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. The most fundamental thing to get right when breeding dogs is to find the best possible match between the breeding pair of animals. 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.
Ideally each dog should be over the age of two and they should not be strangers to each other. Try and give them time to get to know each other. 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. Don't be afraid to say 'no' to customers or potential owners if you are not 100% convinced that they will be able to offer the puppy a suitable environment in which to live and grow.
