We have a black lab who is very gorgeous. Me and my Dad would love another puppy, and thought that breeding Max would be a good idea. He has such a gentle manner, very well behaved and of course beautiful. But he's 7 now, have we left it too late? Or do some people still breed dogs when they're a bit older? He's very good for his age, still acts like a puppy...the only thing that gives him away is his grey beard and moustache.

It would be a shame if we cant breed him, but we could always just buy another pup.

I think you may have left it too late but with all the dogs available these days I would say please don't add to them anyway. If Max is wonderful (and I don't doubt you) it is only partly down to him and a lot down to you and how you have treated him and trained him. How about doing the same for another less fortunate doggy ?

Well we would like another dog either way, just thought it'd be nice to breed max because of his temperament. Another dog would be lovely, either a puppy or an older dog from a shelter.

I doknow how you feel we have had dogs we felt that way about too but because of the shear number of dogs especially unwanted one's we have always resisted the urge. If you did breed you have to be willing if anything happens in the future to take those pups/dogs back and be responsible for them just like really good breeders do now.

Perhaps consider a dog from a rescue near you if you want another lab?

I'm sure your boy is a lovely example of the breed but why would any responsible owner of a female lab allow your boy to mate their girl? They could go to the top winning, health tested clear lab in the UK (or anywhere else for that matter if their girl has a passport). If you really want another puppy, please find another way of sourcing one

The only pedigree dogs worth breeding from are ones with show wins or working dogs from good bloodlines.

The world is full of dogs needing rescuing. Labs no exception. Too many backstreet breeders. You say he has a good temprement - but what of his recessive genes - the grandparents you know nothing about whose behavioural traits could come out in pups?

What of the lady dog you bred him to?

Have you experience of checking the test scores etc and the medical stuff? How could you guarantee the pups were medically sound?

What would you do if you got 6 pups and 3 came back with problems, that you would have to keep? How do you go about homechecking potential owners etc? Could you live with yourself if the pups were born with problems? Owned by people who later were convicted of cruelty/neglect? How could you draw up a contract with the lady dog's owner that would ensure you deal with problems arising fairly, between you, further down the line? The list goes on.

A good stud dog will make a lot of money. But pets are not studs. Studs have to have wins - and lots of them.

I live in the countryside and black labs are the No 1 breed bred irrepsonsibly and flogged cheap over the farm gate. The worst behaved dogs my dog meets on her walks - black labs. Every time. The world is full of them. Check out breed rescues online - they are kept busy with the work of what we call 'backstreet breeders' (essentially what you would be) who have fluffy ideas of cloning their own pet and making a profit into the bargain. (One big vet's fee for the lady dog or pups would leave you in debt, not in profit - and you'd be surprised how often it happens).

I have the best natured dog in the world. She was Crufts qualified (won a Scots, Welsh and English championship - before I owned her) hence she was bred from. One of her pups turned out to have severe problems (behavioural) despite our years of experience, with the breed, etc. Turned out, the breeder of my dog omitted to mention that she had a grandparent who had been a gorgeous looking dog but notoriously had 'issues'. (In fact I only heard it from someone else).Should never have been bred from. It didn;t show in either parent dog but was a 'throwback'. Needless to say she was later speyed even though she is the best behaved dog I have ever owned, and the gentlest. I am about to foster from a breed rescue because readign the stories on there, I can't with a clear conscience do anything else.

Your's is not a stud dog, so unproven - and deserves to enjoy his senior years (and at our vet's 7 and over is counted as 'senior').... why not just enjoy your pet? Who'd use a stud dog that is just someone's pet?

If you must, rescue or foster for a rescue. If you really want a black lab and nowt else - there are breed rescues so you will get what you want.

Another here saying no to the breeding.

Rescue a Staffy from your local rescue centre.

I'll second this. I have used my Stafford male to stud once. The breeding was done to try and preserve his rare and old bloodlines, to improve on type and conformation as well as temperament. Both he and the bitch were health tested to the Nth degree, my dog was also hipscored, and the pedigrees were meticulously matched. We had homes lined up pre mating well and above the breed average litter size. The bloodlines involved were/are sought after by those who know.
Here in lies the huge warning. Despite, both myself and the bitches owner doing all possible tests and research, despite both of us being very well researched in the breed, fate bit us in the ****. We ended up with 2 deaf pups. Rare in the breed to say the least. One pup, a friend and workmate took on, he turned out deaf, and epileptic. At 2 years old he is having 3 severe cluster fits a week, is starting on medication that will cost £400 at least a month. He may not see three years old.
I have taken the responsibility of n
Being prepared to take him back and most likely do the euthanasia, if his owner can't face it.
My dog, will not be bred from again. His lines stop here.
I really learn about this breed, I am in the veterinary profession. I certainly did not do the mating to keep a pup this generation.
With this lesson in mind. Are you really prepared to use your dog for hobby breeding, and to take equal responsibility for ALL the pups bred, as it is not solely the bitches owners problem. Put pups on the ground, you must be there for them till the day they or you die.