Hi, my bitch was mated on day 15 of her cycle - with a tie of 50 mins. Keith Shea had done an ovulation scan and advised me that day 15 was her optimum day. We took her on day 14 but could not get a tie and again day 15 with the above result. However, for another 2-3 days following her mating she was still acting "frisky" shall we say with my other bitches and was wondering if perhaps this was a sign that maybe she has not taken ? She is a maiden bitch, but a total tart when it came to the mating lol and totally fell in love with the stud dog (a Champion )
I have bred litters before but cannot remember :rolleyes: if this bitches behaviour is normal. I would have thought if we mated her on her optimum day, she would have quickly gone off the boil after that . Now worried that we would have been better going back to the stud for a third time just to make sure. I would be grateful for any advice as I am really hoping she is in pup as I plan to keep a bitch for myself.

Day 15 may have been optimal as in having ovulated two days earlier with ripe eggs waiting.  the eggs would still be viable for about another 2 days, is it does not surprise me that she was still receptive for several more days.  Especially if what was meant by optimum was just after ovulation, as at that point the eggs would not have yet been ripe and the sperm wouldn't have been able to fertilise for about two days.  A males sperm should remain in good condition in a bitch for at least four days.

Also bitches will stand for other bitches when they wouldn't for a male, both before and after they are really ready.

Thanks very much, you have put my mind at rest - yes, you are right in your description of "optimum" - she was ovulating at the time of the scan - which took place exactly two days prior to her mating.

Of course still back to keeping everything crossed. :rolleyes:

Then she sounds right in still being ready to stand for two more days.

I've got a bitch who's had 3 litters and she would stand for an entire week after mating.

Really ? thanks, that is reassuring .... I am so keen for there to be a pup for me to show, which is why I posted ...  I guess only time will tell ... I do hope the next few weeks pass quickly. :rolleyes:

This is especailly true of bitches that have had litters before, they will ahppily stand for ages.  That is when a stud who knows when a bitch is just right is invaluable. 

I have had studs tell such girls to get lost in no uncewrtain terms and only mate them over the few best days.

In this case the girls are not like their owner

Well, , mine is a maiden bitch but given her responsiveness to the stud and her subsequent behaviour ... I do think we have a little minx on our hands !