Labrador Breeders

[Eileen]

I had to stop going to the dog park in Paddington as I kept meeting people like these - who got a puppy cos it's good for a family, then when the beautiful dog was about 1, they'd be asking if anyone knew anyone who wanted a dog - too much effort, not enough time for walks, dogs leaves hair everywhere, cries all the time if left outside ... bloody people.

I know it's been posted that they aren't cat people, but I don't think they sound like dog people either.

[persephone]

When I worked in acquiring dogs for a Pets as Therapy program ..so many of them were adolescent /young adult labs- mostly male :D :D I eventually just had to say no to people over the phone .. large untrained (and entire) labs were NOT what I had time or money to spend effort on, unfortunately.

I just had to put this in :rolleyes: slightly

When my brother was a toddler we acquired a lab ( This is nearly 50 yrs ago..it was a very big deal!!! ) .. and she was just wonderful as a nanny dog .She lived outside only .. but, being bush kids, we were outside mostly, too - and she got heaps of attention/exercise :D She was very gentle with us .. and when we tied a rope to her collar, she would pull my brother everywhere in his little go-kart!

aahh.. thems were the days- when dogs & kids COULD grow up together ...hours and hours together everyday, and all we ever worried about was her running back to mum and 'telling on us' if we went out of bounds, or were fighting or in trouble :D

Parental supervision? not all the time. If the dog knocked us over- well, we were more careful next time :D It happened . That lab, as I grew older I used to tie bits of rope around her and pretend she was a Guide Dog. around 20 years later---- guess what I did for a living? Trained Guide dogs!

That labrador was a very important member of the family :D

[aussielover]

I would absolutely not recommend a labrador puppy for them! They are getting it for a one year old child? That is the craziest thing I have heard in a long time

Being the current owner of a young lab puppy, I honestly don't think they realise what they are getting themselves in for. I did not even realise how much work would be required for a lab pup and i have had other dogs before, including working breeds. Labs are very quick learners and will quickly learn to do the wrong thing if not given suffiecient supervision and training.

Labs are high energy pups (well, most of them) and if left outside with no attention and training it will be absolutely guaranteed to destroy the garden.

I was actually at a guide dog puppy preschool today and every single person said their pup was more work than they expected (except one person who had already had 4 or 5 pups before and also had a failed guide dog at home). And these are people who are dedicated to their pup 24/7 pretty much and pups from successful guide dog lines (so you would assume good temperaments). So perhaps you could pass on that story to your friends.

I can't imagin a baby lab (or any baby puppy) sitting ouside all day and night by itself, I actually find that quite upsetting to even think about

My 12 week old puppy is so smart and already knows over 20 commands! she also brings in the newspaper. I can't imagine what trouble she would get into if I hadn't taught her lots of tricks and done heaps of training though...

I'm not saying I personally believe this and I know lab people will flame me but I have heard from a number of people including vets and guide dog trainers that reckon the chocolates are more excitable and more boisterous. I think alot of this maybe had to do with the type of people that insist on having a chocolate and the type of people breeding them just because they are popular at the moment. I'm sure well-bred chocolates (from breeders not breeding primarily for colour) have the same temperament as any other lab though.

I don't think they are ready for a puppy at this stage. Perhaps a nice quiet older dog who is used to being outside might work? or a goldfish...

I agree with the suggestion of visiting a good breeder with lots of little puppies and some young dogs who can perhaps help them realise this is not the breed (or species) for them. In fact, I would even offer my own puppy but she is too good now and surprisingly good with kids, people keep saying how calm she is (but they don't see her at home when she has her psycho moments :rolleyes: )

Edited June 29, 2010 by aussielover

[karly101]

I think the best thing to do would be to find someone who has some young labs and let them do a meet in the park, then they can see how lab hair gets everywhere! Plus show them how much energy these dogs have and need to burn off everyday.

For active families (with probably older kids) who like to do things with their dogs (and don't mind dog hair) I would say a lab is ideal but for this family .. it really sounds like this is just going to head towards disaster.

[MissMonaro]

She should of been at my house last night.......cuddle time for a litter of labrador puppies.

Now I have the nicest set of teeth marks in the side of my neck, on my cheek, my arms, and whilst one was biting my toes another one of the little monsters snuck up behind me whilst I was sitting for cuddle time and started pulling my hair. Pup was just out of reach of my hand too and when I finally did manage to remove pup, also came out a chunk of my hair. *ouch*

They are just at that really naughty stage......you know......the stage that can last 3 years

I really dont recommend your friend getting a lab puppy "at this stage" ....they really can be too boisterous for little kids and a lab puppy does not stay looking like the cute little kleenex puppy for longer than a few weeks.

[W Sibs]

Well, had a chat with her about it... she's not happy with what I had to tell her.

Not sure what she is going to do, but I know for sure, that she won't go out to by a pup from BYB or pet shop. Her parents have always got their dog from registered breeders and also they are kind of the people who likes to brag about their things.. so no way they can say their dog is from a pet shop or byb. they will want papers.

