The Reproductive Anatomy of the Female Dog
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| Female dogs (correctly called bitches) have 3, 4 or 5 pairs of breasts (mammary glands ) placed in two rows running up the sides of their abdomen from the groin to the chest for nursing puppies. The number varies and one side can have one or two more than the other side. The nipples on a female who has not yet had her first heat are quite small, but they swell with the first heat and never return to 'puppy size'. If the bitch has been bred and is pregnant, then about 35 days after the mating the nipples will turn a deep pink colour and will begin to enlarge. The mammary glands produce the milk to feed the puppies and amazingly enough they manage to manufacture the right supply to meet the demand. Bitches who are extremely maternal have been known to produce milk for a starving pup or another animal baby even though they are not pregnant or nursing their own litter. The mammary glands are prone to cancerous tumors because of the estrogen produced. Once the bitch has been "spayed", (fixed or altered) the source of the estrogen has been removed and the chance of breast cancer developing is greatly reduced. The vagina opening is quite small on a puppy too, and enlarges with the onset of heat and never returns to "puppy size", but it does decrease in size after the heat is finished. The vagina inside the dog is NOT a straight tube. The first 1 - 2 inches of the vagina (depending on the size of the dog) is at a 45 degree upward angle and then it levels out and runs about another 3 - 4 inches ending at the 'cervix' - the bottom end of the uterus. Also, inside the vagina, partway up, is the opening to the bladder - the tiny urethral opening, which allows the urine to run out of the vagina. Inside the vagina, as well, is a very strong ring of muscles, placed at about where the angle of the vagina changes. These muscles have a purpose. Once the male has entered the vagina, the bitch tightens these muscles to hold the penis in place. This 'tightening action' creates what is commonly known as a 'tie'. Once the tie has occurred, you MUST WAIT until the female relaxes the muscle and breaks the tie to release the male. If you attempt to pull them apart, you will cause serious pain and damage to both the male and the female dog. Pulling them apart will not prevent a pregnancy. By the time the female has 'tied' the dog, he has already ejaculated and enough of the sperm are on their way to the fallopian tubes, (where her eggs wait to be impregnated) to make a pregnancy. The 'tie' only assures that the seminal fluid - the ejaculate - will not leak back out and the slower sperm have a chance to swim up to the fallopian tubes. The uterus in the female dog is not like a human uterus which is pear shaped. The dog uterus is Y shaped. The base of the Y is the cervix, which is usually tightly closed to prevent infection from getting into the uterus. It opens for the birthing of puppies. The two arms of the Y is where the whelps (puppies) develop, each in its own individual compartment. The 2 fallopian tubes sort of dangle over from the top of each arm of the Y and are each attached to the 2 ovaries where the eggs are made and then released to the fallopian tubes when the egg is mature. The eggs are not released all at once by the ovary to the fallopian tube. Bitches are multiple ovulators, which means that they make several eggs, and release them over a period of several hours, or even a day or so. It is the bitch who determines the number of puppies to be born. The male - the dog - determines the sex of the puppy. The ovaries not only make the eggs, they also produce the estrogen and the progesterone hormones. Surgical removal of the ovaries (spaying) therefore prevents the egg production as well as the cancer causing estrogen. The uterus and fallopian tubes are removed at the same time as the ovaries. Spaying is an operation requiring an anaesthetic and stitches to close the abdominal imcision. The dog needs recovery time, but she recovers her activity level much faster than a human and do not seem to have the same pain level that humans have. Do everyone a favour and have your female dog spayed before she has her first heat unless she is a wonderful specimen of the breed and should reproduce or you want to 'show' her at a dog show. Spaying does NOT change her temperament, and will not make her fat. Diet and exercise control are in your hands as are unwanted or unplanned puppies. Please take a minute to watch this brief video. Fate of a Dog. Although it is relating to the Humane Society in Atlanta, the problem of unwanted or too many dogs is world-wide. |
Copyright 
2001 Marilyn Brotherton
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Disclaimer: The information, techniques and methods described in this web site are based on my experiences over many years.They may not be suitable for you.Nothing that I have written or demonstrated is intended as a substitute for professional advice from your own qualified Veterinarian. I assume no responsibility or liability of any kind regarding the use and application of any of the advice provided or methods and techniques depicted on this web site.
