Artificial Insemination For Breeding Dogs
Psychological and genetic studies, and other scientific advances, have made this age a most exciting one for the better-bred dog. Among these advances is artificial insemination, a practice now more than ever common to small animal husbandry. Following years of research, trials and errors, discoveries have been made that allow sperm collections to remain viable through a prolonged time period. As a result, breeding to a "superstud," inaccessible before through "geographical undesirability," has now become feasible.
"Artificial insemination" is the introduction of sperm into a female's genital tract by instruments. The procedure involves sperm collection and evaluation of volume, quality and motility. When the female is not present for a direct breeding, the semen is separated by portion, then placed in "straws" for storage and transport.
Use of artificial insemination prevents spread of diseases by eliminating direct contact of the animals. This method overcomes incompatibility by personality or size in the mating pair, and it overcomes geographical difficulties. Superdogs can build up semen banks for worldwide use or use for after the dog is no longer capable of producing viable sperm or no longer alive.
Artificial insemination can produce pregnancy failure. When performed properly, however, artificial insemination reportedly achieves a pregnancy rate near that of natural breeding. While fresh extended or frozen semen offers breeders a greater geographical selection of possible studs, use of these methods does have certain drawbacks. Not all veterinarians have the training and facilities to properly prepare either fresh-cooled or frozen semen for insemination. The processes of cooling or freezing semen can weaken and kill sperm. Because of possible reduction in viable sperm, adequate facilities and preparation become paramount. There is now an expanding network of veterinarians who have been successfully trained in these methods.
There are a number of reasons why and when use of artificial insemination may be the best or only recourse to obtain a litter. There are females who, although in full estrus, may not give off the correct pheromones (scent) stimulating the male, enticing him to breed at the right time. She could have a physical abnormality such as a vaginal stricture or underdeveloped (juvenile) vagina preventing a natural coitus.
He may be an inexperienced or overeager male and ejaculate prematurely. A curved penis causing "aiming" difficulties can prevent dogs from achieving a natural union. Physical abnormalities may prevent a tie, and in certain cases be the cause of a prolonged one. Or, for a variety of reasons including medical, the stud may not be desirous of breeding.
For some, use of frozen or cooled semen remains controversial. Insemination by these means is nevertheless growing as a viable alternative method. While not necessarily less costly for the breeding of small or medium-sized dogs, the cost may be less than shipping a female, especially those of large and giant breeds. Breeding artificially becomes economically practical and feasible when faced by certain complicating factors such as shipment of a nervous female, perhaps one never before away from home, or inclement weather, being either too hot or too cold for safe shipment.