These genes are in a certain order along with the length of the chromosomes which form a total makeup of the indiviual called blueprints. Chromosomes area rranged in pairs in the nucleus, each containing the same set of blueprints. Domestic dogs carry pairs of 39 chromosomes a total of 78 chromosomes. When dog cells multiply the 78 chromosomes produce indentical copies of themselves dividing lengthways. Genetic information is passed on from gerneration to gerneration this way.
38 of the 39 pairs of chromosomes in the nucleus are virtualy indentical but theres one pair that slightly differs, it determines the sex of the individual. Females carry a pair of "XX" whilst males carry one "X" and one "Y".
The reproducitve cells, the eggs of the female and the sperm of the male when at conception fuse, standard chromosomes pairs are formed, each pair containing one chromosome from the male and one from the female. Since sex chromosomes of the female are"X" and the sex chromosome of the male is "X" or "Y" its the sperm that determines the sex of the puppy it is an "X" or"Y" sperm to fuse with the egg.
Bitches on the whole make good mothers and you should always let the bitch care for the pups and have little hand contact with the pups as possible. I once had a Dobermann Bitch who had a litter of pups who showed no signs of interest and we had to hand raise the pups for a week and by the second week she began to show interest in them only to be fed up again with them the 3rd week.
FALSE PREGNANCY
A bitch that has not been mated may still show signs of pregnancy. The ovary is the cause and having shed the egss during the season carelessly assumes that fertilisation occured. It produces the hormone needed to prepare the body for the pups arrival. Consult your vet if you suspect your bitch has a false pregnancy who will then probably prescribe controceptive pills for your bitch.
SPAYING
A ovarietctomy operation that prevents bitches from having unwanted puppies, done under general anaesthetic and is unreversable. Best done after the first season.
The average length of pregnancy is around 63 days. Abdomen sweeling is noticable from the 5th wee, the breasts enlarge and teats become pinker and larger from about 35 days. 3 days before the birth watery secretion can be drawn from the teat.
During pregnancy bitches should be fed extra quality food with extra calcium and multi vitamins. Anti round worming tablets should be given at the beginning, middle and at the end of the pregnancy.
A clean, quiet refuge such as a whelping box or basket with lots of newspaper for use as a disposable bed is needed. If your bitch goes over the 63 days and if she seems fine dont worry.
Labour begins when she goes off her food and is restless. Labour begins when she starts straining and a bottle green discharge appears. The first pup should be born within the first hour. A water sac appears, the bitch will lick and rupture the sack and lick her pup clean and will chew through the umbilical cord. You can help here by making sure the nostrils and mouth is free from the mucus. Intervals from pup to pu may be minutes or an hour. If after the first strain 2 hours has gone by consult a vet the bitch may need a ceasarian operation to help get the pups out.