Any Labrador owners here?
- Thread starter Yozz76
- Start date
Teki187 will be getting on your case soon. Search for labrador
Oi, what do you mean on your case
Hi,
Don't buy a puppy because "some are for sale." You've already limited yourself to one breed, have you looked at others? Do you really have the room and time to spend with a distructive lab pup?
Decide what you need from a dog. Research the breed. Then look for a breeder with a good reputation.
Not the other way around.
edit:
I would suggest you get a 'bull' type breed (boxer, bulldog etc) if the aminal is going to be around your kids.
Don't buy a puppy because "some are for sale." You've already limited yourself to one breed, have you looked at others? Do you really have the room and time to spend with a distructive lab pup?
Decide what you need from a dog. Research the breed. Then look for a breeder with a good reputation.
Not the other way around.
edit:
I would suggest you get a 'bull' type breed (boxer, bulldog etc) if the aminal is going to be around your kids.
Thanks for all of the replies and info, you have played a part in what is a big decision for me. Basically, we are going to see them tomorrow! We will be the first to see them with a view to buying.
We will be viewing 2 black boys, 2 black girls and 2 yellow girls. We will also be able to see both parents as they belong to the sellers. Is it true that you should let a dog choose you? I think i am leaning towards a girl tbh.
Would really appreciate advice about what to look for and the questions i should be asking. Many thanks.
We will be viewing 2 black boys, 2 black girls and 2 yellow girls. We will also be able to see both parents as they belong to the sellers. Is it true that you should let a dog choose you? I think i am leaning towards a girl tbh.
Would really appreciate advice about what to look for and the questions i should be asking. Many thanks.
Some good advice in this post except for the above comment which I feel isn't particularly valid. I don't see why a bull breed would be preferrable to any other breeds around children...
Could you justify this comment as I know hundreds of owners who would rate labs as near the best dog around children... very much so over any bull breed.
As for when looking to buy pups, I find that the best breeders will treat the meeting as a vetting of you & your home (pardon the pun). A good breeder won't hand over their pups to anyone!
This statement is not always important but I often think the adverts that don't tend to put a price on the pups are often more credible
- but this is certainly not hard & fast : you will soon get a feel for the the type of breeder they are when you meet
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Why do you say that?
I chose my dog. I knew which one I wanted the second I laid eyes on him, and I'd just decided when he winked at me. I wasn't leaving without him
Oh, and to remove some emotion from it don't take the kids. They will pressure you into a big decision.
Bull breed are good at guarding, *tend* to have longer tempers and very protective of their owners and or/pack (which would include your family). No dog should be left around kids, but these are better imho than other breed groups.
Herding dogs, such as sheep dogs shouldnt be kept near children really. Bred to round up sheep and the like, they have no problems with being snappy.
Labs are great dogs, just know that they are hard work. All pups are hard work, but labs ARE hard work. Say bye bye to your kitchen units, they tend to like the taste of plasterboard as well for some reason.
(The above information is given about 'proper', well bred animals. Not washed out examples. Im expecting the normal "oh by my lab is well lazy", and "my sheep dog was very good at guarding the house etc.")
Taken from: http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/109 (LAB)
Characteristics
Good-tempered, very agile. Excellent nose, soft mouth; keen love of water. Adaptable, devoted companion.
Temperament
Intelligent, keen and biddable, with a strong will to please. Kindly nature, with no trace of aggression or undue shyness.
Taken from: http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/45 (Boxer)
Characteristics
Lively, strong, loyal to owner and family, but distrustful of strangers. Obedient, friendly at play, but with guarding instinct.
Temperament
Equable, biddable, fearless, self-assured.
These traits can be seen across the bull breed etc.
your family has already decided for you that you are getting a lab, im not convinced its the right choice but expect you to post pictures of the new pup in a few days!!!
Good luck with it, if you want any help shout
.Jon
excuse the speilings!
You should not only let the dog choose you, but also choose the dog too. You both want to be happy.
MAKE SURE you see the papers and the scoring. Please!.
In my opinion get the working bred labradors, they look better.
I know, me neither!
didnt know that.
and I got a Boxer last year. Just wondered what you were basing it on
knew that
I dissagree, my last litter of boxer pups didnt chew anything!
