I have been breeding for just over 6 years now and still don't know everything. I research and research everything, ask other breeders in the game too. My mentors as well and yes other breeders have them too someone that has been doing this for over 20-30 years.
Now you have lined up a bitch from your kennels that looks favourable to us for mating thinking she will make nice pups but who with.
Now the hunt is on for a stud you may have one of your own or source one out for this. The choice is yours.
This may take the best part of a year to decide, no it isn't a case of throwing whatever together.
I looked at pictures of Great Danes and husband watched a lot of them in the show ring too to get an eye on what we might like. Which isn't everyones cup of tea but ours.
Once you narrow down your choices you would contact the other person to ask your questions and what contracts they draw up for the stud.
All my dogs and bitches are health tested as in hips and elbows and I would expect the hips to be done at least from the stud dog.
I chart all my bitches for their seasons too and some do like to keep you on your toes as in not go into season a week late or more.
Prior to this we are gearing up and give folic acid for 3 months before hand.
I do not change the diet just yet.
I always premate this is a blood test to see when ovulation is because you have a window of 2-3 days for a mating. Also handy to have if your stud is a good few miles away.
Now when she ovulates this is the day you take for when pups are going to be born not on the day of mating unless it's the same day of course.
Now when your bitch and dog are together never leave them unattended as the bitch may get a fright and rip the male of her and she will kill him as they lock together called a tie. It is your males that are in danger when mating because of this tie/lock.
It is the female that releases the male when she is ready and not the male.
We find that tying them together by a belt works so they dont go round in circles.
A tie can be as short as 10 minutes to as long as an hour. We soothe both dogs more the bitch as she can be a bit upset over this process.
Once they release we do another mating 24 hours later usually as it gives them a break.
NEVER EVER THROW WATER OVER THEM AT ANY STAGE OF THE MATING IF YOU DO THIS YOU SHOULDN'T BE BREEDING
