Husky dogs are exuberant dogs which makes many tutors want to breed them. Many tutors end up breeding animals without specific knowledge of the breed, which makes them question how many puppies can a husky have? To answer this question, this post will explore a little about the reproduction of the Husky breed dogs.
How many puppies can a husky have?
Husky dogs can have different numbers of puppies, the average is between 6 to 10 puppies per litter. Due to the size of the animals, females tend to give birth to more puppies when compared to small dog breeds.
This variation in the number of puppies may be related to genetic and environmental characteristics such as nutrition, stress, and diseases. The quality of the male’s sperm can also influence. Therefore, laboratory tests must be performed on animals before they are reproduced.
When to breed a Husky
Home breeding of husky breed dogs is not recommended. Dogs should only be bred in specialized kennels aimed at the genetic improvement of this breed.
The correct reproductive management of this breed avoids the spread of genetic diseases to the dogs of this breed and avoids damage to the health of the pregnant woman and the puppies.
In general, the female Husky will only reproduce from the second heat. Because in the first heat, the animals are still very young, and they need the action of sex hormones for the complete maturation of some organs.
Male dogs shouldn’t be bred for less than one year. As much as the dogs start producing sperm before one year, because they are very young, they can end up hurting themselves and not being able to mount the female.
Pre-pregnancy care for females’ dogs
Breeding dogs should always be accompanied by a veterinarian. Only healthy and adult dogs should be bred, so blood tests and tests for sexually transmitted diseases in dogs should be done.
Healthy female dogs must be vaccinated before mating and a deworming protocol must be carried out to avoid contamination of puppies intrauterine or after birth.
Some female dogs can become very aggressive with males when the correct time for breeding dogs is not respected. Many times, animals can end up injured.
Also, it is not advised to leave the male and female together during the entire time of estrus. Because dogs can spend hours trying to copulate, thus stressing each other. In addition to having the possibility of getting hurt from trying so hard to copulate.
Some animals should receive vitamin supplements before and in the first days of pregnancy to avoid malformation problems in dogs. Female dogs must be at the ideal weight for the species, it is not desirable for obese or very thin females to breed. The diet of the pregnant dog can also change, so that the animal does not lose so much weight at the end of pregnancy.
It is also important to have a reserve of money for the veterinarian to carry out exams and pre-delivery follow-up, as well as money to cover the costs of medical emergencies.
Pregnancy for Husky dogs
Gestation in female dogs can last from 58 to 63 days and can be extended up to 72 days or reduced to 57 days. During pregnancy, it is important for the female dog to undergo a periodic gestational follow-up, where the veterinarian will observe any changes in the animal’s health through examinations.
How to know how many puppies the female is carrying?
It is advised to perform an ultrasound on day 30 of gestation for gestational diagnosis and from day 55 of gestation to observe if the puppies are well. X-rays can also be performed after 50 days to count the puppies, which can help at the time of birth to define whether the birth is over or not.
Ultrasound can also be used to count the number of puppies. However, this practice is not indicated because the puppies move in the mother’s belly, thus being able to count puppies for more or less, thus being a less accurate method of counting puppies.
Parturition care for the Husky breed
The parturition in female dogs can be divided into 3 stages:
- The first stage is the preparation phase. During this period female dogs become restless, reduce food consumption, may try to hide in the chosen place for birth and may dig in the soil.
- The second stage of parturition is the fetal expulsion; this phase begins with the birth of the pups along with the amniotic and allantoic sac. Some puppies may come out along with their placentas.
- The third stage of labor is the phase of placentas delivery. Some puppies can be born without their placentas, and these can come out at the end of the second stage of birth.
The nest should be prepared in a whelping box two weeks before parturition, so that the parturient adapts to the environment. The whelping box should be in a closed, calm, and peaceful environment, away from windy places. The place must have a source of heat for the puppies, as they do not control their own temperature.
On the parturition day, separate clean towels to dry the newborn puppies, a sterilized scissors, in case it is necessary to cut the umbilical cord of the puppies and leave the vet on alert in case of any problem at the time of parturition for emergency care to the mother and puppies as needed.
The parturition can take up to 12 hours to complete and the interval between the births of the puppies cannot be longer than 2 hours. If the interval between puppies is too long, see a veterinarian.
Conclusion
Husky dogs can have 6 to 10 puppies on average. Its reproduction by tutors is extremely discouraged. The entire reproductive process of this breed must be monitored by a veterinarian, thus preventing the death of a pregnant dog and her newborns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): How many puppies can a husky have?
Is it possible to manipulate a female dog’s estrus with drugs, as in cows?
Yes, it is possible, but it is not so used because many female dogs also do not respond to hormonal protocols, so few animals go into heat. Therefore, it is recommended to let the animal come into heat naturally and the tutor will be accompanied until the exact moment of reproduction.
How long does pregnancy last in female dogs?
On average, the duration of pregnancy in female dogs is 63 days, ranging from 58 to 68 days from the day of mating. Veterinarians can dose hormones that will give a more accurate date for parturition. In addition, there are imaging tests that can indicate approximate parturition dates in female dogs.
Can female dogs have more than one heat per year?
Yes, some dog’s breeds can come into heat every 4 months. However, care should be taken as constant repetitions of heat can be a sign of endocrine diseases, so a veterinarian should be consulted to avoid health problems in dogs.
Reference
Bergström, A., Fransson, B., Lagerstedt, A. S., & Olsson, K. (2006). Primary uterine inertia in 27 bitches: aetiology and treatment. Journal of small animal practice, 47(8), 456-460.
de Souza Teixeira, E. (2001). Princípios básicos para a criação de cães. NBL Editora.
Greer, M. L. (2014). Canine reproduction and neonatology. CRC Press.
Kustritz, M. V. R. (2005). Pregnancy diagnosis and abnormalities of pregnancy in the dog. Theriogenology, 64(3), 755-765.
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