Labrador is one of the most popular dog breeds today. Labrador is very playful, friendly, and cheerful. Just like any other dog breed, breeding a Labrador has its own challenges. To be a successful breeder, you will need to monitor your dog's health, check their lineage, purchase the necessary equipment, and learn about the dog breeding process. If you are committed to breeding safely and responsibly, the Labrador is more likely to give birth to healthy puppies and you will earn a reputation as a trusted breeder.
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Method 1 of 5: Checking the Labrador's Health
Step 1. Do not breed a Labrador that has the potential to pass on a serious medical condition to its offspring
If one of your dogs has health problems that can be passed on to their puppies, it's best not to breed the dog. Breeding diseased dogs can pass on health problems to their puppies which can be troublesome for future owners of these dogs. Some of the common health problems found in Labrador dogs are:
- Joint problems, such as hip or elbow dysplasia.
- Progressive retinal atrophy (disorder leading to blindness).
- Cancer
- Even if the dog looks fine, you should still check his health condition to the doctor.
Step 2. Get tested to look for any underlying medical conditions
Even if your Labrador is purebred, that doesn't mean it's the best animal to breed. Your dog may have a serious medical condition that can be passed on to their puppies in the future. To make sure your dog is safe to breed and doesn't have inherited diseases, do a genetic test. Some of the companies and organizations that offer medical examination services for Labrador dogs are:
- The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals can test for dysplasia
- Companion Animal Eye Registry can test for degenerative eye diseases
- OptiGen can test for various genetic disorders
Step 3. Take your Labrador to the vet for a checkup before breeding it
Tell the doctor that you plan to mate the dog. Let the doctor know that you want to find out if there is a potential health problem that could be harmful to the pregnancy or cause complications for the dog, and ask the doctor to update the vaccine. Ask the doctor to do a blood test to find out the condition of his blood sugar, red blood cell count, etc. In this way, doctors can recognize the presence of serious diseases such as diabetes and Cushing's syndrome.
Step 4. Consult your veterinarian if your Labrador has experienced pregnancy complications
If your female dog has experienced pregnancy complications in the past, you and your veterinarian will need to evaluate the risk of pregnancy in the dog in the future. These risks include life-threatening injuries and miscarriages. Complications in question are premature birth, miscarriage, or prolonged bleeding after delivery.
Method 2 of 5: Checking the Dog's Bloodline
Step 1. Find the dog's pedigree or certificate of ownership
When you adopt or purchase a Labrador, the dog seller or rescue may provide a dog registration document. This document must include the parent's name and lineage. These documents are one of the best sources for ensuring the purity of your dog's breed, as well as ensuring it is suitable for breeding.
If you don't have a certificate of ownership, but are sure that your dog is purebred, you can do a dog DNA test to confirm. Dog DNA tests are usually priced between IDR 500,000 to IDR 1,000,000. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations to find the best dog DNA testing services
Step 2. Choose a dog with a temperament that conveys the characteristics of the breed
Labradors are generally very friendly and cheerful. In addition, it has great energy. This dog is also easy to train. If your dog does not have these traits, he is not a good candidate for breeding.
Breeded Labradors should not be aggressive towards humans or other animals
Step 3. Make sure the dog has physical characteristics that match the breed's standards
Only dogs that meet the physical form standards of the breed are allowed to be bred. If your dog doesn't meet these standards, you shouldn't breed it.
- Labrador has black, brown, or yellow fur. Sometimes, it has white streaks on its fur. Labrador often gives birth to offspring with different coat colors, whether it's black, brown, or yellow.
- The Labrador's coat should be short, dense, and rough to the touch.
- The upper back height of an adult female Labrador should be 55-60 cm. Meanwhile, the upper back height of the male Labrador must reach 57-62 cm.
- Labrador should not have short legs or appear "slim and elongated".
- Adult female Labrador should weigh 25-32 kg, while males should weigh 29-36 kg.
Method 3 of 5: Obtaining Permits and Purchasing Equipment
Step 1. Get permissions, if needed
Depending on the applicable law, you may need to obtain a permit from your local government. To find information about these permits, contact your local government or animal control agency, if any.
- In some cities or countries, breeders who own more than 5 or 10 female dogs and sell puppies must have a permit.
- In many places, hunting dog breeders do not need a permit.
Step 2. Buy a large dog box
A dog box is a large cardboard box that is used as a place for female dogs to give birth and nurse their puppies. The box must be 30 cm high, 120 cm long and 120 cm wide. After giving birth, the female dog and her puppies will spend the first few weeks in the box. After that, the puppy and mother can be moved into a cage or other enclosed area.
