In this blog post, we will answer the following question: When to breed an Akita? We will give the most important tips for the successful mating and socialization of your Akita.
When to breed an Akita?
The minimum age to breed an Akita is 10 months for males and 12 for females. We will always take into account the physical conditions of the animal: its weight and its health. The times are always approximate since the complete development of each dog varies according to its breed.
Regarding a maximum age for mating dogs, the limit is:
- In females, if it is the first parturition that does not exceed 3 or 4 years, and for bitches that have already had more than one litter, 7 or 8 years are recommended.
- As for males, the maximum age is set at 10 years.
These ages are approximate, always understanding that the animals are in good physical shape. It is interesting to always consult with a veterinarian who will mark more individualized guidelines.
How does dog mating work?
Choosing the right time helps the female to get pregnant with more puppies. Some gestures speak for themselves. And in the case of the dog, its behavior is very explicit. A female gives striking signals when her most fertile moment has arrived.
The female Akita will show with the tilt of the tail and the exhibition of her vulva that she is ovulating, something that happens during her second day of heat, with the bleeding. So, it is the best time for mating.
The dog’s first heat comes when she is between six and ten months old. But she is too young: her ovaries have not yet matured. The female’s reproductive system is working at full capacity on her second bleed.
There are even veterinarians who recommend waiting a little longer, and not crossing the female until she ovulates for the third time. By then, she is between 18 and 24 months old.
Taking into account the calendar when scheduling the dog’s mating is not only important to ensure pregnancy. The almanac also influences the number of puppies that the female will house in her womb during pregnancy.
There are females that give birth to litters with a very low number of puppies, sometimes only one or two. In a significant percentage, it is due to the fact that the mating has not occurred at the optimal time.
Some methods used are Pap smears and measuring the number of certain hormones (progesterone) in the female’s blood. To ensure that the bitch is pregnant, it is advisable to repeat the mount. The ideal is to do it two days after the first meeting.
Tips for a successful mating
- Make sure dogs are at least 18-24 months old.
- The female should be in her second or third heat.
- Observe the behavior of the female. Her playful gestures and the tilting of her tail show that she is ready for copulation.
- See your vet for fertility tests, such as cytology.
Socialization of your Akita
This is the key component of his education. Domineering by nature, Akita Inu easily outweighs her peers. This is why it is essential to socialize him from an early age, whether with dogs of the same breed, of different breeds, and of different sexes. Likewise, it is a dog that can be wary of novelty, hence the importance of working on socialization as early as possible.
To do this, put it in contact with its congeners, males or females, preferably adults and balanced. Akita Inu has some difficulty dealing with frustration, which is why it is important that he is taken over by his elders.
So, be sure to focus his education more on walks, during which he will learn contact with others, than on obedience at all costs.
Independent and not prone to frustration, the education of Akita Inu should be done smart and smooth.
First of all, be sure to be consistent in the orders you give your dog: never go back on a given order and do not allow something that you have previously refused or vice versa. Stand firm and do not use violence and/or coercion as this will make him aggressive.
Know that the best way to raise your dog is to use positive reinforcement: encourage him, praise him, reward him. Akita loves to meet their master’s expectations, so making him happy by rewarding him will ensure his future obedience.
Creating a relationship with the Akita
As with any animal, the basis of a good upbringing is the trusting relationship that is established between a master and his dog.
Akita can be gentle, affectionate, close to their owner and family. Recognized for being an excellent guard dog, he will know how to protect you if the bond established with him is good. Complicity is essential. So you can work on it by giving it attention, caressing it, and responding to its requests.
The Akita differs from the shepherd, for example, in that he is not suited or accustomed to receiving commands from a human, which is why it is essential to maintain this bond of trust.
Reminder: As said before, the Akita is independent therefore learning to recall is necessary. Without it, he will make his life and will absolutely not worry about you. So, practice recalls from an early age and then continue on a regular basis as it is the most complicated learning for this species.
When breeding your Akita, focus on short exercises lasting less than 20 minutes in order to keep and maintain his full attention. Also, don’t insist if he doesn’t want to continue an exercise. Use rewards, whether food and/or social so that he finds an interest.
