Giving birth to a French bulldog is not a simple process that requires the presence of a specialist or the dog’s owner. Nature has awarded dogs the ability to give birth on their own, but the French are an unusual breed, with numerous features, requiring increased attention to their person.
Growing up and maturing
A dog is considered an adult at the age of 15 months. Puberty, of course, begins much earlier. The first heat in females occurs at 6-9 months of age, males mature later at 10-12 months.
Estrus begins at the moment when bloody discharge begins to appear from the genital organs (loop). The loop increases in size, and the pet’s mood and behavior changes.
Physically, the pet is ready for offspring at the age of 2 years. Childbirth is not always easy; a caesarean section is often performed.
Puberty
Dogs are considered adults from 15 months of age. But puberty in females begins at 7–9 months, and in males at 10–12 months. You shouldn't breed bulldogs too early. The optimal age when a female dog’s body is ready to bear offspring is 2 years. A male French Bulldog can be bred from 1.5 years old until the end of his life, if he is not sick.
A bulldog's estrus repeats every 6 to 7 months. Its onset is judged by the appearance of bloody discharge from an increasing loop. You need to remember exactly what day estrus began, because this is how the date of ovulation is calculated. In a French bulldog, ovulation begins 12 to 14 days after the first day of estrus.
The last day before ovulation is optimal for mating.
Preparation and mating
Estrus is a natural process in the animal’s body; it is necessary to record the day the estrus begins and ends. To do this, it is better to keep a calendar, then you will know exactly what date to schedule the mating.
The interval between heats is 6-7 months. Mating should be carried out at intervals of a day. Never untie very young females or males.
It is recommended to worm the animals in a timely manner before mating begins. Usually the girl comes to the dog’s home, give them time to get to know each other, if the dog doesn’t succeed, then you can direct his actions yourself, help hold the bitch for greater comfort.
If the girl does not allow the male dog to approach, put on a muzzle and hold her while the dog tries. The mating is over when the dogs stand in the lock. You cannot separate them at this moment; they will disengage after a short time.
Preparing for the knitting process
Mating French bulldogs is a responsible procedure. Before mating, the male and female must be treated for worms and other internal and external parasites. If the dogs have recently been sick, it is better to wait 2 weeks for prevention, then start mating.
Usually the bitch is brought to the dog. Bulldogs need to be given time to get to know each other. If the male does not succeed in the process, then the owners should help him. It also doesn’t hurt to hold the bitch to prevent her from spinning around. If the female does not allow the gentleman to approach, then you should put a muzzle on her and hold her during the mating process.
The final stage of mating is connecting the dogs into a lock. You cannot forcibly separate them; they will free themselves in a maximum of an hour.
French bulldogs are bred several times; after each procedure, changes in the behavior and appearance of the bitch are observed.
Two important months
Pregnancy in French bulldogs lasts 2 months, or more precisely, from 55 to 70 days. Such a significant discrepancy in dates is due to the long period of implantation of embryos into the uterine wall.
Caring for a female before giving birth should be almost the same as before pregnancy. A sharp change in diet and grooming measures negatively affects the well-being of the French pet.
Nutrition
If the bulldog eats store-bought food, then there is no need to change the brand and daily portion, but you can choose the option for pregnant bitches. If your French pet eats natural food, then it is advisable to increase the portion of protein foods in her diet - meat and offal - from the 2nd month of gestation.
The daily menu must include fresh plant products. Some breeders believe that giving birth to a French bulldog will be easier if you include dried raspberry leaves in the diet of a pregnant female.
Before giving birth, the French bulldog bitch is fed often, but in small portions to prevent vomiting.
Walks
Caring for a pregnant bitch includes daily walks. You cannot keep a French pet at home all the time. Due to a sedentary lifestyle, her health will deteriorate and her muscular system will lose tone. And due to flabby muscles, labor will be slowed down or even interrupted, and a caesarean section will have to be used.
It is often necessary to take a pregnant bitch outside because, for physiological reasons, problems arise with the functioning of the bladder.
The total time spent walking per day should remain the same. But jumping, running and other intense physical exercises will have to be excluded.
