Successful Canine Reproduction

Over the last five decades, I’ve bred Dobermans, Rottweilers, Akitas, and Toy Fox Terriers, all easy breeders.  Ah, but I have also bred Bull Terriers and Chihuahuas, breeds prone to mating and whelping problems.  I've assisted others with mating difficulties in breeds ranging from Great Danes to Japanese Chins.

So with no breed blinders on, let’s start with the first requirements for an easy mating; a male dog with a strong sex drive and a bitch in true estrus.  The male should be sexually aggressive but easily managed and politely persuasive with the visiting bitch.  The bitch should be social with other others dogs, confident, and not easily stressed.  Even so, frustrating problems can be encountered.  If effecting the mating was reliably easy, you wouldn’t be reading this.

She's Ovulating!

You have adroitly negotiated fees, contract, and transportation but you may be unprepared for the next hurdle.  Bitches can fail to ovulate when shipped or even if driven to the stud owner.  No matter how much you say “its ok” to her, it is not.  It is a strange place.  She will feel abandoned.  Instinct warns her not to have babies in a potentially hostile environment.   If she’s been shown, she will be better prepared to accept new situations and being handled by strangers but a sheltered house pet will be in for significant emotional trauma, even with the most caring stud owner.

Canine Conception:

Stud Dog Owner:

Ethics, obligation, and keen attention by the stud owner are vital in order to prevent failure and repetition of the same problem on her next season.  In handling a bitch, anything other than total honesty on the part of the stud owner is the worst kind of deception.  Pity the trusting bitch owner who believes something is wrong with his bitch when she misses the mating after all those “forty minutes ties.”

Although our experience with visiting bitches is very limited as we rarely grant stud service, I have assisted dozens of breeders and veterinarians. Let's cover some common problems that can cause mating/conception failures.  If the stud dog or his owners are inexperienced, odds favor a miss in the making.  Worse yet, if the vets involved lack practical experience in small animal reproduction, the odds against conception increase.  Vaginal cytology is still unreliable.  Progesterone testing was a step forward but inaccuracies account for many missed matings, wasted journeys and dashed hopes.

AI, Frozen or Chilled Semen:

If you know she’s easily stressed, increase the odds of conception by shipping the semen instead of sending the bitch to the semen, not vise-versa.  Locate a veterinarian that deals with canine reproductive problems on a regular basis.  Note: old-fashioned vaginal insemination (AI) is only applicable with freshly collected semen.  Most professionals believe the only reliable way to do chilled or frozen semen insemination is by uterine implant which requires nearly the same degree of invasive surgery as performing a c-section.  One reproductive professor prefers a process whereby the semen is placed in the uterus through an endoscopic-like vaginal procedure.  He says it eliminates surgical risk but could damage the vaginal and/or uterine wall.  If you are close to a top veterinary university, take advantage of frozen semen and plan well in advance of estrus. 

Canine Reproduction Vet

WARNING: Artificial Insemination incompetence make one wonder how some vets ever became parents!  Do not assume proficiency just because your local vet is conscientious and capable on routine stuff.  A good canine reproduction veterinarian will know of a dependable stud dog.  If not, it’s a safe bet he or she is NOT a “reproductive expert.”  If you are taking the bitch to the stud dog, employ a local working stud dog’s keen senses and also evaluate the bitch’s reaction.  Cattle ranchers use a teaser bull to mark ovulating cows.  Make use of the good stud dog’s indisputable talent in determining when to have the semen on hand or when to make the trip.  And do offer to pay the local stud owner for his time and trouble.  The dog will work for free!

Assemble your new knowledge in advance, locate a good vet and stud dog owner who will work with you, and owning a top quality, well prepared breeding bitch will equip you to be a successful breeder.  Don’t become the often-disappointed bitch owner who doesn’t survive the first five years in the sport!