The View of the French Dog Breeders in Relation to Female Reproduction, Maternal Care and Stress during the Peripartum Period

Abstract

In France, as in many other western countries, dogs are an important part of the society as pets or working animals. The exact demand for puppies in France is unknown, as is the proportion of dogs coming from different breeding sources. Nevertheless, the origin of puppies is important since young dogs from puppy mills and pet stores appear to be more likely to develop behavioral disorders. Puppies coming from responsible breeders, on the other hand, tend to be better adapted. In well-managed kennels, an explanation for these behavioral differences may be associated with greater contact of litters with the dam and humans. Another factor that might influence a dog's temperament and character is maternal behavior. Although recent studies have shown that the quality of maternal care in dogs is important, direct effects on the development of behavioral problems such as fearfulness or noise sensitivity are still controversial. To better understand the view of breeders, due to an increased interest in maternal care of dogs, an online questionnaire was developed to assess the dog breeders' profiles and to explore their perception of normal maternal and stress-related behaviors during the peripartum period. In addition, the management of the female during this critical time was queried. Three-hundred and forty-five French dog breeders, representing 91 breeds, completed the online survey. Considering the demographics of the responders, breeding activity in France is mostly family-based with 76% raising two breeds of dogs that produce, on average, five litters/year. Around 60% of the breeders use progesterone levels to determine breeding date. The whelping date is estimated using multiple criteria and most labors and deliveries happen under human supervision. The majority of behaviors associated to good maternal care are defined by the vast majority as being related to more attention of the bitch towards the puppies with the frequency of nursing and licking being important clues. Globally, the peripartum is perceived as a stressful period and to minimize stress and reassure the bitch the favored method used is increasing human presence. Problems related to maternal behavior were described, notably with primiparous bitches.

Keywords: behavior; breeding; maternal care; peripartum; purebred; stress; survey.

Figure 1

Representation of the breeds by dog group amongst the respondents (World Canine Organization).

Figure 2

Housing systems of the breeding bitches when not in peripartum (multiple answers allowed).

Figure 3

How often the breeding bitches were in contact with humans.

Figure 4

Housing of the breeding bitches during the peripartum period (percentages, multiple answers allowed).

Figure 5

Techniques used to estimate the breeding time (multiple answers allowed).

Figure 6

Methods used to estimate the whelping time of the bitch by using single or multiple information based on last breeding day, ovulation time, change in behavior and drop in the body temperature (multiple answers allowed).

Figure 7

Methods of surveillance of the bitch at whelping time.

Figure 8

Common behaviors reflecting stress of the bitch at whelping in the breeders’ opinion (multiple answers allowed).

Figure 9

Signs of a non-stressed bitch during the whelping time (multiple answers allowed).

Figure 10

Ways to reduce stress in the bitch during parturition (multiple answers allowed).

Figure 11

Signs of motherly attitude after puppies’ birth (multiple answers allowed).

Figure 12

Common behaviors observed by breeders and perceived as signs of stress in bitches after parturition (multiple answers allowed).

Figure 13

Methods to control anxious bitches after parturition (multiple answers allowed).