As a dog owner, have you ever wondered at what age it will be safe to breed your male doxie? Dachshunds are especially hard to breed, so you should be well-informed when your dog is ready to go through the breeding process.
You will be able to breed your male dachshund when they begin to produce sperm, as early as 5 to 6 months old. However, breeding your dog is not recommended until they have reached sexual and physical maturity at a minimum of 16 to 18 months old.
Before you breed, you get ready to breed your dachshund, make sure you know everything about their breeding process. This article will help you learn more about your dachshund’s heat cycle, sexual maturity, and breeding.
When Will My Male Dachshund Reach Sexual Maturity?
Male dogs will reach sexual maturity earlier than their female counterparts.
Male doxies will begin to produce sperm when they are around 5 to 6 months of age. However, your dog will not reach sexual maturity until they are 16 to 18 months old.
Your dog will want to start breeding when they reach sexual maturity. It is important not to breed your male dachshund until they reach sexual maturity or have at least 14 months of age.
Once mature, male dachshunds will be able to breed every day of their lives. However, this is not advisable because your dog would be at risk of contracting the popular sire syndrome.
Do Male Dahchunds Have A Heat Cycle?
The correct answer is: no. According to the (AKC) American Kennel Club, male dogs do not go “into heat”; instead, they are capable of reproduction all year long.
Female dachshunds will, however, go into heat. When your dog goes into heat, they are ready to start breeding.
Several signs can help you determine when your dog is in this stage. When your dog begins their cycle, they might seem shy or nervous.
Even though your male dachshund will not have a heat cycle, they can start to show more interest in female dogs during their cycle. This happens because female doxies release a pheromone called “methyl p-hydroxybenzoate” that will sexually arouse male dachshunds as they pick up the scent.
Dachshunds can breed multiple times during a single heat cycle. So, if you are trying to breed your dog, allowing your dog to mate more than once is recommended to ensure the female doxie becomes pregnant.
Signs Your Male Dachshund Is Ready to Mate
There are several signs that can help you know when your male dachshund wants to mate. Examples include changes in behavior, like becoming more aggressive and anxious.
Usually, male doxie will want more cuddles and require more attention from their favorite person when they have higher testosterone levels.
They will also go after female dogs who are in their cycle, trying to hump or mount them. During this time, it is normal for them to try to hump your furniture. They might even lose their appetite.
How Long Do Dachshunds Stay In Heat?
Dachshund heat cycles will generally last three weeks or sometime between 18 to 21 days. However, each dog will be different, and your dachshund’s heat cycle might be shorter or longer.
These three weeks can be divided into three stages of your dog’s cycle: 7 days going into heat, seven days in heat, and seven days coming out of heat. As your dog gets older, their cycles might not last as long.
How Often Do Heat Cycles Occur?
Usually, dogs will go into heat two times a year, with 6 to 7 months between cycles. Nonetheless, periods will vary depending on your dog. Dog cycles will happen less and less as your dachshund grows older.
Dachshund Breeding Process
Reasons to Breed
There are a few different reasons you might want to breed your dachshund.
Some might breed their dog for love towards the dachshund breed and want to keep it going. Another reason people breed their dogs is that they believe their dog is superior-looking and has great attributes that should be reproduced and shared with others.
The most obvious reason and the one people do it for the most, is for the money. Breeding your dachshund can be very profitable.
Regardless of the reason, if you choose to breed your dog, you should prepare yourself to do so responsibly.
Breeding dachshunds can be a rewarding and even fun experience, but it should be done carefully and thoughtfully to minimize risks and ensure the health of all dogs involved.
Preparing Your Male Dachshund for Breeding
First and foremost, make sure your dog is healthy and completely vaccinated. Ask your veterinarian to run all the necessary health screenings to ensure your dachshund is ready for breeding.
Male dogs must mate approximately 3 to four times yearly to maintain optimal health and psyche. Continued dating with females is necessary for untied male doxies.
Additionally, male dogs can sense the readiness and condition of their female counterparts. A well-experienced dog will not try breeding with a female until it is the right time of their heating cycle.
If you are trying to bread your male dachshund for the first time, a dog handler is recommended to help during the mating process. Dog handlers are essential when a male dog is young and inexperienced since problems are likely to arise.
Mating Your Dachshund
Mating usually happens in the territory of the male dog. A familiar environment will make your male doxie feel more comfortable and confident. If one of the two dachshunds seems nervous, giving them a treat or toy may help them calm down.
Besides providing a calm and safe environment for both dachshunds, no other conditions are required for successfully mating. If the time is right and both dogs are healthy, then the female doxie should be able to get pregnant after the first time mating. However, you can mate the dogs a second time, two days after the first, to ensure it results in a pregnancy.
Neutering Your Dog
Neutering your dog or not is an important decision you will have to make when your dog reaches an age of sexual maturity. If you are not planning on breeding your dog, you might want to talk to your veterinarian about neutering your dog.
Neutering (or spaying for females) your dachshund can help reduce many negative behaviors that come with your dog reaching sexual maturity. Behaviors like mounting, marking, and roaming are the most common issues in sexually mature males.
Neutering your dog can also have additional benefits, like reducing the possibility of tumors and testicular cancer and decreasing aggression.
If you go through this procedure, timing will be important when neutering your dog. If neutered before reaching full sexual maturity, you may expose your dachshund to future health risks, like orthopedic problems or even cancer.
The decision whether to neuter your male dachshund or not should not be taken lightly, as this is a permanent procedure that cannot be reversed.
Always consult your vet on what is best for your doxie before conducting any medical procedure.
Final Words
Breeding your dog may have crossed your mind several times; however, there are many things to consider before doing so.
Your male dachshund will be able to breed early on when they begin to produce sperm at 5 to 6 months old. However, you should not breed your doxie until he fully reaches sexual maturity, when they are at least 16 to 18 months of age.
Your dog will be able to mate all year long, but it is not recommended for them to do so. Mating your dog 3 to 4 times per year would be optimal for their health and psyche.
Lastly, neutering your dog is always an option. This decision should be taken seriously and discussed with your vet.
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