^th weeks, the transition to soft food is made. By the 6^th to 7^th week they should be on solid puppy food.

Most breeders prefer to place puppies in new homes by the 7^th to 8^th week. Those that are spoken for are often picked up at 49 days, thought by many to be the optimum day to transition into their new family setting. Some psychologists say the best age is 8 to 12 weeks. Regardless of when, it’s important to bring the pup home sometime during this time period to allow proper adjustment to its new surroundings.

How much should you expect to pay for a well-bred gun dog? Keeping in mind the time and expense invested by the breeder, the going rate of a weaned puppy is in the $300 to $500 range. Anything over that price range deserves justification. Rare breeds, imported bloodlines, or parents that are big winners on the bench and field may be legitimate reasons. But remember, a high price tag doesn’t guarantee a better dog.