Connect with responsible Lab breeders and find the ideal breeding partner for your loyal companion
Understanding your Lab's retrieving heritage and boundless energy is essential for responsible breeding
Male: 65-80 lbs
Female: 55-70 lbs
Male: 22.5-24.5 inches
Female: 21.5-23.5 inches
10-12 years
Active dogs live longer
Outgoing, Active
Born optimists
Thick at base, tapering to tip. Acts as rudder when swimming. Should never curl over back. Key breed characteristic.
Water-repellent outer coat, soft undercoat. Sheds year-round with two heavy seasons. Not hypoallergenic despite claims.
Bred to retrieve game without damage. Can carry raw egg without breaking. Important for service dog work.
Will eat anything, anytime. No "full" switch. Counter surfing common. Obesity is biggest health threat after joint disease.
Labs face significant joint problems and obesity requiring careful breeding and owner education
OFA or PennHIP testing MANDATORY. Very common in Labs. Both parents must have good/excellent ratings. Poor hips cause lifelong pain.
OFA elbow evaluation MANDATORY. Common cause of front leg lameness. Both parents should have normal elbows. Surgery expensive.
Genetic test MANDATORY. Causes collapse after intense exercise. Can be life-threatening. 30% of Labs are carriers. Never breed two carriers.
Genetic test available (prcd-PRA). Causes blindness. Both parents must be tested. Two carriers should never be bred together.
Genetic test available. Muscle disease causing weakness. Fatal in affected puppies. Test all breeding stock.
Labs will eat themselves to death. 60% are overweight. Obesity worsens all joint problems. Educate buyers on proper feeding.
Common cancers include lymphoma, mast cell tumors. No genetic test. Check family history. Consider cancer insurance.
Deep-chested breed at risk. Feed multiple small meals. Avoid exercise after eating. Know emergency signs.
Labrador Retrievers have extremely high rates of joint disease. Hip dysplasia affects 20%+ and elbow dysplasia affects 10%+ of Labs.
The painful reality:
NEVER breed a Lab without hip and elbow clearances. The suffering is too great.
60% of Labs are overweight or obese - the highest rate of any breed. Labs lack the gene that tells them they're full. They will literally eat themselves to death. Obesity dramatically worsens joint disease, causes diabetes, and shortens lifespan by 2+ years.You MUST educate every puppy buyer about proper feeding, including measuring food, no free feeding, limited treats, and body condition scoring. An overweight Lab is not "healthy" or "sturdy" - it's suffering.
Follow these essential guidelines for responsible Labrador breeding
Male Labradors
2 to 8 years
Female Labradors
2 to 7 years
Wait for all clearances including hips and elbows at 24 months. Labs mature physically by 2 years.
Labrador Retrievers require comprehensive health testing. Hip and elbow dysplasia are extremely common.
Females: No more than once per year, maximum 4-5 litters lifetime
Skip at least one heat cycle between litters
Focus on quality over quantity. The breed needs healthier bloodlines
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Expert advice and tips for Labrador breeding
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