Eureka! Institutional Repository

Human intervention has led to the development from wolf to dog and then to more than 360 breeds. Global and European legislation protects both biological and emotional well-being of the dog, as pet, as a stray, but also as commercial reproductive purposes. Reproduction in the female dog begins with puberty, when it is reproductive, and with many ovums in their ovaries. Puberty period usually starts at 6 months, but it is not specific, as it depends on genetic, breed and environmental factors. Reproduction of the female dog is possible twice a year usually, with one estrus each time, after the first period of puberty. The stages of the estrus cycle are four: the proestrus, the estrus, the metiestrus and diestrus. The reproductive system of the bitch has large changes depending on the stage of the cycle or if she is pregnant. The detection of ovulation time is crucial for the reproduction of the bitch. Therefore, mating twice between days 0 (the day of high LH growth) and 4 is ideal. In dogs, artificial insemination can be performed by artificial insemination with fresh or frozen semen. Vaginal insemination with fresh collected semen can yield fertility almost equal to the natural process.