Finally, always end on a positive and pleasant note for him. The Akita is not a big athlete, he has little endurance. On the other hand, it can be quick and lively for a few hundred meters when chasing prey, for example. Here again, the importance of indulging in short-duration exercises that will not tire him too much.
The Akita has a strong temperament and like all primitives find it difficult to endure frustration and constraint. The key to his education is gentleness and understanding of his character.
Pregnancy in dogs. What care do they need?
If the dog’s pregnancy is something that the masters have decided and is controlled, the first thing to do is choose the father. It is best to do a medical check-up and make sure that he is in good health, does not have congenital or hereditary diseases (and in case his parents are known, make sure they do not have hereditary diseases either), and that he does not have parasitic infections.
The next step is to take the dog to the vet, who will determine the best time for the bitch to become pregnant and will also supervise the process to rule out problems when giving birth.
In case the pregnancy is not controlled or the bitch has been picked up from the street, the bitch should also be taken to the vet to determine the status of the pregnancy and rule out problems. In addition, before pregnancy, both parents must be properly vaccinated (especially the mother, to ensure that the immune system is in perfect condition to guarantee the safety of the puppies) and dewormed.
The female can be dewormed when she is pregnant, but products suitable for pregnant dogs should be used.
Sometimes, after mounting, if fertilization has not occurred, what is called a false pregnancy can occur, that is; the bitch shows the symptoms of pregnancy, but without puppies. In extreme cases, it can even undergo false labor and is treated with drugs.
The best way to know if a dog is pregnant is to have an ultrasound. In this way, the general state of the embryos and the mother’s reproductive system is contrasted. Also, at around 6 weeks, it is convenient to take an X-ray to determine exactly the total number of puppies.
The phases of a bitch’s pregnancy are heat, mating, pregnancy, parturition, lactation, and weaning. In all these phases, it is advisable to pay special attention to the needs of the bitch and to ensure that the environment where she lives is stress-free to ensure the health of the puppies.
Taking care of the Akita puppies
Puppies are usually born covered by a membranous bag, which is the placenta, although sometimes this ruptures, and a puppy, or two, is born before the placenta comes out. At the end of the delivery, it should be verified that there are as many placentas as there are puppies, to make sure that none are left inside.
The bitch can be assisted by cutting the umbilical cords, but it is very normal for the bitch to bite them until they destroy them and to eat the placentas. Between the birth of one puppy and the next, approximately 20 minutes elapse, so the dog takes the opportunity to take care of the one that has already been born (removing the placenta, the cord, cleaning it, etc …) while waiting for the next one.
Only if you observe that the bitch neglects one puppy to care for another can you help her by wiping the puppy with a clean towel and if possible boiled, still wet and warm, until the puppy squeals loudly.
Immediately after giving birth, the puppies will want to suckle, also seeking the warmth of their mother and the litter because during their first days of life they cannot regulate their temperature, so it is convenient to keep them warm. Especially if the mother leaves the place where she has given birth, it would be convenient to cover the puppies with a cloth or towel.
Conclusions
It is common among dog owners, especially if they are purebred dogs, to want to raise puppies. If you want to breed your Akita, please make sure you know everything there is to know before arranging a match for your dog.
Do not hesitate to consult a trusted veterinarian for more advice. Or, if you have any questions about the content, please let us know!
FAQ on When to breed an Akita?
When should you spay an Akita?
You should spay your Akita before they turn one year. The best age to do it is between four and nine months. Spaying your Akita could prevent certain diseases and prolong their life.
What are Akitas bred for?
Akitas were initially bred for hunting and guarding royalty and nobility in feudal Japan. These dogs are very powerful and possibly the best guard dogs as they don’t get frightened easily.
What age is the best time to breed a dog?
The best time to breed a dog is after six months of age. Adults can mate at any time. However, the age of the puppy will depend on the breed.
How many puppies do Akitas usually have?
Akitas usually have about seven or eight puppies, but they can also have three or 12 puppies!
References
Animalsadda.com
Akc.org
Dogtime.com
