Not really wanting to start a debate about AI, just interested to know what the The Kennel Club's views are on registering puppies of parents who were conceived through AI.

I've noticed that more and more people are opting for AI, and someone expressed their concern around the practice in a breeding group on a social media page and highlighted that The Kennel Club will not register puppies from a parent who was conceived through AI... is this true?

I can't seem to find any information around The Kennel Club's views on this, possibly because I'm still trying to get used to the new website

All I could find was:

Artificial insemination (AI) is a method of inseminating a bitch artificially without the mating process. This is often used when using frozen or chilled semen when the male is not available. Prior approval is not necessary to register a litter produced by AI, provided that all of the following comply, and that the AI involves non-surgical insemination.

Requirements for registration:

All litters produced by AI will be subject to our existing registration regulations:

We will accept an application to register a litter produced by AI from either overseas dogs or those domiciled in the United Kingdom, but the AI must be declared by completing the litter registration form (form 1) online or by downloading and completing the PDF version.

Full Details HERE

The Kennel Club used to only allow AI for imported semen, with confirmatuon that the dog had also sired maturally. It did not allow AI for UK Rresident dogs, except older Deerhounds (think it was 6).

Bitches could not be maidens and had to have had a litter.

Then quietly within the last few years they changed their stance.

AI breedings are permitted, including resident dogs ( had been going on in certain breeds on the quiet for years).

Even maiden bitches van be inseminsted, but the offspring MUST first produce naturally before they can themselves be used for AI.

AI breedings must be declared to the KC, and used have AI in brackets  against their names.

For example just checked one I know in my breed, and it isn't showing against his name in the current KC database: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/dog-profile/?dogId=311784cc-f47b-e911-a8ad-002248005544

Wasn't easy to find on KC Search engine, finally just 'Insemination' brought up most relevant page: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/dog-breeding/first-time-breeders/when-you-are-ready-for-your-first-litter/

Quote:

"Requirements for registration

    All litters produced by AI will be subject to our existing registration regulations
    We will accept an application to register a litter produced by AI from either overseas dogs or those domiciled in the United Kingdom, but the AI must be declared by completing the litter registration form (form 1) online or by downloading and completing the PDF version

I can't find the testriction on maidens, so maybe they have relaxed things even gurther.

BVA banned Surgical Insemination in 2019.
So only Vaginal or TCI (Transecervical permitted). The lstter must be done by a Vet.

Although it was common in N.America, it was my impression that the KC didn't go for this.   In some ways, and with popular studs it was done in America to help avoid infection.   Plus, as was the case with our earliest mating when we'd driven for 12 houirs to where he lived, the male really wasn't interested and she was 'right on', at least getting a dog (collection) to bitch (vaginally) AI done meant we came home with 'something'.

You have your answer from another here re how the KC currently views this.

> I can't find the testriction on maidens, so maybe they have relaxed things even gurther.

Yes I've heard the kc have dropped the requirement that a dog produced by ai must have a litter from natural maiting the first time before they will accept any ai litter from them. Weather they have dropped it or just forgot to put it in with the new website I don't know.

Thank you for looking into this for me

My 15 week old pup is from an AI mating. His sire died some years ago. The breeder had semen frozen. He had produced pups naturally before though. My pup is KC registered.

Of course they would do this wouldn’t they :( because every man and his wife is now setting up these fertility clinics, all those bullies Ai is the norm. I’m in touch with someone who wanted to Ai her dog in a breed with absolutely no history of needing it and luckily the stud owner she’s using was up in arms about it. She said it’s because she was told it was kinder by her French bulldog breeder family member:( how many registrations £ would the KC be missing by not registering maiden litters! So sad imo.

I’m just adding that where necessary to support diversity I would also use AI but I’m simply referring to this new “trend” in canine fertility experts who are peddling this service to anyone.

> My 15 week old pup

I'm so excited to see this name, a blast from the past

Happy new pup

Lovely to see you too, Chaumie

It’s 15 years since I last had a pup so thought I’d pop back here and refresh my memory with how it all works. Nice to see a few familiar faces (well, usernames )

and, and, and.... ? Is pup a baby Newfie?

No, he’s a Chow Chow.

Because having half a Chow didn’t induce enough anxiety and exasperation. we decided to go the whole hog this time

What sort of AI was used to produce your pup ShaynLola?

If the sire was dead for years, it must have been frozen semen yes? Usually you don't get good results unless doing a surgical with frozen, but maybe your breeder got lucky!

Nice. I don't know anything about them except they have a mind of their own

> Because having half a Chow didn’t induce enough anxiety and exasperation. we decided to go the whole hog this time

This made me laugh so much, fantastic

> I would also use AI but I’m simply referring to this new “trend” in canine fertility experts who are peddling this service to anyone.

This is why I asked, there seems to be so many opting for AI and not considering the natural method.

I've since been in contact with The Kennel Club and they reiterated what was on their website, which I guess means that they are registering puppies whose parents were conceived through AI now.

If at all possible I would always go for natural matings, the natural behaviours need preserving too.

AI has it's place, especially for importing new blood.

It could also be very useful in vulnerable breeds with serious late onset health issues that do not have DNA tests.

Semen could be saved from young dogs and used once they have proven free of the issue.

I’m honestly not sure what type of AI it was. I didn’t even know there were different types to ask the question! I’ll try and find out next time I’m talking to the breeder. It was a relatively small litter for the breed - 3 live pups and one stillborn.

> there seems to be so many opting for AI and not considering the natural method.

I think it goes with today's 'want everything instantly' culture. It can take anything from a few hours to a few days to get a tie, usually visiting bitches and their owners stay here for at least three nights. One of my dogs breeders just uses side by side AI because it's so much faster, but there is the very real danger of losing the will/ability to mate naturally.

The most fertile breedings are natural breedings.

Then AI using fresh semen, right after it's produced.

Then TCI using fresh semen.

Then surgical using frozen semen.

Then TCI using frozen semen.

Number of pups resulting will decrease....

Brainless: > I would always go for natural matings, the natural behaviours need preserving too.

Exactly!:  Human interference within the natural world has proved nothing but a disaster.   AI is a wonderful tool but can also have adverse issues longterm as described by knowledgable members here.

I'm sure there are lots of arguements for & against. Personally I would prefer my guys & girls involved in breeding to have natural re production irrespective of vulnerable breeds or not.
(although I do understand that saving certain breeds is crucial in the Show ring)

Right now unless you are a business you can't travel to stud dogs to mate as we are in lockdown, the only options open to people are chilled AI or use a pet transport company to send your girl to the stud owner to do the matings.
Frozen AI shouldn't be happening as repro vets have been advised not to work, I know the one near me is not working right now, not doing anything even progesterone tests.

Your pup is adorable I must admit.

I'd send the bitch, as how would you ship the chilled semen, even if you had the equipment to collect the semen, store it, and a chiller.

>Then surgical using frozen semen.

Which of course is illegal in the UK.

There are kits and use next day courier delivery, there are people trained in chilled AI who are working, it's only the vets who are not.

You can FedEx semen, they have a special service to keep it at the right temperature and deliver fast etc.

I have a KC registered bitch from an AI litter.  She is coming up to 8 though, I don't know what their stance is now.  ETA her sire was American.

In the past imported semen AI was allowed, but not on maiden bitches, and donor dog had to be confirmed as having sired naturally.

AI from UK resident dogs was not allowed.