Hunting with a pregnant bitch?

[Densa44]

Is there anyone who has done this. I have 2 maybe 3 pregnant bitches and they are in the first week of their pregnancy. The hunting season starts here Sept 1 and we are all champing at the bit to go. We hunt ducks, lots and Pheasants very soon. The dogs are very good at both and I need a dog.

Can I use them for the first month? Longer? Or not at all?

I could be down to one dog here.

[Misskiwi67]

There was a study that showed pups were more excited about anything mom was excited about during pregnancy- so getting mom on birds while pregnant could produce "birdier" pups. I wish I could remember where I saw that, I'd post a link.

The caution is avoiding exposure to herpesvirus, which can cause late term abortion and/or death of young pups.

[JASmith]

The caution is avoiding exposure to herpesvirus.

Always avoid the herp, imo. LOL

[Densa44]

Where we live, we have the place pretty much to ourselves. The dogs are birdie right now, we have 6/6 pz 1 scores for the last litter.

[KJ]

Not a problem. My only concern would be doing this early season and having them overheat.

I have hunted pregnant bitches hard, but this is usually late in the season (December/January) when it is cold and they are in good shape. These have been 4-6 hour chukar hunts in rugged terrain. They generally blow up in size between the 4th and 5th week, so I start taking it easy after week 5. I would still not hesitate to take them on a more casual 1-2 hour hunt at week 5 or 6, unless they were really large. I would also be more cautious in heavy cover to not tear a teat, so cover and terrain would play into my decision.

Bitches that are well conditioned generally have an easier time whelping. I think hunting a pregnant bitch does far more good than bad.

I also remember the study Misskiwi referenced. This was probably 10 years ago and created some good buzz for a while. Hard one to prove, though.

[slistoe]

Not a problem for at least the first month.

[Constructeur]

if you were worried about being able to hunt this Fall, why did you get all your gals knocked up before you knew the answer? To anyone that can rub 5 brain cells together it reads like you're chasing the money. Nevermind why you are only running females...

[Densa44]

As you are apparently unfamiliar with packs of dogs, I hope this helps. When one bitch comes in, they all come in. We have 4 and we bred 2, we have a waiting list of over 30 very patient people and they all will not get a puppy. The most recent litter have 6/6 NA pz 1 one UPT prize . The sire comes from LA and we live in Canada. So no it is not a case of not having a dog, I have 2 I can use, both have 112 NA scores and on has a UT pz.

I ask because the older girls love to hunt and want to come. To-day is opening day, we have millions of ducks and no hunters. I don't want to leave them in the truck if the are good to go.

[Constructeur]

i am just unfamiliar with breeding programs that don't include males. I have yet to see a logical argument as to how it's both sustainable or good for the breed as a whole.

[Calvinator]

I have hunted pregnant females without issue. My one buddy won a NSTRA trial with a pregnant female who whelped the following day.
Calvin

[STait]

i am just unfamiliar with breeding programs that don't include males. I have yet to see a logical argument as to how it's both sustainable or good for the breed as a whole.

Just curious as to your thought process, why would it be detrimental to the breed as a whole to not own a stud dog?? Lots of good ones available.

To the OP, Depends on the habitat you are running her in. I personally run my pregnant bitches to about 5 weeks along, but the habitat I run in could theoretically damage a hanging, swollen nipple and I won't risk that. See video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qKKaKeg-ho

[Densa44]

Just back from a very tough 3 day hunt for wild sharp tailed grouse and the girls handled it just fine. Ducks are open here now and we'll try them on those this afternoon.

In answer to the comment on a breeding program without males. I'm not sure what is meant. We don't own males and if you keep your dogs in the house with you and intact male would drive you nuts.

We pick what we think would be the best sire we can find for our females. The litters we are going to have in a month are sired by Blitzgent's Bodie, NA 112 and UT 204. This is a repeat breeding and you can see how the pups have done in the NAVHDA tests.

[GRIFF MAN]

i am just unfamiliar with breeding programs that don't include males. I have yet to see a logical argument as to how it's both sustainable or good for the breed as a whole.

Every breeding program includes males, or it's not a breeding program !! Now not every breeder owns males. Most that don't own males want to go out and find the best male to meet the needs of the bitch or strengthen the weaknesses that the bitch may have. If you are stuck with one male in your kennel and use it on all your different bitches you are not always making the right choices but the easiest and most convenient choice.

Bithches come into heat at the weirdest times. Hunting them is no issue early on. I always stay away from water later in pregnancy to prevent any "stuff" getting in the canal. Not sure it is an issue, but I'm better off safe than sorry.


GriffMan

[hicntry]

How does one know he is picking the right male from La. to Canada. My guess is that the male also has Navhda tiles. Breeding to paper is pretty common these days.....don't even have to know the male at all today.

[Misskiwi67]

How does one know he is picking the right male from La. to Canada. My guess is that the male also has Navhda tiles. Breeding to paper is pretty common these days.....don't even have to know the male at all today.

Possibly. Or you invite them to go hunting too. People frequently travel and hunt their dogs outside their neighborhood. At least our dogs actually hunt.