I have a 9 yr old lab that I would like to try to stud...His name is Pongo and he is such an incredible boy. One thing I would like more than anything is to get one of his puppies. I'm not sure how to do it. I would love advice. Thank you!
Hi Kimmy, start with finding an eye clinic to do his eye testing, then you can get a DNA test kit from the Kennel Club or a genetics lab to check his DNA for any hereditary issues. If these all come back clear, you would have him hip and elbow scored. Unfortunately at 9 years old, the results may be higher than some bitch owners would like to risk. If all is well, then you can advertise him or wait for bitch owners to approach you if they are impressed when they see him working/showing. Go back to his breeder and ask if you can help with a few matings so that you know how to safely handle both dog and bitch in mating. I prefer bitch owners to have progesterone testing to reduce the risk of my boys being put off by a bitch who isn't ready. Remember that you are going to be responsible for a lot of new little lives and also you have a responsibility to the new owners of any offspring, so you only want to breed from the best and don't risk passing on any hereditary issues which may not be visible in your boy. Good luck.
Thank you so much for your reply. I never knew that there was so much involved. I got him through a breeder and his birth certificate says he is an f-1 labradoodle. I never knew I could do a DNA on him. I really appreciate your advice!
Hi Kimmy, yes it is hard work, but worth it to know that you are doing your best to only produce healthy puppies. So many dogs and their families suffer from dogs being bred from untested parents increasing the risk of hip/elbow displasia, hereditary cataracts and other genetic diseases which are so easy to test for. The DNA testing can be used to identify breeds, but you need to do DNA tests to test for potential carrier status of hereditary diseases such as PRA, EIC etc etc. If it turns out that your boy is a carrier, it is important that if you do breed from him, that it would only be to bitches who have tested clear. This would usually be done to not risk reducing the gene pool of a breed, but if your boy is a crossbreed, there wouldn't really be a reason to breed from a carrier, or any other less desirable health test results.
I think I'm not going to worry about breed as much anymore. By the time I do all that he may be to old. It's just he's so amazing and smart and I love him. I wanted a piece of him to live on when it's his time. Thank you so much. I really appreciate your help.
I would I can't. After they sold me him at Labradoodle prices they didn't pick up the phone or call me back. Funny thing is, I had a question about his food. I don't care he was mine from the moment we met. The breeder had labs so I'm assuming he was one also. No doodle.☺️
Your You have a beautiful lab! Thanks so much for your idea... I wish they were trustworthy, but unfortunately they are not.
