Labradors are a popular dog breed.They are friendly and outgoing.Labradors present unique challenges, like any dog breed.To breed Labradors, you need to check your dog's health, purchase necessary equipment, and be aware of the breeding process.Labradors have a good chance of producing healthy puppies if you commit yourself to safe and responsible breeding.
Step 1: Don't breed Labradors with hereditary medical problems.
If you know that one of your dogs has a medical problem that can be passed on to its offspring, you shouldn't breed it.Ensuring that medical problems continue to cause problems for Labradors and their owners in the future will be accomplished by breeding a dog with those problems.Hip or elbow dysplasia is one of the most common Labrador health problems.Even if you don't know your dog has cancer, it's still a good idea to have it screened.
Step 2: It's a good idea to screen your Labradors for hereditary medical conditions.
That doesn't mean that your Labrador is the best stock for breeding.It could have serious medical issues that can be passed on to its offspring.If you want to know if your dog is a good breeding stock, have it genetically screened.There are some companies and organizations that conduct screening on Labradors.
Step 3: Before breeding, your Labradors should be examined by the vet.
Tell your vet that you're going to have sex with your dogs.Let them know that you would like them to check for any potential medical problems that could endanger the unborn child or cause other problems, and that your labradors should be up-to-date on their vaccinations.To check your dog's blood sugar levels, ask them to run a blood test.They'll be able to rule out problematic disorders with this method.
Step 4: It's a good idea to talk to your vet if your dog has had a problem in the past.
If your female dog has had a previous failed pregnancy, you and your vet need to evaluate the risks of future pregnancies, which can include life-threatening injury and additional failed pregnancies.If your dog has a premature birth, had a miscarriage, or suffered bleeding after a successful pregnancy, this is especially true.
Step 5: Obtain your dog's papers.
The breeder or rescue may have given you registration papers for your dog.The names of its parents should be included in the papers.It's a good idea to register your dog to make sure you have good breeding stock.If you don't have registration papers, you can take a DNA test on your dog to confirm it is a purebred.Dog tests cost between $50 and $100.Ask your vet if they can recommend a company to do the test.
Step 6: Pick dogs that have a good temperament.
Labradors are friendly and outgoing.They're a bit high energy.They are easy to train.It's not a good idea to breed a dog that doesn't have these attributes.Labradors shouldn't be aggressive to humans or other animals.
Step 7: Do you know if your dogs meet the physical standards of the breed?
The standard of the breed should be represented by dogs.You should not breed a dog if it doesn't represent this standard.Black, chocolate, or yellow are the colors of labradors.Sometimes they have white markings.Labradors have mixed litters with black puppies, chocolate puppies and yellow puppies.The coat of Labradors should be short and dense.The withers are the area between your dog's shoulder blades.Male Labradors should be between 22 and 23 inches tall at the withers.Female adult Labradors should be between 55 and 70 pounds.Adult Labradors should weigh between 65 and 80 pounds.
Step 8: If you need a license, get one.
You may need to apply for a license from your local government.Ask your local law enforcement or animal control office if you need a license.Any breeder with more than 5 intact female dogs and who sells puppies will need a license.In many places, hunting dogs are not subject to licensing.
Step 9: Purchase a big box.
A whelping box is where your female dog will give birth and nurse its puppies.The box should be 2 feet high, 4 feet wide, and 1.2 feet deep.The female lab and her puppies will stay in the box for three weeks.The puppies and mother dog will be able to move into a cage or similar enclosure after that.
Step 10: You should get cages to house your dogs.
In addition to a whelping box, you'll need cages to house your grown dogs, as well as any other dogs you plan to keep as breeding stock.The cages for grown dogs are 42 inches long and 30 inches high.When they are mature, juvenile and younger dogs should be moved into large cages.The dogs should be able to stand up and lay down in their cages.The cages are too small if they can't.
Step 11: Old sheets and towels can be used as bedding.
You can get towels and sheets from friends or family.New towels or sheets can be purchased if you can't get enough.Put them in your whelping box and cages.This will make the whelping box and cage more comfortable for your dogs.
Step 12: There is a fence in your yard.
Dogs need access to open space in addition to cages.There should be at least two or three fenced areas in your yard.You'll be able to have different dogs at the same time.
Step 13: Puppies should be taken to the vet for vaccinations.
When your puppies are 6 to 8 weeks old, you need to take them to the vet for an exam and their first set of puppy shots.You could put them at risk of contracting diseases if you don't take them to the vet.A responsible breeder will keep in touch with their vet during the breeding process.
Step 14: Female dogs can be bred between 8 months and 8 years of age.
Female Labradors can't be bred until they're at least 8 months old.Your dog will experience its first heat cycle around this time.Your dog will be able to get pregnant during the fertility cycle.You should be able to breed your female Labrador until it is 8 years old.A male dog that's older than 12 months can be bred with a female dog.Don't breed your dog after the age of 8 because of the stress it will put on you.During her first heat, don't breed a bitch, as this could increase her chance of having a baby.
Step 15: Between the 10th and 14th day of the heat cycle, you should put your dogs down.
The heat cycle lasts twice a year.The cycle lasts between 2 and 3 weeks.Between the 10th and 14th day of the heat cycle, your female Labrador will be most fertile.Allow your dogs to mate every other day for four to six days after the 10th day.Your female labrador will start the heat cycle when her vagina is swollen and she has a bloody vaginal discharge.
Step 16: There is a private, outdoor location where you can breed the dogs.
The dogs could feel overwhelmed if more than 2 people were present.Depending on how comfortable the dogs are, it may take several hours before they start having sex.If the male dog doesn't mount the female, you may need to try again the next day.When you're waiting for the dogs to mate, talk to them softly.If you speak loudly, you could upset the dogs and prolong the process.After the dogs mate, bring the female inside for at least 15 minutes so she doesn't urinate immediately.
Step 17: Allow your vet to examine your female dog to confirm that she is pregnant.
Your vet will be able to tell you if you are pregnant after 3 to 4 weeks.They'll be able to confirm pregnancy by noting the increased weight of your dog and related factors.They can do this by examining the dog.
Step 18: During the last 5 weeks of your baby's life, feed your dog 35-50 percent more.
During the end of their pregnancies, pregnant dogs need more food.If you introduce the extra food slowly, your dog won't get sick.
Step 19: Prepare a box for your dog to give birth to.
There is a warm, quiet spot where you can put the whelping box.Try to get your dog used to going in the box before the birth by filling it with blankets.
Step 20: If you need to help out, keep an eye on the birthing process.
If something goes wrong with your dog's birth, you may need to step in.If your dog doesn't remove the placental membranes from its puppies, you'll need to use your hands to do so.If your dog doesn't cut the cords while it cleans its puppies, use scissors to cut them away from the puppies.Unwaxed dental floss should be used to tie the ends of the cords off.When you're done, wipe down the puppies stomachs to make sure they don't get sick.
Step 21: If there are serious consequences, contact your vet.
During the birthing process, your dog will need professional assistance.There may be something wrong with the pregnant woman.Extreme pain.It has been over two hours since the puppy was delivered.
Step 22: Between pregnancies, skip a heating season.
Allow your female Labrador to mate again after it has given birth.Your dog's body needs to recover before another baby is born.If you don't wait, the second pregnancy could put stress on your dog's body and cause problems.