[aussielover]

Maybe try puppy raising with guide dogs? You get a lot of support and i have heard many people do it to see if they are ready to get their own dog and how to train a dog etc..

The only thing is the puppy must be allowed inside (but puppies don't smell... ). you also have to devote quite a lot of time to socialisation etc.

You can even do a short term foster, where you look after the puppy raisers puppy whilst they go on holiday etc.

[W Sibs]

Maybe try puppy raising with guide dogs? You get a lot of support and i have heard many people do it to see if they are ready to get their own dog and how to train a dog etc..

The only thing is the puppy must be allowed inside (but puppies don't smell... ). you also have to devote quite a lot of time to socialisation etc.

You can even do a short term foster, where you look after the puppy raisers puppy whilst they go on holiday etc.

She was talking about this before she had a baby but when she realise that puppy must be inside the house.. she changed her mind.

To her and her husband... dogs are strictly outside. No arguments. She is stubborn too so she won't bend on that.

But, it's something I want to do... this can be my loophole of having 3 dogs (even for a little while), without the boyfriend getting all funny about it

Edited June 29, 2010 by CW EW

[RubyStar]

but puppies don't smell...

Now that is a straight out LIE!!!

Puppies have that gorgeous, GORGEOUS puppy breath :o Nothing beats a Lab puppy breath

[frufru]

Labsrule made an excellent offer which would be very beneficial for your friends!!!!! (p 4)

[Joan of Arc]

but puppies don't smell...

Now that is a straight out LIE!!!

Puppies have that gorgeous, GORGEOUS puppy breath Nothing beats a Lab puppy breath :D

Go into my laundry which currently has mum and 6 babies, even with the change of bedding every day etc. it has that lived in smell. Of course its very cold here so you cant air the room properly.

As for the idea of being a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs, that wont work because they wont allow the dog to live outside all the time. they want well socialised, walked, trained and exercised pups - and they are quite explicit about the regime.

I likethe idea of the stuffed toy - until the children are a little older and then find a different breed.

Can I suggest that if they visit Labsrule then take the time to ring me or MM or aussielover or even Blackdog we can then give them the prospective puppy buyer quiz - which of course will make them realise what breeders expect.

Certainly worth a try.

But if they do go ahead then make sure they tell the breeder to expect to be asked to rescue the pup at around 9 months.

[W Sibs]

but puppies don't smell...

Now that is a straight out LIE!!!

Puppies have that gorgeous, GORGEOUS puppy breath Nothing beats a Lab puppy breath :D

Go into my laundry which currently has mum and 6 babies, even with the change of bedding every day etc. it has that lived in smell. Of course its very cold here so you cant air the room properly.

As for the idea of being a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs, that wont work because they wont allow the dog to live outside all the time. they want well socialised, walked, trained and exercised pups - and they are quite explicit about the regime.

I likethe idea of the stuffed toy - until the children are a little older and then find a different breed.

Can I suggest that if they visit Labsrule then take the time to ring me or MM or aussielover or even Blackdog we can then give them the prospective puppy buyer quiz - which of course will make them realise what breeders expect.

Certainly worth a try.

But if they do go ahead then make sure they tell the breeder to expect to be asked to rescue the pup at around 9 months.

That is my next line of attack... i was going to ask some breeders if I could get her to contact some of you. Chat to her, because right now, she thinks all breeders are all unfair and she's not happy.

Me telling her is one thing, but talking to a breeder herself could really make a difference.

[rubiton]

Labsrule made a fantastic offer.

Its just sad buying a working/gundog breed and then leaving it in the backyard (when the family tires of bothering to take it out for a walk) and then not wanting it in the car (dirty dog in car even to the vet) even for emergency things. They can live like this for 15 old years.

My aunts dog wasnt allowed in the house like the cats were because of bladder issues as a puppy (ie excitement - they didn't bother with training). The kids walked the dog when they were younger but as the dog got older the walks got less and while they did what they thought was best (naive dog owners thought it was fine to be in a backyard forever and insisted it would have been 'scared' even allowed access to the laundry on 42 degree days or bitterly cold days' - they didn't even try just to see what would happen if they opened the door and invited the dog in to just that area). Eventually the dog had 'excrement on its rear end' so they wouldnt put it in the car and go to the vet to get it sorted. But the dog was still getting by. Eventually it collapsed and was whimpering at the furthest part of the yard to it (other side of a bedroom wall but far away from windows that it could see in if the curtains werent closed) for a day and a half (night day night) before they finally called someone to come and put the dog down - 36 hours. Yes they put up some kind of shelter but really any animal down overnight and found that way in the morning should be panic stations not wait another 24 hours before frantically finding someone. And they want to get another dog but not a cute fluffy one coz you cant leave them in the yard and they want one to live in the yard as an ornament again.

At least the OH friends seemingly wont just buy one at the petshop which is exactly where my relatives would get one from.

