What first steps can I take to become a Lab breeder?

Question

My Lab girl (1 year old) has turned out to have a lot of talent in both agility and obedience courses, and has an excellent temperament for training and companionship. We have her pedigree back 5 generations, and she does not have a history of eye problems or hip dysplasia. My family was thinking of breeding a litter of her puppies because she is an excellent specimen and would definitely improve the breed. We want to be reliable and good breeders though who aim to produce quality pets, not backyard breeders out there to make money. How do we learn how to become good breeders? We have a huge fenced-off backyard, and a lot of patience to raise little puppies. I want to give it a shot.

I definitely wouldn't breed her yet, that's why I'm starting early on learning how to be a responsible breeder.

Answer 1

step one; Make sure your local laws allow it.
two; build a kennel to keep animals separated and that will keep them out of harsh weather.
Three; Find a NO BS vet who isn't out to retire off you and your dogs who will tell you how it is.
four; Learn about whelping and have proper equipment on site to birth pups.
five; be willing to loose a pup or two here or there and then hand them over and watch the cute little puppy leave to a new home.
SIX; check with the kennel club that dogs are registered with for a list of requirements they specify to be a breeder.

Good Luck, it's expensive, I did all this but six with the Chihuahuas and hounds. I am not a breeder, I just had a few dogs whelp. Very expensive, we only let one chihuahua go, and that was a give away because we knew the person real well. We figured we would rather GIVE one to a good home than sell and make some money back to someone we don't know.
I would advice having one littler and then see and you can then either quit or continue.

Answer 2

First you have to wait until she is 2 years old. Then have her hip OFA certified. Then her eyes and elbows and her heart. Just because there none in her background doesn't mean she is in the clear for having any of these problems. If she passes all these test with a good to excellent rating then you have to look for a male with all the same qualification as she has. Not a n easy thing to do. Read all you can get your hands on about breeding and whelping and about the Labrador breed it self.Realize that there are thousands of Labs out there in shelters and in Shelters. Having buyers for your pups already lined up before you even breed is a must. Your going in the right direction but you need education on how everything works and then and only then should you breed your dam.

Answer 3

Really, do we need more people breeding pet Labs???? They are a dime a dozen anywhere you look. Unless you are breeding to IMPROVE the breed, don't breed.
You cannot say there is no history of hip dysplasia, because you have not had her OFA'd, and you have no idea what ALL the dogs in the past 5 generations had. Like the sire's littermates, and so on.
ALL genetic tests still have to be done....even if you think your dog has no problems.
Unless you do EVERYTHING that is required...and are committed to spaying her if the tests come back poor, you will be a BYB out to make money.
And unless you have had her shown or looked at by a few REAL Lab breeders, you cannot declare her an "excellent specimen"!!!!

Answer 4

Find a mentor. Go to AKC.org, and get a referral to a local Lab breeder.

How exactly are you going to improve the breed? Is your girl titled? Would you just be breeding for agility, or would you try and improve her conformation? What lines does she come from, since 'AKC registered' really means nothing.

Just because she does 'not have a history' doesn't mean she doesn't have poor hips, or couldn't throw off pups with poor hips, or eyes. You need to have her X-rayed and get results back from the OFA, as well as the CERF.

Personally, if you're looking to breed for agility dogs, Labs aren't the big 'agility' breed. However, they're very popular in conformation. If you show your girl, and she proves herself in that conformation ring, then you might look into breeding.

Also, her breeder should be happy to be your mentor-unless you bought her from a backyard breeder, or a puppymiller.....

Answer 5

don't unless you have a true love for the breed because chances are you are never going to make money - I bred a few litters a year for several years and lost money on all of them. Every dog I ever bred was sold before it was born and it still isn't a money making proposition. There are lots of issues with breeding that you may have a hard time dealing with as well 20% - 30% puppy mortality rate, litters that are too large and need to be culled, (I never did but know it happens), vet bills, shots, advertising, time time time please let this dream die and just purchase a high quality dog and give him lots of love and if he\she is show quality and a champion then think about breeding

Answer 6

First step. Call the breeder of your dog and discuss this with him/her. You need a mentor who is a responsible, knowledgeable breeder who can teach you and guide you.

Next steps. Buy breed books, go to the national Lab club website.....subscribe to breed magazines....go to conformation shows...go to field trials....realize the difference in Lab type..conformation vs field.....learn the genetics...

It's a lot of time, a lot of work...but fascinating!

Good luck in your searches

Answer 7

Get involved in the breed club in your area. Get to know other breeders and see if you can find one that can mentor you and help you evaluate your dog's suitability for breeding. That's the best place to start. Ideally it would be best if she got her obedience titles.

Answer 8

1stly shes too young at the moment, breeding at this age will do more harm than good.

wait untill shes around 2.

get her hips scored and other health tests (which you appear to already done)

then get registered with the kennel club, i dont know which country your from but their will be one for you. you can easily become a respectable breeder.

then next you need a good stud dog, get his background checked, go for an experienced one.