Getting a litter of adorable German Shepherd puppies is a goal for many pet owners. But doing this can be a challenge. To be successful, you’ll need to pick the right time to breed. So, how do you know when the circumstances are right to breed a German Shepherd?
Your female GSD will need to be at least two years old before you start breeding. This ensures that she is physically and emotionally ready to have puppies. You’ll also need to wait until the estrous cycle begins. This is a two to three-week period where they will be ready to breed. It occurs every six months. Once pregnant, the gestation period lasts around 63 days.
Breeding any dog will take patience. It might take a bit of fine-tuning before you start to see results. Keep reading to learn some of the ways to boost your odds of getting a litter of German Shepherd Dogs.
What Age To Start Breeding
The first thing to consider is the age at which you should start breeding your German Shepherd. Often, you will need to wait until the female is two years old. This ensures that her body has sufficiently developed to deal with the stress of carrying the litter. Though it can be a good idea to wait until she turns three. This will ensure that she has the emotional maturity to care for the litter.
Once they turn eight, you should stop breeding the female. The pregnancy will come with more risks, including a higher chance of miscarriage.
It’s also recommended that you wait a few years to start breeding with the male. This ensures that they will be able to cope with being a parent. However, they can breed for longer. It’s believed that their sperm can still be viable after they turn 10.
Before you start breeding, it’s a good idea to do a few health screening tests on both dogs. This will tell you about any potential hereditary illnesses that they might have. This will allow you to make an informed decision about whether or not they are a good candidate for breeding.
Estrous Cycle
Once you have done the medical tests and are ready to start breeding, you will need to wait for the estrous cycle to begin. This is colloquially referred to as a period when a dog is “in heat”. For females, this will start from a young age. Often, they will get their first cycle when they are just six months old.
But you will still need to wait a few years before you start breeding. As we mentioned, there is a greater risk of miscarriage if they get pregnant when they are too young. There is also the risk that she will neglect her babies, which can cause big mental health problems.
Signs The Estrous Cycle Has Begun
There are a few signs that your female dog is in heat, these include:
- Bloody vaginal discharges. At the start of the estrous cycle, this will be dark red. But, as the cycle continues, it will become pink.
- More frequent urination, including urinating on household objects. This is often a way for the dogs to distribute their pheromones. This will attract male dogs to the area. If you already have a male, you might notice that they are also urinating on the furniture. This is their way of marking their territory.
- Swelling of the vulva. Their private are will become noticebly swollen.
Estrous Frequency
German Shepherds will enter the estrous cycle every six months. This is fairly common amongst larger dogs. They will stay in heat for two to three weeks. However, towards the end of the cycle, they will lose interest in mating.
Typically, your dog will have the best chance of getting pregnant when its estrous becomes watery. However, they will be able to get pregnant at any stage of this process.
Mating
During the estrous cycle, the female will start searching for a mate. The female won’t be selective. If you haven’t got strong fencing, there is a chance that her scent will attract unwanted mates into the yard. There have even been times when the pheromones have caused incest. Because of this, you should make sure that the only dog that she has contact with is the intended mate.
How To Know If Your German Shepherd Is Pregnant
After the end of the estrous cycle, you need to think about whether you have been successful in creating a pregnancy. It can often be difficult to spot in a German Shepherd. Here are some of the things you should be looking for:
- Weight gain. Like humans, the belly of a German Shepherd will need to grow to accommodate the babies. This can be as dramatic as a 50 percent increase. After they give birth, they will lose most of the weight.
- Eating more food. After they become pregnant, the female will have a significantly higher appetite, as they need to get enough sustenance for their puppies.
- Marking their territory. You may notice that they are frequently urinating. This is their way of showing that their territory.
- Maternal instincts. Finally, you might notice that the way they are acting is different. They might become more restless. They can be more aggressive, this is their way of protecting their pups.
How Long Does A German Shepherd Pregnancy Last?
The German Shepard Dog pregnancy will last for an average of 63 days. However, it’s common for there to be a few days variation. For example, some dogs might give birth at 58 or 68 days. This is normal. But if they give birth prematurely or become overdue, you should contact a vet.
When it comes to giving birth, it can be a long process. First, the uterine wall will need to be strengthened. This can be difficult to spot. It’s best to look for behavioral signs like vomiting or restlessness. You might also see a clear vaginal discharge. Then, the dog will start to birth the babies. Each pup will take between one to two hours to birth and they will be between 30 minutes to an hour apart.
Most German Shepherds will have eight puppies per litter. Though you can get scans with the vet to confirm the number of pups you can expect. If more than two hours pass between each baby, you should contact the vet. You should also contact them if the birth takes longer than 24 hours. This can indicate birth complications that could be threatening the life of both mother and puppy.
Number Of Litters A Female German Shepard Can Produce
After she has given birth, it’s recommended that you give your German Shepherd at least one estrous cycle to rest. This will give their body some time to recover before they give birth again.
If you overbreed them, you might start to notice serious health problems. For example, they won’t be producing as much milk, which can start to affect the health of their puppies. Their fertility will also decline as they get older, making it more difficult to conceive.
It’s important to remember to stop breeding when they reach eight years old. After this, the health risks for both mother and puppies will increase dramatically. As such, you will often be able to get six litters from a good German Shepherd female. At an average of eight pups per litter, this equates to a total of 48 puppies.
Final Thoughts
Breeding your German Shepherd Dog can be a great way of getting some gorgeous puppies. Once your female is at the maturity stage, you will be able to breed her every six months, when she is in heat. As long as you are taking care of her health, she will be able to raise multiple litters throughout her life.