The Simple Way to Collect Genetics from your Dog

Artificial insemination is the easy way for the stud dog owner to preserve their bloodlines for the future and to possibly sell or export the semen. Export to other countries is possible; however each country has its own health certificate which outlines requirements for identification, blood testing, vaccination etc that must be adhered to for the frozen semen to qualify.

How is Semen Collected?

The semen collection procedure is carried out by a Veterinary surgeon and is relatively simple with an experienced stud dog. If dogs are nervous or not keen to work, the presence of an ‘in heat' teaser bitch can be helpful. A dog should not suffer any pain or discomfort during the collection process, since the aim is to intervene when the dog is attempting to mate normally and then allow him to think that he has ‘tied' with a bitch. Most dogs produce 1-2mls of sperm rich ejaculate. If the motility and density of the semen are high enough then the semen is diluted in a specialised canine semen freezing solution and cooled for 3-4hours before freezing in pellets on dry-ice or in plastic straws over liquid nitrogen. A sample of the semen is thawed and checked for post-thaw motility and if good enough then the semen is stored in a liquid nitrogen container for future use. From the initial collection of 1-2mls it would be hoped that 4-8 bitch doses could be stored per collection.

It is usual for the stud dog owner to travel to a collection centre or Veterinary Surgery for an individual appointment, but if a group of breeders get together in a particular area and there are a minimum of six dogs being forwarded for collection a Vet will in all probability travel to you. (See A.I. area, clinic and vet list link.)

Surgical Insemination of the Bitch

Insemination with frozen semen involves serial blood sampling of the bitch once she is first seen ‘in-heat.' It is important that the level of progesterone is monitored to ensue the optimal time of insemination is chosen. There can be considerable variation between bitches as to the best time of insemination, however when using frozen semen the timing is usually later than when a bitch would normally be naturally mated. The insemination procedure involves general anaesthesia and a short operation where the semen is deposited directly into each uterine of the bitch.

Artificial insemination in the United Kingdom is recognised by the Kennel Club as long as semen is imported from abroad and accompanied by all relevant documentation.

The Kennel Club will not register puppies where both living Sire and Dam are resident in the UK . Once the Sire is deceased frozen semen can then be used and will be recognised by the Kennel Club enabling puppies to be registered.

In the United States of America artificial insemination is widely used, indeed to the extent that some Sires will probably never physically perform a ‘live mating.'

The logistics of travelling vast areas such as the size of the USA have encouraged this procedure.

For more details see the collection, storage and shipping page