Hi, I am a first time breeder (this will be my first litter with my own dog) I started to be interested in breeding 3 years ago when I bought my Siberian husky as a pup. Since then I've read evey piece of literature I could get my hands on, consulted professional breeders and my vet etc etc. I've been there while other peoples butches have whelped and helped before. I've got 2 bitches aged 3 and 4. I've had my 3 year old since she was a pup and I got my 4 year old 2 years ago. They're both excellent dogs. As I wanted to breed them both at some point they've both been hip/eye scored and had the necessary health checks. My 3 year old is in season now, the breeding has been planned for some months and I have the stud on call. I have both of them insured, and money on hand for the pups and in case of an emergency. My whelping supplies are all ready and I'm prepared but have 1 concern. Both my bitches live in, they both have amazing temperaments. They're both excellent with my daughter and have been since she was first brought home. Should I be concerned with having my other bit h around the new pups? I can separate them if necessary, I would never think my older girl would hurt a fly as she's so gentle and loving, but I know sometimes dogs can be strange around off spring... Is there some sort of rule of thumb about this? Or do I just have to keep a close eye and play it by ear? I don't want to do anything to upset the balance in my pack, I know it will be an adjustment for both dogs for pups to be in the house but I don't want to have any issues if you know what I mean. If anyone has experience with what I'm on about please help as she's only about 3 days away from ovulation do says my vet. Thank you!

from my experiance a bitch should be allowed to have her pups away from other pets, although they get along normally she could try to protect her pups and either get nasty with your other bitch or may panic and cause harm to the pups, i dont normally allow any of my other dogs near pups until they are up and walking and only then if mum seems happy with it x

Bitches can become very protective when they have babies - I never allow my other dogs near the bitch whilst she is whelping the pups or afterwards - and leave it entirely up to mum in who can and can't come along and say 'hi'.

When my eldest had her first litter - 2 days in, she came and got my other bitch and brought her to see the puppies, it was so incredibly sweet - the other girl used to lay on the settee above the whelping box just watching.

They are all different and you have to be guided by mum.

I thought when I read your post initially that you were hoping to take litters from them at the same time Are you still planning on mating your 4 year old? as time is ticking for her to have a first litter.

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What you need to know before buying a Labrador puppy

Have you got a waiting list of suitable homes for the puppies? Siberians can have large litters and there is a bit of a "trend" for them at the moment. Any Sibe rescue will tell you that they are overflowing right now.

I personally wouldnt take a chance there is no deffinate way of knowing for sure. As lovely as both of your bitches may be and how well they get on the rest of the time it is no guarantee they will be during pregnancy and whelp and when pups arrive.

Ive known bitches be fine and one starts on the other and they war when one or the other comes in season. Either the one in season starts or the one not in season starts on the one who is.

Bitches can have a change of behaviour before and after puppies arrive, when the pups arrive deffinately may be a problem as she will likely be protective of them. You also have no way of knowing if those pups are going to be safe with the other Bitch anyhow, some bitches will kill anothers pups.
Its not happened to friends sibes who have breed because they have kept other bitches away, but I have heard of pups being killed even when put into a pack too early. So if another bitch feels inclined she is quite capable of killing anothers pups.

It could all be fine, but no one can give you any guarantees, it could quite and maybe even more probably go the other way.

I know that you have done all the health tests and have planned everything properly and done your research, but I am assuming you are aware of the Sinerians plight at the moment as regards to bing over bred, and that both the official Breed Rescues SHCGB and the SHWA are on there knees and cant take any more in. Not to mention that most dogs homes national and smaller rescues have them in too. Its not a criticism as i know you have done things right as regards to breeding which is more then you can say for a lot. It is something you need to consider though, have you got homes and can you guarantee that they will be forever homes.

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