While there are a variety of reasons why you might consider combining your Labrador to enhance the breed, the most essential objective should always be to improve the breed. An excellent reason to stud your Labrador is to enhance the breed. That entails ironing out defects in your dog by mating it with a dog that does not have those problems, with the ultimate objective of producing immaculate offspring. A stud animal is a recognized animal that has held for breeding purposes. The terminology for the male of a certain animal species, such as Labradors (or stallion, bull, rooster, etc.), normally suggests that the Labrador is intact—that is, not castrated—and hence capable of siring children.
If this is your first time mating your dog, you should seek assistance from experienced stud dog owners to learn what to expect before, during, and after the mating. When you initially start using your dog as a stud, it’s a good idea to attempt to match him with an experienced bitch.
Before deciding whether to let your Lab to become a father, there are several factors to take into account. Do you want to know when he can begin, how much you should pay, or even if it’s healthy for him?
In this article, we will discuss important things to know before you stud your labrador.
What Is A Stud Labrador, Exactly?
A stud labrador is a male labrador who has mated with female dogs from other populations.
This done in exchange for monetary compensation (or something of equivalent value such as a puppy).
There are usually no legal restrictions on the use of a stud dog, except for the requirements enshrined in our animal care standards.
Animal Behaviorists may provide a few guidelines, but they mostly apply to female dog owners.
A Stud Lab’s Personality
Without a doubt, a stud dog’s disposition must be great. Your Labrador isn’t up to the job if he acts more like a guard dog than a guide dog.
He must value the entire cosmos, not just the female canine in front of him.
But what about ability? Why is it vital to have a gifted stud dog? And what kind of talent are we talking about?
Stud Labs’ Achievements
We all like witnessing who emerges victorious. Keep in mind that female dog owners want to sell great puppies, while puppy buyers want something else. There are a lot of Labrador puppies on the market, and they all want to be the best.
Female Labrador owners usually wish for the show ring or field success in order to demonstrate that their child’s father is more than just a pretty face.
Many dog owners will not mate their lady to a male dog who hasn’t won a few contests or placed well in a few field trials or hunt trials for these and other reasons.
Many female dog owners require additional assistance from the owner of their stud dog: support.
Before you stud your labrador, what attributes should it have?
- If they haven’t previously confirmed, you may wish to have their fertility checked.
- Appropriate personality Fully health-checked
- General well-being
- Free of flaws, such as an overshot jaw or cryptorchidism
- Has demonstrated themselves in the show ring, working trials, agility, and other venues.
- The Kennel Club has him registered.
There are no Kennel Club approvals that prevent any offspring from registered.
Health Examinations Required for Labrador Stud Dogs
A variety of hereditary disorders affect Labradors. And it is vitally critical that your kid tested for hereditary disorders long before he ever comes into contact with a mate.
These some of the major tests that your dog will require and for which you will charged: OFA (hip scoring) OFA (elbow scoring) OFA CAER / PRA (test for inherited blindness)
The EIC (DNA test for exercise-induced collapse)
CNM (centronuclear myopathy SD2 DNA test) (DNA test for dwarfism)
More diagnostics for developing diseases are being discovered all the time, and this will continue indefinitely (because the Labrador breed register is closed and the gene pool is losing genetic material).
If you deal directly with the laboratories, DNA testing can cost anywhere from $60 to $200 PER TEST; however, if you go via your veterinarian, you will almost surely pay more. That, on the other hand, could be more convenient for you.
The OFA examinations are more difficult.
At the animal hospital, your dog will need to sedated or given general anesthesia. After that, his hips and elbows will be x-rayed. This will cost you hundreds of dollars.
Following that, the x-rays graded, which incurs an extra fee. If your dog was going to be a stud dog, you’d expect to get a lot of bang for your dollars.
What Factors Influence People’s Decisions About Stud Labradors?
It’s a big duty and a big commitment to breeding a female.
A female dog may only have two or three litters in her lifetime, and when health tests and the costs of caring for a half-dozen puppies taken into account, there is very little profit. (That is, if everything goes according to plan.)
As a result, female dog owners are picky, because they want to sell their puppies for a fair price. Wonder who really is irritable? That’s right: puppy purchasers. (Or they should be.)
Puppy purchasers are becoming increasingly well-informed these days. As a result, they’ll insist on the health exams we mentioned before. Quality puppies with skill, a nice temperament, and a good appearance are also desired.
When seeking a bitch, what should you consider?
Using your dog with an improper partner may have an impact on the pups you create as well as the image of your dog. It is your responsibility to ensure that the two dogs’ mating is appropriate and beneficial to the breed.
To figure out if the bitch is right for your dog, ask yourself the following questions.
- Is the bitch old enough to mate?
- Has she obtained the results of the medical examinations and screenings that are required?
- Is the Bitch Kennel Club a well-known organization that does not have any endorsements?
- Have you used inbreeding coefficient calculators to figure out how closely the dogs are related?
- Is this the first time the bitch has been bred? If so, how many times did you do it and were there any issues?
- Is she in good health?
- Is there a family history of health issues in her lineage?
- How did earlier matings turn out?
- Is the owner satisfied with your stud agreement?
As An Owner Of Labrador, What Are Your Responsibilities?
Your responsibility as a stud dog owner extends beyond ensuring a successful mating and your dog’s security.
During gestation and even undocking, many female dog owners will wish to speak with you. When the pups come, they may be searching for advice and support as well.
Have you bred a number of litters on your own? Or did you help someone else accomplish it? You should think about whether you’d be able to provide this level of assistance.
So, let’s have a look at what has to happen and where you should begin in order to create a consistent income by marrying your handsome male dog.
When Should You Stud Your Dog?
All of these conditions must be completed before you place your first advertisement. You must wait till your dog arrives.
- Has been properly health checked with good findings and is fully grown
- Has won distinction in the show ring or on the field
The best way to start is by joining a club for the activity in which you want your dog to excel. So, if your Labrador is from bench or show lines (English type), you can enter him in local shows.
If he’s from the working lines, you’ll undoubtedly require the assistance of a club and more experienced trainers.
Final Verdict
Apart from the ethical concerns about increasing the total labrador population, you and the female dog owner share responsibility for the puppies’ well-being.
You’re in charge of making sure the two pets get along and are healthy. This duty entails checking the credentials of each female with whom your dog has been mated. Another consideration is that your dog is in good condition and that each mating goes off without a hitch. Unfortunately, being mated infrequently can cause some adult labradors to become reactive to the scent of females in their area, causing them to become anxious and aggressive. That’s something else you should think about.
