People love their dog and want to duplicate that special bond by having a litter from their female.  This is not likely to replicate that dog but I tell them that the best way to do this is to repeat the exact breeding that you got your dog from. 

I also discourage the average person from having their own litter for several reasons.  I don’t say this becasue I  want them to buy from me. Please review this website that covers in great lengths some of the items I am going to cover http://lowchensaustralia.com/breeding.htm.

1. A good breeder goes through many health clearances for hips, eyes and genetic disorders.  These tests are costly if you are only going to have one litter.  If you choice not to do them you are at risk of creating unhealthy puppies.
2. You need to have the appropriate whelping (birthing) area.  Pups can be smothered by mom if the bed isn’t correct or they could die if the temperature is not right.
3. So many things can go wrong in a birthing.  If you don’t have experience you could lose some pups or the mother.  I have had problems even with experience.  I had a pup stuck in the birth canal.  Another female was having difficulty delivering because a pup had a sack rapped around him.  One mom delivered prematurely because a dead pup was inside causing some others to die.  It is heart wrenching especially if you have children. After the female can get breast infections which can casue feeding probels or uterus infections that can be life threatening.
4. Do you have the time and experience it takes to feed the puppies every few hours when you are weaning them off the female?
5. How are you going to sell the pups?  Where will they go if you have to give them away?
6. Do you have the facilities to keep them healthy and clean when are weaned off mom and not house broke.  You have to deworm them and get their vaccinations.

I have been fortunate to have a great vet who has been there for me as he taught me how to care for my dogs.  My children and I have loved having puppies around but often cry when they got attached to a pup that left or when we would lose one.  I got into breeding because I love dogs but didn’t anticipate some of the heart ache that is just part of it. 

If you still want to have a litter I am here for any help if you need it. But make your vet your partner in a safe, healthy litter.  

Be sure you understand about the following diseases in Labradors.  Check the sire and dam’s clearances to give you the best chance of purchasing a pup that will not develop a disease.

1.  Hip Dysplasia for information go to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. The sire and dam should have a “Good” or “Excellent” certification from the litter you are considering.  You can search the OFA data base to find the results.  Some breeders offer a guarantee that your pup would be free of hip dysplasia.  You cannot get accurate hip results because of the pups rapid growth until at least 12-14 months of age.  The OFA certifications are not done until at least 2 years of age.  Your vet can take the x rays and send them to OFA.  I take my dogs to a vet who specializes in doing the x rays without the risk of anesthetics.  He is also a dog breeding specialist.  Dr. Kirk Esmond.  972-466-0667.  2159 N. Josey Ln. Suite 106   Carrollton, TX 75006.

2.  Eye Disease for more information see the Canine Eye Registration Foundation. The sire and dam should have a “clear” result of this test.  Puppies can be tested at any age but you must go to a special canine opthamologist.  I take my dogs to Dr. Paulsen 817-483-8762.  5820 West Interstate 20  Arlington, TX 76017 

3.  Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM) for more information see the CNM webiste.  This muscular disease is described on the website much better than I could explain.  There is also a great FAQ page.  What is important to consider is that the dam and sire has been tested “clear” or is a “carrier”.  The FAQ page described how these results affects the litter.  To test your pup you would have to get a kit from the CNM site.

4.  Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) for more information see the OptiGen website.  This disease affects the eye site of the dog.  The dam and sire should be tested “clear” or is a “carrier”.  

 5. Exercise Induced Collapse Syndrome (EIC) for more information see the EIC website.  This genetic test has just come available to the public in the last few months so many dogs may not have been tested yet.  The dam and sire should be tested “clear” or is a “carrier”.  
 

Please understand that you need to start with a dog that has a chance to be successful.  Spend the time and money to find a dog with a good pedigree.  The average age a trainer would take a pup is six months of age.  You have to give the dog some foundation of obedience before they go to a trainer.  

You can train the dog your self but it takes commitment, patience and lots of studying on your part.  If you chose this route it is best to join a retriever club near you.  They meet and train together regularly.  To find a Hunting Retriever club near you go to the United Kennel Club.

My husband and I have had some experiences with trainers being too harsh on our dogs.  You need to understand that pressure is required in training a dog. But you have to decide what your level of comfort with it.  Also know the more you push your trainer to complete your dog faster the more pressure he/she will have to use to get them there.  Each dog learns differently and trainers should alter their training program to fit your dog.  This makes it much harder for the trainer and it will take them longer with some dogs than other.  Being a trainer and using trainers I see it both ways.  Give your trainer the benefit of the doubt but if it doesn’t feel right, find a new trainer.  A dog can be permanently ruined by a trainer or can be taken to a level you would have never imagined.

There are many retriever trainers and pointing trainers but few that specialize in Pointing Labs.  The American Pointing Labrador Association offers a list of these trainers http://www.americanpointinglab.com/site/Trainers/tabid/61/Default.aspx.  I hope this Blog will encourage others to write in about experience with trainers to help you find one.

Things to keep in mind when picking a trainer:   

·     If possible find someone who has used the trainer and recommends them.  If not ask for references and make the calls.

·     It is important that you visit the dog at least once a month so choose a location that you are comfortable traveling to.

·     Visit several trainers and watch him train.  

·     Educate yourself on the trainer’s methods.

·     Check out the facility your dog will be living in.  Is the kennel free from any objects that could harm your dog?  For example, if your dog get bored it my chew plastic and get sick. Is the fence free from part that may injure your dog. How often in the kennel cleaned and your dog aired?

·     Check into costs, they will vary.  Find out if the monthly costs include birds or will those be extra.

·     If your retriever trainer doesn’t do upland pointing training you may need to have two trainers.  We recommend going through all of the obedience, force fetch and retrieving work first.  Then move to the field work.  This way you are not giving lots of corrections in the field and birds are just pure fun for the dog. You will get many different opinions about this.  You will just have to decide that you are comfortable with.

·     We follow the same mentions for pointing training as a short haired pointer trainer might except for a Lab we give retrieving rewards throughout the whoa training.  See if the pointing trainer may be open to this.  It really helps the Lab keep its spirit up.

 After you have chosen your trainer here is some recommendations:

·     Visit regularly to access how your dog is progressing.

·     Make it clear to the trainer what your goal is for your dog: a gun dog or a Grand Master Pointing Retriever.

·     Ask lots of questions but let your trainer do his job, do not tell him how he should train.

·     Ask your trainer to teach you so that you will be able to handle the dog after completion.

·     Check your dog’s health at every visit.  Ask if the trainer has seen any change in eating habits or stool.

·     Assess your dogs attitude, if he is cowering or not showing style while training speak to the trainer.

·     Bring someone with you when you visit for a second opinion.

It is a very big decision and shouldn’t be taken lightly.  Do you homework before you decide.

           Training Timelines Recommend by Texas Pointing Labs