STUD INFORMATION

Please read the following guidance if you are interested in using one of our dogs at stud it will help make the whole process easier for you and for me .

When to come for mating – Bitches can ovulate from anytime as early as day 7 to as late as day 20 plus. The age old bitches are ready on day 14 theory then goes out the window, the only way to determine if the bitch has ovulated is a progesterone test. This also saves wasting your time and mine travelling back and forth though I am happy to keep bitches here free of charge with us for as long as it takes to achieve 2 ties. Photo of mating will be provided. Some bitches can also appear quite nervous and get stressed when brought for mating and feel inhibited infront of their owners, more so those that live in the house so it’s often easier for all parties for the bitch to be left, if leaving her with me I suggest bringing a bed/blanket she is familiar with and a weeks worth of her food.

Pre-mate testing can rule out if the bitch is refusing to stand because she isn’t ready rather than she is just nervous but we have had cases where bitches have tested ready and refused to stand and results sometimes vary depending on what lab/vets used so we suggest discussing pre-mate testing with your vets and gauging their experience with the process long before the bitch is in season. We will allow adequate time to try for a mating but we will not force the issue or cause the bitch any distress. Please also note it is also not necessary for 2 ties , 1 is adequate but we will try as best to give the maximum cover to achieve a successful mating.

The mating - depending on which dog you’ve chosen and how the bitch reacts you may have to be prepared to hold your bitch steady, head only by a collar or lead and to be confident enough to hold her even if she is vocal and not to let go. Some are totally silent and willing, others can whine, shriek, growl and wiggle and squirm the mating doesn’t generally hurt them but some can panic a bit when the dog locks on and ties. So you must be capable of holding your bitch steady if necessary while not impeding the mating process. Also wear clothes where you don’t mind kneeling if necessary for a half hour or so. 

Do not bring the family with you, one person only as they will not be allowed round to the mating kennel and I do not wish to offend asking you to send them back to the car. If I feel the bitch is better without you being there I may ask you to try sitting in your car I’m afraid since covid we are refusing access to the house. 

Stud fee - payable at the time of mating and is payable if there is a slip mating or tie, the dogs are proven and successful sires, we will try for 2 ties but that depends mainly on the bitches co-operation rather than the dogs. 

Once the bitch is mated the future is no longer within my control and many things can prevent pups such as stress to the bitch so I always advise to keep things as normal as possible for her, we do offer a repeat mating the next time she is in season in the event of no pups but bear in mind the boys are proven sires, so for a maiden bitch it’s all down to timing and that’s often not within my control. 

To increase chances of success it is also worth asking your vets before mating about the canine herpes vaccinations which can help prevent fading puppy syndrome etc, one pup born dead or alive constitutes a successful mating and completes the contract for stud.