Hi I'm new around here, but wanted to find out other people's experiences of AI (if any). I want to know EVERYTHING, as it is something I am seriously considering for the future.

Hope someone can help.

Amanda

Go to www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/forms/aiform.pdf for the Kennel Club details on applying to use AI.

(Edited out the link because it made my PC crash every time I checked it! )

Thanks that's really nice of you, but what I actually want is for someone who has actually experienced the whole thing to talk to me and tell me how it is. i think we can all gain alot from other peoples' experiences.

Amanda

my bulldog is due oat the end of the month through a i very easy for people that are qualified i took her to west midlands so first time lucky
sally

Hi there girl. For actually getting the AI done the best person in the country is Dr Gary England. The KC details will tell you what you have to do to get permission.

What I haven't been able to find out since Pet Passports came in is if you can use fresh chilled semen from countries that are in the PETS scheme.

The s7uccess rate with fresh chilled semen implanted at optimum time is nearly as good as fresh or a natural mating. A lot higher than with frozen.

In the past the semen had to be quarantined for at least six months, and therefore you had to pay for it to be stored.

Contacting DEFFRA may yield the answer.

My only experience of AI has been from our Ch. English Springer, before we had him he had had sperm sent abroad.

To be honest wouldn't like to say whether it was the AI or not, but he has never been the most enthusiastic of stud dogs since we have had him. This may or may not be as a result of AI, but has put doubts into my mind.

Having had this experience I would have to think very long and hard before using any of my Stud Dogs like this.

Hello Lady! It probably was because of the AI! Specially if he had never had a natural tie before the procedure. Many dogs whose first encounter with sex is an artificial handling will never really try the natural mating later on....

Hi, Lady dazzle,

We have sperm taken and stored from all the dogs we feel may become important - all had mated 1 or 2 bitches first, and no problems with natural matings after. Still have the straws stored, but never had to use any yet. From a conversation with someone yesterday I think fresh chilled is OK for use throughout PETS countries - but DEFRA will confirm.

Saw a mating done last year using AI, but the dog was acutally present - collection and insemination done at the same time. Various friends in the USA use AI routinely, and seem split 50/50 between surgical implant and straight forward method.
bye
Gwen

Thats interesting Gwen, maybe its just that he is a reluctant stud.

Of course I suppose its does all depend on the skill and gentleness of the person who takes the AI, like anything a bad experience could make a difference.

AI is really only possible in this country using frozen semen because of the paperwork, blood tests from the dog etc. involved. Gary England is the best person for this work, I believe, he is based at Stratford. The first AI litter of Munsters to the UK was born on Easter Day and the vet responsible for the insemination was Gil Averis. I think AI is a fantastic way forward and I'm glad the KC are being more open to this idea for introducing bloodlines to this country. The dog used for the Munster litter died several years ago and was born in 1984, his owner had the foresight to freeze his semen before his death and he now has new progeny over here.

Amanda

I have just sent you an article I found on AI that I found interesting - nice and simple, just what I need :) - I am hoping to get an Australian Cattle Dog this year from an AI mating, should hopefully find out soon whether she is in whelp, it was a trans cervical implantation using frozen sperm (done by Gary England) which is apparently the best way to implant frozen sperm, best chance of success.

Hayley

Dr England did this with the AI Elkhound litter four years ago. It was only the second ever successful litter born this way, the other 20 years earlier.

I have just heard that the ACD mating by AI was successful(another Gary England), the scan however only showed one pup, but I'm sure I have read on a recent post a few people have been told there is only one pup, only for the bitch to produce a few more when whelping, so still fingers crossed, though not quite so optimistic, but at least the breeder will have one to keep the line going and that was her aim.

Hayley