Hi if you have a ring or are tight an AI works just fine..When a bitch is in whelp her hormones kick in and she will soften enough to have a normal litter..I would never go to a vet and have the bitch cut..First it makes the bitch sore and a bad experience breeding..That small pipette can enter the bitch without a problem..I dont remember ever having a bitch miss or a C-section..This is with over 40 years experience..Barbara Amidon http://www.geocities.com/amberkennel ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2006. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - URL temporarily deleted due to AOL issues ============================================================================