My lab will be 2 years old in February 2008 and I am thinking about breeding from her for the first time shortly after this. I don't want to enter this lightly - she is a very special pet to me and I want to make sure that I do everything safely for her.

Can anyone from the forum community give me advice regarding this "venture" as this is all new to me - I am quite experienced at hatching chicks and rearing lambs but not sure how much use those skills will be!

I need advice really from scratch - care of my dog, preconception, choosing a stud dog, care during and after pregnancy.....any good books or websites that you would recommend.Thanks everyone
Diane
AnimalLoversWeb.com

and also as well as what jilly said dont forget take her to the vets first to have her checked to see if she's in tip top condition

Very well written Jilly - I have to agree with everything you have said. There are way too many people breeding litters without any prior knowledge of their own breed etc......My harsh view is that unless breeding to carry on your own lines for the show ring etc then dont breed at all - there are many dogs sat in rescue kennels right now who would love a warm fireside to lay beside - I feel there is no need to breed just for the hell of it or b'cos "shes such a sweet dog I want to let her have a go at beeing a mum" etc etc...

I fully agree with all your comments and would not enter into breeding from my dog lightly. She is from a very good line of Field Trial champions and my reason for breeding from her is not a sentimental desire for her to have puppies but would be in the interests of the breed.

Additionally, I would not expect this to be a venture for financial gain, from most of the information that I have read, the opposite is probably true. I just wanted some guidance from any of the experts that contribute to this forum that may be valuable in my decision making.

I intend to contact the breeder of my dog as a first step but if any one out there has any more advice, I'd be glad to hear it. Thanks

Diane
www.AnimalLoversWeb.com

Diane - I am so pleased that your reason for breeding her is to improve the breed. Read - read - read....phone the breeder of your girl, contact other Lab breeders. You are correct in thinking that its more like a financial loss too.....it usually is - the money - time - love - effort etc put into those babies will far more out weigh what you will gain once you sell them. Good luck with whatever you decide. As for the stud dogs - look into her lines - look for a dog that will compliment her - look for what you would like to improve upon etc etc....I am sure the Lab breeders will help you far more than anyone on this forum as only you and the lab breeders can answer questions about the lines and stud dogs....

Thanks for the advice - I know dog breeding is a real concern for genuine dog lovers who really want what is best for the breed and for dogs generally. I live close to a Dogs Trust centre and sadly know only too well the problems of reckless and irresponsible breeding. I'll be keeping my sensible head on regarding this issue but am grateful for your comments and understand where you are coming from in your concerns

Diane

www.AnimalLoversWeb.com

Hi Diane, I think you said in one of your posts on another thread she is quite a nervous dog, I would think carefully about breeding from her.

Yes, your right and this is one of the issues that I am concerned about and will need to speak with her breeder, who I know has many years of experience. Molly (my dog) is a very loved family pet and obviously I wouldn't want to make her more anxious or stressed. I take your point and will need to make sure that I've done all my homework regarding this issue - it may be that in the end I'll leave dog breeding to the experts and stick to hatching chicks!

Diane
AnimalLoversWeb.com

I had to smile when reading Breda's first time experience of breeding
It put me in mind of my own first experience many years ago 1976 in fact with a GSD bitch. I had done all the ground work, health tests etc had the whelping box built, all the gear in place, the book in front of me and the phone ready in case I needed the vet and told myself over and over again "you can do this" The book had said 63 days but sadly my bitch could'nt read! Day 56 she started to pant, then stopped, then started again!
So there we were her and me together in the whelping box exhausted after being up all night. We both fell asleep. I woke up........she was not there......panic...........there she was on my bed with 8 beautiful pups all feeding from her. I couldn't believe I had slept through it!!!!! A mistake I never made again! She and the pups were non the worse for their experience but I can't say the same for my bed
Some of my old friends still rib me about this.