Instructions
Breeding
Locate a male dog and a bitch suitable for breeding. A cocker spaniel male should be 15.5 inches tall, and a bitch should be no more than 14.5 inches tall. Weight can range from 15 to 30 pounds. Generally speaking, the male and bitch should be free of disease, and you should be aware of the health history of their parents and grandparents. Diseases that generally affect cocker spaniels include glaucoma, hip dysplasia and allergies.
Note when the bitch goes into heat. The first sign that a bitch is in heat is a swelling of the vulva. Typically, a dog is at her most fertile 12 days after bleeding has started. Note that a bitch should not be bred during her first or second heat, due to her eggs being immature.
Introduce the male dog to a bitch. It is best to do this in a quiet, enclosed area where you can supervise. After the initial mounting, the male and bitch will be tied together, meaning that the male's bulbus glandis is swelling inside the female, essentially bringing them together. This process can last anywhere from two to 30 minutes. In this situation, the female dog may become panicked or irritated. Get on the floor and attempt to keep both dogs calm, as the female can seriously injure the male if she becomes panicky.
Separate the male and female for at least 24 hours following the tie. This downtime will allow the male dog's sperm to build back up.
Repeat steps 1 through 4 throughout the bitch's heat cycle to increase the chances of fertilization.
Keep a close eye on your bitch throughout her pregnancy. Canine pregnancy lasts eight to nine weeks. You may notice behavioral changes as well as physical changes.
Watch for nesting behavior, distress and darker stools. Additionally, the bitch's temperature will drop from 100 or 101 to 98 or 99 F. This drop signals that the litter should make an appearance within the next 24 hours.
Help the bitch deliver the puppies by breaking the sac in which the puppy is delivered. Sometimes the sac is already broken. Additionally, the bitch may lick the sac open herself. Start rubbing the puppy until he gasps for air; then place it so that it can nurse until the next puppy makes an appearance. A cocker spaniel's litter averages five puppies.
Raising
Supervise the puppies daily beginning at birth. They may need help in nursing for a variety of reasons, including the bitch's refusal to nurse. They may also need help latching on to the teats. You should weigh the puppies twice daily to ensure they are gaining an appropriate amount of weight.
Move the puppies from the birthing area to a larger crate and play area when they reach three weeks. At this age, they will be more mobile and will want to explore their surroundings. The puppies should have an area strictly for eating, an area meant for playing and an area where they can eliminate.
Introduce solid food beginning at four weeks.
Take the puppies to get their booster shots. Puppies begin their first round of vaccinations at seven and one-half weeks to nine weeks. The general guideline is to get this series of shots done at eight, 12 and 16 weeks.
How to Breed & Raise Cocker Spaniels
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the cocker spaniel is one of the more popular breeds in the United States, and has been exhibited in dog shows since the 1880s. The AKC recognizes the breed as a member of the Sporting Group. The small dog may not take up a lot of space but is active and requires daily exercise. As the breed is so popular, there is a high demand for well-bred puppies. Breeding cocker spaniels, or dogs of any breed, can be a time-consuming, expensive and emotionally draining task, but it can also be a rewarding experience that can end with a litter of healthy puppies.