We are looking to get a puppy from a certain bitch, but the owner is having great difficulty getting her mated, she is on her third (season) try, and has just had a premate test - what is that exactly? - and this has said she is not ready, does that mean her chances of mating her this season have gone now, or can she take the test again this season?

Also does anyone have an opinion on some breeds being more difficult to mate than others?

Thanks

Hayley

The premate test will tell whether or not the bitch has ovulated yet - if not, the test is repeated until a positive result is obtained. So if the test says she's not ready yet, there'd be little point in mating her (assuming she would even co-operate).

Are they using the same dog each time? Because some dogs and bitches, whist both being fertile, simply will not 'take' with each other and successful matings lead to no pups.

Some breeds, especially toys, are more difficult to mate successfully. What breed is this bitch?

She is an Australian Cattle Dog, and I'm sure the dog is in Australia, so presumably it is artificial Insemination - or a dog that any man would be proud of! :D And yes, I think it is the same dog they used at the last season and failed, but definitely not the first season, that was an older dog so probably understandable why it didn't take.

It is just very frustrating when you have found a bitch you like to have to keep waiting ...........

Hayley

Me again! I've just heard from the breeder, she is taking her bitch for another test on Friday, so fingers crossed.

Does anyone have any experience of artificial insemination, I would have thought logically that there would be a better chance of a successful mating? And how many bitches - on average - would you say get pregnant on a first mating?

So many questions!!! (Due to so little knowledge!!!)

Hayley

I have only hearsay knowledge of AI, but from what people have said it seems more difficult to get the right day, despite tests, and litter size tends to be small.

The reason AI is being used, is because the Cattle Dog gene pool is so small, they also have to be careful as PRA is prevalent in the breed - although a lot of the Cattle Dogs in the country, not only the brood bitches and studs have now been tested so that has been a big help.

ACD's are reputed, by some, to difficult to breed, but Stella's just having really bad luck.

AI is successful in 80% of cases, and surgical implantation has better results. The dog has sired an AI litter in the USA.

Fingers crossed you get your puppy, it should be a lovely litter.

Hi Ironbark, how could you tell it was Stella? :) It is nice to know there is a Cattle Dog person out there, I have seen your website, you have some lovely dogs.
I don't know if Stella realises we want a pup, we did want one from her in January, but we had so much negative advice (in hindsight not all constructive and from the right people!)that we started lookin at other breeds, but this last week we have been doing the research again and have decided that the ACD is the only dog we want and could give a great home to - I do obedience and agility and when the children are a wee bit older I would like to try working trials - so we are going to go for it, I am just getting the courage up to let Stella know, I am afraid she will not let us have one as we said we were going to wait a couple of years. We have been emailing though as I haven't stopped being interested in her dogs (Ky is a real star!) so I will tell her soon, promise!!

Hayley