To breed or not to breed?

[bobcat]

My neighbor, a hard core waterfowl hunter, bought a lab from what was supposed to be a well known line of hunting dogs, and I believe the dog wasn't even 1 1/2 years old yet when it went blind. Now he's got a blind dog that never leaves his back yard.   

And, he has to retrieve all his ducks and geese himself.   

[jetjockey]

Wild is correct.  Labs have a HUGE problem with health issues.   However, many of the other breeds have a lot less.  Labs are the most popular breed of dog in America, and unfortunately, many people have ruined the breed IMO.  Some of the lesser known breeds have a lot less problems and are a lot easier to sell.  I'm a Brit guy, and I plan on breeding my female in the not too distant future.  I have a lot of people interested in pups and have had one trainer say he wants every pup he can get.  With good breeding, it shouldn't be too hard to sell them if enough people know in advance.

[JJD]

Bobcat,

I know a guy who died in a car accident even though he was wearing seat belt and had air bag deployed.

Things happen, however I will scew the odds in my favor by wearing my seat belt and having air bags in my vehicle.  You do as you choose (as long as law don't catch ya).

Same with dogs, buying a dog from a reputable breeder who cares, will scew the odds in my favor.  I put way to much time into my dogs training to have them fall apart on me at less than 10 yrs.  Having sire & dam's hips, eyes and other breed specific problems checked are my seat belts.  Just like the seat belt, it does not guarranty anything, but it sure scews the odds in your favor.

Your friend got a bad deal.  The dog should have been replaced OR the breeder should have refunded $ after proof of neuter.  Work this issue out with the breeder before you purchase. Get it in writing.
IMHO, well know lines don't mean squat.

[Wacenturion]

Im confused!  Are some of you saying you wouldn't breed a female you hunt because it hurts them in the field?  That's rediculous.  If your female has something to offer the breed then by all means breed her.  But make sure you breed to a very good stud dog and make sure they have been tested for the normal stuff like hips etc.  when your done, hunt the heck out of her.

Could not have said it better myself.   

[JJD]

Im confused!  Are some of you saying you wouldn't breed a female you hunt because it hurts them in the field?  That's rediculous.  If your female has something to offer the breed then by all means breed her.  But make sure you breed to a very good stud dog and make sure they have been tested for the normal stuff like hips etc.  when your done, hunt the heck out of her.

Could not have said it better myself.   

Yeah, OK.
Just do us all a favor and keep your FM at home when she's in heat.

[jetjockey]

Why?  I've hunted my female many times when she's in season.  Hell, she's ran trials in season.  Just because a dog is in season doesn't mean she has to be on the sidelines.  It's pretty easy to be smart about a female in season and there will be no problems

[Happy Gilmore]

My neighbor, a hard core waterfowl hunter, bought a lab from what was supposed to be a well known line of hunting dogs, and I believe the dog wasn't even 1 1/2 years old yet when it went blind. Now he's got a blind dog that never leaves his back yard.   

And, he has to retrieve all his ducks and geese himself.   

That is called PRA and there is a simple test for it that could have told the "BREEDER" if it was safe to breed the two dogs. IDIOTS!!! Its about a $150 test. This is exactly why you pay more up front for a decent dog.

The $300 puppy isn't often a bargain either. They are $300 because they'll often go to the new home full of worms, with dew claws and no health testing. So, after you get sick puppy healthy after a few vet visits you've paid another $200+/-, take off dew claws for $80something you've spent almost $600 and you have no idea of how good the parents hips or eyes might turn out so, maybe you have the $600 bargain dog for 6 years before its blind and hips are gone....nice.