would using a fit healthy 10 year old dog for mating have any drawbacks?

Not at all -although if he has never been used before, he might not know what to do. But using an older healthy dog means you know so much more about his health history and temperament than you would with a younger dog.

I'd rather use an older dog, as Marianne says you know more about his health and history, and you can assess any previous pups sired as adults.

There are some studies that suggest you are more likely to have more bitch puppies using an older dog, so if you specifically wanted a boy yourself it may not be a good plan. As far as I remember from a discussion with Professor Morton on the subject male sperm swim faster but die quicker, and older dogs (and men) produce more female than male swimmers.

The only litter I've ever bred I used an older dog, 11 1/2 years old, hoping for a smaller litter with a girl for myself. I got 4 pups, 3 girls and a boy - perfect.

As far as I remember from a discussion with Professor Morton on the subject male sperm swim faster but die quicker, and older dogs (and men) produce more female than male swimmers.

That's very interesting!

We had a litter of three beautiful liver bitch pups by our Albert (10) last year.   Had him tested this year as we would have like to use him again, but his count has gone down.    Feeding him Vit E , more in hope than expectation, that he might increase his little swimmers!

Jo

He may be less fertile, especially if he hasn't been used for some time, there is a certain amount of truth to use it or loose it.

Older dogs like older male humans are inclined to develop prostate issues affecting the production of prostatic fluid which is the energy source for the sperm.  so even with good motility often older males fail to get bitches in whelp or very small litters result (even though a bitch has the main influence on litter size).

Best to use on a fit young bitch.

I have just used a 9 1/2 year old dog in a breed where males are used sporadically, the bitch is a young maiden of nearly three, scanning tomorrow so hoping for luck.

It's a chance many bitch owners won't take preferring to use a younger male, unless the older male has produced  good size litter very recently..

> We had a litter of three beautiful liver bitch pups by our Albert (10) last year.

This would bear out the reduced litter size theory as I assume a litter of around 8 would be more usual in yoru breed????

> There are some studies that suggest you are more likely to have more bitch puppies using an older dog,

Well if I have been lucky and my girl is expecting by the 9 1/2 year old male, I so hope this turns out to be true.

A bitch I have bred had her one and only litter aged 6 ½, to a dog then aged 12. She had 9 pups! 8 survived.

Exceptions tend to prove the rule.

Older dogs like older male humans are inclined to develop prostate issues affecting the production of prostatic fluid which is the energy source for the sperm.

Slightly off topic - but Brainless, do you know if this is likely to increase the risk of prostate issues on older, entire dogs that have never been used at stud?

I used an eleven year old dog last year and although his fertility was around tested at 40% my bitch missed.

No, the enlargement of prostate leaking into the semen of blood etc are all part of the aging process.

I tried twice to use a younger dog who had sired one litter, but bitches kept missing after that.

he went to Liverpool vet school and was found to have issues with his prostate (infection). 

He was desperate for a pup from his dog and had semen saved, motility excellent, yet not one bitch got in whelp, and at least 4 different bitches on more than one season were tried, all had litters before and after going to him.

He was told that he might be able to sire by AI but not natural means.

This would bear out the reduced litter size theory as I assume a litter of around 8 would be more usual in yoru breed????

I guess so - also of course, to a degree,  bears out the theory that you get more bitches.   Only the strongest (female) sperm survive?

Jo

Very excited

Took Peni for a scan today, to a specialist Canine Pregnancy Scanner, and she is definitely pregnant, yay!!!

She had a job to get through the belly coat, (didn't want her shaved if she wasn't with shows to enter) but was able to see at least three, and I didn't see the point in getting her shaved for better pictures, or estimating numbers. She likes to see them at 35 days for best results and Peni was between 29 - 31 days from matings, and what she saw were well grown, so more likely 31 than 29 days gestation. So puppies due around 4th May, I'm so puppy broody.

Congrats Barbara :-)

If using an older stud is want their sperm checked for fertility levels before using them.

> If using an older stud is want their sperm checked for fertility levels before using them.

I tried to have this done and the males vet refused to do it!!!  they suggested she try and get a sample at home and bring it in, well that would not have been much good as the sperm may well have died by then.

Of course as with the dog who never managed to sire another litter if the problem is with the prostate seeing quality of sperm won't help.

Why would a vet take such a  prissy attitude for goodness sake.

Great news Brainless.

Many repro vets around, as to why a general vet wouldn't take a sample I don't know, would they need to test it in house or would this need to be sent off?

Nope look under a microscope.  They were happy to screen a sample just not prepared to get the sample from the dog.

> Many repro vets around

Where??? I can't find a  single one around Bristol

Actually Barbara...I think you are best placed to use Innovis in Malvern.
Lynda Milne does a clinic there every 3-4 weeks and is just great.

Thanks, seems very difficult to track down repro specialists

There was a very nice lady vet who worked at this practice one day a week, but it was a while ago. I visited to have a sample from my old boy analysed
https://findavet.rcvs.org.uk/find-a-vet/clarendon-veterinary-centre-weston-super-mare-583/