Puppy or not to puppy?

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Honestly, puppies are not all they’re cracked up to be. They’re annoying, frustrating, endlessly entertaining, cute, quick to learn, adorable, demanding. I thought this the last time we got puppies and I thought it this time, but would I do it again? Oh yes, every time! (Although at 5.30 this morning I would have liked to stay in bed, please and thank you!)

 

[Clodagh]

I’m not really a puppy fan. Cute but tiring! All dogs from now on are both inside and outside, so in the evenings they come in but are kennelled when we are busy or they are dirty, and overnight.

 

[maisie06]

I’ve got 4 dogs of working age. Eldest only 5, youngest not yet 2. Four workers is a good number. You would hope they could work hard until ten, all being well.
I’ve had my name down on a litter for 2 years now, if all goes well they should happen next year.
But I really don’t need another dog at this time.
Do I accept it’s not a perfect time but it’s perfect breeding and bite the bullet?
Or do I acknowledge that my main employer is cutting down hugely next year and even four will be more than enough?
I know no one else can really answer this, but what would you do?

I have just got a 3rd, not ideal timing but I thought what the hell, If I wait until I retire I may not be fit enough to have a dog at all, so spanner number 3 is here - half brother to my super honest springer!!

 

[Clodagh]

Well bringing this thread back up as the conundrum continues.
I should, all being well, and thank you to Mr STR and his address book, have more work than I need next season. Obviously anything I get now won’t be out but I see no particular reason why it should change much between the next two.
The bitch I had my name on a litter from has not yet come into season so the pup will now be too late in the year for me.
Another friend has got a litter due and has asked if I would like one. Beautifully bred. Sorely tempted. I could have it at a reasonable price. Anyone into working Labrador pedigrees wave your hands and I’ll ask for opinions. . Thistle I’ll send it to you now

 

[Thistle]

Do it! I made this prediction last night didn't i? Now doing a sideline in lottery numbers! TBH I think this is better breeding than your original choice, you have some lines known for high drive there, plus trainability.

 

[BallyJ]

Do it

 

[Clodagh]

Do it! I made this prediction last night didn't i? Now doing a sideline in lottery numbers! TBH I think this is better breeding than your original choice, you have some lines known for high drive there, plus trainability.

I like the ‘edge of your seat’ working style. That should be there should it?

 

[Thistle]

Drakeshead are known for this!

 

[Moobli]

Will they be yellow or black? You obviously need to say yes to the puppy

 

[Thistle]

I'm also liking the potential nex t year breeding related to your lines, why have one pup when you could have two?

 

[BallyJ]

I'm also liking the potential nex t year breeding related to your lines, why have one pup when you could have two?

more the merrier!!!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Drakeshead are known for this!

We had a black Drakeshead dog, he was fabulous!

Eta, and you know how I feel about 2 pups from the same litter! Go on you know you want to.

 

[Clodagh]

Will they be yellow or black? You obviously need to say yes to the puppy

Black. Pen is feeling isolated.

 

[Clodagh]

We had a black Drakeshead dog, he was fabulous!

Eta, and you know how I feel about 2 pups from the same litter! Go on you know you want to.

And as you know I’d never have two from the same litter! .
If I get two they’ll be at least 6 months apart, preferably a year.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

And as you know I’d never have two from the same litter! .
If I get two they’ll be at least 6 months apart, preferably a year.

Honestly, Daycare Dog and our rehomed brown one are about 8 months apart in age, I really wouldn't recommend it. 2 from the same litter are much easier

 

[Clodagh]

Honestly, Daycare Dog and our rehomed brown one are about 8 months apart in age, I really wouldn't recommend it. 2 from the same litter are much easier

You’ll never sell me on that idea, honestly. . I train separately and walks together will only be in our enclosed paddock.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

You’ll never sell me on that idea, honestly. . I train separately and walks together will only be in our enclosed paddock.

It's not so much of a problem on walks, it's the playing in the house and garden that gets over the top and needs careful management.

