hi,

i have a 15 month old chocolate labrador who i would like to stud. could you please tell me how to go about this.

many thanks

First of all you have him hip-scored and elbow-scored through the KC/BVA scheme (your own vet should know how to take the x-rays, but the plates have to be sent away to be examined and scored), and with luck his score will be better than average. You also have him eye-tested by a specialist vet to try to determine whether he is suffering from any of the four (I believe) hereditary eye conditions that can afflict labradors.

And ideally you start showing him, because that is where the bitch owners will be, and you want them to know he's available! If they (and the judges) like what they see, then the bitch owners will approach you and ask if they can use him.

Hope this helps.
:)

Five eye conditions JG plus another one under investigation.

Regards, John

Along with what Jeangenie has said there are responsibilities also as the owner of the bitch one can assume take responsibilityfor all the puppies sold. But what happens if they turn there back, as owner of the stud dog you are second in line. Its is not far for welfare or rescue to pick up the pieces when it was a joint decision to create them. Have you got room should a puppy have to be returned?

you dont have to show your dog of course guest, not unless you want to. there are many labrador people who do obedience/agility/working trials/gundog trials etc and who do not show their dogs but their dogs are well known in the field in which they compete. dont feel pressurised into anything, and remember, having health tests done is more important than dog showing :-)