How to Artificially Inseminate Dogs

Artificial insemination has become a common practice among today's veterinarians and professional breeders. It is an invaluable tool for maintaining health and breed quality, for passing on the genes of an exemplary male who is unable to copulate normally, or for inseminating an "uninterested' female. Insemination is actually a very simple process, but only for professionals who understand the process and the specifics of canine anatomy.

Things You'll Need

  • Cytologic test
  • Artificial vagina
  • Sterile gloves
  • New sterile 20-ml syringe
  • New sterile urethral catheter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Confirm that your female dog is in heat. You can do this by having your veterinarian perform a cytologic test.

    • 2

      Collect the semen. This can be done in two ways: 1) bring the female in heat together with your male dog. When he attempts to mount her, redirect his penis into the artificial vagina or 2) manually stimulate the male dog by gently massaging the penis and bulbus glandis until they are extruded from the penile sheath. Continue the massage and place the artificial vagina over the dog's penis to collect the sperm. This is a precise task and should not be attempted by an amateur.

    • 3

      Evaluate the semen. Immediately have the semen examined by a veterinarian to confirm that it is motile, anatomically normal and adequately concentrated. The sperm can be refrigerated or frozen for 24 hours, but it is best to perform the insemination immediately after the evaluation.

    • 4

      Inseminate the female. Begin by putting on sterile gloves. Draw the semen up into a new sterile syringe and attach a new sterile urethral catheter to it.

    • 5

      Place your index finger, palm up, into the female's vagina. Insert the urethral catheter over your index finger into the vagina until you meet resistance.

    • 6

      Press the plunger of the syringe, steadily and slowly, until you have injected all of the semen.

    • 7

      Raise the hind legs of the female above her head level and hold her in this position for 10 to 15 minutes. This will enable the semen to flow into her uterus.