Am I being silly?

ihatework

ihatework

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I'm new to dog owning and have to admit, although I have a fair bit of common sense around dogs, actually know very little.

I have a 6 month old black lab dog purchased from a friend/breeder. I hadn't been planning on getting a dog but I liked my friends bitch so much, I decided to buy my chap.

Well he has been an absolute angel, very laid back, confident and friendly and ultra trainable.

I bought him as a pet, and as far as I was concerned he was going to be castrated as early as possible.

But I have taken him out beating a couple of times and he is an absolute natural, just like his mum, recalls to a whistle and is flushing and retrieving. I'm careful not to over do things with him as he is still young and growing.

Anyway, a few people have said I would be silly to have him castrated as he is such a lovely dog, I even have someone mention using him on their bitch.

Would it be silly of me to keep him entire for a while and maybe use him as a stud dog? What would I have to do and what could I charge? Presumably I would need to get his hips and eyes tested (how much does this cost?), and where would I advertise his 'services'

If you have got this far, well done!!!
 
Personally I would have him castrated. Once a dog has been used for stud his mind becomes very focussed on his new career, and he is not always such a pleasure to have as a pet. However, if he is not a nuisance in any way while he is entire, and seems quite settled (which your post seems to imply) then leave his danglers on and see how it goes. He is still very young, wait another year and see how his behaviour is at 18 months. I am a big believer in castrating dogs if they are to be kept as pets, but if he has exceptional breeding and temperament it might be worth considering using him for stud. Your vet will be able to give you costs for hip and eye testing.
 
If you want to train him up and have him proven in trials and he has an exceptional proven line and will add a great deal to the breed then keep him entire. If not castrate.
You are incredibly sensible asking these questions now and have what sounds to be a gorgeous dog.
 
Thanks Sooty and Polaris,
I might leave him a little longer but it would probably be sensible to have him castrated, I certainly won't be doing any field trials with him as haven't the time/inclination I'm afraid. I'd be pretty confident of his exceptional temprement but haven't a clue if he has exceptional breeding the KC names are just names on a bit of paper to me!

Sloulou, this was the bitch's last litter. Breeder actually still has one girl left, had a really big litter and didn't sell all of them, girl is now 6 months, if you are interested PM me and I will put you in touch.
 
Can I ask you why you are considering castration, from you’re description of the dog he sounds like good one so I simply can’t see what benefits you think you may gain, if the dog was hyper active or aggressive then castration would go a long way in quelling these traits but clearly this does not appear to be the case with you’re dog. In my opinion you should keep the dog entire.
 
Ummmm but if the dog is going to be worked then at some point his hormones will overtake his brain and he will go after any bitch on heat! Also there are FAR too many unwanted litters and why add to the possible problem?

Nat, unless you are going to "prove" him, I would have him castrated
 
Ummmm reasons to possibly castrate a dog thats not going to be used for breeding.....
Prevention of testicular tumours/cancers.
Prevention of prostate disease.
Prevention of anal adenomas.
Prevention of perineal hernias.
I'm sure I'll think of more..........
 
if hes a very good example of the breed then maybe you should keep him entire. But only if he is going to be used as a stud dog.

i cant remember how much it costs for eye tests and hip scoring... but eyes are cheaper so always do them first (never go to dr bedford tho). You can advertise in farmers shops and pet shops but always be careful that these people have an affix or a kennel name registered by the kennel club, and that the bitch is a purebred lab like yours. you may even be able to advertised in lab club magazine if there is one? but the best way is word of mouth.

stud charges can be around £500 maybe a little less if you aren't going to work/show him?

if he is used as a stud dog though.. be careful when walking that whenever you come across another dog you immediately get him on the lead... as some people are silly enough to take their bitches that are in season out on a walk off the lead.

hope that helps PM me if you want some more info... my mum and dad will be able to tell me the prices of eyes etc if you want.
 
Oh dear, I'm going to go completely against the grain and say keep him entire even if you don't use him at stud! I guess I'm different (you can say that again...) as Mum breeds dogs and always has done, but I never dreamed of castrating my lurcher and he was with me for 6 years without any problems before I had to rehome him
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(due to marriage breakdown!)

