female labrador

Question
Hi
I have a black female labrador, Kiya, that I would like to get a litter from. She is going on 6 this October. Is she too old now to litter or what is the advised max age to breed?
many thanks

Answer
Most breeders will not consider breeding a bitch that is 6 years old as it runs the risk of complications.

While you may love your dog, this is actually not a very good idea.  Breeding just for one litter is not very responsible, and can be very expensive, not to mention you run the risk of losing the mom and/or the babies.  Especially with an older bitch.  

But that aside, the labrador retriever breed carries quite a few genetic problems that breeders screen their dogs for to ensure that they are not passing on hereditary problems.

Hip/Elbow Dysplasia:  You would need to go to a vet that knows how to do these xrays, and then submit the xrays to OFA (www.offa.org) to see if she clears in these areas.  

Eye issues/PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy):  Breeding stock has their eyes checked by a canine opthamalogist yearly to check for eye diseases and the certifcation is sent of to CERF (www.vmdb.org/cerf.html).  Breeders also have each dog's blood checked to see if the carry the gene that causes PRA, a disease that makes dogs blind.  Blood is drawn and sent to Optigen, who sends the results back to you (www.optigen.com).

Additionally, many folks are testing for hearts (Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia is a rising issue in labs), thyroid, EIC (exercise induced collapse).  And if any of these tests are not done, you are recklessly breeding your dog and possibly dooming those who will own puppies from you, as any of these conditions can result in expensive surgeries.

After the dog passes all the clearances, what makes her a good specimen to be bred?  Has she won dog shows?  Obedience competition?  Has she earned Field Trial and Hunt Test awards?  If she is not a top example of the standard and does not have the titles to prove it, while she may be a sweet and loving dog, she really should not be bred.  

But in the end, remember a 6 year old dog is just about to enter their senior years, and having a litter can be a very stressful thing on their body.  While some have done it successfully (those who do breed responsibly), I have also seen bitches die because their body couldn't handle the birthing process.