Selection of a male
It is important for novice owners to properly understand the selection and mating process. This is necessary to avoid marriage in the litter and remove all the shortcomings of the parents. First, understand all the intricacies, talk with other breeders, contact a nursery or club - they will definitely give you advice.
Don’t go to shows, introduce your pet, learn to really understand the breed. Never breed - “for health”, if you plan to seriously engage in breeding, only correct and calculated matings can produce good offspring.
Pregnancy
1-4 days. Fertilization has occurred, pregnancy does not appear in the first 2 weeks, no special regime or care is required, just watch the pet. The behavior may not even change.
5-15 days. During this period, it is not recommended to carry out any vaccinations or flea and tick treatments; it is important to monitor the mother’s condition. Avoid very cold weather, drafts, and do not change your usual routine. Avoid stressing your pet and taking long trips.
16-30 day. Behavior may change significantly. She will refuse food, will be lethargic, and sleep a lot. Feed as often as possible, but reduce portions. The bulldog will have a dislike for other animals. She will become less sociable and more careful. On day 30 it is possible to determine the number of litters.
31-42 days. Appetite appears, the tummy increases in volume, and lethargy appears. If the Frenchie is on food feeding, then you need to switch to food for pregnant bitches. Don't overfeed.
43-50 days. The belly rapidly grows in size, during this period movement is detected, the pet is calm.
50-62 days. Shows alertness, begins to look for a place and hide. She is not inclined to communicate with other animals and prefers to rest more. The movement is felt as much as possible; one might say that the stomach is shaking. The nipples are swollen, milk may drip, and appetite decreases.
62-65 days. The belly drops as low as possible, the back sag noticeably, the pet is preparing for the birth process. Behavior changes significantly. The loop noticeably increases in size.
Immediately before labor, the French woman needs to be prepared, her nails trimmed, her belly and loop washed.
Care during pregnancy
Pregnancy and childbirth is a responsible process, which it is recommended to know as accurately as possible.
During this time, stick to your usual feeding schedule. It is only necessary to increase the amount of protein in the diet, give greens, it is better to eat more often, but reduce the amount of food or feed, do not overfeed the Frenchie. Requires vitamins B, D, A, as well as ascorbic acid.
Don’t forget about the correct routine, don’t overload, walk outside as always, play, but remember that mommy needs to take care of herself - don’t jump and it’s better to refrain from active games with large dogs.
The expectant mother may refuse foods that she previously ate with pleasure. The body itself regulates what it needs. If a French woman completely refuses to eat, wait a little, feeling unwell and refusing is a sign of slight toxicosis.
During this period, the bulldog itself will begin to be more careful and measured, the mood will change, irritation or even aggression towards other animals is possible, but this is normal - the bulldog is preparing for offspring and protecting itself.
It is necessary to prepare the place in advance and introduce the bulldog to it. It happens that the bitch chooses it herself, then prepare everything you need and immediately move the place there. It should be hidden from prying eyes, there should be no draft.
In recent weeks, it is recommended that a pregnant bitch be taken outside more often, not for activity and long walks, but to be able to quickly go to the toilet; she should not endure it for long.
If a French woman makes puddles on the floor a couple of times, you should not scold her - physiologically it is difficult for a bulldog to endure for a long time.
Childbirth
Childbirth in a French bulldog is a complex process, the reason is an imperfect hormonal background, which is the reason for the lack of pushing. They occur approximately 60-62 days from the day of mating.
Of course, there are also ideal births, but this is very rare. The French Bulldog is far from being a dog that can be left to its own devices at a crucial moment. Even if your pet has already given birth, everything went well - this does not mean that all subsequent ones will go the same way.
The ideal option would be if you agree with the veterinarian to be present or warn that everything is starting, help may be needed and the doctor could come at any time if something goes wrong.
The first children go very well, but the further you go, the labor slows down and the bulldog will not give birth until the end. This is similar to the cessation of labor; the owners mistakenly think that everything is over.
It happens that children get stuck and do not fully get out of the loop - then they need help. Don't be afraid to do this, just be careful.
