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To breed or not to breed that is the question!

2K views 10 replies 9 participants last post by  tirluc 
#1 ·
I was curious I've been thinking about breeding my Lab mix when she's older. The thing is I know more than the average moron but I'm not a vet or some respectable dog lover. I just don't don't want to do it wrong and also I don't want to be some white trash in-bred hillbille that doesnt know what in sam hell I'm doing. I obviously need to be more educated about the cycle for my dog and also like when and how long do they stay pregnant what maybe should I breed with here or should I even do it at all . When is a proper age to breed her?


Please help me out your guys opinons matter to me!
 
#2 · (Edited)
Not to breed! IMO, it's unethical and irresponsible to breed a mixed dog. Professional breeders breed for a reason...to preserve the breed standard by producing excellent examples of the breed standard as set by the AKC...if you are in America. If you breed this dog, you will be considered a "back-yard-breeder", and this is a bad word to true dog lovers. Furthermore, breeding mixes only makes the overpopulation problem in dog rescues and shelters worse. So I would advise you to do the sensible thing and have your dog spayed. There is much to learn about proper breeding, and you're years away from even considering this as a career. So please attend an AKC sponsored event and speak to handlers and breeders about your decision. Find a mentor! Contact your local purebred rescue for contacts to reputable breeders who would be willing to help you. Learn the basics of breeding from them, but for this dog, please have her spayed as recommended by your vet. Good luck!

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TO BREED OR NOT TO BREED – THAT IS THE QUESTION
 
#4 ·
it kind of sucks cause I don't even know if she's full bred or not cause she was a charity case I have no idea of finding out how I know what breed she is . I was going to look more into it my aunt is a breeder she specializes with horse's and dogs but I do value your guys opinons so I thought I would ask before I ask my aunt. I just wish I knew if she is or not dang it!:mad: :)


Thanks for the help!
 
#5 ·
Regardless of whether or not she is, if she's a charity case, then you don't know her background. You have no idea of what health problems her parents have that could be passed on, or if they have any undesired traits in the breed, if she in in fact a purebred. Not to mention, Lab mixes overrun most shelters, so anyone who wanted one of them could just as easily save a life, instead of buying a puppy from a dog that was rescued herself. Breeding her will only increase the risks of health problems to her, it's better to spay her, and love her as a pet.
 
#6 ·
First reason I say not to breed her is because she's a mix. Second, you don't know her backround, pedigree, etc. Third, what titles does she have? Hunting, conformation, field work, etc? I'm guessing none. Fourth, have you done any health testing? Labs are prone to lots of genetic things you'd need to test for.

As someone else said, there are plenty of lab mixes in the shelters. Lots die everyday. No need to bring more into the world.

http://www.shelterrescue.org/id20.html
These are pets that have been euthanized in shelters down south, in gas chambers. Notice how many look like labs.
Please have your pet spayed.
 
#7 ·
...my Lab mix when she's older....I just don't don't want to do it wrong....
this, in itself, is your answer......she is a mix, and you don't want to do it wrong.....if you breed a mix you are doing it wrong.......go to the HS and see how many dogs down there are PTS....maybe even witness one if possible and then say you still want to breed your mix......i'm still debating on the breeding of my reg. BC of which i have at least half the litter spoken for (to friends) already.....
 
#8 ·
:)
I'm sure your dog is beautiful and if you haven't posted pics yet - please do so we can ohh and ahh over your cutie! I've heard people say they want to breed because they love their dog so much. I have a friend who just lost her dog and she said her only regret is that she does not have a puppy from him. I'm not saying these are your reasons for wanting to breed but reasons like this or any reason really by a 'nonprofessional' is about you not about the dog or the breed. I hope this makes sense - I guess it comes down to, in all probability, that your dog just wants to be your baby instead of having babies to fulfill your needs. You may want to talk to your vet about having her spayed.
 
#9 ·
PLEASE spay your lab. We rescued Keno indirectly from a rescue group. She's probably 100% lab, but we don't know for sure. She was picked up PREGNANT by the group and adopted out before she had the pups. Her previous owner let her have the pups (10); dad was a rottweiler but the owner was abusive to her.

Keno was 9 months old when she got pregnant (first heat). After we got her and spayed her, she was found to have heartworms too. She's fine and happy now. But the point being that 10 mixed breed pups are who knows where!

First of all unless you have papers and have proven your dog in shows or field trials, she should not be breed. Second, you have to have her OFA certified with clearance of hip dysplasia and that cannot be done before 2 yrs old. Your dog will be happier as a spay. If you want another lab, check out Petfinders for another pup/dog. Don't add to the overflow in shelters.

Keno's a lovely lab, and we've had many compliments on her. I would NEVER breed her on purpose as we don't know her background and she's already had one accidental litter. I showed and bred pedigree cats and had a waiting list of potential owners. They were top quality (grand champions). I also knew genetics, breeding lines, and my cats were cleared of inherited problems.

Breeding should be taken seriously. If you really are interested in breeding a quality lab, then do your homework. Go to dog shows, talk with other breeders and buy a quality female to show and breed - and be prepared to spend over $1,000 for a top quality dog!
 
#10 ·
If your lab mix can pass for purebred and you have her spayed, you could enter her in AKC performance events (assuming you took time to train her) such as obedience, agility and rally. This would give you the chance to talk to breeders and maybe even find one that lives near you who would be willing to mentor you in return for some kennel help.
 
#11 ·
breeding: i am not an advocate that a dog needs to have "titles" in conformation, field, herding, or whatever, i think there are many dogs out there "doing their jobs" that are excellent in their field but never see a trial and are just as qualified to pass on the qualities desired.....however, the dog should be of high quality in the conformation aspect (and i don't mean the cosmetics; e.g., perfect markings, blue eyes only on merles, etc., i mean a Lab needs to be a Lab in structure, and a Collie a Collie, etc), they should be tested for any and all genetic problems and here is a break down of just some of them: Hip/Elbow Dysplasia (and both should be checked)--$100-150 depending on vet.....CEA/PRA--$35 annually, per (unless you do a DNA for the CEA--$185, give or take), and i'm not sure on the price range of these but there are Luxating Patella, screening for Epilepsy, the BAER (Hearing) and the list goes on.....then you have the cost of maintaining your female in the best condition during and after pregnancy, doing eye checks on ALL the pups, making sure the pups are fed properly till they leave at about 8 wks, and what if your female needs a C-section (that can run you a pretty penny).....and the costs go on and on and.....
 
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