Breeding & Reproductive Services

A full physical exam is the first step in any breeding program to ensure that both the male and female are healthy.

Following physical examinations, the female's progesterone levels are tested. This is the hormone used to time ovulation. This must be completed by the fifth day of her heat cycle as some females will enter their heat cycles several days before bleeding or swelling is noticed.

Progesterone testing is simple: a blood sample is drawn, allowed to clot, and then spun down to extract the serum. Then we use our in-house progesterone machine to determine the exact level and when to re-test that specific female.

The testing procedure takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Due to the length of time to obtain results, we ask that clients arrive by 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday.

We prefer to board the female so that we can collect/store samples daily if necessary. Only the samples that we process will be charged. 

Because using one method alone isn't always clear cut, using a combination of tests can provide us with more information and a better chance of obtaining a pregnancy.

We don't just look at progesterone levels to determine when is the best time to breed. Vaginal cytology and vaginal morphology/vaginoscopy are also used. We can more accurately predict the best time/method for breeding by combining all of these tests.

Some owners prefer to have progesterone testing done at a local veterinarian. This is fine, but it does leave more room for error if your female's level unexpectedly spikes.

If we are performing surgical insemination, we need you to keep us updated on the results. We will decide when to perform the surgery once your female is close enough.

Once we've determined the best time to breed the female, we'll need to decide which method of breeding to use and what type of semen to use.

Fresh semen is the best way as it lasts between 2 and 5 days inside the female, depending on the quality. This is followed by chilled semen, which lasts 2-3 days, and lastly frozen semen, which only lasts 12-24 hours and is less likely to result in pregnancy.

The total cost of this process can vary. It depends on how many progesterone tests we perform, the method of breeding, and the number of times your female is inseminated.

We invite you to consult your breeding costs below so you can have a better idea of how much the process will be.