Ashmhorgold Retrievers

We recommend that bitches are progesterone tested prior to mating, and this is particularly important for maiden bitches.
In our experience bitches can ovulate anytime from Day 9 to Day 28, and therefore the traditional method of mating on Day 12 and 14 can easily go wrong.
This is why there is an average success rate of 70% with natural matings, as opposed to over 90% when progesterone tested by a reputable laboratory. 
Bitches are often nervous and stressed when being brought for a mating (particularly maidens), and react defensively and refuse to stand. Without progesterone testing it is impossible to establish whether the bitch is behaving like this because she isn’t ready, or just because she is nervous, in which case it is obviously worth persevering!

Some of the many benefits of numerical progesterone testing are as follows:

• Over 90% success rate (as opposed to 70% for untested bitches)
• Less stress for the bitch – re likely to stand and get a ‘natural mating’
• Higher litter size
• Saving in time and fuel costs with wasted journeys when the bitch isn’t ready
• It is possible to just do one mating instead of the usual two, so just one journey

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Each numerical progesterone test costs between £40-£50, which might sound expensive until one considers that just one extra puppy would cover the cost of six tests!
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The first test would typically be done on Day Nine. This can be very helpful if you aren’t sure if you accurately identified Day One!
​There are several types of progesterone test available;

• The swab test that looks at the cells from a smear test
• Pre-Mate tests (a colour swatch) offered by most vets
• Numerical testing in a laboratory

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The problem with the first two tests is that unless they are carried out by someone who is very experienced, then they can be very misleading and a complete waste of money and time.
We recommend the following laboratories: 

• Idexx  01937 544000
• Canine Pregnancy Scanning 07990 547480
• Fit and Fertile 01772 690014

​There are many other reputable laboratories offering numerical progesterone testing but we have no experience of them.
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The results of numerical progesterone tests are given in two different scales; nmol/L and ng/ml.
The conversion of nmol/l to ng/ml is approximately 3.18, so ovulation is at 5 ng/ml and breeding recommended at 11 – 19 ng/ml

​​Level doubles every 2 days as a general guide