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Artificial Insemination is the best way to breed |
Adapted from the Camelot Farms newsletter.
In the not so distant past there were no breeders who wanted to breed by artificial insemination, but in the last 15-20 years things have started changing. The difference now is that people have confidence in AI since we have proven that higher conception rates and litter sizes result from this type of breeding rather from the old “natural” way. Sure, there will always be some die hards out there who refuse to change, and will suffer along,but the statistics will prove there is a big difference.
Years ago not many vets and breeders really knew how to perform AI's, and it was easier to just let the sire mount the bitch, and hope for the best. Statistics prove that natural matings only achieve 50-55% conception rate over the years. Today that is just not acceptable. Bitch owners know that they will only have a few chances to get quality pups from a quality bitch, therefore, they now realise the benefits of AI and are seeing the higher results achieved using them. |
Among the many benefits of AI are:
- The ability to know if the semen is of good quality before the mating takes place. If it is not then why use that dog to breed?
- The ability to breed without the sire being present by the use of chilled or frozen semen,thus opening the possibility of better availability of quality sires to improve bloodlines.
- The best way to breed a maiden bitch and eliminate “social” problems between the sire and dam.
- The ability to control possible sperm killing infections which can prevent conception.
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We have come a long way from the old days of natural matings. We have certainly changed the way vets and breeders are now breeding their dogs. The Four Steps to Breeding Success1 proved that A.I.s are the way to breed for the future. Many are now reaping the rewards of this method by doing culture and sensitivity testing, determining the correct date to mate, and doing vaginal or surgical A.I.s with great success. The National Greyhound Association (NGA) in the USA records every breeding and whelping. Their records show that in 1990 natural matings accounted for 99% of all breedings. During each of the past 10 years A.I.s have increased to where today 82% of all matings are done by A.I., and only 18% are natural. The difference in results shows why this change is taking place. Although natural matings now account for only 18%, they only result in 15% of the litters, and only 14% of the puppies due to the higher conception rates and litter sizes of A.I.s and the Camelot Farms frozen semen system.
With so many advantages and benefits of doing A.I.s, why would anyone want to breed any other way? Not many do today, as we have changed the way of breeding and are seeing better results.
1. Camelot Farms 4 steps to breeding success,for more information please go to www.camelotfarms.com |
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Australian greyhound breeding, where is the future? |
I had an interesting enquiry last week from an owner of a popular stud dog. The conversation prompted an interesting thought process about where our industry is heading, what the long term future holds and are we really planning for the implications of decisions being made now on the future well being of the industry as a whole.
The initial enquiry was regarding a dog that has over 90% conception rates with frozen semen yet despite excellent fertility and sound bitch management only a 60-70% conception with natural matings or fresh semen A.I.. It prompted me to remember statistics on breeding in the USA where everything is documented and published.
In 1991 when almost every mating was done naturally there were 12663 matings performed to produce 8049 litters and 38430 pups. This equated to a 63.6% conception rate, the same as for this particular dog. In 2002, 10 years later natural matings only accounted for 17% of the total breedings and the conception rate was still only 61.2%, nothing had changed. That is only half the story. The interesting part is that in 1991 the NGA was under pressure to reduce the number of greyhounds being bred due to pressure from well connected animal welfare groups. Does this sound familiar?
Whatever the decisions that were made to reduce the amount of breeding ended up working.In 2001 the number of matings performed dropped by 44% to 6828. However the thing that saved the industry was that breeding efficiency increased and the total number of pups only dropped by around 10% (33098 pups) despite breeding being stifled by a massive 44%. This occurred as a result of the average conception rate with frozen semen being 85% and it had a higher average litter size.
It is sad to see that now the USA greyhound industry is in turmoil because greyhound racing is being legislated against in some states of the USA, that is it is illegal. |
We study history as it has a habit of repeating itself, can we learn anything from what has happened in the USA?
