Fundamentally, producing puppies involves combining oocytes (eggs) and sperm. However, there are actually multiple options to accomplish that task. When you’re first getting started, it can be overwhelming to keep track of the lingo, but this article can help! When discussing methods of insemination, there are two components: the processing Read more…
I believe that canine reproduction is a team sport. When I’m working with a client, we need to trust each other and to be on the same page every step of the way. For that reason, I believe it’s very important that responsible breeders understand the “why” behind our breeding Read more…
The following article was originally written for the Scottish Terrier Club of America (STCA) Handbook. For more information on requesting scientific content for your own breed club publication, please contact Dr. Kristina Belton at kristinabeltondvm@gmail.com To Store or Not to Store A Brief Introduction to Canine Semen Freezing By Dr. Read more…
For many breeders, breeding dogs is a labor of love and not a way to make money, but they still find themselves balancing the decisions they make in their breeding program with their bank account. Below are some tips to help the responsible hobby breeder save a few dollars without Read more…
When I’m advising a client on what to feed their dog, there are several factors I take into consideration: the dog’s age, breed, weight, body condition score, pre-existing medical conditions, etc. There’s a lot of misinformation out there, and I’d like to address a few of the ones I hear Read more…
I know you have the best dog ever (none of you are wrong), so it makes sense that you want another one just like her. She’s great with your kids, and maybe you think it would be valuable for them to experience “the miracle of birth.” You’re thinking about breeding Read more…
Everyone, dogs included, has a health history, a health present, and a health future. In a perfect world, we would all have a healthy history, a healthy present, and a healthy future, but of course this can never be completely achieved. When we complete health testing on a dog, we’re Read more…
You’ve made it through whelping, and now you have a basketful of beautiful puppies. Are they healthy? How do you know? Below, I’ll outline 6 recommendations to maximize your puppies’ health in the first 8 weeks. Check for cleft palates A cleft palate is a defect in the roof of Read more…
When measuring progesterone for breeding management, there are many cases when sending blood to an outside reference laboratory (with next-day results) is adequate. However, in situations when timing needs to be exact, such as with frozen semen, individuals with less-than-ideal fertility, or logistically-challenged breedings, having the results the same day Read more…
Measuring progesterone is the single-most helpful diagnostic in determining when your bitch is ready to be bred. If you want to maximize the chances that she will get pregnant, measuring progesterone is absolutely essential. There is a fair amount of misinformation out there when it comes to the best way Read more…