Cheap Pet Insurance

August 3rd, 2010 by Jerry Welsh

Do you know at what age your dog can get pregnant? The decision to get a dog means responsibilities that goes beyond filling the doggie bowls with food. The association of man and dog has been going on for hundreds of years. Dogs have protected and have helped man in a lot of capacities. Knowing the age when the dog can get pregnant is one of the responsibilities of the dog owner to ensure the well being of the pet.

Anyone would be attracted by cuddly bundles of fur. Puppies will be a source of endless fun for the family more so if there are kids as dogs are known to form a strong attachment with the children. A lot of dog owners would eagerly anticipate the puppies of the pet. Due to financial, time or space constraints, dog owners would not want to be saddled with the responsibility of caring for additional dogs.

Thus, when no homes were found, the poor puppies would be abandoned or “donated” to animal shelters. When supply of puppies exceeds potential owners, animal authorities would have no other recourse but to dispose the pups the humane way. This is one of the most important reason why a dog owner has to be aware of the time when the pet can get pregnant. Do not forget to read up on how you can tell if your dog is pregnant.

The reproductive cycle differs from breed to breed. Some dogs commonly retain the high spirits so that it would seem as if they don’t mature. Sexual maturity of dogs differs from dog to dog but smaller breeds gain sexual maturity much earlier than larger breeds. For instance toy breeds would go into first heat at six months or even at four months and when mated will get pregnant. Large breeds of dogs on the other hand generally come into heat at a much later age. A Great Dane or a Saint Bernard would exhibit flagging and would be ready to be mated at 18 to 24 months of age. In a period of 7 to 10 days a dog in heat can become pregnant if mated.

Small breed come into heat at an early age but breeding is not recommended if the dog has not yet passed the 2nd or 3rd heat cycle. Small breed mature sexually at an early age but their bodies are still developing. Young dogs that are not yet prepared to get pregnant can endanger not only its life but the puppies as well.

Learn more about at what age your dog can get pregnant as well as how to tell if your dog is pregnant at Sarah’s Dogs.