25,000 years since being domesticated.
Origin of the labrador
The wolf of their past
At the heart of every dog there is a wolf and, even though they’ve been domesticated for more than 25,000 years, the dog is still biologically linked to the wolf of their past. Their life stages and reproductive cycle are exactly the same. So here we must discuss aspects of both animals.
In the life of a wolf, the female and the male will reach physical maturity AFTER the age of one year. Males will begin “marking” their territory by cocking their leg on everything that stands upright, becoming interested in females, and will usually start asserting their dominance and fighting with other males of the pack.
2 years to be ready
Maturity and reproduction
For the females the process can take longer. By the age of 2 years, a female wolf will be physically and sexually mature and will have a reproductive cycle, or will come into heat. Their bodies won’t allow them to cycle before they’re mature enough to care for a litter of puppies. In this, though, the dog has separated from the wolf over time.
It’s common for female dogs to “come into heat” long before they’re physically or mentally mature enough to successfully raise a litter of puppies. In some cases, as early as 6 months of age, but usually before their first birthday. This is where it becomes our job, as the human “owners” of these dogs, to determine when and where our dogs will have puppies.
Get in touch
Contact us
Address
A. 82 Peters Road, Muchea, 6501
(Prideland Kennels and Cattery)
M. PO Box 237, Muchea, 6501
Phone or email
P. (08) 9571 0677
M. +61 414 898 236