Breeding Labrador Retrievers
Anything thinking of breeding their Labrador Retriever should give the matter a lot of thought as there are many things to consider before undertaking such a project. Why do people want to breed their Labs? There are two main reasons why they want to do this. Many people look forward to producing a litter for themselves and families, while others see it as a commercial opportunity to make money selling Labrador pups.
Whatever your motivation it should be remembered that not all pregnancies result in a happy, healthy litter. And, if you have the female dog, breeding a litter at home can be a great experience for the first time breeder or it can be an unmitigated disaster. It is obviously very important to make sure you have the best possible pairing of dogs. Each dog must have a good temperament, be in top physical shape and free from disease. Each animals lineage should be checked to ensure there are no inherited problems such as hip dysplasia.
The temperament of the breeding pair is just as important as their 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.
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.
The breeding pair should be given time to become accustomed to each other before being allowed to breed. This will give time for any health and temperament concerns to become apparent. It is also advisable that the breeding pair are over two years-of-age. The breeding of Lab retrievers should not be taken lightly. Bringing the breeding pair together is only the first step. The hard work really begins when the bitch is confirmed as pregnant.
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.
Of course the last point, finding good owners, should not be underestimated. 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.
The Labrador Retriever Guide is the complete online resource about Labrador Retreivers with articles, information and advice for all owners of Labs including training tips, food … nutrition and all aspects of Labrador Retreiver health
