Labrador Breeders

[KJ]

"I have a good friend who's looking for a chocolate labrador and she wants me to help her find a good registered breeder. I have been in two minds in helping her and writing this, but I figured, there is no harm in asking this. Her situation:

1 - This dog will be an outside dog only (she won't consider crating the dog... her husband and her don't like dog smell)

2 - The dog is for their son for his 1st birthday (the baby is currently 4 months old)

3 - She is thinking of having another baby in about a year time

4 - The husband and her work full time. But she works 2 days at home though (but for how long, I don't know.. she may have to go back to the office full time in 2 months)

5 - I think (or have suggested) that she brings the puppy to her mum's place to play with the mum's dog while she looks after the baby but she isn't sure if her mum will be happy with this.

6 - Not sure about the exercise... although if her husband put in his effort on things, the pup will be walked everyday.

7 - they really really want a puppy

I'm not sure if any breeder will sell her a pup in those situation. If so, is there any good breeders that I can pass on the info to her.

She really wants a chocolate Labrador. It's the only dog that her and her husband has agreed on. "

Why do they even want a dog?

There is no way I would sell these people a puppy and doubt that any "good registered breeder" would!! I pitty the poor pup these people end up with.

[Aussienot]

I'd say, Ok, you are going to get a puppy. Clearly you have thought about it. Let's plan for it:

What are you going to give up to give the puppy 5 to 6 hours per day of undivided attention? Do you really have that much free time that needs a project?

What is your schedule for socialisation of the puppy for the first 52 weeks?

Where are you going to find the time to give the dog one hour of play and exercise every single day?

Who will walk the dog every single day, in all kinds of weather?

How are you planning to supervise every second of interaction between the dog and child?

If she can answer these questions reasonably, then the family should think about getting a dog. But if they can't answer these questions, then there is no way the puppy will be happy left alone outside their home. I would stake money on the fact that any puppy unlucky enough to go into this situation will be looking for a new home within a year.

[Bubitty]

That poor poor lab. I feel sorry for ANY breed that ends up in these kinds of homes. Honestly, some people should be shot!

[Mas1981]

I spend about 1,5 hrs a day training and walking my lab and I still think that its not enough,ask them if they will commit to this amount of time per day, if not, the dog will give them a rough time. Also labs need to be inside dogs they hate being away from their families. If it were me I would just spell it out bluntly to them, they are not dog people and should not have a dog.

[Clyde]

I wouldn't even consider a Lab pup with my 5yr old. They are big bouncey pups who will have small kids either scared of the dog or being bowled over every 5 minutes. Bad idea.

[W Sibs]

See, all this is helping me put up a really good argument with her...

This is bad to say, but I was hoping some negative comments with her situations so I have ammo to go into a long talk with her. Too prove that I'm not the only one who thinks and feel like she shouldn't get a puppy for a long while. She is very sensitive about all this and I have to thread carefully.

Those questions you asked Aussienot are awesome questions and I will be using them on her! Thanks!

[Dame Aussie]

I totally agree with you all on why she shouldn't get a dog. She doesn't like small dogs (she barely tolerates Emmy and Charlie) and uses the excuse that my house is "dirty" with fur to come over with her baby.

:D

Definitely doesn't sound like they're ready for a dog!

It worries me that so many people say things like "Oh Im not really a dog person, but every family needs a dog......"

Good on you for trying to help, I can imagine they have their heart set on a pup, but I agree it sounds like a disaster in the making

Good luck in trying to change her mind!!

ETA: I was speaking to someone about buying a pup the other day and they were interested in a Lab, I said they need a lot of training etc and do you know what they said? "Oh I thought with Labradors and Golden Retrievers they were born well behaved, as they're guiide dogs and all?" I almost cried.

Edited June 29, 2010 by Aussie3

[shells]

The children issue isnt a biggy for me - My youngest was 6 months old when we got our 2 puppies and being on maternity leave helped toilet train them settle them in.

The big issue for me is the outside part - My 2 are inside and included with the family (yes that includes dancing to the wiggles LOL). They are also walked daily and are currently asleep on our bed :D TBH I dont understand how outside only dogs are happy - but thats just me.

Our dogs are mini poodles so quite different from Labs.

