The Stud Dog

Canine fertility clinics have, for many years, been operating in the background of the dog breeding world, unregulated and with very little veterinary input. In recent years, the industry has been highlighted, and owners are becoming more aware and educated on the laws surrounding fertility clinics, helping them identify where veterinary involvement is necessary.

Elite Kennel Fertility, based in Shropshire, is a state-of-the-art facility, specially built for fertility services and semen freezing. Our veterinary practice offers everything from advice on fertility and breeding to the freezing of semen for stud dogs, progesterone testing, pregnancy scanning, and everything in between for breeding bitches.

I’m Anna, wife of a gamekeeper, a veterinary nurse, and business manager at Elite Kennel Fertility. My new short series of articles aims to provide you with an overview of fertility services available to you as a dog or bitch owner—offering you a map to help navigate your breeding journey.

Fertility Clinics

Most owners will, at some point, have felt uneasy approaching their vet when thinking about breeding their dog, and for good reason. We have experienced many years of breeding dogs being a taboo subject: “adopt, don’t shop” and so on. While I support this ethos, having worked for dog rehoming charities, I also acknowledge that rehoming isn’t the right fit for everyone.

Breeders should be welcomed with care and attention from the start of a bitch’s breeding journey—not just at the end when vaccinations for puppies and “the best start in life” is advertised. The best start in life begins with the bitch, ensuring she has a healthy, happy pregnancy under veterinary care.

Fertility clinics first became popular simply due to the lack of services and support available in general practice vets. However, the unregulated nature of many clinics can put dogs at risk, potentially jeopardizing their breeding journey or even their lives.

At Elite Kennel Fertility, we are striving for a new veterinary approach: a welcoming, supportive facility to aid breeders in making the right breeding choices while being guided by a team invested in their dog’s reproductive health. We aim to bridge the gap between general practice vets and breeders.

Stud Dogs and Fertility

Putting your dog out for stud is one thing, but proving he has what it takes—beyond just performance—is another.

A semen assessment can evaluate your stud dog’s fertility. In our lab, we test for:

• Motility, volume, concentration, viability, and pH
• Visual examination of color, viscosity, and potential contamination
• Bacteriology tests to detect harmful bacteria

These assessments help us build a picture of your dog’s reproductive health and can also lead to the early diagnosis of illness or reproductive deterioration, particularly in older stud dogs.

Our veterinary team also offers reproductive ultrasound scans to examine prostate health, which plays a vital role in semen production.

For dogs needing support, a simple all-natural fertility supplement can help boost semen concentration and motility. The NAF 5 Star Canine Fertility supplement is designed specifically for breeding males, optimizing their reproductive health.

What is the optimum age for a stud dog?

The best age for a stud dog is typically between 2 and 6 years old.

• Young dogs may have immature semen cells, leading to unsuccessful matings.
• Older dogs can experience reduced fertility due to age-related conditions like arthritis.
• Regular semen collection often helps maintain fertility in stud dogs into their later years.

What does the semen collection process involve?

A bitch in season is recommended to increase semen volume, concentration, and quality. The collection process is minimally invasive, ensuring the experience remains natural and stress-free for the dog.

Freezing Canine Semen

The collection and storage of frozen semen have been preserving valuable genetics for over 250 years. The first canine frozen semen insemination was performed in 1784, and artificial insemination dates back even further to the 1300s.

How is semen frozen?

1. The semen is collected and tested for quality.
2. It is mixed with an egg-based extender.
3. It is stored in small semen straws and frozen to -196°C.

Once frozen, semen can be stored indefinitely. This ensures that even if a stud dog is lost unexpectedly or becomes unable to breed, his genetics remain available for future use.

What are the limitations of frozen semen?

• Shorter survival time once thawed, meaning it must be used immediately.
• Requires transcervical insemination (TCI) by a trained vet using specialized equipment.

Shipping Semen

Frozen semen can be transported worldwide using specialized shipping tanks. However, export regulations vary by country, so health tests may be required before collection.

Stud Dog Contracts

A clear contract between the stud dog and bitch owner is essential to avoid misunderstandings. The Kennel Club UKprovides resources and templates to help draft professional agreements.

Key elements of a stud service contract:

1. Identification of both parties (names & contact info).
2. Dog details (breed, registration numbers, health clearances).
3. Stud fee and payment terms.
4. Breeding terms (number of matings, location, responsibilities).
5. Health requirements (vaccination & refund conditions).
6. Puppy guarantees (what happens if the mating fails).
7. Liabilities and responsibilities (vet costs, injuries, health issues).
8. Additional clauses & signatures to ensure clarity.

If using frozen semen, the contract should also specify how many doses are released and who holds ownership of stored samples.

Advertising Your Stud Dog

While social media can be a useful tool for advertising stud dogs, posts quickly get lost over time. A dedicated stud dog directory ensures long-term visibility.

At Elite Kennel Fertility, we offer a specialized directory where stud dog owners can list their services. With over 5,000 weekly visitors from 120+ countries, our directory helps breeders connect with the right audience. Listings can include links to social media, YouTube, or personal websites.

📍 Visit us at: elitekennelfertility.com