Buying a lab puppy

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sloulou

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Just after a little bit of guidance really.

About a year ago we decided we wanted to get a dog - after months of decisions we settled on a chocolate lab (as being one we both like and thought would be a good breed for our lifestyle). After much more looking into it - we changed our minds to getting a black lab dog puppy - based on information from breeders and others.

Now we are in a position to get a dog (house with garden etc etc.) - I'm finding it tricky to locate a puppy! Admitedly we are a bit fussy - has to be a dog and has to be from a good breeder, must be able to see parents (mum at least), ideally working type dog, rather than chunky.

I've tried the kennel club register and there are no puppies recently registered in the east anglia/ SE area - also have had advice that KC reg isn't everything (not sure if true).

so what should I try now? I've looked at internet searching for a breeder - but how can you tell if they are any good! Also on epupz web site - again same problem!

anyone got and suggestions for the best way to find the right puppy?
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Can't give any advice as you're a bit far from me but best of luck finding one! I know over here choccies are harder to find. I would just keep an eye on papers etc
 
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AmyMay - I really want to get one from a breed rescue - but OH is determined we should have one from a puppy

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Tell other half that believe it or not some of these place do have puppies
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Just bangin on now - sorry.
 
I have just bought a beautiful golden lab puppy for my parents as we lost our lab of 15 years last year. She took some finding - they are going like hot cakes at the moment. I know from the breeder where I got her in Ayrshire that she had people buying from all over the UK and one of her litter went up to very North of Scotland and one was going down south so you may have to widen your search. x
 
We got our (now 9 month old) Lab through word of mouth. In fact our friend bred his mother. He's working bred and KC reg, and was from a family bitch and not a breeder. This was aher first and probably only litter. Dad was a Field Trials Champ whihc has made training him so easy, and hopefull we will work him a little in the future. I would make sure your new dog is KC reg - it's a sort of protection as all Labs that are KC registered have had to be hip and eye scored - I'd be very wary of those that aren't KC regd. Don't be in too much of a rush as something will come along. Have your tried asking at your local shoots? Local puppy training classes? The Farmers Guardian is quite good as well, but to be honest I don't think I'd be happy buying from an ad in a paper.

We tried rescue societies befire settling on a puppy - unfortunately none of them ever got back to us. Now you would think that if they wanted to offer these dogs good homes they would have bitten our hands off. I was quite disappointed with this as we did try - and then do gooders go shouting "there's so many dogs in rescue homes why did you have to buy a puppy".

Having had a puppy though I wouldn't have it any other way now. He has fitted right into our lifestyle. Goes to work with OH a few days a week, spends the weekends walking and around the horses and the yard. I think an older more mature dog would have taken longer to settle.

Labs are fab - we have a black one and after speaking to many people I don't think we would have gone for a chocolate either.
 
Thanks S_V - thats really useful. I agree and don't want to get just any lab puppy from the paper - so am trying to find good breeders and approaching them directly to see when they are next expecting a litter.

I've spoken to a local breeder (who's daughter has my horse on loan!) and she is also on the lookout for us (she isn't breeding this year sadly).

I'm sure the right puppy will come along, but I just wanted to see if there was somewhere I hadn't thought of trying!

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"Thanks - am definitely keen to make sure we get the right puppy - with healthy parents/ good hip scores. Would rather not rush it. "


really sensible and certainly the right way to go about finding your puppy, have a look at www.champdogs.co.uk. You may have to wait as many good breeders have a waiting list but you can use the time to visit the breeder - get to see the mother ( you very likely will not see the dad as most breeders will search for the best stud for their bitch - which may well not be owned by themselves !) - ask lots of questions and in turn be prepared to answer loads about yourselves and your home - if the breeder is any good she will care where her pups end up and will want to be reassured that you know what you are taking on. Ask to see the mother and fathers clear eye certificates, hip scores and pedigree and check out mum's temperament .

If you are happy put your name down for a puppy and spend the waiting time making sure your home and garden are 'puppy proof', checking out the nearest training clubs and reading 'The Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey " - a fantastic book with loads of tips on raising your pup ( I always include one in the puppy pack that I give to my puppy buyers !) - Crufts is also coming up ( 8-11th March and you could pay a visit to stock up on loads of lovely puppy toys etc
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- if you go on gundog day you will be able to see some of the best dogs around - and they have a gamekeeepers class to highlight the working Labs too .



remember you will have to live with the results of your choice for the next 14 years- if you are at all unhappy with the breeders set up then WALK AWAY !!! - never perpetuate puppy farmers or irresponsible breeders by buying from them - be patient and ensure that you get the best puppy you can --- good luck - exciting times ahead !
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Ours all happened by chance, and quite quickly. We felt we were able to offer a dog a home and within a couple of months we had been to see our little guy, and a few weeks later he was with us. Our friend who bred our dogs mum only ever had one litter herself and we'd always said that if any of the bitches had pups we'd be interested, as we knew grandma, great uncle and mum's brother - all with fab termperaments. By chance I think the bitch had had a litter a couple of weeks previously. She was the only bitch from her litter to have had pups as well.

Remember that the responsible breeders will be very careful about the birch and dog that mate. I've heard it said that many stud dog owners won't let just any bitch be mated to their dog - if it's a good dog and they have a good reputation they will want to maintain that. That's why I think it is always better to find one by word of mouth - I would take the same approach when looking for horses as well.

Good luck - they're hard work (recently described by the trainer at our classes and an experienced trainer, as a hooligan) but a hell of a lot of fun and very loyal and gentle - if bred well. We were more or less guarunteed a good natured dog as he was carefully bred - and it makes a huge difference to their trainability.
 
Thanks milor - really helpful
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I am so excited - but want to ensure we get everything right, as you say they are (hopefully) with you a long time!

Crufts would be good - we went to discover dogs in Nov last year, but there weren't many classes/ activities taking place. Although was lovely to meet all those dogs
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Thanks everyone!
 
There is a post on here from someone who's dog was
having puppies, right now!
#1632546 - 12/01/2007 11:40 Edit Reply Quote Quick Reply

Our younger choc lab is in the middle of havin pups.
6 so far! hehe

Post Extras:
 
hey. First good luck in finding the lab you want and secondly good choice for choosinig a choc lab. I have just got a puppy choc lab 9 weeks old he is a swetty. There are fab dogs.

Here is pic( any chance to show his cute face hahah)
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we got a choccy one but they are like a different breed compared to the black and yellow ones we had in the past
much more energy and a bit nuts!

v cute though, make sure you see the parents as the choccy ones can be quite inbred as v popular

breed rescue prob good place to start
 
Sloulou - if you do find a reputable breeder, please let me know!

I'm hoping to get a working type black lab next year (great minds think alike!) and I don't think I'm too far away from you.

My aunt was intending to breed hers, but she's not sure now, so I need a back up plan!
 
Definitely get a black one and not a chocolate one. We got our black lab by chance. The YO's daughter's working black lab had a litter of puppies and she bought the remaining 3 puppies with her when she came to visit; one of them was Benson! Both his parents are working dogs with very good hip scores, my dad has his family tree framed on the wall and shows it to visitors *insert sarcastic smile here*

Horse&Hound is probably good place to look because they are likely to be of the working type rather than the show type. Good luck with your search xx
 
Thanks Twiglet - will let you know! I am still on the look out at the mo...

Will also check out shooting times - hadn't thought of that - am currently obsessed with the UK gundogs website!


Robinhood - I think we will get a black one - we keep havering over it - but really black labs seem to be so lovely! I am obsessed by reading the dog section of H&H classifieds at the mo.

warning everyone - I will be posting puppy pics when i get one!
 
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