Hi just wondering what you people on here do regarding your stud dogs that you want to mate to a particular bitch of your own do you normally seperate them through the season then introduce them each day or let them run together throughout and hope for the best??

I've never been in this situation, but I personally would want to keep them separate. Matings should be supervised not only to prevent injury to either dog or bitch, but also to be able to estimate the due date for whelping.

Keep them separate and supervise the matings.  Two matings are sufficient and they don't need to mate three or four times a day as they may well do if left together.

Have to agree, every mating is an opportunity for infection, a particular risk for the bitch, so keep the mating within normal bounds.

If the bitch is mated to the same dog throughout her season, why should there be a greater risk of infection (in healthy dogs) with multiple matings than on a single mating?

Personally, on the 4 occasions when we have used one of our males on our females, we kept them separate until the 13th/14th day and then mated them every other day for as long as the bitch would stand. Our bitches have always produced large litters using this method and have never contracted any infections.

snomaes

Simply because every penetration into a bitch whose womb is open is another chance to introduce an infection, nothing to do with the stud carrying an infection more to do with the fact that we do not sterilise the stud before putting him to work, and something as simple as sitting down can leave a germ on the dog that can be passed onto the bitch.

A healthy dog and bitch should not be at risk of infection from a normal mating!
Worrying about a bitch having an 'open' womb is being a bit obssesive and harks back to a few years ago when every bitch was requested to have a swab before being mated as a precaution against them carrying an infection.
99% of them were of course found to be carrying bacteria, which is not surprising considering the proximity of the bitches vulva to her anus and her cleaning habits!
In reality, this is a normal condition and is no threat to a healthy bitch.

Most dogs have immune systems that are perfectly capable of dealing with any bacteria that may be passed back & forth between 2 dogs involved in the breeding process.

Multiple matings are a natural and normal process in the breeding of dogs and in my opinion (and experience) are an insurance to getting a bitch in whelp.

snomaes

I would be more worried about damage to the dog rahter than infection by leaving them together, a bitch not quite ready  or having "gone off" will have no qualms in setting about an over eager male!  In my experience, all matings should be supervised, you minimise the chance of hurt to either dog or bitch, and have a more accurate idea of potential whelping date.
bye
Gwen

Up to you of course, with me it's a case of learning by experiance :(

I kept mine seperate throughout as it was absolute murder.  When she wasn't ready she was really quite nasty and being a bit over eager he wasn't moving quite so fast to get out of her way.  My bitch only mated once in her season.  I do not see the need for multipal matings when you own both dog and bitch, that's just my opinion and not as experienced as some of you so don't shoot me,  pleeese :)

Mabel was mated week before last on days 9, 11 & 13.  I own both dog and bitch too, but as I didnt premate tests, and all the signs were favourable over this period, it seemed only sensible to mate to this pattern.
bye
Gwen