Step 3. Buy a kennel for the dog to live in
In addition to a dog box, you'll need a kennel to house your adult dog, juvenile dog, and other breed dogs. Adult dogs need a cage that is 107 cm long and 76 cm high. Puppies and dogs of "teenage" age can be kept in small kennels, but you will need to move them to a larger crate once they are adults.
The dog must be able to stand, turn, and stretch in the crate. If he can't do that, the cage is too small
Step 4. Use used towels and sheets as bedding
Collect used towels and sheets from your friends and relatives. If not, you can buy new towels or sheets to use as a base. After that, spread the mat in the box and kennel. This will make the box and crate feel more comfortable for the dog.
Step 5. Partially fence off an area on the page
In addition to the kennel, your dog – both adult and juvenile – needs access to an open area. For that, you need to fence an area of 6 x 12 meters in the yard. In this way, you can alternate dogs according to age and sex.
Step 6. Take the puppy to the vet for vaccinations
When the puppy is 6 to 8 weeks old, you will need to take him to the vet for an initial examination and vaccination. If you don't take him to the vet to get vaccinated, your puppy is at risk of developing dangerous diseases. A responsible breeder will visit his client's veterinarian during the dog breeding process.
Method 4 of 5: Breeding Dogs
Step 1. Breed female dogs from 8 months to 8 years of age
Female Labrador usually do not mate until at least 8 months old. During this period, the dog experiences the first heat period. The period of heat is the fertility cycle when the dog can get pregnant. At this time, you can safely start breeding female Labrador dogs until they reach 8 years of age.
- You can mate a female dog with a male dog that is over 12 months old.
- Pregnancy after the age of 8 can be stressful for dogs. So, don't breed it once it reaches that age.
- Never breed a female dog when she first goes into heat as this can increase the chances of pregnancy complications.
Step 2. Mating dogs when the heat period enters the 10th and 14th days
Labrador goes into heat twice a year. Each cycle lasts 2 to 3 weeks. The female Labrador will reach the fertile period after entering the 10th to 14th day of her estrus cycle.
- After day 10, allow dogs to mate daily for four to six days.
- You can recognize a female Labrador in heat by her swollen vulva and bloody discharge from her vagina.
Step 3. Breed the dog secretly outdoors
Do not allow more than two people into the breeding area as the dog will get nervous. Dogs may take a few hours to start mating, depending on their comfort. If the male dog doesn't seem interested in mating and isn't crushing the female, you may need to wait and try again another day.
- While waiting for the dog to mate, speak gently to make the dog feel comfortable. Don't shout or raise your voice because the dog can be frightened and the process will take longer.
- After the dog has mated, bring the female dog indoors for at least 15 minutes so that she doesn't urinate immediately after mating.
Step 4. Have the vet examine the female dog to confirm her pregnancy
Veterinarians are able to confirm a dog's pregnancy within 3 to 4 weeks of mating. Often, doctors are able to confirm a dog's pregnancy solely from weight gain and other contributing factors (such as increased appetite). Doctors can do this by examining the dog's physical condition or using ultrasound techniques.
Method 5 of 5: Helping the Dog's Pregnancy Period
Step 1. Increase dog food by 35% to 50% during the first 5 weeks of pregnancy
Pregnant dogs need more food to maintain health during pregnancy. Make sure you increase the portion of the food gradually so your dog doesn't get sick.
Step 2. Prepare a special box for childbirth
Place the dog box in a warm, quiet area. Fill the box with blankets to make the dog feel comfortable, then allow him to adapt to the inside of the box before he gives birth.
Step 3. Supervise the delivery process in case the dog needs assistance
Dogs should be able to give birth on their own, but you may need to help them if something goes wrong.
- If the dog doesn't clear the placental membrane from the pup's body, you'll need to clean it by hand so the puppy can breathe.
- If your dog doesn't cut the umbilical cord when cleaning his pup, use clean scissors to cut the umbilical cord 5 to 8 cm from the puppy's stomach. After that, tie both ends with unwaxed dental floss. When finished, wipe the puppy's stomach with red medicine to prevent infection.
Step 4. Call your veterinarian if serious complications occur
If any serious complications arise during pregnancy, the dog should be treated by a professional. Symptoms of pregnancy complications are:
- Body shaking or falling.
- Extreme discomfort.
- The birth interval of each puppy lasts more than 2 hours.
Step 5. Skip a period of heat after the dog gives birth
After the female dog gives birth, go through a period of heat before she is bred again. This is very important because the dog's body must recover before getting pregnant again. Otherwise, a second pregnancy can be stressful for the dog and lead to complications.
