Breeding for Bitches
By Ralph Gillum, BraceBeagling Columnist
April 06, 2010



As a diversion from all the snow and cold weather in Michigan, I decided to research my breeding records to see if I could prove or disprove the idea that the sex of pups can be influenced by when they are bred during the receptive period of the heat cycle.

I analyzed a total of 75 litters totaling 342 pups. The results were:

Bred early-----34 litters--total of 144 pups for an average of 4.2 pups per litter.

Results-- Males--74 Females--70
No statistical difference.

Bred on time---28 litters--total of 132 pups for an average of 4.7 pups per litter.

Results--Males--70 Females--62
53% males vs. 47% females = 6% more males

Bred late-------15 litters-- total of 66 pups for an average of 4.4 pups per litter.

Results--Males 33 Females--33
No difference

Conclusions

Breeding early or late does not appear to have any influence on determining the sex of the pups while breeding right on time does appear to result in a slightly higher percentage of males. However, when you consider that you get larger litters when breeding on time, 4.7 pups per litter as compared to 4.2 and 4.4 pups for early and late breedings, the number of bitch pups would come out about the same for all three mateing times. In the final analysis, it is very difficult to manipulate Mother Nature. Therefore, the best time to bred a bitch to get the most bitch pups is simply to cover her fertile period as best you can in order to have the best chance of getting a good litter of pups!

Note of interest- The total number of males in this study was 177 and females was 165.
This results in 51.8% males to 48.2% females. This compares
closely with the birth ratio of 52% males and 48% females for human
infants. Some speculate that this is nature's way of compensating for the
larger number of male babies dying in infancy and early childhood.