Proper nutrition and conditioning (exercise) are necessary to for assure
optimal performance and fertility in the male.
Males intended for breeding should receive a physical examination
to evaluate orthopedic, neurologic, endocrinologic, and genital systems prior to breeding.

Equipment for the collection of semen.
The device consists of a rubber collecting cone attached to a plastic centrifuge tube.

Collection equipment should be sterile or disinfected prior to use.
Certain external factors such as temperature extremes, exposure to lubricants,
and chemicals found in latex and plastic containers that may be used for sperm
collection can adversely effect sperm and/or sperm motility. Therefore, stud owners who
utilize homemade devices for semen collection should ensure that the materials used
have no toxic side effects on spermatozoa; this also applies to methods for
disinfecting the equipment.

At the time of collection, the male is introduced to a teaser bitch, either
one in estrus or one in anestrus that has been treated with a topical pheromone
(Eau d'Estrus by Synbiotics, Malvern, PA) and is allowed to sniff at the vulva.
The semen collection begins by providing manual stimulation to the penis,
using brisk massage, through the prepuce (the outer fur-covered sheath).
Once erection occurs, the prepuce retracts, at which point the
collector can place the rubber collecting cone with attached tube over the
enlarged penis. When the rubber collecting cone is in place, the collector
should then tightly encircle the penis and collecting cone with the fingers to
simulate the vulvar constriction of the bitch that occurs during the natural "tie."

The dog will ejaculate the semen in three fractions. The first fraction is
the presperm fraction, which is a small volume of clear fluid.
The second fraction is a cloudy, sperm-rich fraction. During ejaculation of this second
fraction, the dog will usually thrust vigorously. Prior to ejaculating the third
fraction, which consists of clear prostatic fluid, the dog will usually dismount
and attempt to step over the arm of the collector. If the semen collected is to
be stored rather than used for immediate insemination, it is important that the
collector remove the tube containing the first two fractions prior to
ejaculation of the prostatic fluid fraction. Prostatic fluid has been found to
lead to a decrease in sperm motility if the spermatozoa are allowed to incubate
with the prostatic fluid for any length of time prior to insemination.
If insemination is to be performed immediately, the prostatic fluid may be
collected with the first two fractions to yield a total semen volume that will
be sufficient for insemination. For complete assessment of male reproductive
function, however, it is often advisable to collect the prostatic fluid
separately for the purpose of performing routine culture.