The number of dog spouses, especially domestic male dogs, depends largely on their breeding environment and the management of the owner. For some dogs that are professionally bred, there may be multiple spouses; for pet dogs in most families, the number of spouses may be limited, or even limited to a single spouse.
The idiom "monogamy" describes the ideal model of companionship in human society, but in the world of dogs, this concept is different. The dogs at home do not have such social constraints, and their behavior of choosing a spouse is more affected by instinct and surrounding environment. This article will share the multiple mate relationships that a male dog may have throughout his life and how we should manage and understand this behavior as responsible pet owners.
First, let's discuss the natural behavior of wolves, because the ancestor of domestic dogs (Canis lupus familyaris) was the wolf (Canis lupus). In the wild, wolves usually form a long-term pairing relationship with one spouse, even for lifelong monogamy. This behavior of wolves helps maintain a stable family structure, thereby better taking care of offspring and ensuring the continued survival of wolves. However, domestic dogs have different behavior patterns than wild wolves due to their deep influences by human culture.
In many countries and regions, domestic dog breeding is widely controlled and managed. For non-professional breeding family pet dogs, they may be sterilized, resulting in minimal chances of interacting with their spouses. And those male dogs who are not spayed, without proper supervision, may attempt to mating when encountering any bitch in estrus, which may allow them to have multiple spouses throughout their lifetime.
On the other hand, for dogs that are professionally bred, their number of mates may be set according to the breeding plan of the breeder. In this case, breeders may carefully select mates based on genes, ancestry, physical characteristics and health. Therefore, a male dog may mate with multiple bitches to produce the best offspring.
However, no matter how many spouses a male dog has in his life, the breeding of a dog should be a responsible behavior. The following points should be considered when dealing with the breeding of pet dogs:
1. Sterilization and contraception: Sterilization is the most direct way to control the number of male dog spouses. It prevents accidental breeding, reduces the production of stray dogs, and may bring health benefits to dogs.
2. Strict management: If you do not intend to let your own male dog breed, the owner should take measures to prevent mating during the bitch's estrus.
3. Health priority: Before considering breeding, ensure that male dogs are healthy and free of genetic diseases and other health issues that can affect offspring.
4. Community Responsibility: Realize that breeding behaviors are not only related to the offspring of their own dogs, but also have an impact on pet animals, flora and problematic dog groups in surrounding communities.
We should still pay more attention to the breeding issues of pet dogs around us, because dogs themselves do not have ethical concepts and common sense of health. If they are left alone, it will be a problem for them and their offspring.