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Breeding Labrador Retrievers
November 6, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Many Labrador owners will at some time or another considered breeding their Lab Retrievers, but there are many things to consider before taking the plunge into canine breeding. There are various reason why owners would want to breed their Labs. One of the main reasons is to produce a litter for themselves or their family, the second is to be able to sell the pups commercially.
Whatever your reasons for breeding you Labrador Retriever it is important to understand that not all pregnancies result in a litter that is happy and healthy. For the first time breeder who owns their own Lab bitch, the birth of a litter at home can be a wonderful experience or a dreadful disaster. If the experience is to be successful, it is vitally important you have the best pairing of dogs. Each Lab must be in tip top shape physically and completely healthy. You should seek to eradicate the chance of inherited health problems such as hip dysplasia by checking each dogs lineage.
Labradors are usually kept at home with the family, so it is crucial they have the temperament to live alongside children as well as adults. To that end, the temperament of the breeding pair is as vitally important as their health.
The pedigrees of the breeding pair should be carefully checked to ensure they are not too closely related. That is essential to avoid the danger of inbreeding. If inbreeding does occur, it can damage the health of the offspring, lead to poor temperament as well weaken the bloodline.
Before mating it is advisable to let the dogs get to know each other and, ideally, each dog should be over two years-of-age. By this time any temperamental or health issues should be apparent. Breeding Labrador Retrievers is not a decision to rush into but it should be remembered that finding the right pair of dogs is only the beginning of the process. Once the mating has taken place and pregnancy is confirmed the real work begins.
The care of a Labrador retriever during pregnancy and also the whelping process can prove to be hard work. Once the pups are born that hard work will most certainly continue. The puppies have to be cared for and finding new homes for them can be time-consuming and expensive.
On a final point, you should not underestimate the importance of finding good owners for the pups. You will not let them go to just anyone So if you are unsure that potential owners can offer the pups a caring and loving environment, be prepared to turn them down.
For more guidance on Labrador Retreivers visit the Labrador Retriever Guide the ultimate resource for lab owners searching for hints, tips, articles and advice on all things Labrador from health to Labrador Retreiver training tips
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