Some reproductive traits and training performance of German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever dogs.

This study was made to investigate the main reproductive traits and training performances of German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever Dogs raised in Military Veterinary School in Gemlik. For this purpose 18-24 months old 40 bitch (23 German Shepherd and 17 Labrador Retriever dogs) were monitored for the main reproductive traits. 8 young males and 8 young females from both breed were randomly selected to determine training performance of dogs. The first heating of Labrador dogs was calculated as 15.46 month of age and this was earlier compared to German Shepherds which exhibited first heating period at 21.86 month of age. The time of first mating in German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers were found 24.17 and 20.93 month of ages, respectively. Statistically significant differences were noted for both of first heating time and mating age between the breeds (P<0.05). The mean numbers of mating for each pregnancy was 2.80 and 2.81 in German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever Dogs, respectively. The mean duration of gestation period as calculated from first mating to parturition was slightly longer in German Shepherds (61.77 days) than Labrador Retrievers (60.63). The number of puppies per litter in German Shepherd Dogs and Labrador Retriever Dogs were 5.81 and 8.22, respectively. Training performance of Labrador Retriever was found better than German Shepherd Dog. The results indicate that the breed is a major determinant of the training performance of the dogs.