As a licensed breeder with many years experience it became clear how much breeding is guesswork and left in the hands of mother nature. For those of us that have struggled and failed to understand why she isn’t in whelp as all the signs were right, the emotions of frustration and upset are ones we all share. My main reason was to be able to help myself and educate myself to be better and more successful. So, I did the course. I decided to look at what I could do to help myself and have a greater understanding as well as dispelling the myths and misconceptions around dog breeding and fertility. Just understanding progesterone testing and the methods has lifted a vail of secrecy that seems to be kept from the average breeder. It has been a real eyeopener and given me the tools to be more successful as well as helping others.
All too often we blame the bitch. The wind was blowing in the wrong direction, "just weren’t a good match", "didn’t like him" or "She must have gone over" The list is endless but all too often we blame the bitch and look for the hallowed natural mating.
What we've discovered The dog can the issue. More stud dogs have fertility issues than we think! I will never use another stud dog without testing his sperm again. A dog can sire a litter and very soon after can be infertile or have a low count.
A simple look under the microscope will establish if the dog is fertile enough before use. Dogs can have temporary or long-term issues and the owner is totally unaware. I’m buying a service and semen and its reasonable to want to see the quality prior to use. Progesterone testing isn’t a mystery, but it is a skill and has to be done properly. User error can give wrong readings. The readings are quite simple and can be the difference between success and heartache. Natural mating’s are overrated and outdated. Not only can infections be passed on but you’ve no idea if the dog produced semen. I do allow both at home with my own dogs but not until I’ve checked them. Yes, I even check my own boys!! I want fit healthy dogs that can mate naturally but I’d rather not crawl about on my hands and knees as I’m not as supple as I once was.