Breeding German Shepherd Dogs : What You Need to Know (2018)
Like 2 Dislike 0 Published on 14 Mar 2018
Breeding German Shepherd Dogs in 2018 : What You Need to Know (2018)
People always assume that dogs all work the same. And when I meet you guys when we do lectures, I say something and there is always somebody in the room who will tell me : « This does not apply to me because I breed X,Y,Z. » It is true that some breeds do have specificities. And in canine reproduction, German shepherds sure do.
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Short Anestrus Syndrome
And am sure you took a look at some textbooks or you heard other vets mention it during lectures : bitches typically cycle twice a year. Every 6 months.
German Shepherds however are quite unique here. Because in this breed it is NOT uncommon to see bitches cycling… every 4-5 months.
There is however something called « short anestrus syndrome ». And how often we see this… in German Shepherd bitches.
Let me explain a very specific feature of the canine uterus : during her season, the bitch ovulates, the ovaries bear what we call corpora luteal and those structures will produce progesterone for around 2 months, whether the bitch is pregnant or not.
After 2 months, the progesterone secretion stops.
And something will then happen at the level of the uterus : something we call UTERINE INVOLUTION.
To make it super short : this is a regenerative process that is necessary for the uterus to accept a new pregnancy.
This regenerative process… takes 2-3 months.
So if the bitch cycles every 3 months, there is not enough time for it to happen.
There is good news however here : something can be attempted to fix the problem.
The goal is super simple : you stop the season so that the you allow more time for the uterus to regenerate.
This Short Anestrus Syndrome is something I have mainly seen in GSDs.
Good for you guys to remember !
Luteal Failure (or Insufficiency)
Luteal failure = lack of progesterone secretion by the corpora lutea on the ovaries.
No progesterone… or not enough of it means NO GESTATION...
Some studies from Germany have shown that 25% of GSD with infertility have progesterone levels that are lower than GSDs with normal fertility.
In canines, luteal failure is essentially described in this breed.
The good news is : there are alternatives.
We can supplement the bitch.
There are medical protocols that are based on the use of micronized progesterone or progestogens (again, progesterone analogues).
Until the bitch gives birth, a monitoring will be put in place to make sure the supplementation does not need to be adjusted.
Prostatic Disorders
When dealing with infertility in male dogs, we always want to check the prostate… which is the only accessory gland of the genital tract in male dogs.
This is where 90% of the volume of ejaculate comes from.
Prostatic disorders are common in dogs : 80% of dogs more than 8 years of age will develop something we call prostatic hyperplasia, this is kind of a normal phenomenon. And this prostatic hyperplasia will eventually lead to complications like prostatic cysts, prostatic infections or prostatic abcess.
Prostatic disorders are common in large dogs. And there is one breed which is often mentioned : German Shepherds.
We have medical protocols that help remove the effect testosterone has on the prostate, while at the same time not impacting fertility.
Those medical protocols will lead to a decrease in the size of the prostate, which is what is needed for it to « be cured » so to speak.
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Link to other videos that are relevant to this topic :
Canine Reproduction : about Timing of ovulation https://youtu.be/qarYyvF7Zvs
Basics in Canine Reproduction Episode I https://youtu.be/nsb6VhVEo1Y
The dog breeder’s toolkit : my updates after the 2016 ISCFR https://youtu.be/RIfhePma5JE
Dos and Don’ts on Parturition in Bitches https://youtu.be/l8f4TvYm85Q
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