Lab breeding....

[m678o]

I have a few questions...
1. how do you find a sutible mate for your dog? I don't know where to look. My friend tried the newspaper tried newspaper... did not work well.
2. What color labs are popular? My friend has a chocolate she wants to breed.
3. How old is to old for a male to breed with?
4. How old should my friend's baby girl be when it is healthy for her to breed?

Please, my friend needs help with these questions!!!!!

[PatchO'Pits]

I'm going to answer your questions briefly and then give a link to a thread that answers it in more detail

I have a few questions...
1. how do you find a sutible mate for your dog? I don't know where to look.
First off you need to make sure your dog is breeding quality. See the below link for details on that

My friend tried the newspaper tried newspaper... did not work well.That is because quality reputable breeders network through shows and working events to find suitable mates they don't look in the paper

2. What color labs are popular? My friend has a chocolate she wants to breed. Color shouldn't play a factor in breeding quality of the total dog is what is important

3. How old is too old for a male to breed with?
It depends on the male his health and the reasons for the breeding.

4. How old should my friend's baby girl be when it is healthy for her to breed? The dog should be at least two have at least some health testing and hopefully have some sort of titles as well to prove she is breed standard

Please, my friend needs help with these questions!!!!!
Neither you or your friend are ready to breed if you have to ask these questions. Take time and do lots of research on labs. They have many health issues that can be genetic that you'll need to look into as well

Breeding is not to be taken lightly.

Please read this link
http://forums.petlovers.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10169&highlight=Breeding

[tiffers]

Neither you or your friend are ready to breed if you have to ask these questions. Take time and do lots of research on labs. They have many health issues that can be genetic that you'll need to look into as well

Breeding is not to be taken lightly.

I agree and second this 100%. Breeding is not just putting the dogs together and see what comes out, that generally classifies itself to me as BYB or Puppy Mills. Sorry, but that's my opinion.

[ReesAkita]

I agree with you both.Breeding is not an easy job and requires many things.As was stated it's not just putting to dogs together and seeing what you get.You must make sure both the male and female are in good health and dont have any genetic problems and the mom needs special care both during and after her pregnancy and the pups require alot of care as well.I also agree that if your friend needs to ask these questions she is not at all ready to breed.Breeding is not an easy job and is full of responsibilty.Not to mention if done properly there is not tons of money to made as most people think.It's not cheap to take care of the mom and the pups.There is also alot of responsibility in placing the pups in a good home.It is not something to take lightly or to get involved in if you dont know what your doing.

[marg]

Actually most GOOD breeders don't make money at all. They do it for the love of the breed and wanting to keep that going.

[tiffers]

Hey, Margm, unless I'm reading this way out of context. It sounds like you think someone said there was good money in it, and if you're referring to what ReesAkita said, she said there isn't good money in it either. :)

[marg]

No, I knew what Rees said. I guess I was just repeating it. ;)

[NewfieGrl]

I couldn't agree more with everyone above. If breeding is something that you would like to eventually get involved with, the best thing to do would be to meet good/reputable breeders, get to know them and have them teach you all the ins and outs of breeding, quality, what to look for, the correct health testing, showing, and the list goes on.
Get to know the breed inside and out. Know what health issues are prevelant to that particular breed. Although nothing is foolproof, and problems can still occur, it greatly helps minimize the risks. One thing you don't want to do, as a breeder, is to pass heartache along to your puppy buyers.
Here is a post that was on the forum a few weeks back. This is just one of the many problems that are prevelant in labs, as well as other breeds. http://forums.petlovers.com/vb/showthread.php?t=24116

Did your breeder do health tests? If not, and you don't do them, you have no idea what your breeding may pass along to pups. Problems can skp generations before they again crop up. The job of a good breeder is to try to eliminate the problems from their lines. The last thing they want to do is to put a pup in the home of a family, who falls in love with that pup, and then find out that the pups life will be cut short due to a major health issue.
Michele
owned by 2 Newfies, a cocker spaniel and 2 cats
RIP Bootsie-March ? 1988-April 22, 2007

[m678o]

My friend was not breeding for show quality. She is breeding pet labs. She also doesn't care about money.We just wanted opinions, not be to attacked by you. And yes, we are researching, we just came here first. She isn't even one yet and we had just confirmed that she was going to be bred at 2; we just weren't sure if it should be 2 1/2. So i guess i need to go somewhere else for help. We thought there might be a lab breeder on here. :mad:

[tiffers]

So i guess i need to go somewhere else for help. We thought there might be a lab breeder on here. :mad:

You sure are in a sour mood today...geez. Patch did answer your questions. ALL of them.

[m678o]

I know but I can't stand that people don't get she JUST had decided to breed her dog! We both know everything everyone said. Thanks anyways for answering the questions...

[Cane Corso]

You can go somewhere else for help, but you probably get the same response.

[Macawpower58]

One other thing, it's wrong to breed for pets.