At the very beginning, the pet will begin to worry, hide, lose its breath, refuse food, this moment cannot be missed.
Important! Count how many afterbirths came out - it should be the same as the number of puppies born.
If you are very worried and do not know whether you are doing the right thing, we recommend that you do not take them yourself; for the first time, it is better to watch a specialist work.
Assistance during childbirth
French Bulldogs usually give birth naturally. However, sometimes bitches who have given birth do not have the strength or experience to take care of puppies. It may be necessary to cut the umbilical cord or rid the puppy of amniotic sac. The shell must be carefully torn in the area of the puppy's muzzle.
If the airways are clogged with mucus, you should immediately clear them with a pipette. If the baby does not start breathing, perform artificial respiration and chest compressions. The umbilical cord should be cut with a disinfected instrument, after having tied it with sterile silk thread.
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What to cook
- Sterile gauze (sold in a pharmacy);
- Ironed towels;
- Scissors for cutting the umbilical cord;
- Zelenka;
- Antiseptic (for disinfecting hands and scissors);
- Vatu;
- Petrolatum;
- Cup or small kitchen scales;
- Oxytocin (to stimulate labor);
- Syringe;
- Colored yarn or multi-colored ribbons for tagging babies;
- A weak solution of potassium permanganate;
- Thread for tying the umbilical cord;
- Pipette for mucus.
Important! The owner should be present at the birth even if he does not provide assistance, the pet will feel more confident.
There are cases when a girl refused to give birth without her owner, the process was delayed, which provoked pathology and complications in the children and mother.
The process is divided into three stages:
Preparatory
The uterus contracts, the cervical canal opens, the duration is from 5 to 36 hours.
Childbirth
The contractions are more frequent, and attempts appear - contraction of the abdominal muscles. Children are starting to be born. Usually the bulldog itself gnaws the umbilical cord and licks the baby.
The umbilical cord is tied 2 cm from the navel; leaving more is not recommended to avoid the appearance of a hernia. The umbilical cord should be cut slightly below the ligation site. After 1-2 days it will disappear on its own.
The appearance interval is possible from 10 to 50 minutes. A longer period of time is possible. Labor is over if 2 or more hours have passed since the last baby. After this, oxytocin is administered.
The bitch usually eats the afterbirth, and also cleans the children on her own; if the mother is very tired and did not get the children out, then break the bubble yourself, free the mouth and nose from mucus. Take a pipette and suck out the mucus from the nasal passages, using gauze to clean the oral cavity.
Each dog needs to be weighed, the results written down in a notebook, and be sure to mark them with multi-colored ribbons or threads around the neck.
After the birth and all the events, put the children with their mother and let them rest.
Postpartum period
Carefully monitor the condition of your pet and offspring. If your pet behaves sluggishly and the discharge does not stop after 2-3 days, then take the mother to the clinic.
Place a light-colored cloth in the nest, this will make it easier to track the nature of the discharge. Measure your temperature, a temperature of 39-40 is critical.
Do not kick the dog out of the place in the first hours; if the Frenchie asks to go to the toilet, be sure to take her outside.
Green, transparent, dark and black discharge with greenish impurities are considered normal. If the discharge is abundant, continuous, and mixed with blood, then the pet needs hospitalization.
Check daily how things are going with feeding, whether there are any lumps, whether the nipples are clean, and most importantly, watch how the puppies eat. Children often push away the little ones, make sure that everyone gets a place with mom.
Childbirth process
The French, like the English bulldog, is not a breed of dog whose birth can be left to chance. Before giving birth, it is advisable to trim the hair around the nipples and genitals. Measure the temperature when it drops to 37 degrees and the puppies stop moving, wait for birth. First, the water will break and the cervix will open, contractions will become more intense and more frequent, and pushing will appear. The dog begins to give birth. Then the puppies will start coming out.
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The length of the interval between the birth of puppies varies from person to person. If the process is hampered by the dry mucous membrane of the birth canal, then carefully inject Vaseline with a syringe. Labor is over if 2 hours have passed since the birth of the last baby. After the baby is born, the placenta comes out. The bitch eats him. And you need to make sure that stress doesn’t cause the dog to start eating puppies.
