Labrador dog - Thoughts

[davelad 0]

Alright guys,

 

I've got a Black Lab who is coming up 13 months, I've been approached by two shooters in the last month who have suggested I put him up to stud straight away. One lad even suggested I let him use my dog next month.

My lab is KC registered and has a cracking pedigree, I'd like to keep that going and breed from him when he is about 2 years old. I was always under the impression Labs needed to be tested for their hips, eyes and elbows?????

 

What would be a suitable age to have him tested etc???

 

Cheers

DaveLad

[rickyspringer 15]

now is the perfect age for getting the health tests done, regarding breeding him its down to you, but the dog must be of great quality for people wanting to use him at such a young age, you haven't gone out on your own back looking for a mating people are coming to you so your dog must be of a very high standard so well done to you, i also share your reservations about waiting to breed,but if he has all the right qualities and he is in good health aswell as breeding for the right reasons whats stopping you.

 

I MUST ADD get the health test done first though pal.

 

RS

[FightTheBan 1,147]

13 months is very young imo, just watch the shooters arent trying to blow smoke up your arse for a free line.

My brothers lab is 20 month old, but was started when very young and has a full grouse and pheasant season under his belt already, as well as a lot of rabbit shooting. He will be getting put to a pointer bitch withing the next 6 months at which point he will be over 2 year old, just.

 

It depends on how much the dog has done, was he easily trained, has he got good breeding? At the end of the day he is your dog, but you must breed responsibly. Tell the shooters if they wait untill the bitch comes into season next time you will give them a line.

FTB

[Dave C 63]

He may have a cracking pedigree but how is he in the field, if i ever breed from my bitch the stud would have to be something special, and tick all the working boxes i have (and i have allot)and if it had a good pedigree that would be a bonus, but it would be secondary.

 

Dave.

[FightTheBan 1,147]

Spot on Dave, too many people breed gundogs based on how many FTCH are in the pedigree, working ability must come first and foremost, which is something you cannot show in a 13 month pup.

Cheers FTB

[rickyspringer 15]

agree with the above, pedigree is a bonus working ability is the key... not numerous ftch is pedigree.

[davelad 0]

Thanks for that lads, he has been quite easily trained. He is very head strong though. He responds well to the whistle and isn't phased by the gun. I'd never breed for financial gain or just because he has a few FTCH in his lines. I'd like to think I was a little a more responsible than that. Especially when you've just to pick a paper up and see the amount of homeless dogs etc.

 

I would like a litter or two from him but for the right reasons, but to be honest, I'd not know where to start about putting him to stud. What do people get for it???

 

Cheers

Davelad

[FightTheBan 1,147]

"What do people get for it"

That is not important, for someone who clearly doesnt know much about gundogs you should not be breeding for money.

 

You should breed when you decide your dog has all the traits and attributes you desire in a working animal, then put him to a good bitch of equally high standard for a pup out of it yourself, money need not change hands.

 

My opinion of you has went down somewhat.

If thats you attitude then you might as well breed off him now, you might make 100 quid or so

 

FTB

[waidmann 105]

i would not brred from the dog untill he has a couple of seasons "proof" at whatever you work him. especially a head strong dog may start to waver from the training with a little experiance( by no means bad thing when dogs can"think for themselves" for those long retrieves when problems need to be solved).

 

good work,healthy dogs both proven to your standards. thats the way imo.

 

normal fee would be the price of a pup( or a pup) but do it for the right reasons mate. as you say there are enough dogs homeless or of poor quality out there, lets not add to them.

atb whatever you decide.

[druimmuir 1]

Nowadays it's not just hips and elbows that people look for in a stud dog for health tests, there is also now CNM and PRA tests done by swab and the dna tests done in specialist centres and thats just the start of the new test, I agree with everyone else in what they are saying in regards to the dog also proving himself as a worker.

 

Nicola

[davelad 0]

I appreciate everyone's thoughts on this, FTB - For the record I would not be doing it for cash. I would like another working animal.

I'll not be letting him breed until he has a few seasons under his belt, maybe in 3-4 years providing he works well.

 

Thanks again guys

davelad

[brocky1978 2]

I appreciate everyone's thoughts on this, FTB - For the record I would not be doing it for cash. I would like another working animal.

I'll not be letting him breed until he has a few seasons under his belt, maybe in 3-4 years providing he works well.

 

Thanks again guys

davelad

 

Just to add I think you have made the right decision, your dog is far too young to be used as a stud if you want him to be a good worker, I've seen a few dogs now that once they have had their first mating start thinking more between their legs than between their ears, in that I mean they can stop listening to command, start scenting more and actively go for the bitches more, it would be a shame to ruin him before he is even fully trained.

[rickyspringer 15]

the above response is so true, dogs just starting thinking of getting there leg over if bred from too young