Using 2 studs with 1 bitch during breeding

[Andrew]

About a year ago I learned that a bitch can actually be impregnated by more than one dog during a breeding, and can have puppies from multiple sires in one litter, all at the same time.
I was just curious to hear from the breeders about their opinion on this. Is this something that could be done responsibly to get multiple looks in your puppies with multiple sires? Have any of the breeders here done it before? Is it a controversial topic? In my mind, it would seem if you had 2 very nice stud dogs, you could potentially attempt to breed for two slightly different types at once. However, my understanding is that with multiple breedings (even with the same sire), because puppies are always born a specific day during the cycle, not necessarily a certain number of days after conception, it can be dangerous for the pups that were conceived later because they weren't in the womb developing for as long as the pups that were conceived earlier.
This is just a hypothetical question to prompt some discussion so I can learn a little more.

[DebraDownSouth]

Okay first surprised you just learned it. Every single egg can have a different dog's sperm fertilize it.

In rare breeds, AKC allows them to use multiple sires and then DNA test. The reason is to help expand the gene pool faster. Now that there is DNA testing, not sure why there would be a lot of controversy. MOST breeders have one stud they want and not interested in using 2, but it is an option.

Also, they breed at same time (artificial) when the bitch is ovulating. Although there is TONS of speculation about eggs being fertilized at different times, the reality is that generally there is less than 4 days between the first egg fertilization and the last. Sperm can live a few days, so even with one stud an egg can be fertilized first day then 2nd or 3rd. Point being using 2 studs won't be the issue. MANY breeders will claim a small or fading pup is a premie, but I have seen research on necropsy studies saying no… it wasn't premie.

THAT said, I am sure if you have a bitch have puppies early, even 3 days difference there would probably have impact on survival.

Hutchison, D.V.M., who specializes in canine reproduction in North Ridgeville, Ohio, agrees. "Poor timing is still one of the main causes of a missed breeding," he says. "Bitches have a three-week heat cycle on average, but there is a lot of individual variation, and breeding on only three or four of those days will result in fertilization. There really is no magic day. I've seen a bitch ovulate on day eight and another one ovulate on day 32."

[tanza]

@Andrew:

About a year ago I learned that a bitch can actually be impregnated by more than one dog during a breeding, and can have puppies from multiple sires in one litter, all at the same time.
I was just curious to hear from the breeders about their opinion on this. Is this something that could be done responsibly to get multiple looks in your puppies with multiple sires? Have any of the breeders here done it before? Is it a controversial topic? In my mind, it would seem if you had 2 very nice stud dogs, you could potentially attempt to breed for two slightly different types at once. However, my understanding is that with multiple breedings (even with the same sire), because puppies are always born a specific day during the cycle, not necessarily a certain number of days after conception, it can be dangerous for the pups that were conceived later because they weren't in the womb developing for as long as the pups that were conceived earlier.
This is just a hypothetical question to prompt some discussion so I can learn a little more.

I know a couple of breeders that have done this… one litter was with 8 or 10puppies (can't remember the number)... and all after DNA'ed came from the same sire which was a surprise to the breeder. One of the main reasons that breeders would consider this is if they have an older stud. I don't think it is controversial.. at least not IMO provided you are doing it with a good Repo Vet's input. And this one litter that I know of had no problems either in whelping or the pups after birth. I certainly would consider it.... However all that said, it is quite expensive and all the pups have to be DNA'ed to see who the sire is... more expense then you might want to put out up front.

[Quercus]

I agree with everything said above. My understanding is that the eggs are all released at the same time (like within 24hrs) but the sperm can hang around for 5+ days. So that is why the window for breeding is several days…to make sure you don't miss the eggs. That way nature prevents the situation you described..pups not being 'done'. But what does create pups not appearing to be the same gestational age in the same litter is where the placenta attaches to the uterus. Apparently, there are occasionally "bad" spots to attach. Also, if there are indentical twins in a litter (in the same sac) one may be underdeveloped....but from what I have heard, this rarely happens.

I am no expert, but I did a lot of reading before Bella's litter...and this is what I can remember

[YodelDogs]

I have no problem with breeders who choose multiple sires as a breeding option. If both males are in close proximity of one another, there is no reason why natural breedings can't be done. If the males are located too far apart for daily breedings to the bitch then one or both may need to be AI'd. DNA testing both sires, the dam, and every puppy is required and then AKC registration can run several hundred dollars but there are many situations when it is well worth the expense.

[listeme]

I lost a LOT of confidence in one of the vets at the practice I go to when he claimed that this is not possible in dogs. I didn't argue, because that's not my way, but I have not gone with that particular vet again.

[Nemo]

I remember seeing a breeding on a website last year using dual sires, one of which was a full African and the other a high percentage African. That made sense to me as you're not really sure what you'll get with full Afs particularly if they have not been bred before. In theory under ideal circumstances, you would get some idea of what they both might produce with the same bitch without having to wait around to do multiple single sire breedings. I didn't look check back to see what the actual parentage ended up being in the litter.

[lvoss]

From what I have been able to find out from people who have attempted multiple sire litters, the most effective way to actually get puppies from each sire is to do surgical implant 72 hours after ovulation with one sire's semen in one horn and the other sire's semen in other horn of the uterus. In the majority of natural breedings with multiple sires the puppies are either all from one sire or only 1 or 2 from the second sire even in large litters.

[Andrew]

Thanks for the answers guys. Breeding is fascinating.

[thunderbird8588]

I knew Kittens could have different fathers but wasn't sure about Dogs. This explains how our crossbreed Dog was so very different from the rest of the Pups. He wasn't like mum or dad and his sibs were medium sized Black and white collie types. He was a massive Red Lab type.

[YodelDogs]

@lvoss:

From what I have been able to find out from people who have attempted multiple sire litters, the most effective way to actually get puppies from each sire is to do surgical implant 72 hours after ovulation with one sire's semen in one horn and the other sire's semen in other horn of the uterus. In the majority of natural breedings with multiple sires the puppies are either all from one sire or only 1 or 2 from the second sire even in large litters.

I don't think I would do this with a breed like the Basenji where an average litter size is 4-5 puppies but it make a lot of sense to do in breeds that have litter sizes of 10+ puppies.

I'm puzzled why planned multiple sire litters would end up with one male predominating fertility? Dogs and cats that run loose and breed randomly sometimes have litters where every puppy or kitten has a different sire. They breed to multiple partners every day so it would seem that breeding a bitch to both males daily would increase the likelihood of both sires fertilizing the bitch. Does anyone know if any studies have been done on this?

[lvoss]

@YodelDogs:

I'm puzzled why planned multiple sire litters would end up with one male predominating fertility? Dogs and cats that run loose and breed randomly sometimes have litters where every puppy or kitten has a different sire. They breed to multiple partners every day so it would seem that breeding a bitch to both males daily would increase the likelihood of both sires fertilizing the bitch. Does anyone know if any studies have been done on this?

The information that I have seen does not support that most mixed breed litters have multiple sires. Though there may be 1 or 2 pups with a different sire much of the variety seen in mixed breed litters are because there is more diversity of alleles in the parents (often mutts themselves) so less uniformity in the litter.

I do believe that there a few studies that show that nature has made it so that once a male has successfully impregnated a female there are biochemical changes that occur that make a subsequent sire less likely to be successful in some species.

[DebraDownSouth]

Seems like a question for Hutchinson. I know he does tons of implants, he may know about actual splits. Probably AKC does too. If I can remember I'll look or ask both.