[quickbrownfox]

ETA: I was speaking to someone about buying a pup the other day and they were interested in a Lab, I said they need a lot of training etc and do you know what they said? "Oh I thought with Labradors and Golden Retrievers they were born well behaved, as they're guiide dogs and all?" :D I almost cried.

No words...

[Nekhbet]

ETA: I was speaking to someone about buying a pup the other day and they were interested in a Lab, I said they need a lot of training etc and do you know what they said? "Oh I thought with Labradors and Golden Retrievers they were born well behaved, as they're guiide dogs and all?" I almost cried.

actually I hear that a lot. Or if it has lab in the mix it will be a well behaved calm dog. Its an urban myth that a labrador will simply exist perfectly around a busy family. In fact for some families a labrador is not suitable at all. It's a gun dog!

The OPs family - I would never rehome a dog to them. What kind of existance is that. And if the dog gets sick like ear problem or anal glands will it sit out in the backyard alone because they dont want the doggy smell on them or their precious car? What happens when the bad weather sets in ... days on end just having a food bowl shoved out the back door. That is no life for any dog let alone a family orientated breed like a labrador. Save another dog ending up as pound fodder, they shouldnt get a dog. I'm happy to email them if they require further clarification.

[kendall]

You really need to be careful about how and what you say, especially if you are quoting 'doggy people' who are very passionate about the situation. They could quite easily go to a byb or petshop where no questions are asked and they aren't made to feel like bad people.

[Dame Aussie]

You really need to be careful about how and what you say, especially if you are quoting 'doggy people' who are very passionate about the situation. They could quite easily go to a byb or petshop where no questions are asked and they aren't made to feel like bad people.

Very true. It's a hard situation

[Red Fox]

Tell them to get a cat. Cats can grow up with kids too :D

[W Sibs]

You really need to be careful about how and what you say, especially if you are quoting 'doggy people' who are very passionate about the situation. They could quite easily go to a byb or petshop where no questions are asked and they aren't made to feel like bad people.

Yeah, that is why I need to get all the info and think of a way to start this conversation with her...

Tell them to get a cat. Cats can grow up with kids too :D

they aren't cat people at all.

[Red Fox]

You really need to be careful about how and what you say, especially if you are quoting 'doggy people' who are very passionate about the situation. They could quite easily go to a byb or petshop where no questions are asked and they aren't made to feel like bad people.

Yeah, that is why I need to get all the info and think of a way to start this conversation with her...

Tell them to get a cat. Cats can grow up with kids too :D

they aren't cat people at all.

Rat, ferret, bird ... goldfish!?? anything but a puppy. What about a parrot or something that the kids can teach to talk? There are breeds of cats that are more 'doglike' if that appeals to them. My Burmese (well my sons actually) will talk back, fetch, play zommies, hide and seek etc.

If it were me I'd be pointing out the dangers of large bouncy dogs and young kids, particularly dogs that are kept outside and sooo excited to see anyone that they will jump on them in excitement. Or if they don't like fur and smells then make it clear to them exactly how much a Lab will shed and how much it will smell if kept outside. Explain training, excercise, socialisation and grooming reqirements, health probs within the breed, vet costs, feeding requirements and costs, healthcare (worm/heartworm/flea treatments etc. Make sure that they understand that a bored dog (ie one who does not have enough mental, physical and emotional stimulation) will be a destructive dog.

No responsible breeder will sell this family a Lab puppy (unless they lie through their teeth about how the dog will be kept). If they want one they are going to end up purchasing from a pet shop or BYB where the odds of getting a healthy puppy with a good solid temperament are pretty slim anyway.

[RubyStar]

Labs are wonderful family pets with young kids once the dog reaches at least 3 years old (edit: and has had training!!). My 1 year old nephew just adores my 2 Labs, smiles at the sight of them and lays on them. If the dogs get a bit "over" being layed on, they just get up and move. They don't knock him over, the main thing we have to watch out for is their tails though! They are like whips!!

