
We took one of our bitches from Toronto down to just outside Philadelphia to a proven male I really wanted for her. Long story, but she was bang on for breeding but try as we did, he simply wasn't interested. To the point my English-bred bitch got so fed up with him (Yankie and over there -not necessarily so!!!) that she visibly sighed and sat down with her back to him. We took them both to their vet the next day, she was indeed bang on - his sperm was fine so we did an AI (allowed over there but not in the UK although I suspect it happens!! unofficially) - at least getting something in there. We tried for a natural mating later that day but he again wasn't interested so we came home next day. She had two puppies, one DOA. Hum. A year later we went back because the surviving singleton puppy was so nice and that resulted in a decent mating and 5 puppies!!
Sometimes the moon isn't in the right place!! If I were you, I'd advise your friend to find a decent proven stud dog, one that's right for her b itch (so rarely is the 'dog next door' right in any case), next time.