I have a four year old bitch, had one litter-all born dead. The next two heat cycles I bred her but she had not conceived.
Brucellosis negative, hormone levels normal, every imaginable blood test normal, good weight and health, two different fertile males.
I am at a loss of anything else to check. The vets ideas are an endoscopic uterine check and biopsy.Any comments from experienced breeders are welcome. Thanks.

How old was she when she had the litter that was born dead? how many pups, was it a regular size litter?

Had there been attempts to breed her prior to that litter?

How often does she come into season?

Did you do progesterone tests throughout her cycle? I had one female that normally would go around day 11-12, last time she went at day 21!!! I've found progesterone the best for finding out ovulation. Thyroid is normal?

She was three when she was bred and whelped the first time.She was late (day 69) when she went into a long labor-by the time we did C-section, it was too late. Probably my fault. 4 pups.
She then cycled at 6 months; bred naturally- no obvious pregnancy. She then cycled at 4 months when my two dominant bitches were in heat also.
I did not do progesterone throughout heat, just trusting the male and when she would stand. I did progesterone three days after last breeding-it was 15. Two weeks later it had dropped to 12.

Is it likely that she would stand at the wrong time for ovulation? I guess, I have always thought of doing smears etc.for purposes of AI or when you have to bring the bitch to the stud. Since he's present, I hadn't worried about it.

Thanks for the input! What are you thinking?

Cindy- I forgot one thing. She was imported from Germany as a three year old; supposedly unbred. However, from her 'physique' I've had my doubts.
He is supposed to be reputable but hadn't had her too long, so one never knows! I always wonder why someone parts with a nice Sch I bitch, though.

You can't go off of when they stand as an indicator of ovulation. I have some that will stand on day 5, but aren't ready until day 13! You need to do progesterone starting around day 5-7 to see where they're at. Do every few days. Once number hits 5, then you breed. After 8 or 9 on the scale it's really too late then. I've always started breeding at 4.8 or higher and have had them take.

 Quote:

Originally posted by Cindy Heath:
Cindy- I forgot one thing. She was imported from Germany as a three year old; supposedly unbred. However, from her 'physique' I've had my doubts.
He is supposed to be reputable but hadn't had her too long, so one never knows! I always wonder why someone parts with a nice Sch I bitch, though.

I agree with Angela about trying to progesterone tests, it may show that she is actually ovulating at a different time than she is in "standing heat", although a lot of males won't breed a female unless she is ready to ovulate. It's worth a shot though.

I just always worry and wonder (like you post above) about why someone sells a female in the beginning of her breeding years, could be that she was bred and had problems before? Years ago someone I know bought a stud dog from Germany that was a "proven producer", come to find out after thousands of dollars in lost stud fees (a lot of empty bitches) that his progeny consisted of one litter of 3 and nothing after that. (you can check with the SV for breeding records) He had deformed and underdeveloped sperm when taken to a specialist and they found a physical problem with him that had prevented him from producing viable semen.

sometimes folks sell dogs when they just don't produce well and unfortunately aren't honest about it....


On the other end of the equation, is your male producing pups when bred with other bitches or had a semen evaluation ? it may be a dumb question but I thought I would ask!

If she were my female, I would probably do the endoscopic exam as long as the male had good semen quality... that way you know before a lot more time goes by.

Thanks for the tips. I had never heard about a bitch standing who wasn't ovulating. Im still undecided about trying again..but if I do, I will check the hormone levels.

Yes, I've bred her to two different males- both proven producers. Last time to a young guy who just had a litter of eight, so that's not the problem

Great pedigree, but I'm afraid that is it. She may make a detector dog, if I'm lucky. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />