Yes, people want Labs, but they don't want to pay the price of a quality puppy from healthy, certified, tested, titled parents, from a breeder that cares about the breed.

They want the cheapest puppy they can find. I won't devalue my program for anyone, no matter how much they want a puppy. I put too much into my dogs; let the bargain hunters "resort " to the puppy mills and the BYB's., that's their business. People want a puppy NOW, that's that sense of entitlement. I prefer my puppies to go to people who understand quality and are willing to research first, and then wait.

I only breed for myself, when I am ready for my next puppy. When I'm planning a litter, I put the word out, and start taking names.

Well, if you were to peek at some of the #'s being sold from a few of these commercial breeders on here.They are fetching the top dollar they are asking. Unfortunetly you do not always get what you pay for. But that surprise comes way past the contract date.

But your right. I see puppies being sold online and in newspapers for dirt cheap. However, dont we all know most newbies and first time buyers have not a clue. And are very soured after the initial shock after the big prices wear off as well.

The answer, slow it down. Make them work for it. Educate educate educate every chance you get. But hey, if you can put your head on your pillow each night knowing you are doing right by your breed. Then a good nights sleep you will have.

Because animals are not machines. Breeding any animal takes it's toll on the animal including shortening lifespan.

I breed a litter when I have room for a new pup to run on. Other than that, puppy buyer wants do not factor into my plans. I am thankful for them when I have pups to sell, but my plans are for ME.

And just IMHO, producing puppies just to sell to pet buyers is not the kind of breeder I want to be.

However, if you breed, you dont just get a pup. Usually you get around 5 to 8 puppies. What are you going to do with the rest if you only plan to keep a pup or two. Thats why a breeder should consider the demand as well along with the target pup.

Dani, the more you breed, the better chance you will have of coming up with the best dogs.

The most successful breeders do not get this way by breeding one or two litters a year and keeping only one or two puppies at a time. The more you breed (to outside studs) the better your chances are of getting top winners. You have to run on a few dogs from each litter and see how they grow up. Those you don't run on will go to pet homes for which there is a demand. As long as you have a demand for those pets, there is no reason to breed in a larger volume as well as make a few extra $$ in the process.