Hello all.. my first time posting.  I have a bitch from a very rare breed - we are not KC registered.  We have had two litters previously. First time 4 pups (3-4 is average / 5-6 a bonus) and just 2 the second time. 

Breeding is always a challenge with quite a few misses.

Part of the problem we have is that stud dog owners are generally very inexperienced.  We do have access to 'professional helpers' but it usually involves a lot of trecking around.   As a club, we encourage progesterone testing and support AI as it can mean the difference between puppies or not given the challenges of getting dogs together.   

My own bitch seems to show signs of being in heat for much longer than normal.  She started licking herself around 2.5 weeks ago, but in earnest over the last 7 days - she was bleeding last weekend.  (Last season I blood tested 4 times (3 days apart) and still got baseline...  we gave up after test 4 as we had literally ran out of time as any resulting pregnancy would have interfered with weddings/holidays.)   

So I tested yesterday and results back this morning are saying 2.9 nmols.   Previously she has risen quite quickly.  First time around she was 3 nmols (MOn) - then five days later (Fri) the reading was 36.9 she was mated the day following results (Sunday) (so 2 days after the reading) - there was a successful tie for around 20 minutes (we had a fasclitator help as we could not get the dogs to do the deed without help) and the result was a litter of 4.

Second pregnancy started with a reading of 3.6 (Monday) - then it was 9.2 two days later (Wednesday) we then AI'd her on Saturday (reluctant dog - walked away when anyone comes near or tries to hold the bitch/has done this with 3 separate bitches) and on this occasion we only had two pups - first puppy was quite big and caused concern at birth resulting in puppy being born in the car on way to vet !!. 

Fast forward attempt 4.  So I'm feeling confident because I now have a positive reading / and a record of previous successes.  My chosen stud dog is proven, and very available for as many visits as we need (Last weekend we did a chemistry meet - was great because both dogs totally uninterested so it meant I knew not to test till later in the week) ... owners have even offered/suggested he comes to stay for supervised matings ... (I would not leave them  together) and I have access to AI or prof facilitator if need be as plan B if we still can't manage the deed (But i am determined to try!) ...

The only thing I don't really know is what day of her heat she is on as I simply have no idea - based on her behaviour we're already day 14+!  

She is very swollen and she is flagging her tail sharply within seconds of touching her rear end.  

So my question is, based on the readings above, does anyone have any thoughts or advice on when the best time to get the two together would be..   Vet (not that experienced with breeding) or  rather Laborotory and Club say test again on Monday with a view to matings on Wed/Fri, but I wonder if a meeting tomorrow/Monday would be out or court? (I will still test again on Monday anyhow.)

Although I've been through this twice, I still consider myself very much a novice - but trying to do the right thing!   Also important to point out that our gene pool is very very small so we are very challenged in the breeding process and sometimes have to go with not ideal options (e.g. breeding with reluctant dogs etc.)...         

Any help / advice or anecdotes anyone feels willing to share would be much appreciated!

Thank you!  

C