The Importance of Progesterone Testing Before Breeding

At Essence of Grace Yorkies, responsible breeding is about more than pairing two dogs together. It requires careful planning, veterinary support, and precise timing to give each litter the best chance of success. One of the most important tools we rely on is progesterone testing in female dogs before breeding — and sometimes again later in pregnancy.

What Is Progesterone Testing?

Progesterone is a hormone that rises around ovulation. By measuring progesterone levels through a simple blood test, veterinarians can determine the exact window when a female is most fertile.

Our vet uses the TOSOH machine in-house, which provides results within about 45 minutes. This same-day turnaround is essential for accurate timing, especially when dealing with short fertile windows.

What the Testing Process Looks Like

The actual test is simple and stress-free for the dog:

• The female is taken to the back of the clinic.

• A small blood sample is drawn while she is fully awake and alert.

• Just a couple of minutes later, she’s returned as if nothing happened.

• About 45 minutes later, we receive a call from the clinic with the results.

When progesterone levels indicate ovulation, we can plan exact breeding dates. Timing depends on the method we’ll be using:

• Natural live cover – the most common method in our program

• Shipped semen – requires very precise timing

• Artificial insemination (AI) or transcervical insemination (TCI) – performed at the vet’s office, at additional cost

Here at Essence of Grace Yorkies, we always do progesterone testing on the front end — even when breeding to our own studs. We never rely on guesswork.

Why Progesterone Testing Matters

1. Avoiding Missed Breedings
   Dogs don’t always show clear signs of ovulation. Progesterone testing takes the guesswork out of breeding, ensuring we don’t miss a cycle.

2. Managing Split Heats
   One of our girls had a split cycle at the end of last year. Her heat started, then stopped, and picked back up a month later. Without progesterone testing, we would have missed her second fertile window completely.

   In total, we ran about eight progesterone tests — several during the first half of her cycle, and several more during the second half. These tests allowed us to pinpoint ovulation precisely and confirm when she was truly fertile. As a result, she was successfully bred and went on to have a healthy litter.

3. Silent or Subtle Heats
   Some females show very few symptoms of heat. Progesterone testing confirms whether they’re actually ready to breed, which prevents wasted time and missed opportunities.

Reverse Progesterone Testing at the End of Pregnancy

On the backend of pregnancy, our vet sometimes uses reverse progesterone testing to confirm when puppies are safe to be delivered. We don’t do this with every pregnancy — only when it is medically necessary, such as:

• If we already know a female requires a C-section

• Or if we are at the end of the pregnancy window and puppies have not yet arrived

At our clinic:

• Reverse progesterone tests cost $70 per test

• A female may need 3–5 tests, which equals $210–$350

Our vet looks for progesterone levels to drop below about 3 ng/ml as the marker that puppies are ready to be safely delivered.

In conjunction with progesterone testing, the clinic also performs fetal heart rate monitoring to make sure the puppies are not in distress.

Without reverse progesterone testing, puppies could:

• Be delivered prematurely if taken too early (before their lungs are mature)

• Or be left too long, past 64–65 days from ovulation, when placentas begin to expire — putting their lives at risk

This is why progesterone testing on both the front end (to pinpoint ovulation) and the back end (to ensure safe delivery when needed) is such a critical part of ethical breeding.

The Cost of Progesterone Testing

At our clinic, progesterone testing is an ongoing investment:

• Breeding progesterone tests are $63 each

• Each girl typically requires 3–5 tests per cycle → $190–$315

• Split heats may require additional tests — our split-cycle girl had eight tests total

• Reverse progesterone tests (if needed) are $70 each → $210–$350

That means one breeding and pregnancy can easily cost $400–$600 in progesterone-related testing alone, not including stud fees, AI/TCI costs, or prenatal care.

Why This Matters to Puppy Buyers

For families interested in a Yorkie puppy, it’s important to know that the purchase price reflects much more than just the puppy itself. Behind every litter are veterinary costs, careful timing, and breeder dedication. Progesterone testing is one example of the steps we take to ensure:

• Healthy, planned litters

• The highest chance of conception

• The safest possible delivery for mom and puppies

Why This Matters to Breeders

For breeders or those considering breeding, progesterone testing is one of the most valuable investments you can make. It:

• Improves conception rates

• Helps manage irregular or split cycles

• Ensures precise timing for AI, TCI, or shipped semen breedings

• Supports safer C-sections when reverse testing is used

While it may be an added cost, progesterone testing is a vital part of ethical, responsible breeding.

💙🐾 Essence of Grace Yorkies — Where Beauty Meets Grace