Best age to Breed Bitch

[buachaill]

I have a Lab bitch that comes from decent breeding. I live in Southern Ireland and travelled up North to get her and I am glad I did. It can be very hit and miss in the South.

She will be two in January. It is easy to see her working background. Very eager to please, mannerly and wants to go all day. obedience is there and the family adore her.

I have started bringing her out with me on the deer and she has all the potential just needs time in the field which she is getting currently and coming along very nicely.

Hoping to breed her at some stage and hold back a pup. Just wondered what age people start to breed their bitches.

Has anyone recommendations of a decent lab stud, what are the rates etc?

Feel its probably wise to start looking at finding a decent stud now to allow myself time to sort one of decent pedigree.

I have no problem travelling to the UK to have her covered, in fact prefer the idea of doing that tbh as I have UK Kennel Club paperwork for her.

Any advice, suggestions very welcome and appreciated.

Happy to post a pic of her pedigree if it helps.

Cheers

 

[finbar]

I usually do my springer spaniels at around 3/1/2 to 4 years old & again 2 ish years later if a want to take another litter …. Never more then 2 litters
Some folk look at there bitch dogs as nothing more than money box’s

 

[buachaill]

Thanks for the feedback. It will be a one and done litter for us. We would love to see the labs down through the family with our kids etc etc

 

[shakey jake]

Thanks for the feedback. It will be a one and done litter for us. We would love to see the labs down through the family with our kids etc etc

if one litter wait till she is older, unless you want loads of dogs having two a couple of years apart increases the risk of old dogs and none for work.
if you breed her at 5ish the next pup will be ready as she slows up

 

[jacre1993]

I don’t know if it’s an old wise ( only what I’ve been told … no real knowledge on the matter myself )
I asked this question myself a few years ago and was told to try and have the 1st litter by 3 years old. As the pelvis/hips on an older dog that hasn’t had a previous litter don’t give as well during birth…..

Could be a load of s**t??
Anyone got any thoughts on that one?
I’d be intrested to know myself.

Jamie

 

[buachaill]

I think the plan was to breed her at the optimum age for her and her health and repeat with pup and so on.

I don't think it is an issue for us to have several pups in the family. More making sure we get the right stud etc

 

[buachaill]

I don’t know if it’s an old wise ( only what I’ve been told … no real knowledge on the matter myself )
I asked this question myself a few years ago and was told to try and have the 1st litter by 3 years old. As the pelvis/hips on an older dog that hasn’t had a previous litter don’t give as well during birth…..

Could be a load of s**t??
Anyone got any thoughts on that one?
I’d be intrested to know myself.

Jamie

Funny you mention this, I was told the similar at 2 1/2 years old.

For us, we are under zero pressure and want to when it is the right time for the bitch etc.

Anyone know what the rates are for a good stud ?

 

[SikaSeeker]

I’d wait till she was at least 5, you will have plenty of time to see if there’s any faults with her, physically or in ger work. Then you have to ask yourself, can I buy in better quality.
A lot of people breed for emotional reasons, as you said you want the line to go down through your family. It doesn’t always work out.

 

[buachaill]

Thanks for response. you are correct there is emotional attachment to wanting to breed her but I should have mentioned whilst I want a solid pedigree for pups my kids may or may not work them. The goal is more so to have her lines through our family but also have a solid pedigree of working dogs, as some will work them.

I guess it is never a perfect situation and it is not about money or producing the best working dogs out there, You can always buy better and none of us do it professionally.

Has anyone actually got a stud lab to breed with on here ?

 

[shakey jake]

Thanks for response. you are correct there is emotional attachment to wanting to breed her but I should have mentioned whilst I want a solid pedigree for pups my kids may or may not work them. The goal is more so to have her lines through our family but also have a solid pedigree of working dogs, as some will work them.

I guess it is never a perfect situation and it is not about money or producing the best working dogs out there, You can always buy better and none of us do it professionally.

Has anyone actually got a stud lab to breed with on here ?

you only breed to good stock, if she isnt great and the stud isnt great why bother?
the reason we have so many tests done on working dogs is because the best wasnt breed from.

 

[VSS]

First litter, over 2 but under 5.

 

[buachaill]

she is two in 4 weeks. she is good stock and furthermore she works nicely and with smarts.

switched it up and she has shown great potential on deer and more importantly fits in around the house and we want to breed her.

do I need a working machine.....no, but if I am going to breed her it will only be to make solid working pups or you are right....what is the point.

 

[RCS Deer Management]

I normally breed my bitches at about 4 years old. I wouldn’t be able to tell if a bunch was worth breeding out of before 3 years old, I’d like to get a serious amount of work under their belt before making that decision. 90% of litters are being bred out of crap these days

 

[farrieral]

"A fool breeds for a wise man to buy"

I always think of this saying, both in my line of work with horses and I think it applies to dogs too!

I've seen the best bloodlines bred in both animals, with good conformation, drive, quality of work etc etc still breed less than ideal specimens!

Its always a gamble!

Again, we all emphasise good health checks but I've seen labs crippled at 2 with the sire and dam's having 0/0 scores for hips/elbows.

A long winded way of saying, in my humblest of opinions, I think its pertinent to wait until 3/4 to see how any dog progresses in its work and its soundness etc and don't get soley blinded by the red letters on a pedigree certificate and what people claim of their stud dogs before seeing it for oneself!

 

[Bowland blades]

Too young , i would not buy a pup if the bitch wasn't at least 3 years better if it was 4 year old

 

[buachaill]

Too young , i would not buy a pup if the bitch wasn't at least 3 years better if it was 4 year old

Thanks for the feedback, I am in no rush just looking to set a game plan and allow myself time to find the right stud etc

 

[CookM]

4 + 6 stop.
Give her a rest to enjoy working her .
And to slow down.
Too many bitches have become cash dispensers ,new pickup,new rifle etc..
Especially since Covid.

 

[CookM]

I normally breed my bitches at about 4 years old. I wouldn’t be able to tell if a bunch was worth breeding out of before 3 years old, I’d like to get a serious amount of work under their belt before making that decision. 90% of litters are being bred out of crap these days

Totally right.
I lost both my boys in short order,but was not buying another to replace them without getting the right one.

 

[Malxwal]

4 + 6 stop.
Give her a rest to enjoy working her .
And to slow down.
Too many bitches have become cash dispensers ,new pickup,new rifle etc..
Especially since Covid.

Yup, seen lads breeding utter rubbish in the name of a few quid, repeatedly.

 

[Yosemite Sam]

"A fool breeds for a wise man to buy"

I always think of this saying, both in my line of work with horses and I think it applies to dogs too!

I've seen the best bloodlines bred in both animals, with good conformation, drive, quality of work etc etc still breed less than ideal specimens!

Its always a gamble!

Again, we all emphasise good health checks but I've seen labs crippled at 2 with the sire and dam's having 0/0 scores for hips/elbows.

A long winded way of saying, in my humblest of opinions, I think its pertinent to wait until 3/4 to see how any dog progresses in its work and its soundness etc and don't get soley blinded by the red letters on a pedigree certificate and what people claim of their stud dogs before seeing it for oneself!