The-Fat-Labrador

Wow, thanks for all the input and good news for all the older studs out there

Excellent news! THe one thing insurance companies hate more than actually paying for claims is bad press, well done

I am curious to know How old do Studs stay fertile for? I am sure it would be different between breeds but would love to know different people's experiences with regard to this. At what age do you think a studs' fertility would begin to drop off (assuming he can do a natural mating). I have known of Labs that have been successful sires at 10 years but is this unusual?

Such a terrible life for these show dogs!!!!!

My 2yo female lab took 10 months between cycles when we moved house then 6 months between cycles when she was settled in, I was told my the vet that the delay between cycles was because of the stress fro moving, how long now between your girls cycles?

Thankyou SO MUCH for explaining this, I have sent multiple e-mails to dogs victoria in order to try and understand it and get the usual "no reply" from them

I totally agree, I had a pup on an IV drip for a week due to a Multiply resistant bug, after speaking to my Dad who is a veterinary microbiologist he is appalled that low graded anti's are available, if we are using antibiotics all the time what happens when they really get sick? However I do have a question re the tear stains, I have a yellow lab that has tear stains, I have tried a few of the topical ointment things but with no luck, has anyone had any success with any of these products?

That's true, he was keen enough all right! but the vet thought the tie could flare up the injury to his back From reading through the thread, the impression I get is that he has had an injury of some kind????

Thanks so much, I was beginning to stress that my beautiful girl had the issue! I think I'll take other breeders advice over the vets' next time. Yep you missed - prog should be rising about day 10 11 - be hot to trot day 12/13 and you have missed by day 14 - though I would have thought you might have got a couple of pups from a day 14 mating. Mind you the girls can be ready as early as day 10 and late as day 21. Annoyingly the books are based on an average of 100+ assessed bitches - any given individual can be different. If I had to I would prog test from day 11 - 15 daily.

Thankyou so much everyone for your advice, very much appreciated. To answer your questions, no there was no contract and the stud was proven, it was AI because of an injury he had. I am sure the stud owner will be happy a return service, but I will ensure that I get a contract next time! I suspect that I might have been too late, the vet told me to come back every 5 days for the prog tests, on day 10 she was too low so I came back on day 14 and the prog was through the roof, perhaps the horse had already bolted in the intervening time, or perhaps it was other reasons as previously suggested ....

I personally would say there is no difference. The colour gene is not linked in any way to the genes that decide behaviour. Also there is multiple genes that decide behaviour but only 2 spots that decide colour, so theoretically there shouldn't be any difference. Saying that by chocolate girls are much naughtier than my yellow ones!

I am hoping you experienced breeders can help me out as I am new to the breeding scene. That said I have spent hours researching, reading and talking to vets and experts to learn as much as possible over the last 2 years. I imported a NZ maiden bitch who is now nearly 3, both of us passed all the necessary tests with flying colours. I had her prog. tested right up to the day and the stud's owner did a 2 X semen transfers with a home AI kit (this was recommended by the stud's owner). After all this I was heartbroken to find that she is not in whelp. My questions are; Can I get any of the service fee back? Has anyone had any luck with home AI kits? Should I take her to a repro specialist? At what age is a bitch too old to have a first litter? She took 8 months between her last 2 cycles is this unusual? The dog community being the lovely people you are can hopefully help me!