Ok, we all know that the KC is pretty against surgical and we all also know that TCI with frozen is quite frankly a shot in the dark. The KC will register a litter by surgical AI in extreme circumstances. Does anyone know what these circumstances are or have had a litter registered by surgical?

During my research it seems pretty clear that the larger the breed the harder a successful TCI pregnancy seems to be, due to...well I'm not sure...maybe just the extra distance needed to cover and the general physiological increases?? Can anyone wade in with information here?

Anyways, basically, I am hoping to import semen from the States this year or next and have a giant breed. Importation is really my only choice as in the UK you'd be lucky if there are 5 active breeding bitches and around the same for studs and yep you guessed it the majority are very closely related. And even if I was to go natural mating this time round with a UK dog (only 1 that could be used) then I'd still need to bring in unrelated blood at some point. Now, my concerns stem from the way the US breeders construct their contracts regarding frozen semen. I would only be provided with a single 0.5ml straw and would pay a stud fee for purchase of the semen regardless if a litter was produced or not. So circa £2500 down the line with only one chance at TCI and a probable pregnancy rate of (from research) less than 30%.

What I'd hope to do is persuade the US breeder to provide 2 or possibly 3 straws for the same price (although if more than 1 litter was produced then I'd pay another stud fee) so I could at least get an attempt using TCI and then potentially being allowed to use surgical insemination at a later date.

Does anyone "in the know" know that if a failed TCI would be an acceptable reason for the KC to accept surgical?

Failing that I'll need to import a puppy

the only recent (last 15 years) AI litter in my breed used 6 straws resulting in 6 puppies.

I'd certainly want at the very least the whole ejaculate, after all that's what you'd get with a natural mating.
Is there no way you could take the bitch to the dog 9or vice versa?

I know with a large/giant breed Air Transport can be tricky as many Planes can't take the crate size needed.

I have twice used dog abroad, once in Finland and once East Coast USA, and been lucky to get a litter both times.

Depending on where in USA could you perhaps arrange Fresh Express, if you can get the logistics sorted success rates with fresh chilled semen are a lot better.

It's Ohio....so it's doable to get her there but not sure how happy i'd be about her being in Cargo after hearing so many horror stories. Mainland Europe would be easy peasy.

Hmm never actually considered the fresh semen...that is a really good call Brainless would require meticulous planning though but more doable that getting my girl there.

And I agree about the multiple straws, I know my mentors sent the whole ejaculate to NZ and have only charged 1 fee, and the 2nd litter has been born a few months ago.

I'll research into the fresh chilled semen I think...

Thanks :)

I have travelled with my girls in the Cargo hold (much better to be honest than in the hot cabin, though the breed is too large for that anyway). 

If you travel with them then with some airlines they can go as excess baggage, loads cheaper than Cargo.

This also means you don't hand them over until about half hour before boarding, though you do have to check in early at the airport.  it also means you can check with the airline stewardess/captain that they have been boarded and air-conditioning is on.

They are supposed to use relockable cable ties as extra security on the airline crate, but they never seem to have them, so I attach ordinary ones through the holes in each comer of the varikennel door and then cut them the other end.

Hmmm but they can't travel as excess baggage from/to the UK right? So i'd need to go via France...which is what I am doing when taking 2 pups across to the States for this breeder.

My bitch is 32" at the withers and currently 52kg, I suspect once she reaches mating age that she will be nearer 33" and 56-57kg so I think excess baggage would be out anyways.

I have emailed the breeder about the possibility of fresh chilled semen as I am really favouring that option now after reading that the success rates are similar to a natural mating! Just depends whether she (well not her directly as it's a friend of hers that owns the stud dog but they have written the contracts together and both get a cut so to speak) and her friend would be willing and able to be on stand by for when my bitch came into season and had ovulated.

They can travel OUT as excess baggage, and we travelled back to Brussels Airport, and had hubby pick us up, as it's closer.

American Airlines, and I think another charge a flat rate as excess baggage.  It was $150 each way in Dec 2010.

Ahhh I see....I did not realize that. Ok well I shall look into that then.

Anyone any experience of importing fresh chilled semen? Going to have to research the likelihood of it being held up at customs and such like as obviously it is a very time sensitive package. Hmm I wonder if VAT and duty would be due :S eeek so many things to look into here. The AI clinic in the US says they use a life extender additive that will extend it's "shelf life" up to about 5--7 days but obviously I'd really want it here next day for the best chance of achieving a pregnancy and a healthy litter

In having fresh semen imported tomorrow and I am worried as he'll that for what ever reason they won't allow it in! Even with the correct licence etc ... :-(

Fingers crossed for you, I'd really be interested how it went logistically, as it is something I would like to consider from the USA in the future, if it works out more cost effective than flying out with the bitch.

Good luck and do keep us posted x

I spent most of yesterday on the telephone to Defra ensuring we had the correct licence to both export and import.

Sadly today things did not go as planned with the collection - but on the plus side we now have some very good contact with a fab Repro vet In cambridge who waas excellent and VERY accomodating. She gave us her mobile, would open the surgery at any time needed - excellent service.

That's great news...I think that is the key here with AI...find a really good vet who know's their stuff and can talk you through it all and pretty much hold your hand for support lol! It's a very stressful prospect!