Perhaps they all need to just buy a furreal pet - they move on their own they look real from a distance, they dont cost to feed look after, come 'trained' and most importantly you can stick them in a big cupboard when you get sick of them

[aussielover]

but puppies don't smell...

Now that is a straight out LIE!!!

Puppies have that gorgeous, GORGEOUS puppy breath Nothing beats a Lab puppy breath

Erm I don't think Mindy smells...

PerhapsI have become desenstized then

[RubyStar]

but puppies don't smell...

Now that is a straight out LIE!!!

Puppies have that gorgeous, GORGEOUS puppy breath ;) Nothing beats a Lab puppy breath :D

Erm I don't think Mindy smells...

PerhapsI have become desenstized then

I didn't mean she smells (bad) Your Mindy didn't come to you with that gorgeous sweet smelling puppy breath?!?! I miss puppy breath so much

Edited June 29, 2010 by RubyStar

[sandgrubber]

I run a boarding kennel. Around 20% of our boarders are Labs. I agree that these people should not get a Lab pup. But my observations do not accord with this [below] post. Most of the Labs we get, like most of the dogs we get, are untrained or have had no more than puppy classes with little follow through on training. Less than 30% are overweight. I find huskies, goldies, and GSD's at least as bad for shedding. And I'd much rather deal with an ill-disciplined Lab than an ill-disciplined SBT, or GSP. As for socialising, I find Labs are THE MOST reliable breed in terms of getting along with other dogs. Ok puppies can be crazy. . . true of any breed . . . put 'em with other puppies or puppy-like dogs and you're fine.

Please, no Lab bashing.

:S i hope u can talk them out of it! im work at a kennel and the amount of fat, hyperactive labs who haven't had a shread of training in basic manners let alone obedience is CRAZY! we socialise the dogs and sometimes we cant mix these labs because they are too over the top and piss off all the other dogs and dont get the GO AWAY msg they are being sent at all. It is really sad because im a gundog lover and have a special spot for labs and it breaks my heart how everyone thinks they are a one size fits all dog to slap in the backyard and pat when they feel like it.

On the hair issue - Labs shed like CRAZY!! does she know that?? when we do wash down the hairiest runs are the labs everytime they even beat the sheppies and the goldies! HAIRY DOGS hahaha

Gundogs needs to be with their pack, if they end up with a dog at this stage in their busy lives then they will only be destroying the life of a baby that deserves so much better - this dog shouldnt be disadvantaged because they would like an ornament.

Edited June 29, 2010 by sandgrubber

[sandgrubber]

If guide dogs would allow such people to raise a pup, my respect for guide dogs declines a few notches.

Maybe try puppy raising with guide dogs? You get a lot of support and i have heard many people do it to see if they are ready to get their own dog and how to train a dog etc..

The only thing is the puppy must be allowed inside (but puppies don't smell... ). you also have to devote quite a lot of time to socialisation etc.

You can even do a short term foster, where you look after the puppy raisers puppy whilst they go on holiday etc.

She was talking about this before she had a baby but when she realise that puppy must be inside the house.. she changed her mind.

To her and her husband... dogs are strictly outside. No arguments. She is stubborn too so she won't bend on that.

But, it's something I want to do... this can be my loophole of having 3 dogs (even for a little while), without the boyfriend getting all funny about it

[aussielover]

but puppies don't smell...

Now that is a straight out LIE!!!

Puppies have that gorgeous, GORGEOUS puppy breath :rolleyes: :rolleyes: Nothing beats a Lab puppy breath :rofl:

Erm I don't think Mindy smells...

PerhapsI have become desenstized then

I didn't mean she smells (bad) Your Mindy didn't come to you with that gorgeous sweet smelling puppy breath?!?! I miss puppy breath so much

Well, I suppose her breath is a bit smelly...

But I like it! I also love her doggy smell, I much prefer it to those really strong perfumes (which I think i'm allergic to!). And I love her the way her paws smell, which is weird!

I doubt Guide Dogs would give her a puppy unless she changed some of her criteria (like being allowed inside) and attitude. I thought they might be willing to change their mind if it was only for one year though.

Our dogs usually sleep outside, but we have allowed Mindy to be inside because it will just be for the year.

Sadly, I think she will still be able to get a registered choc lab with papers despite her obvious shortcomings as a potential owner. Just because breeders are registered doesn't automatically make them responsible...

[mrs tornsocks]

Aussie - no flame but I'm surprised you'd fall for the 'chocs are more boisterious' argument. Excitability etc. comes down to temperament and training, there is absolutely no proof whatsoever that a colour has any say in behaviour. It may be that irresponsible owners (or prospective owners like the OP's friend) contribute to poorly trained labs but if a pup is well bred for temperament and trained well from early on, it makes no difference.

That said, it seems to be this prospective owner would slip right into that stereotype of an untrained (choc) lab - before they even get the dog.

Edited June 30, 2010 by mrs tornsocks

[mrs tornsocks]

Why don't they get a kitten ?

edited after I saw they don't like cats. Why am I not surprised ?

Edited June 30, 2010 by mrs tornsocks