Great Dane Club of America - Breeder Education 2009

Return to Breeder Education 2009

Question #6
How much and how often do you collect semen, to preserve (freeze) from your top stud dogs? What age do you begin the collection?

Response:
Collect prior to dog ever being subjected to any x-ray. Begin at age two - collect two or three times based on assessment of collection. If then later OFA results turn out bad, you have a decision, but at least you are dealing with a known rather than ionizing radiation's unknown genetic effects in future generations.

Georgia Gilham

Response:
I think between 2 and 2 1/2 years old is the best time to start depending on the dogs maturity. Some dogs produce many breeding's from one collection and I have had some that are not as fond of being collected and will not produce as much semen at one time. I do as many times as required to get whatever amount I want to freeze. I think freezing the semen from a young dog will produce the most viable semen when it is thawed for implant.

Myra Stusek
MY JON GREAT DANES
BRED FOR TYPE, SOUNDNESS AND TEMPERAMENT
FAWNS AND BRINDLES

Response:
After the dog turns 2 years of age, we begin all their health testing. Once complete, and ONLY if it is a dog we want to continue with in our breeding program we collect and freeze.

How much and how often? That depends on the dog.
Ch Helisain's Monsieur was collected only once. He gave us 21 breedings with that one collection.
Ch. Elan's Nash Bridges Royhl was collected for freezing, maybe 6 times over a period of 4 years.
BIS BISS Ch Elan's Command Decision Reimroc has been collected for freezing 3 times in the last 2 years

Jessie & John Gerszewski

Response:
Just collected enough for myself usually after the age of 2.

Stephanie Gallups

Response:
If I had a male I felt was promising, I'd collect him at a young age (18 months - 24 months). I'd do it early to help assure semen quality for freezing. If the dog wasn't two years old, health testing could always be done after the collection; but before being used.

Georgia Hymmen

Response:
I myself have not had too many dogs collected and wish later on that I had. Now I feel it is really important to collect the specimen at an early age between 2-4 for best results, and sometimes if the animal has been pre-tested even collect them as early as 18 months the likelihood of the sperm been at is best is usually with a younger dog. The older the males get, the more likely to have decrease in the motility or quantity and quality of the sperm. This is not always the case, but normally so.

Jose Ribo

Response:
I've only collected on a very few dogs. Once maybe two times we collect depending on how much we get from a collection. Usually once is more than enough since I freeze mainly for myself and not for others to use. But there is extra just in case someone else did want to use some. I think after health tests are done and CH finished is a good time to collect to make sure all health tests have been passed.

Karen Martin

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by breeders in response to questions of general interest reflect their opinions based on their individual experiences within the breed and are not necessarily the opinion of the GDCA. It is imperative that anyone with a Dane puppy that shows signs of illness or injury obtain an immediate examination and diagnosis by a veterinarian.

Recommendations or ideas expressed by the breeders in Breeder's Ed. should be discussed with your veterinarian in detail. It is strongly recommended that a veterinarian experienced with Great Danes and other large breeds be contacted whenever possible.

Return to Breeder Education 2009