We are going to be breeding our fully health-tested girl next year.  The (hoped for) stud is just having some final DNA tests done, so he will be fully health-tested too.  He has already passed the major tests.

I guess I am worried about them not 'getting it on' and us missing her fertile time.  I am sure everything will go well and I am just worrying unnecessarily but I wanted to have a convo about it... I have some great breed mentors, but no one near at hand to actually attend matings and assist - and the stud dog owner is not experienced either at managing matings.

Because the stud is nearby (20 mins), we are not doing progesterone blood tests.  Plan is to bring them together from day 8 onwards.

Neither of them have mated before.  They know each other and play together, at which points (even when she is no where near a season), he gets a bit randy and tries to hump her(!).  So I feel like I can't rely on his behaviour around her, because he is inexperienced and clearly a randy so and so, who is trying it on even when she's not in season(!!).  I don't have access to another intact male to test her with.

So, my question is:  If she is reluctant or unsure, how do I know if this is because she's not ready yet - versus her not being sure about this weird new thing being done to her?  (Of course I am probably worrying about nothing and she will be a right tart and stand there!).  Perhaps it doesn't matter and I should just allow her to decide and risk things not happening - even if she is ready but not willing, I don't want to force her, that would be horrible...

There is the added issue of her being much smaller than him:  She is a petite 21kg girl and he is a big 34kg boy.  So there may be some supporting of her rear end needed... !  I have a sling...

Sometimes I think we should have blood tests done anyway, so we will know - although I was hoping to spare her the worry of blood draws at the vet during this time, if I could.

Any thoughts welcome... Of course you will all day a day to day update on what is happening, at the time!!!

Hi any reason for not texting your girl (idexx) if they do not get on then there is the possibility of AI :)

Have the KC rules changed re AI ? I thought it was allowed to register puppies from AI just because a natural mating wasn't possible ?

> if they do not get on then there is the possibility of AI

This may help answer the AI questions, I knew they wont allow registration of litter by males alive in the UK.
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breeding/breeding-from-your-dog/artificial-insemination-(ai)/

> Have the KC rules changed re AI ? I thought it was allowed to register puppies from AI just because a natural mating wasn't possible ?

This was the case in N.America (AI) but I always thought the KC wouldn't allow this, even if I'm sure it did happen here too?

Personally I'd much prefer to use a proven/experienced stud dog on a maiden bitch, for obvious reasons, but frankly if she moves her tail for you, get her to the stud dog and see what happens.   There's also the added possibiity that if the novice stud dog is used to her repelling her when not in season, he may well be reluctant to approach her even if she is ready.  Again another reason to use an experienced stud dog.   Can you find one with similar bloodlines to the one you hope to use?

I would progesterone test or at the very least use the ovulation pads.  If you keep putting them together when not ready, there is the potential for a bad experience for both of them that could put them off for the future.
From my experience if they are ready, the bitch will stand, but very often if not they may flag their tail and stand then prat about at the vital moment.
With the testing you will be able to pinpoint the correct time and it will be less stressful for everyone.
Are the stud dog owners experienced ? if not I would ask someone who is to be there. It makes a big difference if their is someone who can read the body language of the dogs and know what they are doing.

I would say you really need a minimum of 2 people, especially in the situation your in. The person need not necessarily be a breed experienced person(although this is best) but at least experienced in matings of another breed(perhaps similar to your own??), it really will be a god send I can assure you. You do have time to find someone to help in the amount of time you have.

always progesterone test even if stud is local ... You avoid presenting bitch when not ready, reduces stress to human and dogs, and you can identify whelping date with greater accuracy.

The only reason for not progesterone testing, was to reduce stress for the bitch during a stressful time with lots of new experiences going on anyway. 

And because the stud is local so we can meet up whenever we want. 

And she does have seasons every 4.5mnths so far, so not long to wait if it goes pear-shaped and we could then progesterone test on Take 2!  (Although would prefer it to work in Feb, so pups can be born early summer and have the benefit of summer for socialisation.)

I guess there is also a part of me which likes to be as intervention-free and medical-assistance free as possible when it comes to something which should be natural like this, too.  (Obviously getting help when needed, but not over-medicalising it, like it can be with human pregnancy sometimes.)  Of course if I was investing time and money in travel, I'd want to progesterone test though!

There can easily be enough people there - myself, my husband and the stud dog owner.  We have collectively a lot of experience with dogs - just that none of us have experience with breeding! I've read lots of books about it, but obviously nothing equates to experience.  There are people locally I could ask, but I worry that 1) the dogs will be put off by this stranger appearing and maybe physically interfering with them and 2) the person might be bossy or kind of take over (i.e. might suggest something for one or other dog which is not something I want to do - like force her) and it might be hard to deal with that, in this situation.  Although I know of people I could ask, I don't know what they would be like in this situation.

I did wonder if it might be possible to do some kind of FaceTime/Skype call thing with someone who is experienced?!  (Maybe even some of you guys!!).  I was going to do that at birth as well if possible.  Here's an idea:  I was going to set up a puppy cam so I can broadcast pup stuff to new owners and I could trial that at mating, with one dedicated camera person?!  I could post on here 'attempting a mating' and you bunch could log in and give us feedback LOL!!?!?

Sounds a plan! Could work well and start a new helping support network.  After all loads of people watch chickens live in henhouse s  and watch their dog/horse via Web cam!  Go for it :)