What to ask a breeder at first contact:
...be that contact in the street, by email or telephone.... this will save so much heartache later when the answer is negative to any of them but you are staring at a bunch of cute pups which you REALLY want to buy. So many times we hear people saying they KNOW they shouldn't be buying, but they got there, and the pups looked basically healthy, and the breeder seemed nice....and so.... they went for it knowing they should be walking away...
Lets lay out the first contact BASIC Questions so you can save that heartache, possible wasted desposits and huge embarassment:
Absolutely essential:
1) Are BOTH parents hip scored? What are the scores for each?
2) Do they BOTH hold current (dated in the last 12 months) CLEAR eye certificates under the BVA/KC eye testing scheme?
3) Does the breeder own mum and can she be seen?
4) Have the puppies been Kennel Club registered?
5) Can you see copies of not just mum but dads hip score result sheet and eye certificate?
6) Were the puppies wormed at 2, 4 and 6 weeks of age (and 8 weeks if that is relevent age wise)?
7) Does the breeder give you a diet sheet, copies of the documents for the sire and dam and a basic puppy pack when yu pick your puppy up?
8 ) Were the puppies born and raised in the house to a certain age OR well socialised if raised outside, with plenty of human contact and access to sounds and smells of a day to day household?
Desireable:
9) Have mum and dad been elbow scored? What is the result? can you see the certificates?
10) Have mum and dad been Optigen tested? can you see the certificate?
11) Are they fed on an easy to obtain food?
12) Do they fall between about £450 and £700 in price? (If not you have to ask yourself what is missing as they are too cheap or WHY they are overcharging - adjust that to where you live in the country - London may be MORE expensive, Scotland may be cheaper!).
13) Will the registration documents be ready to take when you leave with your puppy?
I can explain any questions if you like but if you ASK at least the first 8 questions, even in pleasant conversation, not necessarily firing them like a firing squad, you will save yourself a lot of trouble later. They are the basic essentials.... and will be found in many hundreds of litters a year!
The actual SCORE you would be looking for for a positive hip score result is between 0 and lets say, 20.... OR if one parents is slightly higher than a total of 20, then the other should be a fair bit lower.... even if they are hip scored, if BOTH parents are over or well over 20 (combined score from both hips e.g. 8:9 = 17 hip score) walk away just as if they hadn't been scored.
Elbows, the only result you would really accept would be a total of zero or one for each parent IF scored.
Caring for a lab:
1) Feed good quality food or BARF (biologically appropriate raw food - google search).
2) Exercise 5 minutes per month of age (3 month pup = 15 minutes A DAY MAXIMUM) until a year old (then about an hour to an hour and a half a day). This is for forced exercise e.g. walking out, chasing a ball etc ... mooching in the garden etc doesn't count as the pup can stop when tired
3) get them well socialised with people, dogs, kids, traffic, loud noises etc
4) strongly consider a basic obedience class
5) GET INSURANCE AND THEM NEUTERED WHEN OLD ENOUGH
Bitch vs dog:
1) dog will possible try and roam when a near-by bitch is in season
2) bitches come into season twice a year or so (resolved by speying)
There is an absolutely excellent forum for lab owners that will give you all your answers and more.
Lab pups are very hard work, are 'puppies' in behaviour until about 2 years old and most chew a lot. They are very intelligent however and need mental stimulation daily to stop boredom.
I strongly recommend a crate for when they are still pups for their safety when alone.
Sorry for the long reply!
...be that contact in the street, by email or telephone.... this will save so much heartache later when the answer is negative to any of them but you are staring at a bunch of cute pups which you REALLY want to buy. So many times we hear people saying they KNOW they shouldn't be buying, but they got there, and the pups looked basically healthy, and the breeder seemed nice....and so.... they went for it knowing they should be walking away...
Lets lay out the first contact BASIC Questions so you can save that heartache, possible wasted desposits and huge embarassment:
Absolutely essential:
1) Are BOTH parents hip scored? What are the scores for each?
2) Do they BOTH hold current (dated in the last 12 months) CLEAR eye certificates under the BVA/KC eye testing scheme?
3) Does the breeder own mum and can she be seen?
4) Have the puppies been Kennel Club registered?
