May 2015
Optimizing Semen Quality in the Dog
by Linda Montgomery DVM, PhD
Semen quality is a constant concern for dog owners. Your dog may have achieved show or performance goals, at which time it is appropriate to collect and freeze his semen for future litters of champions. Unfortunately many factors can adversely affect semen quality in the dog, including age, infections, diet, medications, environmental factors, and unrelated health conditions.
Most dogs experience a decline in sperm production with age. We many times get a 10 or 12 year old dog whose owner wants to have collected and frozen. Sometimes they still have sufficient numbers of sperm for this purpose, and sometimes they do not. What we recommend to dog owners is to collect and freeze their dogs when they are young. Although this is an extra inconvenience and expense, it ensures that your dog’s legacy will be preserved.