When reputable breeders breed, the dogs that are not show quality are sold as pets. These dogs are just as healthy and temperamentally sound as their show quality puppies with perhaps a conformation, coat, or other show flaw. The pups sold as pets have a spay/neuter clause which helps keep the breed healthy and strong.

Your friend is in the wrong, and though you may not like to hear it, it is the truth.

[marg]

Any dog that is not bred for show or is not show quality is what I would call an accident. I LOVE mutts, have one myself, but there are WAY too many dogs in shelters for people to be breeding pets. I know people love their dogs no matter if they are show quality or not, but the fact is every one of us has to take on the responsibilty to stop the overpopulation of unwanted dogs and not add to the problem. I hope your friend will reconsider and decide to just enjoy her dog.:)

[NewfieGrl]

My friend was not breeding for show quality. She is breeding pet labs. She also doesn't care about money.We just wanted opinions, not be to attacked by you. And yes, we are researching, we just came here first. She isn't even one yet and we had just confirmed that she was going to be bred at 2; we just weren't sure if it should be 2 1/2. So i guess i need to go somewhere else for help. We thought there might be a lab breeder on here. :mad:

I don't think anyone was trying to attack you. People who breed for show quality only get a few, if that sometimes, show quality dogs out of a breeding. The rest are considered pet quality. But good breeders are doing the proper testing, example, heart checks on breeding stock and then pups afterwards, by a cardiologist (not a regular vet), OFA's for hips and elbows, and so on. Nobody should breed, and it doesn't matter if for a pet or show dog, without these things being done. They can be very costly. But as we see on this board, our pets are our lives, whether we show them or not. Having a pet that is crippled with hip dysplasia or a deadly heart condition (both can be prevelant in the lab breed) is completely devastating. It can happen with people who do the right testing. The right testing gives a breeder the tools to remove these things from their lines. Hereditary conditions can skip generations, and many times does.
So, if you don't know exactly what you are breeding, and aren't willing to spend the money required on all the correct testing for that breed, then you shouldn't breed. It's not meant to be a put down, it's meant to hopefully educate.
Michele
owned by 2 Newfies, a cocker spaniel and 3 cats
RIP Bootsie-March ? 1988-April 22, 2007

[marg]

I don't think anyone was trying to attack you. People who breed for show quality only get a few, if that sometimes, show quality dogs out of a breeding. The rest are considered pet quality. But good breeders are doing the proper testing, example, heart checks on breeding stock and then pups afterwards, by a cardiologist (not a regular vet), OFA's for hips and elbows, and so on. Nobody should breed, and it doesn't matter if for a pet or show dog, without these things being done. They can be very costly. But as we see on this board, our pets are our lives, whether we show them or not. Having a pet that is crippled with hip dysplasia or a deadly heart condition (both can be prevelant in the lab breed) is completely devastating. It can happen with people who do the right testing. The right testing gives a breeder the tools to remove these things from their lines. Hereditary conditions can skip generations, and many times does.
So, if you don't know exactly what you are breeding, and aren't willing to spend the money required on all the correct testing for that breed, then you shouldn't breed. It's not meant to be a put down, it's meant to hopefully educate.
Michele
owned by 2 Newfies, a cocker spaniel and 3 cats
RIP Bootsie-March ? 1988-April 22, 2007
i agree 100%:)

[m678o]

NOOO!!! What I meant was that her first priority would be health and temperment! She would also require spay/neuter on all dogs unless co-ownership is wanted. Now just chilll about that. I reread what I said and realized you could think of it as a completly different statement.

[marg]

NOOO!!! What I meant was that her first priority would be health and temperment! She would also require spay/neuter on all dogs unless co-ownership is wanted. Now just chilll about that. I reread what I said and realized you could think of it as a completly different statement.
I think if she REALLY loves the Lab as a breed then she has her work cut out for her if she wants to become a RESPONSIBLE breeder. I would not want to do it myself. One thing I wouldn't have the time and another thing is the money that it will take to be a good breeder. If she is determined to do this, though, she has to do alot of preparation (which you know) before she even begins. Good luck and I hope she has wonderful puppies. I honestly think she should reconsider, though. Go check out a shelter and take a look at all the thousands of unwanted dogs in this world. That may change her mind.:(

[salukigirl]

i guess my biggest problem is....there are over 2 million animals homeless every year. thousands are put to sleep because there isnt enough room. so why would add to the problem? yeah, people like labs when theyr 15 lbs and still have their puppy cuteness but what happens when theyre 60 lbs and are a big dog? seems like 3/4 of the dogs i see in the shelter are pure bred because people buy them just because theyre pure bred and then get rid of them. just recently we had 3 pure bred mini dachshunds, 1 pure bred jrt and a pure bred rhodisian rideg back (sp??) i guess i just dont see the point in adding to the problem when there are plenty of perfectly good dogs and cats in shelters that really need a home. just seems a little inhumane to force dogs to mate meanwhile not spaying/neutering which protects from certain kinds of cancers and diseases, and then selling them like theyre in a super market. just my opinion. not attacking anyone. just now saw the post.

