Abstract:
This is a descriptive, observational pilot study, based on the results obtained by applying an original
questionnaire addressed to purebred dog breeders, speakers of the French and Romanian languages, regarding the
perceived need for medical-veterinary assistance in canine reproduction. 44 answers were obtained (24 in French, 20 in
Romanian) about 167 (100%) bitches from 33 brachycephalic and non-brachycephalic dog breeds, aged between 2 and
7 years, of which 75 (44.91 %) declared pregnant. The need for estrus monitoring by a veterinarian varied by group and
breed type (68.62% of non-brachycephalic females, 41.66% brachycephalic), "small non-brachycephalic" breeds were
monitored more intensively (90.90 %), artificial insemination was necessary in 49.33% of the gestation obtained
(50.98% in non-brachycephalic breeds; 45.83% in brachycephalic breeds). All the breeders declared ultrasound
confirmation of pregnancy, in brachycephalic breeds caesarean section was necessary in 45.8% of cases, post-partum
veterinary control was requested only in 22.7% of cases, more frequently (37.5% of cases) to "large and medium
brachycephalic" breeds (76.9% of answers). The puppies from the "giant brachycephalic" breeds were tested by a
veterinarian, an aspect declared by 43.8% of the Romanian breeders and only 38.1% of the French respondents.
Conclusion: Due to the type of research chosen, the results obtained in the present study cannot be extrapolated to the
entire population of dog breeders, but it is a potential means of evaluating the needs felt and expressed by veterinary
medical assistance in dog breeding.
