To keep or not to keep?

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Please don't breed your dog! There are WAY to many Labrador Retrievers already out there, we DO NOT need anymore.

[bckrazy]

Please don't breed your dog! There are WAY to many Labrador Retrievers already out there, we DO NOT need anymore.

I second that! Every time I visit any shelter (which is often), the vast majority of dogs that I see are Labs or Pits. Most are purebred Labs!

IF you are breeding, I suggest you show Elly and compete in field trials (to prove her hunting abiltiy, as you should never breed a working dog that cannot work), THEN think about breeding. You will also need to health test her extensively, one of the reasons a huge percentage of Labs have congenital health defects (hip/elbow dysplasia, etc etc) is because so so many backyard breeders are breeding carriers of these defects. THEN you need to find her a stud who has also been shown and trialed and proven to be a superb example of his breed, along with passing his health tests, a stud of this nature will cost around $1000. Honestly, you need to print out as much about overpopulation, good breeding practices (which includes exhibiting your dog and health testing them), and whether your parents are willing to do this. Ask if you can volunteer at your local shelter, to get the real picture of just how many PUREBRED Labs from backyard breeders are being euthanized every single day. I know you're a kid, I am too, but I also know for a fact that after talking to them so much my parents would never dream of breeding dogs, they leave that to professionals who dedicate their lives to it.

I know it sounds like we're all lecturing, but I totally respect you for actually putting thought into this instead of breeding now and thinking later! It probably seems to you like breeding one litter will be ok, but what about those puppies? If you don't sell them on spay/neuter contracts, how many puppies will they be spewing into this world? And their puppies puppies? You need to think about that, and think about if breeding your dog is worth putting her and her future puppies through that danger. What if they all turned out to be painfully dysplastic at a young age, and you were sued by the owners? It HAS happened! So many horrible situations can arise, which will be immediately avoided by spaying.

I think, if you talk to your parents with a lot of concern and responsibility, if they have sense they will listen to what you have to say.

[elly's mom]

Is this giving me a bad reputation? I don't see why if it is...

This is not my choice and no matter how much I try and convience Bob he won't listen to me! What are the chances of him listening to me? 0%! I'll keep on trying but the doubts are high!

I know there are many... many Labradors at shelters but those dogs were not responsibly bred or have AKC papers, do they? These puppies will and Bob is responsible and will do anything for Elly.

I know you guys are just trying to help me but it is getting a little pushy towards me. And it shouldn't be, it should be towards my step-dad....

[dab_20]

Is this giving me a bad reputation? I don't see why if it is...

This is not my choice and no matter how much I try and convience Bob he won't listen to me! What are the chances of him listening to me? 0%! I'll keep on trying but the doubts are high!

I know there are many... many Labradors at shelters but those dogs were not responsibly bred or have AKC papers, do they? These puppies will and Bob is responsible and will do anything for Elly.

I know you guys are just trying to help me but it is getting a little pushy towards me. And it shouldn't be, it should be towards my step-dad....

Some of those dogs DO have AKC papers. And just because your dog is AKC registered and you care about her doesn't mean you are breeding her responsibly. You have to get a bunch of health tests and your dog has to fit perfectly in the breed standered. No you don't have a bad reputation, because you don't have control over this situation, but we are telling you this so you know better then your step dad in the future.

[zoomer]

Is this giving me a bad reputation? I don't see why if it is...

This is not my choice and no matter how much I try and convience Bob he won't listen to me! What are the chances of him listening to me? 0%! I'll keep on trying but the doubts are high!

I know there are many... many Labradors at shelters but those dogs were not responsibly bred or have AKC papers, do they? These puppies will and Bob is responsible and will do anything for Elly.

I know you guys are just trying to help me but it is getting a little pushy towards me. And it shouldn't be, it should be towards my step-dad....

NOBODY is trying to be 'pushy' Amanda. Breeding is not a good topic here and I knew from the start this thread was going to make some trouble. No one wants you to breed Elly because there are plenty of other Labs in the shelters, puppies, AKC registered dogs, health certified dogs, and your adding to the population. What if you can't find homes for them all and they end up in the pound or as strays? Breeding costs a lot of money and you guys may not have the money for it. A c-section may be needed, or the puppies, and possibly the mother may die!!

[Vela]

I realize you don't have control over the situation, and I know nobody was intentionally trying to upset you or make you feel bad. It's just so sad to us when we see so many dogs dying every day, even full blooded dogs with AKC papers. If you can't convince your step-dad, then there is really nothing you can do and that isn't your fault, but please try to take this information you see with you for the future so that when you are a pet owner you can make the best decisions for your own dogs. Just because a dog has AKC papers doesn't mean they are a good specimen to be bred. LOTS of dogs with AKC papers are bred by "back yard breeders" and people rarely do the appropriate health testing to make sure they aren't passing on genetic traits that you can't see, such as dysplasia, heart problems, etc. A vet looking at a dog and saying sure, it's healthy go ahed and breed isn't the same thing. Don't take this as a personal attack, just take the knowledge and save it away so when you are the person who can make the decisions you can make the best ones. Your step-dad is doing the wrong thing if he isn't doing it to better the breed, adequate health testing, etc etc. AKC papers don't mean much. If you can, go to the shelter, look on petfinder, see all of the dogs with papers that probably won't find homes..there are just too many, and that doesn't even count all of those without them. I hope you can see past the frustration you are feeling at the responses and realize why people are making them, and it's definintely not an attack against you. Good luck!

[abbersmom]

Nothing against you here...We're just offering advice & realize that it is your step-dad wanting to breed the dog...
That said...
Yes. Many dogs in shelters are pure bred dogs with papers...

Here's some statistics on how quickly jut ONE mother dog can produce a LOT of offspring:
A male or female dog of breeding age can produce an average of 6 puppies twice a year (12 total). Those 12 pups could potentially produce a total of 144 more puppies by the following year. Those 144 puppies could potentially produce 1,728 more puppies by the year after that. And so on and so on. Do the math. The numbers are astronomical. Every owner who makes the responsible and vital choice to spay or neuter will ultimately save thousands of lives.

Hard to imagine in just a couple years how many puppies those puppies can have...THAT'S how we end up with all those shelter dogs...

Good luck in whatever your step dad chooses to do...you seem to be a person that truly cares & loves animals! you're making the best first step by asking questions...

And by the way, welcome to the site, hope you enjoy it here!

[dab_20]

Very well said everyone above me. I'd just like to add again, that it seems like you do want to do what's best for your dog, but you don't have control over breeding her. I wish her and the pups the best. And btw, Welcome to PT! I'd love to see pictures of your beautiful girl.