I have attended, and people I speak to have been to meetings where there are concerns here in Australia that we are breeding too many dogs. As a result there has been a concerted effort to curb breeding activity. One strategy here in Australia is to increase the costs associated with breeding. I think pure economics of the sport is doing a pretty good job of reducing breeding without doing this. There have been numerous articles and discussions verifying the fact that breedingis on the decline. However there still appears to be a school of thought to suppress it more. Reasons cited have included animal welfare issues and wanting to achieve 100% adoption rates through G.A.P.
In the USA an increase in breeding efficiency reduced the net effect on dogs produced dramatically. In Australia I believe we are already breeding close to the high efficiency seen in the USA previously. So if as in the USA situation matings dropped by 44% it may well drop pup numbers by a similar percentage. |
What are the long term consequences of this?
Consider the following factors.Increasing the average age of participants by 5-10 years, a significant drop in greyhound numbers, and increased costs of being involved in the industry. What are the increased costs? Frozen semen fees, microchipping, microchip scanners, administration of the microchip database, DNA testing of all pups produced etc, etc, etc. All of these are going to greatly increase the cost of participation and drive people out of the sport.
I do not believe increasing costs is a strategy to encourage participation. The drop in dog numbers possibly will not adversely affect the large producing states as they currently have a surplus but where does this leave the smaller states?
The large states will probably thrive, with increased opportunities for SKY channel coverage with increased channels they will be able to increase their product exposure (more races on SKY). They will enjoy increased TAB turnover market share and payments from other states from race field levies. This will allow them to continue to increase prize money to ensure the vast majority of greyhounds stay where the money is. Basically the rich get richer.
What happens to the poor cousins? Well a possible and probable scenario is that they will have decreased participants because it has become too expensive to stay in the sport. Increasing cost for participants and the lack of ability of the controlling bodies to increase prize money in relation to the rich states will decrease participation. This most likely will result in reducing the number of race meetings being held. What is the net effect of this? Well all the opposite of above, reduced TAB turnover, reduced market share, reduced race fields levies, in fact because there are less meetings in your state people are betting on interstate meetings so actually your state is paying the other states to race.
This is a very real possibility in the next decade as a result of decisions being made now and planned to be made in the near future. I hope this is a thought provoking article and promotes some thought and discussions on where this industry is going in the future. I hope it may be a prompt for people to think and ask “What strategic plans do we need to be making now just to survive in the future?” |
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There would barely be a week that goes by that I do not get a trainer wanting their dog to get antibiotic treatment because their greyhound is coughing after a trial or race. While a proportion of these could have kennel cough and it may be indicated to use antibiotics, in my experience kennel cough typically occurs as outbreaks commonly at the change of seasons and isolated cases are not that common.
The vast majority of coughing dogs usually have what I call a 'sports' cough or a stress cough. I liken it to humans getting an asthmatic cough. It is not uncommon to see athletes after extreme exertion requiring their asthma puffer to help them breathe easier.In the case of a dog that is coughing post- race it could be for a number of reasons.
As already mentioned it could be the start of “kennel cough”, however,it could also be from constriction of the airways, like asthma in people, which can happen in cold weather or extreme hot weather, an irritation such as the inhalation of dust or such as occurs in horses, where blood vessels actually rupture causing some bleeding into the lung (bleeders).
Dogs will typically be more prone to coughing after a run when they are young and still developing their race fitness, or if they have had a short break and it is their first run for a while.
My advice is to be aware of other possible causes before you panic and think your dog has kennel cough. Sure, be vigilant if there is a kennel cough outbreak and seek veterinary attention, however if it is an isolated case of coughing be aware of the alternatives.The use of broncho-dilators (agents that help open up the airways) may be useful. There are drugs that are very effective such as Clenbuterol and human asthmatic drugs, however these are not permitted in racing.
I have successfully used our Aushound® Herbalgic for this condition as it contains a potent form of Ginger that helps open up the airways and is not restricted for racing. I have also found it can help dry up the ropey saliva or phlegm that occurs in the back of dogs throats.
www.aushound.com/herbalgic |
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