Is there anyone out there with first hand knowledge of AI? Well maybe not first hand, more why did you do it, reasons to KC, attempts at AI, litter size, sex ratio etc.... ?

I haven't, but I know some people who do. If you can find a contact in the Guide Dogs for the Blind, Gaydon, Leamington Spa, they know quite a lot about it. Sorry - can't help with a name

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

In my capacity as the breeding manager of the Metropolitan Police Dog Section I use AI. If you have any specific questions I would be pleased to answer them.

Regards

Steve Dean

Thanks, someone who has 'hands-on' experience will be of great use. I'll come back to you with a 1000 + 1 questions no doubt. :)

You asked for it Steve!

I have noticed in USA that some breeders actually prefer to use fresh AI in getting litters, especially in toy and difficult breeds. Also I think they have real issues over Brucelosis.

In my breed in UK, we have only ever managed two successful AI litters 28 years apart, despite muc h money and effort wasted at other times!

Why do we in Elkhounds have such poor Deep Frozsen AI results, and Australian Golden breeders still maaged to get pups from stored semen of a long dead dog. The litter in our breed that had 6 pups had all available straws used! Elkhounds are failrly fertile when bred from naturally!

There are occasions when I prefer to use fresh semen and AI the bitch. Many working police dogs do not make good stud dogs. The control aspect of their training includes actively dissuading them from showing an interest in bitches in heat or where bitches have urinated, and then suddenly we put them into a pen with a bitch in season and expect them to get on with the mating. They look at me as if it’s a set up and are waiting for the reprimand.

Equally many of the bitches I use are very strong in character and do not take kindly to being mated by a strange dog. Fresh semen AI is a perfect answer to both problems.

The preparation for fresh semen AI has to be meticulous. No trace of detergent or tap water on any of the equipment (tap water is fatal to semen). I have had excellent rates of success with it although some of the other staff trained in the procedure has not.

In regard to the use of frozen semen, although we have not had the need to use stored semen, I know that the Guide dogs for the blind association have had success with it. This may have something to do with the fact that Professor Gary England is their advisor, and in my opinion one of the leading exponents in the use of AI in the UK.

Steve Dean

That is interesting, as it was Gary England who achieved the litter of six Elkhound pups born nearly 4 years ago!

It was Gary England who produced a very large litter (for AI) of Tibetan Mastiffs a couple of years ago too, by using frozen semen and also a decent ratio of dogs to bitches. I've heard frozen semen litters can usually be predominantly dog.

It used to be the thinking that bitches that had had a litter previously by a natural mating would be better for AI, but I believed this has changed, has it?

There is a lot of paperwork involved in frozen semen import to the UK, am I right in thinking that only frozen is acceptable to the MAF etc. at this point. The country that the stud dog lives in that I have seen, makes fresh semen unviable for surviving but I wondered with the European dogs, if fresh semen if a prospect there, especially with the Pet passport scheme now?

I had asked the same some time last year in my breed notes, whether it would be possible to fly in fresh chilled semen from Pet passport countries and use it. at present the semen has to be quarantined for six months, hence the deep frozen.

The Elkhound litter oif 6 had 4 bitches and two dogs. The shown dog is a Dual CC winner.

Anyone know what the current position is now re AI as far as the Authorities at DERA are concerned. The KC still take ages to decide on whether to give permission, and I beleive it is they that insist on the bitch being proven by natural means first. A bitch has to be nominated, and a second as reserve can also be included.

Frankly with people being able to travel and mate bitches, I think the KC should loosen up on AI!

Was about to ask what is AI, but now I know - stupid me :rolleyes:
Carol

I think our KC is years behind with allowing AI that's why other countries have a far higher success rate because their vets can get to use this method more freely. I believe the Tib.Mastiff was a maiden bitch, I spoke to her owner who was very helpful and gave me Gary Englands' secretaries phone.no etc...

With Europe negotiable to us with the Pet passport scheme then there's really no reason for AI from there, unless it's deepest darkest Finland etc. but there are some nice dogs of various breeds in Australia, New Zealand, U.S. etc. AI is the only accessible method to get this dogs and frankly if the owner of the bitch is prepared to fork out a lot of money to do AI, then I think the KC should be more lenient with requests to use this mating method.

I have a breed that is native to Norwaqy, and Frankly I would prefer to use fresh chilled AI on a bitch, by synchronising with the Stud owner over timing, arranging for pick-up from airport and insemination within 48 hours, if I could be reasonably sure of getting a result. I know that people have gotten a littter by taking a bitch all the way to Finland and back, but I would prefer not to put my bitch through all that travel, as it is known to make bitches go off!

I know that when they send bitches great distances for mating in the states, that often it will musk up the season, and that is why the fresh chilled AI is used a lot!