Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Determining whether to use artificial insemination
• Part 2 of 3: Collecting male dog sperm cells
• Part 3 of 3: Implanting seed in the female dog
• Tips

Artificial insemination is the technique used to impregnate a female dog without mating. First, seed is collected from a male dog and then placed in the female dog's reproductive tract when she is fertile. This, hopefully, results in penetration of the eggs through the seed, creating embryos. Although this technique is used by experienced dog breeders themselves, it takes a lot of knowledge, skill and practice to perfect it and should only be used by trained professionals.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Determining whether to use artificial insemination

1. Decide if you will be using artificial insemination. Dog breeders use artificial insemination for a variety of reasons. Some breeds suffer from a limited gene pool, especially if the long in question has a low number of breeding dogs. If the male and female are separated by a long distance, it may be cheaper to use AI than to transport the dog and its owner.
   • Artificial insemination can also make seed from a high demand dog more available.
2. Evaluate the male dog for breeding suitability. Only healthy dogs that meet the breed requirements for structure and type may be used for breeding. This helps to ensure that the offspring are healthy and display the desired varietal characteristics.
   • In addition to a general health assessment, a breeding suitability assessment is performed to ensure that the reproductive system of the male dog is healthy and stable.
3. Evaluate the female dog for breeding fitness. Like the male dog, the female dog should be examined to ensure that she is healthy for breeding and that she meets the breed requirements. A female dog in poor health or reproductive problems would have difficulty conceiving, even with AI, and could end up with serious health problems from pregnancy.

Part 2 of 3: Collecting male dog sperm cells

1. Collect the seed from the male dog. Once the male dog is accepted for breeding, his sperm cells must be collected. Male dogs become aroused in the presence of a female in heat, during which time her body produces most of the pheromones or chemicals that arouse males. When he tries to mount her for mating, the penis is guided to an artificial vagina, where he ejaculates.
   • In some cases there is no female available that is in the correct heat phase. Then frozen cotton swabs that have been swabbed over the vagina of a female in heat can be thawed, which can then be smeared over the tail end of each dog. This causes a response in the male dog.
   • In some cases, seed can be collected and stored before a dog dies, so that it is still available after death. In other cases, it is impossible for a male dog to reproduce naturally due to injury, but may still be able to produce seed.
2. Have the seed evaluated. After the semen has been collected, the sperm cells contained in it should be examined under a microscope to ensure they are normal. This means that there are a sufficient number and that they show the correct shape and activity.
3. Cool seed that is not to be used immediately or freeze it. Chilled seed must be used within 24 hours, if not, it must be frozen. Seed is stored in nitrogen containers, at temperatures below zero. In this way, the seed can be used years later.
   • The best results come from fresh seed. With chilled seed, the success level drops to 59-80% and with frozen seed it drops further to 52-60%.

Part 3 of 3: Implanting seed in the female dog

1. Ensure the female dog is in the correct phase of the estrus cycle. Unlike the male, the female must be in the receptive phase of her heat in order to conceive successfully. Females are usually in heat twice a year.
   • Each cycle has a preparatory pre-estrus phase, in which the female's vulva (visible from the outside) swells and bleeds for seven to nine days. The uterus (womb) is being prepared to create a suitable environment for the embryos to develop into puppies.
   • After this, bleeding slows and the dog is receptive to mating. This phase is called estrus. This is the actual heat and the period during which the female will stand to mate with a male. She can only get pregnant during this time. The most fertile period is at the end or just after the actual heat.
   • Vets can determine what phase of heat the female dog is in by taking a smear in the vagina and examining the cells. The cotton swab collects cells that have different shapes depending on the phase of the cycle. This is particularly useful for female dogs that do not have swelling or bleeding.
2. Place the semen in the female dog's vagina. Insemination is quite easy once the semen is collected and the female dog is in the estrus phase. The female is placed on an examination table with her legs slightly wider than her pelvis. Then a pipette is used to deposit the semen in the vagina, near the cervix.
   • Inserting the pipette requires special skill, as a female dog's vagina is quite long. The pipette is discarded after withdrawal.
3. Make sure the dog remains standing after the seed has been introduced. They should be left standing for 10 minutes after the seed is inserted. She must not sit or urinate, or the semen may run out of the vagina.
   • She is allowed to walk around normally after 10 minutes, but jumping and urinating should be avoided for about an hour.

Tips

• If you are new to dog breeding, hire a professional to help you with the process.
• Ask the vet for advice regarding the timing of breeding your particular dog.
• Read everything you can read about breed requirements for that particular breed to help you make the best choice for the breeding pair.
• Ask experienced breeders for advice on breeding.
• Prepare your breeding plan in advance so that timing is within the ideal period of your female dog's cycle. Otherwise, breeding may not be successful.