Page 22 - K9News_Issue12_July2020

NUTRITION

THROUGH

MATING TO WHELPING

Every breeder aims to produce a healthy and healthy, thriving litter of puppies ready to go off
thriving litter of puppies, whilst maintaining to new homes.
the dam in the best of health. As with most
things, optimum nutrition is the key to great So, let’s start with nutrition pre-mating. You
can’t make a good cake with poor ingredients
health and some studies have even shown that
and likewise, you can’t hope to produce thriving
certain nutrients during pregnancy can lead to a
puppies from a bitch in poor health, so it’s
larger and healthier litter, with better prospects
vital that your bitch is in tip top condition long
of puppy survival and a lower risk of birthing
complications. before mating. Factors that affect a successful
reproductive cycle, from heat and mating
In terms of what can be called ‘breeding through to whelping and weaning, include the
performance’, dogs are fairly successful, with breed and age of the bitch, her body condition
around 80% conception rating following mating. score, genetic traits, bacterial and viral risks,
Compare this with less than 40% for livestock parasites and overall care and management of
and only around 25% for humans, this is the dam.
extremely impressive! However, there are many
factors which need to be taken into account Firstly, the age of the bitch is really important.
Studies show that the optimum age for a
right from the start, before any mating takes
successful outcome is between one and six
place. Carefully considering all these factors is
years. Breeding earlier than this is prohibited
the best way to achieve the ultimate end goal: a

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K9 NEWS DIGITAL / JULY 2020