As long as you are a sensible owner (which seems very likely from your post) then you won't have problems IMHO
 
THERE ARE HUGE HEALTH BENEFITS IN CASTRATING YOUR DOG LIKE THE ONES LISTED ABOVE, !!studing a dog out can do more harm than good, its very unfair to give him a taste of something then take it away, this can change temperament and make them destructive!!!
MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL WHY BREED AND ADD TO THE DOG POPULATION UNNECCESARILY!!! CAN U BE SURE WHERE HIS OFF SPRING WILL END UP OR LIKE MOST BREEDERS R U ONLY INTERESTED IN THE MONEY!!!
MY FRIEND CURRENTLY HAS 2 CHOC LABS AND A BLACK ONE IN HER RESCUE, TO BE REHOMED THE OLDEST IS ONLY 18 MONTHS OLD, THIS IS DUE TO FECKLESS BREEDERS PUMPING THEM OUT FOR MONEY AND NOT GIVING A TOSS WHERE THEY END UP!!!!AFTER ALL A BREEDER IS NOT GOING TO TAKE A DOG BACK AFTER 6-12MONTHS WHEN THERE IS NO PROFIT TO BE MADE!! THESE DOGS WHERE DESTINED FOR DEATH THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, FOR BEING TO BOISTEROUS, OR CHEWING OR THE OWNER HAVING A BABY!! ITDOES NOT MEAN BECAUSE PEOPLE PAY GOOD MONEY FOR THESE PUPPIES THAT THEY END UP IN A GOOD PLACE!!! !!COS THEY DONT!! look at the bigger picture and do the responsible thing :
MY FRIEND WILL NOW NEUTER THESE DOGS/BITCHES TO MAKE SURE THEY R NOT USED AS MONEY MAKING BREEDING MACHINES!!!
 
"LIKE MOST BREEDERS R U ONLY INTERESTED IN THE MONEY!!!"....................not all breeders
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the trouble is that most people put more time and effort into sourcing their new car than their new dog ( which after all will be living with them for the next 14 years as part of the family !). There are many many reputable and responsible breeders out there but many folk just do not take the trouble to look.

I breed Belgian Shepherd Dogs and have done so for the last 20 years - they are my pride and my passion ..all my puppies leave with a contract which states that if FOR ANY REASON the owner cannot keep the pup then I will take it back ... at what ever age... the oldest I have had returned was a 10 year old dog whose family split up - he stayed here until his death at the age of 13 but usually I take the responsibility of finding new homes for any of 'my' pups that have been returned.


I health test all my dogs for hip dysplasia and cataracts and now also use the Kennel Club's DNA testing to check for other congenital problems such as epilepsy. I know my blood lines inside out and travel far and wide to ensure that I use the most suitable stud dog for my bitches ...I am currently in the process of importing a bitch from France at a cost of over £3000 to improve my lines even more ( her mother is the top French show Champion and her dad is the top winning working dog in France ..brains AND beauty
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).

I show my dogs a Championship level and work them in agility and obedience to 'prove' their quality in both conformation and temperament any that do not come up to standard are NOT bred from ( I also judge at Championship level so I know just what the standard is that I should be aiming for !)

Yes our pups may cost a bit more than the back yard breeders or a 'friend of a friend' but believe me there is little money to be made in breeding once you add the costs up show entries/health testing/housing/feedingetc etc....and we provide beautiful, healthy good tempered dogs.

Why am I telling you all this ?.... because I am typical of many hundreds of ethical, reputable breeders we usually specialise in a single breed and dedicate our lives to the improvement of 'our' chosen breed .... there are lots of us out there ... you just have to take the trouble to look !
 
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LIKE MOST BREEDERS R U ONLY INTERESTED IN THE MONEY!!!

[/ QUOTE ]
Rescue is obviously close to you heart but that isnt the only way to go when getting a new dog and MOST breeders are responsable.
You must have a very low opinion of the dog world if you think breeders are only in it for the cash- my Aunts eldest Dane has just retired from stud and there was sod all cash in it for anyone after everything that needed to be paid was was.
Oh, and the gent who's bitches he went to will take a dog he has breed back at any point, he has often bought them back(which COSTS him cash,not makes it).

The type of people you are describing are what I call backyard breeders- the ones who have a dog so breed from it with no thought to the pups future beyound how much cash they will make.
How many people on here would buy from someone like that?Cant say many would even consider it,seeing as we are responsable owners.

Lastly, could you PLEASE find the caps lock?
 
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