Puppy hunting

Clodagh

Clodagh

Playing chess with pigeons
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17 August 2005
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I really hate puppy shopping! I know it should be fun but...

I have found a litter that ticks most of the boxes but some of the pups are unsold at 14 weeks. Would that ring alarm bells for you? They are a working litter, so live outside but we want an inside dog. At 14 weeks I worry they will have missed out on socialisation skills. Am I worrying unnecessarily? And whay haven't they sold?
 
No you're not. I would not consider them. I have not been replying on the other thread going on, but I would not consider buying a pup that has not been reared in a family home. Right or wrong I feel that is the best start they could have.

I would also be concerned how much socialisation they wil have had at 14 weeks.

What breed are you looking for?
 
Just a lab! So you wouldn't think it would be so hard. We want a working bred yellow bitch to be a pet and a worker. We must like the parents type wise but temperament is everything, she is to be my youngest sons dog (he is nearly 13) and although we will be with him every step of the way for training it would be nice for him to do most of it himself. Ideally we don't want one until end December/ January time (not because it is to be a present, but because it is a good time of year for us to have a pup). And not a million miles from Essex to travel either.

We would take one now if it was 'perfect'.
I got a pup years ago at 12 weeks and she was a neurotic mess, to be fair she would probably have been a mess at any age (mad collie type).
 
If they ticked all the boxes except age I would go and look but "most of the boxes" is not good enough.
A good working bitch won't be likely to have pups during the shooting season.
 
I wouldnt even consider it, the fact they are working bred shouldnt make a difference to desireability, a friend has had his name down for a working puppy for 2 years, the fact they have such a good reputation has meant there is a long waiting list.

More dogs are screwed because lack of socialisation in those early weeks, Im fostering one at the moment


who is proving really difficult, socialisation affects their whole development and future life.


Ive just seen your reply, funny enough just a Lab is precisely what my friend has and he travelled to Scotland from Somerset for his.
 
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We have had our name down for nearly 18 months for a pup from particualr breeders but it has been one hiccup after another and now nearly another year to wait! So we do have that as 'back up'. I have just had another breeder recommended to me and her bitches look good, hopefully we can go and visit to see them.
 
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