[marg]

i guess my biggest problem is....there are over 2 million animals homeless every year. thousands are put to sleep because there isnt enough room. so why would add to the problem? yeah, people like labs when theyr 15 lbs and still have their puppy cuteness but what happens when theyre 60 lbs and are a big dog? seems like 3/4 of the dogs i see in the shelter are pure bred because people buy them just because theyre pure bred and then get rid of them. just recently we had 3 pure bred mini dachshunds, 1 pure bred jrt and a pure bred rhodisian rideg back (sp??) i guess i just dont see the point in adding to the problem when there are plenty of perfectly good dogs and cats in shelters that really need a home. just seems a little inhumane to force dogs to mate meanwhile not spaying/neutering which protects from certain kinds of cancers and diseases, and then selling them like theyre in a super market. just my opinion. not attacking anyone. just now saw the post.
I agree. They say that there are more labs in shelters than any other dog. Sad. :(

[salukigirl]

large black dogs are the last to be adopted. there is something about being large and black that makes people scared. theyre afraid that they will turn on them. its sad that just an image does that but its a fact. we have a huge black lab mix in the shelter that has been there for a while. but a mini dachshund was there a month and was adopted. there for a month like vaccinated, quarentine everything in a month.

[marg]

We adopted a black lab/beagle mix from our shelter and she has turned into the best dog I have EVER had. Such a sweetheart.:)

[tiffers]

...the only dogs I've EVER had have been black with white stripes on their chests. :D One was a Mastiff mix...the other is Chica...I like black dogs...for some reason?

[Jennicat]

There is nothing more deadly in a kill shelter than being a BBD (big black dog). We adopted a black dog for that reason, just to save one who didn't likely have a chance.

[salukigirl]

when we were in a shelter (not the one im at) getting our 2 kittens a guy came in and said he was driving down the road and found lab puppies. which number 1 sounds like bull bc how often are you going to find lots of just born lab puppies just by themselves on the side of the road? his story didnt add up. it sounded like his dog had puppies and he didnt want to admit that they were getting rid of them. and the kid........i remember when i was like 7 i had the biggest heart for puppies and kittens but this kid just acted like she had no room for them. she acted like she hated them. it really surprised me. and they tried to tell him that chances were they would be put down if he left them there and he just didnt even care. he was like "you guys find other shelters to take them cause i dont want them"

[Dead Pie.]

That'll just be adding on to the pet overpopulation problem.

Do you really want to cost potential homes for shelter dogs? That's exactly what will happen once these puppies are found homes.

When I visit the local animal shelter, about two thirds of the dogs there are labradors, usually purebreds. Beautiful, friendly, happy labradors and labrador mixes. Infact, just the other day I visited and there was a purebred chocolate labrador, he had several patches of fur missing all over his body, the shelter doesn't know what happened to him, if he was burnt or tortured, etc. But he still was a very friendly, loving and happy dog.

Spay and neuter the dogs, be responsible.

[NewfieGrl]

Well,,,,I love big black dogs to! :) :) And yes, I have people who will do a big circle around me when I'm walking them. I guess they must be afraid of being licked to death! And I have seen some horrific outcomes of bad breeding when it comes to Newfies.
Anyhow, I think the best question to ask when breeding is what is the purpose? The goal of good breeders is to continuously better the breed and wipe out the genetic issues. The best interest of the breed comes before their wants.
Michele
owned by 2 Newfies, a cocker spaniel and 3 cats
RIP Bootsie-March ? 1988-April 22, 2007

[salukigirl]

thats the thing....pure breds almost always have more genetic problems than mixed breeds. thats how it is all over. if you only breed within your breed then eventually you will die out. there have been studies done on fishes and the ones that breed outside their species have a greater risk of survival. the ones that stay specific to their species have tons of genetic problems. the ones with the least problems are usually the mutts or the mixed breeds. we have had pure bred rottweilers (not from specific breeding, from nature) and we have mixes and the mixes lived longer and healthier than our pure bred.

[paws4prayer]

There is nothing more deadly in a kill shelter than being a BBD (big black dog). We adopted a black dog for that reason, just to save one who didn't likely have a chance.

There is a wonderful organization out there called Black Pearl Dogs, whose mission is to draw attention to what Jennicat states above, and assist in getting black dogs adopted. From their website:

...the general public is not aware of how doomed black dogs are when they are brought to a pound because black dogs, particularly black labs or lab mixes, are euthanized at a horrifying rate at many pounds & shelters because people pass them up for lighter colored dogs. If you are thinking about adopting a dog please don't overlook black dogs because they are just as loving & wonderful as lighter colored dogs!


BPD connects potential adopters to black dogs in need of a home throughout the country. Their website is really interesting...take a look...and maybe take one home! :) http://www.blackpearldogs.com