boy & girl problem (long)

[Boxerhund]

Hi

Not sure which part of the forum to post this. But here goes:

I share my house with two lovely boxers Xarlie 8 years and Rina 6 months. Sadly enough he hates her so we have a in-and-out of crates policy.

I'm asking myself what can I do when she gets into heat the first time. The big one used to be a stud (with his former owners!) and is still intact (my vet says that sterilising him now wouldn't change a thing).

What i want is to make life as easy on him as possible when she starts smelling "interesting", as I'm afraid he will get stressed.

They will both be crated at night and never unsupervised when only one is crated. When we are gone they will be in two different buildings. So the logistics are organised.

Is putting her on the "pill" an option or is there someting to make the smell less intense?

Anybody with experience in living with two intact boxers?

Thank you!

 

[gmacleod]

There is a sort of "pill" for dogs, but I really wouldn't recommend using it. It has some serious side effects that can really impact your bitch's health.

Is having her spayed not an option? I mean, there are some pretty significant health benefits for the bitch in being spayed, preferably before her first heat cycle. It's not just for sheer convenience that I suggest it. A short veterinary article on that for info: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1625&articleid=926

If that's just not in the possibilities, then the first choice in options would be to send the dog away to stay with a friend or family member for the duration of her heat. Even though you can keep them separated physically - never in the same room - you cannot stop him from smelling her. Heck, a male dog can smell an in-heat female from two or three kilometres distance. It will arouse him, and it will tease him. Better that he is simply not present.

Failing that, the only thing you can really do is keep them as far apart as possible, and never in the same room (irrespective of being crated). One crated and one loose would be a disaster waiting to happen - dogs can and do mate through the bars of crates. It only takes a second to effect a "tie" and if tied, they cannot be separated without risk of serious injury.

 

[Boxerhund]

Thanks gmacleod!

I'm well aware of the advantages of spaying.

But Rina is my show and work prospect and it took me almost 2 years to find her (you should see her father *swoon*)

In your opinion would Xarlie need to be gone for the whole 3 weeks or will the 1 "hot" week be enough?

He's an old and experienced dog and does not go crazy with bitches in heat, both my neighbours have bitches and he only shows polite interest as they are behind the fence. (and he's not the sporty, jumping kind)

Thanks again!

 

[gmacleod]

LOL - OK, spaying isn't the answer then!

He wouldn't need to be gone for the entire 3 weeks, no. The two separated for that time, definitely. But physically leaving the premises would only really be needed from the time her vaginal discharge starts to stop being bloody and become straw coloured instead (ie. as she approaches ready to mate). From that point, the duration of time that bitches will accept a dog can be up to a couple of weeks in some cases.

 

[Boxerhund]

Thank you!

I'll get organised for the moment the girl decides to mature ;-),
as far as a boxer can achieve that goal anyway...