Are you wandering if breeding Labrador retrievers is really
for you? Most Labrador dog owners will, at some point,
consider breeding their dogs but there are a number of
things to consider before reaching a decision. Generally
speaking, there are two main reasons why any owners would
want to breed their dogs; either because they want some
more lab puppies for themselves or because they want to
make breeding a part time, or even full time, business.
Whatever your motivation it should be remembered that not
all pregnancies result in a happy, healthy litter. be
warned. If you are the owner of a female dog than breeding
a litter at home for the first time can be a very steep
learning curve. It is obviously very important to make
sure you have the best possible pairing of dogs. It is
important that both dogs have a suitable temperament, are
in good shape and do not have any medical problems. Each
animals lineage should be checked to ensure there are no
inherited problems such as hip dysplasia.
The character of the two dogs is equally as important as
their state of health. Labradors inevitably end up in a
family home so it is essential that they are
temperamentally suited to sharing a home with children as
well as adults.
Another essential point to consider when breeding Labrador
Retrievers is to check the pedigrees of each of the
breeding pair to ensure the dogs are not too closely
related. Breeding a pair of dogs that are closely related
can lead to serious health problems in the puppies and will
of course seriously dilute the dogs 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.
Taking care of the bitch during pregnancy can take a lot of
work as can the whelping process. After the mum has
produced her litter taking care of the puppies, and finding
good homes for the puppies is a time-consuming and
potentially expensive undertaking.
The last point is the most relevant. It isn't always easy
to find suitable new owners for tour puppies. Rest assured
there is no way you will let the puppies go to just anyone.
Be prepared to reject potential owners if you are not
satisfied that they will offer a caring and loving home to
a puppy.
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Craig Ellyard writes extensively for the
http://www.labrador-retriever-guide.com the leading
independent online resource for Labrador owners
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