Planning a Dog Litter

There are many factors that must be taken into account when planning a litter and, in order for this endeavor to be coronated with success, it is important to be aware of as many details as possible, starting with some essential genetic considerations which we will analyze, and also the choice of the most adequate stud and the different possible methods of fertilization, from natural mating to artificial insemination, in its different forms.

Genetic considerations: The word "genetic" which comes from the Greek word "Genesis" means "the part of the biology that is related to heredity" and its studies the whys of inherited characters; an Augustine monk was the discoverer of the basic dog kennel laws of heredity, which he anonymously published until some eminent biologists rediscovered and confirmed the importance of those studies. However, the study of canine genetics has been relatively ignored for years and has scarcely been applied both by breeders and by experts until the recent studies of Jack Jackson which talked about heritage related to the diseases off dogs and cats. These established the importance of a series of disorders and health problems intimately related with genetics and, thus, with heredity. In the real world, there are three ways of possibly combining males and females which give origin to different breeding programs, known as "in-breeding", "line-breeding" (both blood-related) and "out-crossing".

Go to In-Breeding -->
Go to Line-Breeding -->
Go to Out-Crossing -->
Go to Final Notes -->