It is recognised that in the dog up to 75% of failures to conceive can be attributed to incorrect timing of breeding. ¹ A simple progesterone test can help with this.
More precise timing of the breeding events is required when:
There is limited access to the stud
When artificial reproductive techniques are going to be used
When the quality of the semen is questionable.
The ability to accurately time breeding is of practical and economic importance to breeders. Optimal timing helps breeders:
Maximise pregnancy rates and litter size (Semen and stud fees are expensive.)
Plan travel for matings
Optimise of time for assisted breeding techniques (artificial insemination using fresh, chilled, or frozen
semen)
Optimise the timing of breeding when access to the stud is limited to one or two matings
Prevent unnecessary use of male
With the planning of matings when the same male is used on two bitches simultaneously
Optimise the time for breeding in bitches that have a history of non-receptivity or show silent heats
Estimate expected whelping dates more accurately based on a known ovulation date.
Successful fertilisation typically occurs between 3–4 days before the end of estrus. By simply observing a bitch during her heat cycle, there is no way of knowing when the end of estrus will be. To complicate matters, some bitches may bleed throughout their entire heat period, whereas other may not, some bitches may stand for a stud willingly, even long before there are eggs available for fertilisation, whilst others may only be receptive for a day or two. There are many other variations and idiosyncratic behaviours that can confuse the breeder, all contributing to a missed opportunity to breed the bitch successfully.
A progesterone test is most commonly used by breeders who are subject to large stud fees and require some sort of guarantee that their bitch had the correct progesterone levels; if their bitch does not become pregnant, but had the correct progesterone levels, the fault is usually the stud dog.
It is a common misconception among breeders that the heat cycle and the point at which a bitch will allow mating replicates itself in each repeating heat cycle of each individual bitch. The breeder then uses the data from a previous cycle and applies it to the next cycle. For instance, because a bitch was previously successfully bred on day 10 (starting from first signs of heat), the breeder will keep on mating that specific bitch on day 10. While this might work in some cases, it most certainly won’t work in all cases. Similarly, it is not always true that the stud can sniff out exactly when the bitch is at her peak (optimum time for fertilisation).
To learn more about getting a progesterone test for you dog click here
Progesterone Test Kit
To order a test kit click here
Why Choose Us?
Dragon Lab & Canine Services are experts in canine reproduction, progesterone testing, interpretation, advice and breeding success!
We have over 14 years laboratory and breeding experience. We pride ourselves on our testing expertise, along with invaluable knowledge and advice when it comes to canine progesterone testing and mating guidance. Our progesterone testing service not only provides you with the numbers but also the knowledge and advice of our extensive experience.
All laboratory tests are run on-site following GMP and strict SOP protocols.
Results are telephoned and/or sent by text/Whatsapp within 1 hour of sample reception.
References
Johnston SD, Kustritz MVR, Olson PNS. Canine and Feline Theriogenology. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2001.
Ovulation Timing Dr Robert A. Zammit | Members and Friends Forum | The Fertile Period in the Bitch https://www.dogsnsw.org.au/media/2926/vet-chat-pages-16-18.pdf