 

[BallyJ]

It's not so much of a problem on walks, it's the playing in the house and garden that gets over the top and needs careful management.

The same goes for my 4yo and 15week labs.

How does getting them from the same litter make it easier? Do they not play as much? - Just curious! 3 Dogs is more than enough for us

 

[Clodagh]

The same goes for my 4yo and 15week labs.

How does getting them from the same litter make it easier? Do they not play as much? - Just curious! 3 Dogs is more than enough for us

I think from the same litter at least they have the same exercise needs? It must be easier than endless separate walks, which is what I end up doing. Mine are abused and not allowed to play ad lib. (Not saying yours are PAS) I think it’s a problem at any age, Pen was constantly wanting Scout to run when he was 6 months and she was 5 years.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

The same goes for my 4yo and 15week labs.

How does getting them from the same litter make it easier? Do they not play as much? - Just curious! 3 Dogs is more than enough for us

Yes pairs have always played but they have never seemed to need as much Intervention. Perhaps because they are of such a similar size/stage of development.
I do remember one famous occasion when the Rottweilers got over the top aged about 6 months and the only way to settle them was to put them in the crate. Oneiof them was so cross/frustrated that she tore up the newspaper that the crate was lined with into tiny pieces. It probably didn't help that we laughed.
I think with an age difference like the 2 you mentioned the adult is usually sensible enough to be careful around the pup and play gently.

 

[druid]

I dont like two pups from the same litter. I have cocker litter mates arriving next month for two different clients and it's giving me a headache already!

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Drakeshead are known for this!

Ooh, Drakeshead, nice!

I think from the same litter at least they have the same exercise needs? It must be easier than endless separate walks, which is what I end up doing. Mine are abused and not allowed to play ad lib. (Not saying yours are PAS) I think it’s a problem at any age, Pen was constantly wanting Scout to run when he was 6 months and she was 5 years.

I dunno re exercise needs. Brig was never out of sight, gentle meandering bar the occasional omg, a duck, let me swim in front of this barge (we stopped going to the canal) whereas Jake was more somewhere in the cover. Zak and Bear were vaguely similar, but Zak preferred to stay close. Goose is ‘see you later’, Mitch is more meander through the nearby cover, don’t go nuts. Same as temperament, I suppose, Brig was easy going but would stick up for himself, Jake would pathetically roll over and be a victim. You all know about Zak and Goose is like ‘Hmm, other dog, interesting’ where Mitch is desperate to say hello, vocal. He capers around squeaking like a court jester when I come in, Goose just wags his whole body silently. Mitch is extremely demanding.

I’m a horrible owner and separate them into different rooms or make one lie down when the playfighting gets too much. Such a cow!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Ooh, Drakeshead, nice!



I dunno re exercise needs. Brig was never out of sight, gentle meandering bar the occasional omg, a duck, let me swim in front of this barge (we stopped going to the canal) whereas Jake was more somewhere in the cover. Zak and Bear were vaguely similar, but Zak preferred to stay close. Goose is ‘see you later’, Mitch is more meander through the nearby cover, don’t go nuts. Same as temperament, I suppose, Brig was easy going but would stick up for himself, Jake would pathetically roll over and be a victim. You all know about Zak and Goose is like ‘Hmm, other dog, interesting’ where Mitch is desperate to say hello, vocal. He capers around squeaking like a court jester when I come in, Goose just wags his whole body silently. Mitch is extremely demanding.

I’m a horrible owner and separate them into different rooms or make one lie down when the playfighting gets too much. Such a cow!

That's why we still have the crates! The oldest pair are nearly 4 now!

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

That's why we still have the crates! The oldest pair are nearly 4 now!

I haven't had to do it for a while. They've adapted really well to the new routine of me being at home the past couple of weeks and not leaping up to walk them. Goose is especially patient and just sleeps mostly. I can't remember when Zak and Bear stopped, I think a lot earlier.