Please help me figure out what's wrong with my dog?!

[dreamadream1]

Hi everyone

Posting for traffic.

My lovely, 5 year old sprocker spaniel has been whimpering/pacing/crying ALL day today.

He normally goes for a wee when I get up at 6-7, has some biscuits then lays on my bed or his bed and sleeps most of the day before a walk.

Today he has been the total opposite, I've filled his water bowl with fresh water, he's been walked off lead, I've topped his biscuits up, I've given him cuddles, all the fuss he usually has, he's weeing and been for a number 2, I've played with him on my lunch break with his rope.

I don't know what is wrong with him, I've felt his tummy in case he has tummy ache but he doesn't respond negatively to that, I've checked his paws, his mouth, his eyes there is nothing obvious at all.

He usually sleeps most the day and then has a walk and then he curls up for the night with us. I cannot figure out what is bothering him and it's driving me mad!

[Daisysflowers]

Have you patted him all down to see if he cry’s at any part?

Poor baby hopefully he will feel better tomorrow

[pawivy]

When did you last walk them. That's your problem. He is pining.

Really, really bad idea to walk them together, very unfair. What do you mean you haven't seen anything happen yet? Please tell me you are not hoping for a mating whilst out in a walk?

[dreamadream1]

@chickychicchic she is on the lead whilst in heat. He's off lead as usual.

[dreamadream1]

@Daisysflowers thank you, he's just had some biscuits and laid down in his bed/dozing off. Hopefully he's just had an off day.

[dreamadream1]

@pawivy no, they live a 2 minute walk from me. He goes round for a couple hours some days or female dog comes to me. Not mating outside.

[Wolfiefan]

@chickychicchic it’s not fine. She may be on the lead but he isn’t.
A dog that is in season mustn’t be walked near any off lead dogs.
@dreamadream1 if you don’t know that much then you certainly don’t know enough to be breeding a litter.

[CaptainMyCaptain]

My dog behaves like that if we start packing suitcases or moving things around. She doesn't know what's going on. Is anything like that happening?

[raspberrysundaes]

[quote dreamadream1]**@raspberrysundaes* @raspberryk* do you know what's weird about you both saying that is sometimes in the day I walk with my friend (distanced) and her female dog who is in season! We are keen for them to have babies but haven't seen anything happen yet, could this be the reason?[/quote]
There's your problem. You're basically teasing him with her presence/scent and now she's not around, he's pining for her.

And please, please don't mate your dog with your friends bitch "because they're both spaniels and we decided to". In the nicest way, it makes you sound horribly inexperienced and naive at best.

Dogs shouldn't be bred "because we want them to have babies".

[WaltzingBetty]

[quote dreamadream1]@pawivy no, they live a 2 minute walk from me. He goes round for a couple hours some days or female dog comes to me. Not mating outside. [/quote]
Are they both health tested? Excellent examples of their breed? Do you have a waiting list for planned puppies? Can you offer lifelong returns/rehoming?

Or are you just planning backyard breeding to cash in on the COVID puppy pandemic?

[SchrodingersImmigrant]

Well this probably explains his behaviour....

[WaltzingBetty]

On the off chance this isn't the world's most tedious wind-up

www.thekennelclub.org.uk/dog-breeding/first-time-breeders/

[dreamadream1]

@WaltzingBetty no absolutely not. They are both fully healthy, all vaccinations up to date etc. They've known each other since 3 months old. We have been planning on breeding them for a year or so. We both will be keeping a puppy. If it happens.

[picklemewalnuts]

Please don't mate him with your friend's dog, just because they are both nice spaniels. My friend has just adopted two blind puppies. Breeding takes planning, research, and knowledge.

[dreamadream1]

@WaltzingBetty @raspberrysundaes we've been researching and learning about it for over a year. Not something we've just thought about.

[addicted2spaniels]

I've got 2 spaniels. If either are off colour, I always check dew claws first, then paws for split nails/something stuck in them. Makes both of mine really antsy.

[Wolfiefan]

@dreamadream1
Fully healthy?
What specialist health tests have they both had?
What’s the coefficient of breeding?
Have you studied pedigrees?
Are they endorsed? Do you have the permission of the breeders?
Seriously? If you don’t know walking with an off lead entire male when your bitch is in season will affect his behaviour then you don’t know enough to breed.

[Takemetothebar]

@Wolfiefan agreed!!
My entire dogs would spend the day screaming and off their feed if I teased them on a walk with a prime bitch in season!

[Wolfiefan]

Honestly I have a bitch in season right now. I avoid the fields and wood and park near us.
An entire male could break a lead, get away from an owner or even leap a fence you wouldn’t believe they are capable of clearing. Having the bitch on a lead won’t stop them.

[raspberrysundaes]

[quote dreamadream1]@WaltzingBetty no absolutely not. They are both fully healthy, all vaccinations up to date etc. They've known each other since 3 months old. We have been planning on breeding them for a year or so. We both will be keeping a puppy. If it happens. [/quote]
How old is the bitch? If she's the same age as yours, I would say she's too old for a first litter for starters!

And by "fully healthy" have they been health tested? Do they have good hip, eye and elbow scores? What about other health tests needed for spaniels?

Being up to date on vaccinations has nothing to do with them being suitable for breeding

[Takemetothebar]

@Wolfiefan oh I’d believe! One of my bloodline once mated his niece through the bars of a crate. Nothing will stop a proper stud on the top days.

[Takemetothebar]

@raspberrysundaes

Hmm, age not a concern in my breed. In fact, our code of ethics doesn’t permit the mating of a bitch before 4 years old. 5/6 is average for us.

[WaltzingBetty]

[quote dreamadream1]**@WaltzingBetty* @raspberrysundaes* we've been researching and learning about it for over a year. Not something we've just thought about. [/quote]
But your dog is a crossbreed so you aren't breeding to improve the breed. So why are you? Also you don't seem to understand health testing.

@dreamadream1
Have they both been hip scored?
Have they both been PLA tested?
Have they both been DNA tested for adult onset neuropathy?

Responsible breeding isn't about having a dog that looks healthy but about demonstrating a healthy genetic line

[Wolfiefan]

@Takemetothebar
And that’s why I only have girls. And I’m bloody careful when they are in season. I’m no breeder.( Not neutered for breed specific health reasons.)

[CharlotteRose90]

I’ve got a springer and he whines and pants when he goes out and can smell a bitch in heat. Yours is clearly missing her and wanting her. Also if you plan on mating them you need to get them checked by an expect not just a vet. Are they pedigree what were the parents like?

[WaltzingBetty]

[quote dreamadream1]**@WaltzingBetty* @raspberrysundaes* we've been researching and learning about it for over a year. Not something we've just thought about. [/quote]
Then I look forward to your answers to mine and @Wolfiefan's questions.

5 is old to breed a maiden spaniel bitch. Interesting idea