5) Can you see copies of not just mum but dads hip score result sheet and eye certificate?
6) Were the puppies wormed at 2, 4 and 6 weeks of age (and 8 weeks if that is relevent age wise)?
7) Does the breeder give you a diet sheet, copies of the documents for the sire and dam and a basic puppy pack when yu pick your puppy up?
8 ) Were the puppies born and raised in the house to a certain age OR well socialised if raised outside, with plenty of human contact and access to sounds and smells of a day to day household?
Desireable:
9) Have mum and dad been elbow scored? What is the result? can you see the certificates?
10) Have mum and dad been Optigen tested? can you see the certificate?
11) Are they fed on an easy to obtain food?
12) Do they fall between about £450 and £700 in price? (If not you have to ask yourself what is missing as they are too cheap or WHY they are overcharging - adjust that to where you live in the country - London may be MORE expensive, Scotland may be cheaper!).
13) Will the registration documents be ready to take when you leave with your puppy?
I can explain any questions if you like but if you ASK at least the first 8 questions, even in pleasant conversation, not necessarily firing them like a firing squad, you will save yourself a lot of trouble later. They are the basic essentials.... and will be found in many hundreds of litters a year!
The actual SCORE you would be looking for for a positive hip score result is between 0 and lets say, 20.... OR if one parents is slightly higher than a total of 20, then the other should be a fair bit lower.... even if they are hip scored, if BOTH parents are over or well over 20 (combined score from both hips e.g. 8:9 = 17 hip score) walk away just as if they hadn't been scored.
Elbows, the only result you would really accept would be a total of zero or one for each parent IF scored.
Caring for a lab:
1) Feed good quality food or BARF (biologically appropriate raw food - google search).
2) Exercise 5 minutes per month of age (3 month pup = 15 minutes A DAY MAXIMUM) until a year old (then about an hour to an hour and a half a day). This is for forced exercise e.g. walking out, chasing a ball etc ... mooching in the garden etc doesn't count as the pup can stop when tired
3) get them well socialised with people, dogs, kids, traffic, loud noises etc
4) strongly consider a basic obedience class
5) GET INSURANCE AND THEM NEUTERED WHEN OLD ENOUGH
Bitch vs dog:
1) dog will possible try and roam when a near-by bitch is in season
2) bitches come into season twice a year or so (resolved by speying)
There is an absolutely excellent forum for lab owners that will give you all your answers and more.
Lab pups are very hard work, are 'puppies' in behaviour until about 2 years old and most chew a lot. They are very intelligent however and need mental stimulation daily to stop boredom.
I strongly recommend a crate for when they are still pups for their safety when alone.
Sorry for the long reply!
Only once did someone mention time ... ! ALL dogs need attention and time and training and exercise etc.
Try to make sure that you and your family give the dog enough of the above mentioned and don't leave it alone for more hours than necessary.
Now that is out of the way; My vote is also for a Boxer because we had one when I was young and I got one for my family when they were young. Both of the dogs mentioned put up with all sorts of childish abuse (ear pulling, eye poking, riding on back etc) without the slightest protest.
Make sure that the children know that the dogs bed is it's sanctuary and when it goes there, not to disturb it.
Whatever breed you choose, get a grip (discipline) early in life; it is much easier than trying to correct things later on.
Be consistent and fair and you will always have a loyal companion who gives without question; your children will be better people for the experience too.
Kind regards and I hope all works out well.
Edit: Some great advice in the reply above.
Try to make sure that you and your family give the dog enough of the above mentioned and don't leave it alone for more hours than necessary.
Now that is out of the way; My vote is also for a Boxer because we had one when I was young and I got one for my family when they were young. Both of the dogs mentioned put up with all sorts of childish abuse (ear pulling, eye poking, riding on back etc) without the slightest protest.
Make sure that the children know that the dogs bed is it's sanctuary and when it goes there, not to disturb it.
Whatever breed you choose, get a grip (discipline) early in life; it is much easier than trying to correct things later on.
Be consistent and fair and you will always have a loyal companion who gives without question; your children will be better people for the experience too.
Kind regards and I hope all works out well.
Edit: Some great advice in the reply above.
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Awww she's beautiful ^_^ Look at that face 
eehehe
eehehe