My labrador bitch has come into season again at 20 months old
and this is her third season.  I am intending to breed from her
and have a suitable stud dog lined up and I already have a
waiting list for pups.

I had contacted a specialist animal herbalist and was given a
liquid to throw her season out by a few months so that by the
time she was having her pups, she would have been over 2
years of age.  Unfortunately this has not worked (partly due to
our error I believe) and this has caused us to rethink our timing.

I wish to do things correctly and would prefer not to breed from
her before she is two in April.  She should come into season
again in May with the puppies going to their new homes in
September, but this doesn't seem to be a good time of year
to be raising puppies or am I being too anxious?

She is a large strong bitch with a good weight and no undue fat
and I believe quite mature.  Would it be better to wait until May
and give her the extra time or mate her now? 

Any advise would be greatly welcome.

Personally I would wait. I feel that nearer three years is better for a first litter anyway. After all, there's no rush, and she's still a puppy herself. It's nice to hear from someone who wants to do the best for their bitch and not just for themselves! Good luck.
:)

I agree I would have said Two but nearer theree, so in your shoes would wait another year.

My breed is smaller than yours and I have bred only from one bitch at only just two (mated two weeks before 2nd Birthday) because she was a poor eater and hoped to improve this by breeding from her which did help.

My other bitches have been 2 years 10 months, 2 years 9 months and 3 years 10 months respectively when having their first litters.  This is a breed where adult bitches weigh in at 20kg (44lb).

Thanks both for your advice, it doesn't make me feel so bad about making the decision to wait until she is older.  The people that really want a pup from her would hopefully be willing to wait or they really aren't interested in her pups.

I've already had her hip scored and eye tested and also considering DNA profiling as it isn't all that expensive.  I've heard a little about the Canine Herpes Vaccination and the link with fading puppy syndrome but is this worth it?

I want to do the best for my dogs and take breeding from her  or any dog seriously.  My aim is to produce dogs that are as true to type as possible with excellent tempremants so that others can have as much enjoyment and love as we get from ours.

Well think about it this way the next year will gie you the opportunity to do some real good husband hunting.  You will be able to go to shows to see which dogs offspring appeals for conformation and pr working abilities, especially those out of bitches of similar breeding to yours.  You can get a good working relationship going with your girtls breeders, perhaps be able to viist them wehn htye have a bitch have a litter to pick up tips on rearing etc.

Join your local canine society, and you may find a lot of help and advice from breeders in other breeds too.

I would certainly join your regional and national breed clubs if you haven't already, as ther are bound to be get togethers and educatiuonal events lined up in the next year,a nd of course the year books will have pictures and pedigrees of potentila stud dogs and their offspring.  so that you can know their health status etc before contacting their owners.