I'd like to start breeding Labs. I don't want to become a BYB. How do I start breeding properly?Please answer.

Question

I would like to start breeding Labrador Retrievers properly. I have researched the breed thoroughly and have decided that I have enough money to open up a Kennel and start buying my first few (show/breeding quality from excellent bloodlines) Labs. I want to become a good breeder; not some stupid Backyard Breeder. I know everything I need to know about Labs and breeding but I don't know where to start. I wouldn't be able to start breeding for 2 years (so the dogs can grow up) and I'd be interested in opening a kennel PRIOR to breeding my first litter. I have found several Lab breeders in my area (Vic, AUS) selling champion quality Labs for $1400 each and decided to buy my first one. I wouldn't be able to get her for another 4 months as the litter is not due yet and there is a waiting list.
Without insulting me, can anybody tell me where I should start? I own a large house with a large backyard, swimming pool etc. but I also own a house in the country with acreage, near a lake...

Money is not an issue if while breeding, something goes wrong. My two kids are 20 and 24 (I am 45) and aren't living at home. My 24 y/o is engaged and my 20 y/o is living in a unit with her boyfriend who would be willing to help socialize and care for the dogs if needed.

I know there are many dogs in the shelters and I know there are many BYBs (I see them every week advertising designer dogs in the Victorian TP) and have rescued dogs in the past and loved the feeling knowing that I saved a life.

I'd like to start breeding to improve the Labrador [breed] and as I have a true love for the Labrador. I have for many years.

Yes I plan on getting them screened for hip and elbow dysplasia and getting them checked for PRA.

The breeders sire and dam have been screened for all hereditary diseases.
Sire hips: 0/1, elbows 0/0 eyes clear
Dams hips: 1/1, elbows 0/0 eyes clear.

Answer 1

Rest assured you are not going to be a back yard breeder! You are off to an excellent start. If you have not hung out at the dog shows then I suggest you do so. It will be a wealth of information! Another place to go is your vet. Let her know what you are planning to do and she will be able to give you more breed specific (medical) information. Breeding is not hard (evident by all the BYB) but you will want to stick by your vets side throughout pregnancy and whelping untill you are comfortable not calling her every hour during whelping. I aldo recommend you not start off with more than two dogs. There are breed specific books at the library on breeding/whelping. You have got the basics and will be a good breeder! When your female comes into heat the male WILL NOT leave her alone. So before she bleeds you will know it is time. Here is a calandar of events for you .

Answer 2

I would recommend going to the shows in your area, and speaking with the breeders, who have the dogs you most like. Catch them while relaxing, not eating or getting ready for the next class..
If the first ones don't care to talk much, just don't give up, or take it personally. I don't know how the Aus. show people are, but here the 'show' people can be the best or the worst.
Anyway, it is far easier to begin with a mentor. Hopefully you will find such a mentor at your local kennel club, or through the contacts at the shows.
I began with retired adult show dogs. My first females were 5-6 years old..It is the most econimical way to get the very best..They can only have a litter or two for you, but if bred to the right males, they will give you a great foundation..That is where the mentor comes in. they would be able to show you what lineage compliments which lineages. You need to know which lines carry the recessive genes, for hip dysplasia, juvenil cataracts, ACL proplems, etc. Even crooked teeth or bad bite will crop up in several generations...and the only way is to study pedigrees, study, study, and more study. Old timers will be of great help there. Also, longevity. If you really want to improve the breed, I feel the best way is to promote longevity! Our dogs seem to die all too young, especially of the show lineages.
My own dogs are living healthy, far beyond the average for the breed, and I feel that I have actually contributed something besides another pretty dog... My breed also has a reputation for being hard to train, or just plain ditzy..So, I bred to a dog that had obedience titles in 5 countries. It really makes a difference when you know just WHAT improvements you want to make to the breed..

Answer 3

I think Cagney said a lot of truth.

Be sure to check out your stock and make sure your breeding lines have the right mix of line breeding with some out cross.

Get to know your lines.. especially the "older" & more popular ones. It is choosing those correct lines that may help you be able to sell all these puppies.

Most breeders will try to have at least half their litter sold and going into good homes before the breeding. If not you will end up standing in line with the puppy mills out there. Get known in your market place by joining groups and going to shows and visiting kennels.

There is a large, very nice well known kennel for sale in Australia which has everything you need to get started.. ???

GOOD LUCK
http://360.yahoo.com/sewwoodyou

Answer 4

i'm not going to insult you. you actually sound intelligent. you've researched the breed and stated what you plan. my suggestion would be to start hanging out at dog shows and call the local lab breeder club. make a friend with the breeder you plan to buy from. they will always have their name attached to your pups from the bloodline. so they should be more than happy to help you. you should show these dogs and put titles on them to make the pups more desirable and to prove you are breeding for the better of the breed. the only thing you didn't include is are you going to OFA certify your breeding stock,and screen for other heriditary issues with this breed? and remember just keep as many breeding pairs as you can handle. sometimes with dogs that have large litters it can be easy to let things get out of hand. also do you have a vet already lined up that knows of whelping care and know that if you're ever in trouble you can count on that vet anytime of day or night? good luck to you.

Answer 5

I would get involved with the breeders in your area and find a mentor. You'll need to show your dogs to ensure that your dog meets breed standards and to prove the quality of the dog. Showing a dog means you'll either need to do it yourself or hire a professional or, more commonly, some of both.
You may want to check with the labrador club to see if they have any mentorship program. These can be very helpful in guiding you to being able to learn more quickly.

Answer 6

Thank you for opting to go the responsible route. First you will have identify the characteristics of a reputable breeder verses a backyard breeder seen here
http://bullmastiffinfo.melkevbullmastiffs.com/comparis.htm
In breeding labs you will need to find a good stock and to find the line that you like the best that you feel best matches the standard seen here. You are going to have to know this by heart show that you can id show quality and breeding quality dogs.
http://www.thelabradorclub.com/standard/officialstandard.html
http://www.labrador-canada.com/lrccstd.pdf (illustrated)
An is your dog quality test
http://www.hsky.org/pdf/BreedChart.pdf#search=%22breeding%20quality%20dog%22
It is highly important to test breeding stock for genetic diseases. This is where the two years of age before breeding comes in because labs need OFA certification and an acurate reading can not be tested for until 2 years of age.
OFA site
http://www.offa.org/
CERF site
http://www.vmdb.org/cerf.html

This lab breeder has tons of article that I suggest you look at
http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/articles.html

You are going to want to get in touch with a reputable lab breeder and have them mentor you. You may also proceeding in idenifying your local breed club
http://www.salabclub.com.au/?page=links

Answer 7

Wow. Why do no longer you merely visit a pair domestic dog generators and get some classes. Breeding canines isn't a company and could be completed to extra perfect a breed. The canines which you listed are no longer breeds and there is no assure that they are going to hypoallergenic. visit college and get a actual activity. And confident mixes with those names are merely that combines, no longer purebreds.

Answer 8

Make sure that that the pups you are planning to breed are from OFA certified parents. This proves that they are not prone to dysplasia. You will want to see the certificate don't take their word for it. You will want to have your dogs when they are of age to be certified also. I am sure there are other genetic disorders-know them, screen for them. Only breed your dams once per year-she will come into heat twice per year. Allow her to rest the second cycle. Feed your dogs both dams and sires a high quality food. If you sire out your males or vice versa make sure the other breeder's standards are as high as yours.

Good Luck

I

Answer 9

This is NOT the place to ask breeding advice AT ALL!

Find an email group to join and get a mentor. It takes years to get to a level where you will be able to do it proper like.

Answer 10

visit http://www.dogsvets.net