Hi, I tried to breed my medium sized gundog breed bitch last year, she tied with a well proven stud dog on days 11 and 13 of her season. She continued to bleed for 10 days after that, and then unfortunately did not become pregnant. She is 4 yrs old, and only has one season a year.

She is in season again now, and we are having her progesterone tested at the vets. First test today- Day 5, and the vet has rung to say ovulation is imminent, only couple days away. The test kit was £100 for 5 tests, but seems to involve a dipstick colour comparison method, after taking blood. I was expecting an 'ng' number, with '5' being the optimum number.

Anyway, it feels awful early in the cycle to be thinking about taking to the dog, which luckily is only up the road ! Can anybody offer any advice on this situation please ?

Many Thanks..

Lou 

It does sound really early but some bitches can be ready early I have a feeling Sophie was mated unusually early, if the stud dogs owner is willing and its only just up the road go by the test then let him decide if she is ready, as really at 4 years old for a first litter its your last chance as I wouldn't risk her having a first litter any older.

Ok Thanks for that. Yes I know she's older, we tried last year when she was 3, but to no avail.. She's a working lass and at 2 she hadn't quite proved her worth as a worker- but amazing now.... We'll take her and try, cheers

As you have already paid for the tests then I would have her tested again as advised, probably daily.

The colour tests are not quite as reliable as the ones that give you the actual level of hormones but close enough for natural service.

it is not that unusual to have a bitch ovulating early, and wrong timing of mating is the commonest reason of bitches to not take.

Remember that the eggs won't be ripe for fertilisation until two days after ovulation, and then are viable for about another two days.

You can get a reading of ovulation imminent for a number of days so it is best not to rush for mating until the test shows she has ovulated, even if it is a day out if you go the day of ovulation and mate the bitch up to the following 4 days then you will have covered all the bases.

Ideally you would mate the day after ovulation and daily/alternate days for as long as she will stand (usually not more than 5 days from ovuation).

Many Thanks, very helpful cheers

http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G9923#tableone  Has a useful table which shows events relative to ovualtion.

Fertilization 2 to 5 days after ovuation.

I have recently used the premate test that you refer to.  My toy breed girl is nearly 3 (would normally be mated on the second season) and I have been unable to get her in whelp.

After discussing her with my vet, and explaining that her seasons don't seem to last long, and there isn't much loss, he suggested testing her as soon as I saw swelling.

I contacted him immediately she started - and a good job I did.  She ovulated on day 4, so I had been missing her every season!  So, for me, starting day 5 for you is definitely not too soon!  :-)

Interesting, many thanks

My boy mated a bitch on day 15 of her season for the first litter, she had a litter of 8.  For the second litter, she was mated on day 4! and again had a litter of 8.  The bitch was supposed to be coming to stay here, but they remembered each other and she was here for less than a minute, and they had tied lol

Toller that brought back memories!

I had a visiting girl, obviously not ready, brought on day 10, and I sent the owners home and told them to leave their girl with me.  They had travelled some distance.

They mated on day 16, and it resulted in 3 pups.  Toy breed.

Two years later, they again brought this bitch, and said they wouldn't stay for coffee, as they wanted to get back home, so weren't here for long.   This time they brought the bitch on day 8.

Once they had left, I brought both the bitch, and my boy into the living room.  He jumped onto the settee, she stared at him, gave him one loud bark, jumped up and presented herself to him!  They were tied in seconds!   At the time, like you, I felt that it was obvious that she recognised my boy.

Tested her on day 8 and it showed ovulation had just taken place (yesterday). Took her to the stud dog and they tied. Going again tomorrow for second mating - fingers crossed !!
Thanks for all your valuable contributions :)

So pleased that you had the same success with premate as I experienced.  I'm still waiting to find out if my girl has taken!  :-)

Good Luck for the second mating.

Yes - the ole waiting game now- maximum patience required !! All the best :)