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Read articleProgesterone timing for dog breeding: when to mate after the LH surge
Progesterone timing finds a bitch's ovulation from blood tests instead of the calendar: the level climbs from under 1 ng/mL to about 5 ng/mL at ovulation, and the best days to breed follow from that rise. Counting days from the first drop of blood is only a rough guide, because ovulation can come anywhere from about day 5 to day 20 of a heat. A short series of tests removes the guesswork.
What progesterone does during a heat
In early heat, progesterone sits near baseline, under 1 ng/mL (about 3 nmol/L). Just before ovulation, the luteinising hormone (LH) surge triggers a rise. Progesterone then keeps climbing for a few days while the eggs are released and ripen. That predictable curve is why a handful of tests can place ovulation within a day or so.
Progesterone stages at a glance
| Stage | ng/mL | nmol/L | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline | under 1.0 | under 3 | Early heat, too soon to breed |
| Rising | 1.0 to 1.5 | 3 to 5 | Start testing every day or two |
| LH surge | about 1.5 to 2.5 | about 5 to 8 | Surge has happened, ovulation is roughly 2 days away |
| Ovulation | about 4 to 8 | about 13 to 25 | Eggs are being released, not yet fertilisable |
| Fertile window | 8 to 20+ | 25 to 60+ | Eggs have matured, best days to breed |
These are typical ranges from veterinary reproduction references. Labs and assays differ, and individual bitches vary, so always read your result against the lab's own reference range and talk to your vet.
How to run a progesterone testing schedule
- Start early. Begin testing a few days into the bloody phase, or around day 5 to 7 of the heat, and repeat every one to two days.
- Test daily near the rise. Once the result passes about 1.5 ng/mL, test every day or every other day so you do not miss the surge.
- Mark the surge. The first value in the 1.5 to 2.5 ng/mL band is your LH surge. Ovulation follows roughly two days later.
- Confirm ovulation. A result of about 4 to 8 ng/mL means ovulation is under way. Keep the lab and the units the same for every test.
- Plan the breeding days from the ovulation date, not from the calendar.
When to breed after ovulation
Canine eggs need about two days after ovulation to mature, then stay fertile for several days. That is why breeding on the day of the surge is too early, and why the best days follow ovulation rather than the surge.
| Semen type | Usual timing |
|---|---|
| Natural mating | 2 to 4 days after ovulation, often 2 matings 48 hours apart |
| Fresh semen (AI) | 2 to 4 days after ovulation |
| Chilled semen | Around 2 to 3 days after ovulation, as advised by your vet |
| Frozen semen | Later in the window, usually 3 or more days after ovulation, per the semen provider |
Use these as a starting point. Your vet and the stud owner know the semen quality and the dog, so their schedule comes first.
From ovulation to whelping
Once you know the ovulation date, the due date is close to 63 days later (give or take a day). If you only know the mating date, the pregnancy can last 58 to 68 days. That is why an ovulation date gives a much tighter whelping forecast. Try both in the free dog pregnancy calculator, or read the progesterone levels chart and ovulation calculator.
Common mistakes
- Breeding on the day of the LH surge. The eggs are not ready yet.
- Switching labs or units mid-heat, so values cannot be compared. 1 ng/mL is about 3.18 nmol/L.
- Testing too rarely near the rise and missing the surge.
- Relying on day counts alone. Heats are not the same length from one season to the next.
- Skipping a record. Without the dates, you cannot predict the next heat or learn her pattern.
Keep every test in one place
Sire & Dam is a dog breeding app that logs each heat, learns the average interval and predicts the next one. Enter progesterone in ng/mL or nmol/L and it shows the stage (baseline, LH surge, ovulation, fertile), the estimated ovulation date and the best days to breed for natural, fresh, chilled and frozen semen. After mating it counts down to whelping with reminders for the ultrasound, X-ray and whelping box. It works offline and your records stay on your phone. More guides are in our dog breeding section, and you can check when the next heat is due with the free dog heat cycle calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What progesterone level means a dog has ovulated?
Ovulation usually happens when progesterone is around 4 to 8 ng/mL (about 13 to 25 nmol/L). The LH surge comes earlier, at roughly 1.5 to 2 ng/mL.
How often should I test progesterone?
Start a few days into the bloody phase or from about day 5 to 7 of the heat, then test every one to two days. Once the value passes about 1.5 ng/mL, test daily or every other day so you do not miss the rise.
When should I breed after ovulation?
Eggs mature about two days after ovulation and stay fertile for several days. Natural and fresh semen matings are usually planned around 2 to 4 days after ovulation. Chilled and frozen semen are timed later and closer to it, so follow your vet or stud owner's plan.
How do I convert ng/mL to nmol/L?
Multiply ng/mL by 3.18 to get nmol/L. A value of 5 ng/mL is about 16 nmol/L.
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