Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

ducts and does not mix with prostatic fluid first. The first part of the male’s
ejaculate is clear. The second part is cloudy and contains the sperm. The third
part is prostate fluid that washes out the urethra and neutralizes the acidity of
the vagina.
After the penis enters the bitch’s vagina, a bulb of erectile tissue at the base
of the penis, called the bulbus glandis, enlarges and is held inside the vagina
by powerful vulvar constrictor muscles. This tight union between the two
dogs is called the tie. For dogs to mate, the bulbus glandis must become
enlarged after intromission.
The exact function of the tie is unknown. Its purpose may be to hold the
penis in place while sperm flows up from the testicles. To be effective, a tie
must last for at least two to three minutes. Many ties last 30 to 40 minutes.
Contrary to popular belief, the length of the tie has no effect on the likelihood
of pregnancy or the number of puppies conceived.
If the bulbus glandis swells up before intromission (an external tie), the
penis cannot fully penetrate and will be withdrawn. Some inexperienced
males have premature swelling of the bulbus glandis. These dogs should be led
away from the female until the bulb returns to its normal size.
Mating Procedures
Breeding dogs can be surprisingly stressful, particularly when there is a great
deal of emotion invested in the outcome. If you do not feel confident in handling
the mating, ask your veterinarian or an experienced breeder to be present
to lend support and assist, if necessary.
Be aware that more than one dog may mate with a bitch if she is not closely
supervised. It is possible to get puppies with different sires in one litter. DNA
testing can be done to prove parentage so the litter can be registered.
GETTING READY
SEX AND REPRODUCTION • 441
When a bitch is due to come into season, she should be watched carefully for
signs of proestrus. As soon as she shows color (bloody discharge), notify the
owner of the stud. He or she may want the bitch to be shipped to the stud’s
kennel at once. This gives her time to settle into her new surroundings after a
stressful trip. In addition, the stud’s owner can follow her progress by exposing
her to the male to see if she will stand for breeding.
If the female has a heavy or matted coat, trim away the hair under the tail to
expose the vulva. On long-coated male dogs, it is a good idea to clip the hair
around the penis before mating. Long hair near the head of the penis may
catch on the penis during erection. As the penis returns to the sheath, the prepuce
may be rolled under, causing a constriction (see Paraphimosis, page 464).