Breeding from our dog...

[zaskar]

We have a 4 year old male chocolate labrador: he is very mellow; excellent with children and other dogs; affectionate and very loyal and in perfect health. We have paperwork of his parents/grand parents/great grand parents, uncles and aunts (all 'pedigree' with some show/competion winners amongst them). He has been hip scored, eye-tested and regularly vaccinated etc. He is a very nice, even dark brown (some are pale, patchy and 'ginger' looking) and has good proportions. A friend has asked if we would be prepared to 'loan him' out to see if he'll 'get it on' with their choc lab bitch (3 years old, also pedigree, healthy etc) with a view to puppies being produced. Whilst, initially, we are up for the idea, we have no idea if this is a good or bad idea to pursue - primarily for either dog's physical and mental well being - or even if it is legal(!). If we did proceed and all went well, how do we work out any fees/who gets which pups etc? I've heard that if you put a dog out to breed, you get to choose the pup you want from the litter and the bitches owner gets the rest? Any views/opinions? Our dog - as far as we know - has never had sex. Is this something else to consider? Once he's had it once, will he become a randy so and so forever?!? Thanks.

[Solarjunkie]

Well, you certainly seem to be considering the pros and cons and I salute you for it. But with tens of thousands of dogs being put down every year, do you really want to add to the total number of dogs in the country, even nice ones? There are many hundreds of lovely labradors looking for homes at this minute. Will you be able tro guarantee homes for all the pups - and their pups - and their pups - you get my drift?

But as far as practicalities are concerned, there are a lot of things that can go wrong with an inexperienced bitch and an inexperienced dog - possibly resulting in injury, maybe even serious injury to either party. There are the possible problems of pregnancy and confinement too.

Don't risk your dog changing temperament, just enjoy him as he is.

[gastwo]

No, he wont become randy.      Its common for the dog owner to have choice of litter (by agreement) as to stud fee, best way is to enquire with established breeders.

[woofgang]

some dogs will change, some dogs won't. How will you deal with it if he does?? If you want a fee, puppy, etc, make it clear in a written agreement that you both sign. If the dog is going to live with the bitches owner for 2 or three days, what will you do if he is lost, injured, gets sick??

It is actually usual for the bitch to visit the dog when she is ready. It is also usual to put a maiden bitch to an experienced dog and vice versa.

Has your friend had litters before? Why does she want to breed her bitch? What how will you feel if she can't sell all the puppies, or you later find that one or more of the homes is unsuitable and the puppies suffer?

Wherer di your dog come from? could you get advice from his breeder?

I am not saying don't but there is a lot to think about and loads of nice pedigreed dogs in breed rescue. Sorry to be so negative

[Snappy]

Dogs dont have sex because they like it, they do it to breed so if he has it once and never again he wont be bothered. As far as fees go you choose whether you want a puppy from the litter or the selling price of the pup. You must take the bitch to the dog though, not the other way around or she could attack him. I wouldnt take him to her house, thats when conflict could start. Try a neutral place for both dogs or she must come to you.

[woofgang]

actually snappy is wrong, its not about the enjoyment bit, its about a dog realising "what its all about" and it can turn an easygoing not really interested dog into one who really IS interested and can be a pest, also it can make them more likely to want to assert their authority over other male dogs  and....you won't know whether your dog will change or not until afterwards.....