When the big
day comes to breed your female, many considerations should be made.
The method
of insemination should be the first consideration:
Natural Breeding
Side-by-Side Artificial Insemination
Chilled Semen Insemination
Frozen Insemination (vaginal or surgical)
Surgical Insemination (fresh, chilled, or frozen semen)
Side-by-Side
Artificial Insemination: This method involves the veterinarian; both the
stud dog and the bitch must be present. The veterinarian will collect
the male and immediately insert the collected semen into the bitch
vaginally. This method is very successful if the bitch is reproductively
healthy. Ovulation timing is helpful with this type of insemination and
may be recommended or requested.
Chilled
Semen Insemination: This method involves a stud dog that is collected in
a different location than the bitch and the semen is "chilled" and sent
via overnight express to the location of the bitch. The veterinarian at
the bitch's location then inserts the semen either vaginally or
surgically into the bitch. Ovulation timing is highly recommended for
this insemination type to be successful. If the ovulation timing is
correct, pregnancy rates are as good as natural or side-by-side
artificial insemination.
Frozen
Insemination: This method involves semen that has been frozen and stored
in a location. Ovulation timing is extremely critical and
mandatory with this type of insemination. Frozen semen is
surgically implanted into the bitch's uterus directly through an
abdominal incision. The optimal day for surgical implantation is
determined by ovulation timing only. Vaginal insemination with frozen
semen has been successful but is not felt to produce normal sized
litters and is therefore not recommended.
Surgical
Insemination: This method is the most assured of getting semen directly
into the uterus at the optimal time for fertilization. Surgical
insemination is the recommended form for frozen semen but can also be
used with freshly collected or chilled semen for the highest percentage
of pregnancy. Ovulation timing is mandatory and highly critically for
success. Because the bitch is placed under anesthesia and an incision is
made through the abdomen, there are the typical risks involved with
surgery.