But even if your friends agreed on an older Lab, I still don't think it would have a very nice life in the backyard :rolleyes: I would put money on that your friends don't also realise just HOW MUCH a Lab sheds. Tell them they shed once a year, and that lasts 365 days a year! She will find Lab hair on her clothes, in her car and in her food, even when it is an outside dog!!! I find Lab hair at work! It comes with me wherever I go

Edited June 29, 2010 by RubyStar

[Henrietta]

You really need to be careful about how and what you say, especially if you are quoting 'doggy people' who are very passionate about the situation. They could quite easily go to a byb or petshop where no questions are asked and they aren't made to feel like bad people.

Yeah, that is why I need to get all the info and think of a way to start this conversation with her...

Tell them to get a cat. Cats can grow up with kids too

they aren't cat people at all.

Apparently they are not really dog people either.

I'd second the suggestion to meet some young adolescent labs and some pups. Honestly, unless they really changed their tune - understood what they were getting in for and demonstrated their commitment to training and management, I would be very unwilling to sell them a dog.

I would love to give them the benefit of the doubt, as someone just sitting here on a forum... They may just be unrealistic in their ideas and they may decide not to get a pup after they are given a dose of reality.

They may also decide that it isn't the right time NOW, but maybe down the track, given some time to research and research some more... than yes, they may make great owners. You never know I guess.

But on face value, this situation as it stands seems a recipe for disaster.

I would try and be as polite and informative as possible and if they are a little resistant, perhaps point out the numbers of dogs that are surrendered in pounds for behaviourial issues that would be preventable or easily fixed with a bit of forethought and dedication. Good luck!!

[labsrule]

CW EW - I note you are in Sydney, so I presume your friend is also in Sydney as you mention about her not wanting to visit you because of your small dogs are allowed inside :D

I think what we need to do here is change tack as there is the danger that despite your best attempts to try and dissuade your friends from getting a Lab puppy, they will probably end up buying one from a pet shop/BYB/Puppy Farmer due to ease of getting one from these types of places.

What we need to do is show your friend what an adolescent Lab is like :D , as most people that want Labs can't get over how cute they are as puppies and how wonderfully behaved "guide dogs" are and they never think past this. I think your friend needs to met a lunatic adolescent Labrador :D and I have one of these, my 9mth old boy who is your typical over the top, full of exhuberance, full of confidence and full of himself, challenging adolescent Lab :D

He goes beserk meeting new people or dogs, jumping and bouncing around like a "jumping jack" and can be a real handful, even for an experienced Labrador owner like myself :D. I train him every single day and walk him every single day and do retreiving exercises with him every single day and take him to Obedience every week where he does wonderfully with all his tasks in class, but is a shocker when we arrive at Obedience and leave Obedience as he just gets so over-excited at the sight of all the other dogs there that he wants to meet and greet and just goes into overdrive with pulling and lunging on the lead and is such a handful when this happens

I work from home so am home with him every day and he has a couple of mates with my two older Lab boys and they are all inside dogs. He gets more attention, exercise and stimulation than your typical family Labrador does, but he is still a handful, so imagine what an adolescent Lab who finds itself in the hands of a Labrador/dog novice and who is relegated to outside with minimal contact, interaction, training and necessary stimulation will be like :rolleyes: Even people who have owned other breeds before and then get a Lab pup get quite a shock at how challenging they can be :D , so imagine the shock for a family who has never owned a dog before, letalone a Labrador :D Don't even get me started on the amount of shedding that Labradors do ALL YEAR ROUND The dog hair will find itself inside, even if the Lab is kept outside and of course the kids clothes will be covered in dog hair and have that doggy smell that your friends so detest :D

Anyway I am happy to meet with your friends and introduce them to my boy Tana, say in a park close to them so they can get a first hand demonstration on what they will be in for in a few months when the pup hits adolescents around the 6mth mark :D I can also advise them of all things Labrador, :D so they are fully informed and know what to expect and hopefully reconsider going down this path after I present the facts. Of course this will be done in a friendly courteous manner

PM me if you/they would like to take me up on my offer.

[Henrietta]

That's a great offer Labsrule.

[casowner]

My son has a lab puppy, his name is Bomber and they are inseparable they go everywhere together and Bomber evens sleeps with him on his bed. He is so quiet and well behaved, he is everything I ever wanted in a pup for my son and the best bit is...................

he is a soft toy