Reproduction

Females are sexually active only when in heat. Males are ready to go any time of year. If someone should think that they suffer for it – they would be wrong. They do not feel frustrated since they are sexually aroused only in presence of female in heat or when they sense her scent.

It is common opinion that in mating period all what dogs do is mating. But dog sex is much more than "doggy style pose". Female, if in heat, will not consent that easily while males will go far to make an effort. Before the actual mating act, female has the control, which is totally natural since she is the one that will invest a lot of energy in process of conception, growth of the cubs in uterus, birth and taking care of the litter. Considering claims that canids are promiscuous, it is good to know that wild canids can court for hours – which is not usual with domestic dogs - sometimes even aborting it and continuing it the next day. Wild canids are much pickier, especially from purebred domestic dogs which mostly do not have unsuccessful mating since humans forced specimens that are more prone to reproduce. This is why females have two heats per year unlike wolves that are their ancestors. On the other hand, only 2,4 percent of courting in wilderness will end in copulation.

Among that, many dogs are monogamous creatures: Coyote, Jackal, Wolf... Alpha couple from these species will stay together their whole lives, without changing a partner. Only exception is when one of them dies.