If your male dog is smaller than your female or if your stud is inexperienced, you may have to assist in helping the dogs to lock and insure the tie is not broken. When choosing a stud dog you will need to be vary familiar with the bloodlines within your breed and choose a mate very carefully. His personality traits Should compliment your females traits and he should have a good show record if you are breeding for show stock. When possible look for several ancestors in common within 3-4 generations back. Do not leave her alone for even a few minutes and do not rely on chain link or even high fences to keep out other male dogs.
Females can give birth to puppies from more than one father.
Your bitch will have a gestational period of 63 to 65 days from the date she was mated. This can also vary from dog to dog and owners should be prepared to help with delivery prior to that date. You will need to prepare a whelping box and encourage your female to sleep there prior to delivery. However, as comfortable as you may make the box it is not uncommon for her to try and make her own den under the front porch or back yard playhouse. If you see her trying to make a outside den keep a close eye on her and move her inside until delivery.