After care
Eyes open by 2 weeks of age. The more children there are in the litter, the more difficult it is to feed them; the doggies will have to be fed additionally. The room where the litter is located should be warm, without drafts.
Pay great attention to the dog's nutrition - at first, liquid milk porridge, boiled beef, sea fish, and chicken are good. Feed 3-5 times, from the second week raw meat is introduced. From 3 weeks bone meal, fruits and vegetables are given.
Children should eat about 12 rubles per day, then with each subsequent week the amount decreases.
When the cubs grow a little, they need to trim their nails, but very carefully, otherwise they will damage the mother’s skin.
Caring for puppies
Usually the litter contains the smallest puppies, which differ significantly in size and weight from the rest. Such dogs require more careful care and feeding control. The big ones push them away, the children will remain hungry. This is critical for newborns; it is recommended to monitor the first feedings.
Watch for the French to eat from all of their mother's nipples. Particular attention should be paid to the nipples, making sure that they are soft and there are no seals on them.
Starting from week 3, gradually introduce low-fat cottage cheese into the French diet, starting with 1 teaspoon per day, yolk, goat and cow's milk.
By 4 weeks of age, babies begin to eat on their own. Babies will not immediately start eating from a saucer; to do this, you need to push them a little, poke them with your muzzle, or try feeding them from your finger.
When the cubs get used to eating from a saucer, start feeding them semolina porridge. Don't forget to teach him simple, fresh water. Vitamins A and D are also needed in the form of additional nutrition.
By 5 weeks, Frenchies should eat 6 times a day, they usually eat their fill, as they say, from the belly, and then fall asleep. It is very important to know the data on the growth and weight gain of doggies after birth; it is required to keep records of weight gain.
Caring for a pregnant dog
A sudden and drastic change in regime can cause stress in the dog, which should not be allowed. During the first month, no changes are needed at all, you just need to abandon the antiparasitic treatment of the dog and reduce its contact with other animals. With the beginning of the 4th week of pregnancy, you need to make adjustments to your diet and walking regimen. If the dog’s diet is based on natural products, then the menu needs to include more protein foods (meat, fish, cottage cheese, cereals and soups with milk) and greens.
At week 6, you should reduce the amount of carbohydrates in your dog’s diet.
Vegetables and fruits, if given raw, should be chopped in a blender in advance.
During this period, you need to feed the “Frenchie” three times a day.
With the onset of the 7th week of pregnancy, the dog needs to be switched to 4 feedings a day, removing heavy food that is difficult to digest from the diet.
To avoid late toxicosis, it is better to give ocean fish instead of meat (150 g of fish = 100 g of meat).
5 - 7 days before the expected birth, it is necessary to remove all potential allergens from the menu, reduce the daily diet by a quarter, and feed the dog 5 times a day. If the dog’s diet before pregnancy was based on industrial food, then you should switch to products intended for pregnant dogs or enrich the diet with calcium at the rate of 65 g per 1 kg of the pet’s weight, vitamin complexes and proteins.
Walking and physical activity cannot be reduced in time; you just need to avoid high-intensity activities - jumping, long runs, etc. The best option is frequent but not too long walks. A low level of activity and a sedentary lifestyle can cause excess weight gain and lead to complications during birth, as weak muscles will not be able to contract and push out the puppies.
Growing puppies
The French Bulldog is not an easy breed and requires careful care. The more a Frenchman received in his childhood, the healthier he will be in the future. Bulldogs mature quickly; the better the dog ate as a child, the healthier it will be as an adult.
When little ones grow up, it is advisable to gradually accustom them to walks outside. As soon as the puppies are vaccinated and reach 1.5 - 2 m of age, they can be trained to walk. This is necessary for the normal development of the animal, in this case the kids will not be afraid of strangers, noise or the street. To begin with, just take them outside for 5 minutes, you don’t have to let them go.
Communication is very important for babies - with people and other animals, during this period they are very active, exploring the world, learning new things, do not lock them in an enclosure all day, communicate with them, play. The safest toys are rag ones, but be prepared for the fact that they will be completely destroyed.
