my stud was booked to mate a bitch last week but was unable to as the bitch was not  allowing it.  we tried every other day from day 10 through to day sixteen but bitch never wanted to stand. She didn't flirt or show any real interest in my boy. He was more than willing but she didn't want to know.
She was swabbed by a local scanner who has advised that as she is an only dog she may not have proper seasons and may never be able to be mated as she doesn't have the stimulation of other dogs to help the hormones along. Has anyone heard of difficulties breeding from bitches kept as single dogs before?

sounds like a load of mumbo jumbo to me, ive kept and bred single dogs before with no problems

Day 10 to 16 doesn't give all that much leeway -I've had bitches mate as early as day 3 and as late as day 19, which resulted in pups.

In my previous large breed, I had two bitches one mated day 19 and one day 21, both resulted in litters of 12 puppies, so it could just have been timing as already suggested.

I have suggested owner keeps bringing the bitch but the scanner said based on the swabs she is going out of season and so owner doesn't think there is much point bringing her back again. Scanner here has a good reputation for advising the right days for mating etc.

I was hoping to hear from people who had bred from single bitches really as I have always had more than one dog since I started breeding so have no idea whether what she said about single bitches might be true although I have never heard of it before?  apparently she looked at the first swab and said she wasn't ready but it didn't look quite normal hence the query about being an only bitch. said she wouldn't be ready until last monday. she came thursday , saturday and monday and each time bitch not wanting to know. Went back for another swab monday and was told that she was on her way out.

Maybe there is a problem with the bitches hormone levels but not sure if it is anything to do with her being a bitch living without other bitches. I do know mine do seem to bring each other into season though.

I have a single bitch and have no probs mating her but both times she was not ready until day 19 so maybe she just wasn't ready yet.

> I do know mine do seem to bring each other into season though.

Yes, I did wonder if being part of a pack could affect the hormones some how.

I would suspect that you were either too early or too late.

I would agree that it is most likely timing. Cant see it having anything to do with her being a single dog, many single bitches are taken to stud without issues. I have had succesful matings from day 8 to day 21, if the dog is keen i would keep trying each day if thats possible.

Good luck

Poppy cock! add that to the list of nonsense some people come out with! Only day 16 she may not be ready yet, socialisation can affect matings if she isnt used to other dogs she may not let a male near her if she is scared.

maybe not too late for bitch to have premate blood test as some bitches can go to their 20,s days

Rubbish to be honest, probably the bitch wasn't ready yet.

One of my girls doesn't stand until day 18 - 19 at earliest and then until day 22 - 23. 

Without an accurate blood test, there really is no good way of determining the actual date of ovulation.. many swabs and other tests give a good indication, but not neccessarily spot on.  I had a girl here recently, blood tested and result was 'get to dog immediately'.  She was not going to let my boy near her.  Not nasty, just sitting down, rolling over, generally doing everything to stop the mating happening, quite typical of a maiden bitch.   An experienced handler of a stud makes a heck of a difference.  and we got two good matings.. Bloods say she was ready, girl behaviour says she wasn't lol...

I also have a 7week old litter at the moment from a day 29/30 mating.. Just because your girl is day 16, does not mean she is ready..

Or, she may have ovulated early and has gone past her ideal mating period... I have had a litter from a day 4 mating.

I would suggest you get your girl blood tested.. her behaviour could be just a typical maiden bitch