How to Ship Dog Sperm

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Ship Dog Sperm Like A Pro

Shipping dog sperm may seem simple, but successful sperm transport requires precision. Every step—semen collection, extender preparation, cooling, packing, and shipping—directly affects semen quality and motility. When done correctly, shipping chilled canine semen saves breeders time, money, and stress while making it possible to use top-quality sires without the need for travel. This step-by-step guide walks you through the proven process breeders rely on to ensure dog semen arrives healthy, viable, and ready for breeding success.

What You’ll Need

Before you collect the semen, make sure you’ve got your tools ready:

• iSperm 7, Breeder Microscope, or PetCount – to analyze and print sperm count results.

• Semen Collection Kit – for collecting and processing Sperm.

• Semen Extenders – Caniplus LT 10-Day (for shipment) and Caniplus AI (to top up insemination volume if needed).

• Semen Tube warmer – set to 37 °C (98 °F).

• Dr. Orchard’s Breeder Canine Semen Shipping Box – to keep everything secure in transit.

• Thermometer – to measure sperm and extender temperature

Step 1 – Warm Your Extenders

If you mix cold extender with warm semen, you can kill the sperm. Always warm the extender to body temperature—the same temperature semen is right after collection—before combining them.

• Set your semen tube warmer to 37 °C (98 °F).

• Add your Caniplus 10-Day LT extender and let it warm for about 10 minutes before use.

• This ensures the extender matches the semen’s temperature at collection.

  
  

Step 2 – Collect the Semen (Fractionation Method)

The key is to collect only the good stuff – the sperm-rich fraction.

1.     Collect the sperm rich fraction into a semen safe tube. See our companion blog on How to collect Semen Like A Pro!

Dogs ejaculate in three fractions:

1. First Fraction – clear pre-sperm fluid from the prostate. Discard.

2. Second Fraction – dense, creamy/milky sperm-rich fluid. This is what you want to collect.

3. Third Fraction – clear prostatic fluid that can dilute and harm motility in chilled/frozen samples. Discard unless you’re doing natural or immediate side by side artificial insemination breeding.

Pro Tip: Watch the flow. Switch to your semen-safe container only when the creamy middle portion starts and stop before it turns watery again.

Another Pro Tip: If you are having difficulty collecting only the sperm rich portion, leave the sperm tube upright for about 10 minutes, sperm will naturally separate, with the prostatic fluid (third fraction) rising to the top and the sperm-rich second fraction settling at the bottom.

Step 3 – Analyze the Raw Semen

Do this immediately after collection:

• Check motility, morphology, and total count using your iSperm, microscope, or PetCount.

• Ideal numbers to aim for:

  • ≥ 70% forward progressive motility (Movement)

  • ≥ 90% normal morphology (Shape)

  • ~200 million motile sperm per insemination (minimum)

  • Total Sperm Per Collection: 300 million to 2 billion sperm

  
  

Pro Tip: Multiply the measured concentration by the total collection volume to get total sperm count for that collection.

Step 4 – Dilute with Cani Plus LT 10 Day Extender

Based on the raw concentration of the semen, dilute with Cani Plus LT 10 Day Extender according to the chart below. Ensure that the sperm and extender are the same temperature, ideally 98 °F.

• 250–750 million/mL: 1 part semen to 3 parts extender

• 750–1250 million/mL: 1 part semen to 4 parts extender

• Over 1250 million/mL: 1 part semen to 5 parts extender

Pro Tip: Do not keep sperm mixed with extender at 98°F for more than one hour, as prolonged exposure can shorten sperm lifespan.

Step 5 – Analyze the Extended Semen

• Check motility, morphology, and total count using your iSperm, microscope, or PetCount.

• Ideal numbers to aim for:

  • ≥ 70% forward progressive motility (Movement)

  • ≥ 90% normal morphology (Shape)

  • ~200 million motile sperm per insemination (minimum)

  • Total Sperm Per Collection: 300 million to 2 billion sperm

• Print the results and include them with the shipment so the recipient can review and compare upon arrival.

Pro Tip: Multiply the measured concentration by the total collection volume to get total sperm count for that collection.

Step 6 – Gradual Cooling

• Place the sealed semen tube in a warm water bath briefly, then move it into the fridge.

  • The Semen Tube Warmer and Thawer can also be used as a warm water bath.

• Cool slowly over several hours—avoid sudden temperature drops (Accomplished by using a water bath in the fridge)

• Keep refrigerated for about 2 hours before preparing for shipment.

Step 7 – Pack & Ship

• Freeze the gel pack from your Dr. Orchards Breeder Box for at least 6 hours beforehand.

• Place the chilled semen tube into the shipping box alongside the gel pack.

• Ship overnight and choose Saturday delivery if needed.

• Chilled semen (once warmed) is typically viable for 24–72 hours.

Step 8 – Upon Arrival

For the recipient:

• Ice packs should still be cold, but the semen should not be frozen.

• Warm a small sample and check motility:

  • iSperm: Warm in the chamber for 5 minutes.

  • Microscope: Warm one drop manually and assess.

  • You want at least 70% motility before proceeding.

• Store the rest in the fridge—Caniplus LT can keep sperm viable for up to 10 days from collection.

Pro Temperature Tip: Sperm shows significantly reduced motility when exposed to cold/hot or less-than-ideal conditions. Temperatures as high as 90°F can still cause sperm death, and even sperm maintained at 99°F (with 98°F being ideal) for several hours will experience decreased motility. Always use a thermometer to ensure the sample remains at the correct temperature.

Step 9 – Warming for Transvaginal AI

• Only warm the extended semen sample when you are ready to inseminate.

• Warm in your hands for ~5 minutes, then in the semen tube warmer at 37 °C for ~10 minutes.

• Recommended insemination volumes:

  • 2–5 mL for dogs less than 22lb

  • 5–10 mL for dogs between 22 - 44lb

  • Up to 20 mL for dogs over 44lb

    • If current volume is less than recommended,  top off with Caniplus AI to reach the recommended volume. Remember to match the temperature of the extender and the semen before mixing.

    
    

When done correctly, shipping dog semen provides breeders with unmatched flexibility in their canine breeding programs. It eliminates the stress and health risks of transporting dogs, lowers overall breeding costs, and makes it possible to access top-quality sires from anywhere in the country—or even worldwide. By following each step in this dog semen shipping guide, you’ll protect sperm motility, extend fertility windows, and maximize the chances of successful breeding outcomes.

Thank you for reading our step-by-step guide on how to ship dog semen. If you have questions about semen collection, chilled semen shipping supplies, or canine breeding best practices, our team is here to help at support@k9p4go.com.

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