Studding services

 

Selecting the right stud for your bitch is the first order of business. You will want to choose a dog that is a great representative of his breed and also free of genetic faults and illnesses. Even more importantly, you will want to select a stud dog that has a wonderful temperament because he’ll be more likely to produce pups that also have a sound temperament.

 

Some stud dog owners actually use a written contract that lays out the terms under which the breeding will be conducted. It is up to the bitch’s owner to read through the terms and conditions stipulated and sign the contract if they agree.

Sperm Count Assessment is important at any age. Most dogs produce good quality semen by around one year of age, and they reach their peak fertility at 2-3 years old.
There are five parts to the sperm count analysis that we take into consideration:

1. Volume
2. Sperm Concentration
3. Sperm Mobility
4. Forward Progression
5. Sperm Morphology / Shape of the sperm to check for any defects

We offer a complete service in semen evaluation to fully assess the fertility of your stud dog. The semen is fully checked before chilling, freezing or insemination.

 

Why Choose to Artificial Inseminate?

Artificial insemination is proven to be the most reliable and effective means of securing a pregnancy in a bitch. This does not mean there is a problem with the dogs breeding naturally, however there are benefits of artificial insemination.

Some young dogs can have bad experiences with their first bitch which may cause problems in subsequent breeding. Some dominant females may not accept a particular male and this can make it difficult to keep to a breeding schedule. The pain experienced by one or both dogs during mating, the narrowness of the genital tract, or lack of libido. The difference in dog size and experience can also make a positive connection unlikely. In some circumstances some dominant females just may not accept particular males for unknown reasons.

 

If you do choose to Artificially Inseminate, it means that older dogs, who have less agility and less exertion, are still fertile can still be part of a breeding program.

Some dogs are more prone to problems related to injury, aggression or overheating which relates directly to their physical shape. The structure of the dog does not permit for easy mounting with the stud having to support more weight on his hind quarters. This can lead to overheating as the dog has to repeatedly exert themselves before effecting positioning to breed occurs.

There are some viral and bacterial infections to take into consideration when breeding naturally such as the Canine Herpes Virus. This bacteria can be present in both male and female genitals and therefore contribute to the possibility of infection.

 

Most male dogs will allow themselves to be collected from when presented with a bitch in season which also gives the opportunity to assess the sperm under a microscope prior to insemination, if requested.

The insemination of the bitch is a quick and simple process which does not stress the dog out in any way.

Per collection / Insemination - £100.00

All services are strictly confidential

(There are certain guidelines set by the Kennel Club on Artificial Insemination – more information can be found on their website)

 

With Stud Dog Sperm Mobility Testing, semen is collected from dogs from 12 months old. Although, dogs tested at 7-7 months have shown to have mobility. This can then be used for breeding soundness examinations, as well as for artificial or surgical insemination. It is usually best to conduct the test before the bitch is ready for mating. This way if there is no mobility there is still time to find another stud dog.

Semen collected for insemination can be used fresh, or can be cooled and shipped to another location.

 

Canine semen is collected using digital pressure and massage. Sometimes failures do arise due to the male being shy or perhaps intimidated.

Semen can be collected from most males without the need for an in heat teaser bitch particularly in cases when the male has had semen collected before. If the male appears nervous or it is its first time, a teaser bitch may help. In cases where a bitch is used, she should be controlled with her rear quarters facing the male.

 

We look for overall motility (the ability of sperm to move properly towards an egg), sperm number and morphology (the form structure of the cell). In the results we can see the total number of sperm, the movements and the shape of the sperm. The results of each of these come together to give you a visible reading of the active sperm. This result then collates to give you an overview of the sperm mobility.

All stud mobility testing will be issued with a certificate that shows your dog has sperm mobility.

Stud Dog Sperm Mobility testing: £75.00 complete with certificate.

 

Ovulation Testing

There is a technique that can be used to monitor the distinct changes of the female dog’s reproductive cycle. Vaginal Cytology is used to detect when the bitch enters her fertile point of season, therefore determining the optimum time for successful mating.

 

The technique is considerably useful when having to travel long distances to the stud dog or on bitches who have unexplainably missed on previous occasions. The process includes slides which are taken over a number of days with optimum results between day five and seven.

A test is taken on day nine of a bitch’s season to obtain the accurate time for mating. Some bitches will ovulate on day nine.

There have been occasions where the bitch will ovulate as late as day eighteen. This shows why it is so important to do the test to obtain the perfect time for mating. Both parties retain a copy of the agreement, and the bitch’s owner should also receive a copy of the stud’s pedigree.