Marc M Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 Hi all, What is the general concensus as to the ideal first age to breed a bitch? I have a 23 month old black Drakeshead labrador retreiver bitch whom I intend to breed from. I'd initially thought I would line her up around 3 years old but have today been introduced to a gent with a suitable working stud. My question is this, do I pair the two in my bitches upcoming season where she will be aged just over 2 years old, or is it better to wait till she has matured more? Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy75 Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 Could you phone your vet to check? no offence to anyone here (unless there is a vet about) but I wouldn't trust one of my animals' well being on someone elses say so unless they are a professional in that field... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 Could you phone your vet to check? no offence to anyone here (unless there is a vet about) but I wouldn't trust one of my animals' well being on someone elses say so unless they are a professional in that field... Good advise Andy I have a Brindlebay bitch and I intend to stand her at 4 years, reason being i would like to keep one bitch from her and have mother and pup in the field for the young one to learn from mum. It would seem as long as the dog is fit and happy they will work up to and beyond 6 years, by that time pup will be able to go it alone and mum can retire. I will then do the same agian and with luck always have two happy dogs to work and one having earned a good rest to be spoilt in her dotage Well thats the plan anyway pavman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc M Posted May 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 Just though a forum for shootring men may throw up a few labrador breeders who I dare say have far more knowledge of the breed than my current vet. Anyone got any advice? Is 2 years too early for a bitch, and is it unsafe putting her with a 7 year old dog? By unsafe I obviously mean towards the future puppies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doggone Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 Just though a forum for shootring men may throw up a few labrador breeders who I dare say have far more knowledge of the breed than my current vet. Anyone got any advice? Is 2 years too early for a bitch, and is it unsafe putting her with a 7 year old dog? By unsafe I obviously mean towards the future puppies. Physically there's no problem, but it's a bit early to know if the bitch is worth breeding from, even with the finest pedigree, the bitch can still turn out to be a muppet and we don't want to fill the world with unruly labs do we. Perhaps you got her trained early and you've done a season with her and she's proving her worth. Hope you get a good healthy litter if you go ahead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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