How to Breed Your Own Dachshunds

Check that your Dachshund is fully grown. The Kennel Club guidelines state that a mature standard Daschshund should weigh between 16 and 32 lbs. at maturity, while a miniature will weigh 11 lbs.

Take the potential mother and father for a full check up at the vet. Dachshunds are susceptible to a variety of conditions, and if either of your dogs suffer from any of them you should not use that dog for breeding. The most common problems are obesity, baldness, hypothyroidism and dental disease. You should also verify both dogs are in good general health and are ready to breed.

Allow your male and female dogs to be in the same area while your female is in heat. This can usually be predicted, as heats tend to be fairly regular. Most Dachshunds come into heat twice per year, and will show a variety of symptoms such as licking themselves, light bleeding and restlessness. A Dachshund's heat tends to last around 3 weeks. The dogs will usually instinctively mate, although some may not be immediately interested in each other. Observe what goes on, so you can see if there is any chance of pregnancy. Continue to introduce the dogs throughout her season.

Book your female dog in to be seen by a vet two weeks after the mating. If the mating was successful, her nipples should appear larger. The vet will also be able to feel the puppies and a blood test will confirm the pregnancy. Your vet will be able to schedule any more check-ups she feels are necessary, and advise you on how to care for your pregnant dog.

Continue caring for your dog as normal. Pregnant dogs should still be walked, although mild exercise is preferential over excited playing. If you find your male dog is too boisterous around the female, you may need to separate them, or take him out more to tire him out. Start to feed her 50 percent more food in the sixth week of pregnancy. Make sure her diet is complete, and she has constant access to clean drinking water.

Set up somewhere for your dog to birth. This is a very messy procedure, so a cleanable floor is essential. Fill a cardboard box with towels and blankets, and cut a door for her. Place the box in a warm room. Have fresh water and food on hand too.

Watch her shape and behaviour around the 60th day of pregnancy. Most Dachshund pregnancies last between 63 and 65 days. If your dog has become very large before the last week of pregnancy, or is carrying a high number of puppies, she may give birth prematurely. Around 24 hours before the birth, your dog will likely stop eating.

Move your dog to the birthing room as soon as you notice she isn't eating. The next symptoms include frequent licking of the vulva and the appearance of a sac that looks like a shiny grey balloon; your dog will most likely will pop the sac, so be ready to clean it up. Once the sac has appeared, the babies are usually around an hour away.

Phone your vet to let him know the birth is starting. The appearance of the sac means the puppy is in the pelvic canal, and will soon be out. Keep your vet informed with regular updates so she'll be prepared in case you need her assistance.

Comfort your dog as much as possible, if she wants comforting. If she wants to be left alone, just sit with her. The first puppy is often the hardest to pass, and your dog may appear uncomfortable and moan frequently. Time how long it has been since the sac appeared. If you get to an hour without the puppy being born, phone your vet and ask for advice. Your dog may need assistance with passing the first pup.

Watch the mother with each puppy. The puppies are born covered in a thin membrane, which needs to be broken for the puppy to be able to breathe. Your dog should remove this membrane within seconds of the birth. Give her a chance to remove it, but if she doesn't, remove the membrane yourself. The puppy can survive within the membrane for about six minutes before death will occur.

Check the umbilical cords. The mother should also sever this once the puppy has been born. If she does not, cut the cord with sterile scissors, leaving about an inch of cord on the puppy. Place the puppy back near its mother for cleaning.

Time the whole event. Birthing can take up to 24 hours, with breaks of hours in between puppies, but if your dog is having contractions and straining, a puppy should appear within 30 minutes. Phone your vet for assistance if she goes for longer than 30 minutes.

Weigh the puppies once the mother has cleaned them up, and record a weight for each. Look out for any runts that may need assistance. Update the weight records daily and take any puppies that do not gain weight to see a vet.

Allow your dog access to the yard when she needs it. Make sure there is food and water close to the whelping box. If she did not give birth in the box, move the puppies into it for her. Your dog will lead the rest of the process, until the puppies are eight weeks old and can begin to wean onto proper food.