First Rule of Breeding

Above photo courtesy of KTW Wraps

Animal nutritionists agree that your dog's body condition before mating has an impact on the reproductive cycling success. 

A thin female may not cycle normally. An overly thin female may have limited ability to conceive as without proper nutrition the uterus and ovaries are less active. The nutrient of fat is required to form healthy eggs and later baby puppies. If the eggs are not healthy the puppies may be of low quality and will even be less likely to develop into puppies.

An obese female further complicates conceiving and carrying a pregnancy to term. Obese females have more pelvic fat which prevents puppies from easily passing out of the pelvis. Obesity can also decrease conception rates.

The first rule of successful breeding is a high quality diet given in the right amounts. Feeding should be adjusted based on maintaining ideal body condition for the pregnant female. Ideal body condition during pregnancy is having appropriate muscle and fat balance. You should be able to feel her ribs, shoulder blades and hips.

From 0 to 21 days of pregnancy feed a normal amount of her regular complete and balanced adult dog food. From day 22 to 42 gradually increase the amount based upon the female's demand for more food. From day 43 to 64 day feed one and a half times more food than before pregnancy in small feedings throughout the day. During the final two weeks of pregnancy your female will usually demand more food and you should feed her in several meals a day as she desires to eat.

Therefore the first rule of breeding is feeding your female a high quality dog food in the amounts laid out in this article.