Another option to consider

[Tink]

Since I know we have a lot of dog lovers here, I thought you all might be able to help me make a decision.

My lab ladies are registered, vet checked, good breeding quality dogs. I got them with the intention of breeding them with my standard poodle. They are both in good condition to be bred according to my vet. The chcolate has just come into heat. I have someone who has contacted me wanting me to allow his yellow lab male to breed her and let him have pick of the litter male pup for the breeding. His dog is very nice with good lines, etc. It is getting up in age and he wants a pup to raise with the male so that it can have as much of his influence as possible.

IF I agree to this, I will have purebred lab pups to sell. Both parents have good lines, are nice dogs in good health, with good hips, and so on. So that really isn't an issue. Because of her age, I only plan to breed the chocolate probably twice. I won't breed her more than once a yr because they have 8- 12 pups per litter as a rule and it takes a lot out of them to carry and nurse so many. I do NOT want to become a puppy mill type breeder. I would likely keep a female pup out of the litter to raise for future breeding stock.

What holds me back is that there are always a lot of lab litters being advertised around here. I don't want to add to what might already be a glutt of labs in the area, although they do seem to sell. Labradoodles are quite rare here and from what I've learned, are in demand. I am confident I could find them good homes rather quickly and at a higher price than the labs, but naturally I couldn't save a pup for future breeding since it would be a daughter of my male.

The owner of the lab male happened to be visiting one of my neighbors and saw my lab girls, which is how he found out about them. He really liked my chocolate, so made me this proposition.
So in my position what would you do?

[highlans]

Originally Posted by Tink

Since I know we have a lot of dog lovers here, I thought you all might be able to help me make a decision.

My lab ladies are registered, vet checked, good breeding quality dogs. I got them with the intention of breeding them with my standard poodle. They are both in good condition to be bred according to my vet. The chcolate has just come into heat. I have someone who has contacted me wanting me to allow his yellow lab male to breed her and let him have pick of the litter male pup for the breeding. His dog is very nice with good lines, etc. It is getting up in age and he wants a pup to raise with the male so that it can have as much of his influence as possible.

IF I agree to this, I will have purebred lab pups to sell. Both parents have good lines, are nice dogs in good health, with good hips, and so on. So that really isn't an issue. Because of her age, I only plan to breed the chocolate probably twice. I won't breed her more than once a yr because they have 8- 12 pups per litter as a rule and it takes a lot out of them to carry and nurse so many. I do NOT want to become a puppy mill type breeder. I would likely keep a female pup out of the litter to raise for future breeding stock.

What holds me back is that there are always a lot of lab litters being advertised around here. I don't want to add to what might already be a glutt of labs in the area, although they do seem to sell. Labradoodles are quite rare here and from what I've learned, are in demand. I am confident I could find them good homes rather quickly and at a higher price than the labs, but naturally I couldn't save a pup for future breeding since it would be a daughter of my male.

The owner of the lab male happened to be visiting one of my neighbors and saw my lab girls, which is how he found out about them. He really liked my chocolate, so made me this proposition.
So in my position what would you do?

If his lab has a good line then looking long term to breed from his now will allow you to have a younger female for future Labradoodle breeding. One good turn ect so in future you may want to use one of his dogs, and as you say if the labs do sell and yours will be the best I am sure then go for it..

[Janet]

I would probably check with your local shelter and a few in neighboring counties. Do they have quite a few labs or lab mixes? If so, that would make be really think twice about okaying his request. Just something to consider. They may be selling well, but are they ending up in a shelter?

I know in our county and neighboring counties there are labs galore in the shelters. I don't understand it...they are beautiful, easy to train dogs.

That's really a hard call...........guess only you can decided but I think I might go with the breeding the pure labs. It is a very popular dog where I live. You would surely get one out of the litter for you breeding purposes. But at the same time, if the lab/poodle mix is in higher demand, you would be more likely to find good homes for them and you can always find a male to breed your labs with later. May cost you more to breed at that time but if that is truly something you want to do, then just pay a stud fee. I would still to your original plan.

[judy]

Originally Posted by Janet

I would probably check with your local shelter and a few in neighboring counties. Do they have quite a few labs or lab mixes? If so, that would make be really think twice about okaying his request. Just something to consider. They may be selling well, but are they ending up in a shelter?

I know in our county and neighboring counties there are labs galore in the shelters. I don't understand it...they are beautiful, easy to train dogs.

Very good idea!

[AngieDoogles]

That's a tough one Tink. I agree that you should check the local shelter to get an idea if labs are ending up there or not, but at the same time, I think it would be in the best interest of your future breeding to use this other lab this time. Having a young female with good lines to breed with your male in the future would great for you if you intend to do this long term. Good luck!

[Tink]

OMG
The decision has been made for me. Greg was out moving the girls because in this heat he wanted them to be in a spot that got more of a breeze... ds didn't know she's in heat, so he let moses in with the girls unsupervised. Greg had gone to the garage to get something and when he came back Moses and Montana were doing what dogs do. So it looks like we'll be having Labradoodles this time around.

[Tink]

I just found out that BOTH the females are in heat. The woman I got them from said the black one had just been in heat and might possibly be bred by a lab... so imagine my shock when I just discovered the black and Moses "connected".

I'm stunned. I had no clue, and suddenly I could have 2 litters on the way at the same time which is NOT what I'd planned at all! Oh man... What have I gotten myself into?

[Jlynn]

Originally Posted by Janet

I would probably check with your local shelter and a few in neighboring counties. Do they have quite a few labs or lab mixes? If so, that would make be really think twice about okaying his request. Just something to consider. They may be selling well, but are they ending up in a shelter?

I know in our county and neighboring counties there are labs galore in the shelters. I don't understand it...they are beautiful, easy to train dogs.

excellent post