Reproduction in the Dog a Tropical Approach

Book excerpt: Dog breeding has gained tremendous awareness over the last decade. In some countries it is a source of employment for many and a means of poverty alleviation. The canine industry is growing tremendously and dogs are transported across borders all year round. As a result of this fast growing industry, the treatment given to dogs keeps improving as mans awareness increases. However, majority of the literature available to dog breeders and enthusiasts are of temperate origin and as a result, information available to the tropical breeder is limited. Raising dogs in the tropics is different from the temperate regions. The outcome of inadequate information affects the management of our canine friends. This affects the reproductive potential of dogs raised in the tropics. The environment which we give our dogs reflects on the dogs ability to exhibit its full genetic makeup. Hence, dogs might appear sterile, obese, underweight, or malnourished depending on its environment. This book, Reproduction in the Dog: A Tropical Approach, addresses the problems associated with dog breeding in the tropics and gives authentic information to the breeder, veterinarian, animal scientist or dog enthusiast. It covers all the reader needs to know about breeding, reproduction, artificial insemination, semen collection, handling and storage, cloning, feed composition, housing, care of dogs and lots more.