I have tried breeding 4 different females with no pups resulting. Do you have any suggestions?

Question

Great information and articles on your site. Thanks for all that information. I have a big problem. I have seven Collies, newly switched to raw food a year ago ....great for them and I feel a lot more comfortable feeding them real foods. I have a problem that I hope you have the time for answer - I understand if you don't. I have four females between two and four years old - all virgin bitches. Bitch # 1 - 3.5 years Spring 2006 - bred AI because this young male failed to mount (he was a virgin stud-since proven) - she was flagging & all typical signs of acceptance - no pregnancy Fall 2006 - bred to ATSA, proven nine year old stud (last litter two month prior to this breeding) - normal heat cycle, great ties - no pregnancy Spring 2007 - bred to ATSA again - normal cycle, great ties - No pregnancy. Bitch # 2 - 3.5 year Fall 2006 - bred to ATSA (same stud as above) - normal cycle - great ties - no pregnancy Spring 2007 - bred to ATSA again - normal cycle - great ties - no pregnancy Bitch # 3 - 2 years Fall 2006 - bred to ATSA same stud as above - normal cycle - great ties - no pregnancy Spring 2007 This bitch had an erratic cycle - never came into full heat, but had the boys interested. No breeding. Bitch # 4 - 1.75 years Spring 2007 - bred to ATSA, same stud as above - normal cycle - great ties - no pregnancy. I was able to palpate bitches 2 and 4 and did feel they were pregnant - but it appears unlikely at this time. Due dates are July 20 and August 4, 2007. There are no signs of pregnancy at this time. The stud they were all bred to had a sperm check done before these spring 2007 breedings - lots of sperm & motility. All the bitches flagged and teased and stood for the male with not problems. Bitch # 1 was due July 14. 2007 - but no puppies arrived. Bitch # 2 is due July 20, 2007 - I am certain no puppies are there. Bitch # 4 is due August 4, 2007 - and I am certain there will be no litter. I have done nothing as far as testing this spring on the girls. Bitch # 1 was cultured, with a clear test in the Fall of 2006 after she failed her second time to become pregnant. Now I am stumped, and wondered what you might suggest to me at this point. The male I used (Atsa) would be a great asset to my breeding program if I could use him. I bought him last fall and had him flown to me. He is the sire of MANY litters. What might I do to help - if anything? The girls are also important to my breeding program, though I can go to other studs, and have two other studs of my own. I am not sure if the problem is with the stud or with the girls, but I am really trying to do whatever I can to prevent this happening again, and though I have had tons of advice, most of it is not really useful. I am not sure what tests would be helpful, or what other things I should do here at home. I would appreciate your thoughts on my problem if you have the time. Thanks so much for reading this, and thanks for all of the great information on the site(s). Your grateful reader, Peggy

Accepted Answer

It seems to me that the first thing to look at is the male.  I would not take a normal vets word that the sperm was viable.  Most vets don’t know much about reproduction work.  I would suggest a specialist and if he checks out ok then I would look at the females.  You need someone who can do a sperm count and who has LOTS of experience with this.

I would also run Thyroid panels on all the dogs (male and females) and have the test sent to Dr. Dodds of Hemopet.  You can google her name and get the information for your vet.

If you do typically vaccinate, I would NOT revaccinate any of these dogs and I would be very careful about chemicals in the environment, especially lawn stuff.