Boarding out the bitch seems to be a new thing, is it?

I, personally, wanted a stud dog to come to the home so my bitch was in familiar territory and was less anxious. This seems to be an outdated idea now, with may stud dogs offering to board the bitch.

What do you do/think?

Stud dogs always work better at their own home, my parents have been breeding goldens since the 60's and have never had the stud come to them, they have always travelled to the dog As for boarding them, no not for us we would travel and then go back leaving a day inbetween, if it is a distance away then we make a short holiday out of it

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Like Tashi's parents, I would always travel to the stud dog, making a short visit if distance requiries rather than return home and go back.

Certainly in the time I've been involved with dogs, the stud dog going to visit the bitch is not something I've come across and that's been some 30 years or so

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What you need to know before buying a Labrador puppy

Have to agree that its normal for the bitch to visit the stud dog and has been that way for as long as I remember however there appears to be a spate of studs offering their services in the bitches home.

Knowing this is not usual, I did some research. In my breed, most if not all of the studs willing to travel, are unproven and/or are not good breed specimens whatsoever. My take on it is, the stud owners know no one will travel to them because of the quality of their dog just doesnt make the grade, therefore offer the travelling service just to get 'business'

I would never leave my bitch in someones elses hands at the time of mating. Anything could happen, even a different std could be used and you wouldn't know

thanks for the replies.

I would never leave my bitch with anyone else. I will look for a local stud who I can travel to.

Why does it have to be local? the first stud dog I used was around a 16 hour round trip - I simply stayed. my last stud dog was an 8 hour round trip - we just went tice.

By limiting your search to local dogs, you may well not get the best dog for your bitch.

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What you need to know before buying a Labrador puppy

The stud I am planning to use was recommended by Alaska's breeder lucky the stud doesnt live to far (around 40/50 miles away) so I dont have that worry.
The stud I originally wanted to use was 15 hours there and and 15 hours back from me.

To use the good stud dogs usually you will have to go to them...I dont mind.

I don't mind travelling some distance but would rather wait until I found a dog within reasonable travelling distance. I have children and would not be able to do a 16 hours travel. This does not mean I will not be picky over which stud dog I use.

Your bitch's breeder would be able to suggest a stud for you to use. Have you tried this? As then you will know how far you may have to travel.

Good luck - I own the numerically largest breed in the UK with the largest gene pool probably in the world, and like many other owners, still had to travel long distances to find the best match.

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What you need to know before buying a Labrador puppy