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Original poster

Going to visit puppy tomorrow - what should we be asking?

25 replies

cupcakes · 04/01/2006 13:37

We want a labrador and a friend of a friend has one left from her litter for sale. He is a black lab and 12 weeks old. We are going to meet him tomorrow. What should we be asking? (this is our first ever dog so all new to us). I intend to ask if he has had any injections yet and about the health of his parents but is there anything else I should be asking?
tia.

OP posts:
lunavix · 04/01/2006 13:40

Tempament? Tempermant? Sorry can't spell!

munz · 04/01/2006 13:40

see both the parents if u can, we ignored our two and completely to see how they reacted to us, both came and sat next to DH so they stuck! lol.

also find out about jabs and worming etc, and what he's eating. names/if he's toilet trained at all.

leggymamba · 04/01/2006 13:44

I agree with the temprament question. you can get over everything else!

What are the mum and dad like? If they're laid back and placid the puppies are likely to be too. have the puppies been around kids, they earlier they meet them the better.

What ever you do don't come away with tew like we did!!!!!

leggymamba · 04/01/2006 13:45

oops, two like we did unplanned

WigWamBam · 04/01/2006 13:51

Make sure that he seems happy, alert and playful, clean and cared for. Ask to see the mother as well, if you can, to see whether she is in good health. Her health may be indicative of the puppy's health too.

If you can, check the puppy's mouth, make sure that the teeth and gums look healthy. Check that the puppy's eyes are bright, and that they aren't weepy.

Original poster
cupcakes · 04/01/2006 14:15

Gosh, that's fantastic. I'm going to make a list! I know they definitely have the mother there so I can see her but I am not sure if they also own the father.
There is no chance of coming away with 2!

They have young children so hopefully that will be ok. Dh will probably prioritise it's health but I suppose I'm most bothered by it's temprement.

I might be back here tomorrow asking for name suggestions!

OP posts:
cazzybabs · 04/01/2006 14:28

Don't labs have trouble with artiritus - you could ask if there is a family history. A friend of mine had had to have her 2 predigree labs put to sleep aged 7 years!

Original poster
cupcakes · 04/01/2006 14:36

I haven't heard of that. I know I need to ask if the mother has been hip tested - is this similar?

OP posts:
QueSerahSerah · 04/01/2006 15:46

You need to find out whether or not it is the runt of the litter (as it is the last one it could be). Whilst the same can not be said of all runts, they can attract health problems which then means financial implications at the vets and they are often introverted so their temperemant can't be relied on.

If the puppy runs over and headbutts you, the above doesn't count!

You need to ascertain the temperemant of the parent dogs incidentally, not just the puppy's.

QueSerahSerah · 04/01/2006 15:47

*temperament

bah.

mumfor1sttime · 04/01/2006 15:56

Labs can suffer from hip displasia, which is similar to arthritis. It is when the ball of the hip doesnt fit snugly into the socket. They arent born with it, it affects them as they grow. It can be helped by a good diet.
When I was a child we had a golden lab, she was the best! So gentle and such a softy, my sister would sleep with her in her dog basket! She developed hip displasia and found it hard to go for long walks, but she was pretty healthy.

mumfor1sttime · 04/01/2006 15:58

Can I add, it doesnt affect only labs, but other 'working' dogs.

Kelly1978 · 04/01/2006 16:01

check see if eyes, hips, ears, have been tested. Has he had jabs, and worming course. Is he registered pedigree - u shud pay far less if he hasn't. Food, reaction to kids. Have a good run aroudn witht ehm, choose a puppy that reacts well to them, is interested in them. Look at the ears, eyes, mouth, nose, rear end yourself. Nose shud be nice and cold and wet. Ears and eyes shud be celar of discharge. Coat should be shiny and thick.

I grew up with dogs, we had a cairn, a retriever, then four labs (not all at once). Labs are def the best breeed to have with children.

Kelly1978 · 04/01/2006 16:02

byt he way you will need to dogproof your house, labs are terrible chewers!

edgetop · 04/01/2006 16:07

only other thing i could add to that, when you get your puppy i would get it insured, we have our dog cover with petplan, they have been great, we have claimed thousands already. our dog is a west highland terrier, she has skin problems, i rushed in buying her from someone dodgy, i fell in love with her i couldnt leave without her.
good luck with your lab!

Original poster
cupcakes · 04/01/2006 20:27

What is a reasonable price for a lab puppy? I don't know if it is pedigree (but I doubt it) or if it has had any jabs or worming treatments yet.
Other than it being shy are there any other disadvantages to having the runt?

OP posts:
QueSerahSerah · 04/01/2006 20:56

yes - possible health disadvantages. They don't "come as standard" IYSWIM but they are more likely

QueSerahSerah · 04/01/2006 21:02

kennel club guide to buying a dog might be worth a look . I was looking for a lab price for them but came across this.

If you click on where to look/who to ask it has a section of what to look for when buying a pup

mrspink27 · 04/01/2006 21:05

just a word of warning, pups over 12 weeks can be harder to house train if this hasnt been attempted before you get it.

Toothyboy · 04/01/2006 21:09

My mum and dad paid £450 for their black lab puppy 7 yrs ago - don't know if puppy prices rise with inflation!! She was the runt of the litter and does have health problems (arthritis etc) but she's incredibly docile.

QueSerahSerah · 04/01/2006 21:50

Oh, and that's another thing - if the puppy is not pedigree it may be beneficial healthwise. Just ask my pedigreed up to the nines (several relatives appear in books on the breed and his dad holds the most challenge certificates of the breed to date) dog and my vet. In theory he was extremely well bred, but in practise it's not great. The fact that the puppy may not pedigree could be in its favour.

Original poster
cupcakes · 04/01/2006 21:57

thank you so much for your posts - I really appreciate it and have been making notes to take with me! We haven't told ds we're visiting a puppy tomorrow (he'll be at school) as I don't want to get his hopes up.

OP posts:
Original poster
cupcakes · 05/01/2006 16:02

Puppy is gorgeous and he is to be ours!
Met both his parents who were lovely and friendly. He is quite quiet but very friendly and happy. Seemed really healthy. Kennel Club registered and mum hip tested (our vet says we can't do him till he's 12 months).
Will book him in at the vets on Tuesday (the day we're collecting him) for his jabs and dh is going to phone pet insurers later.
He is so lovely. Thanks for your help - I'm sure I'll be asking for pointers again in no time.
Am going to start another thread now for name suggestions!

OP posts:
golds · 05/01/2006 16:14

A good tip (so they say) is when you visit is to take along a blanket/towell/toy and put it with the puppy and mother/litter whilst you sort bits out. The smell of the others and the surroundings will then be on what ever you take, making it easier to settle your puppy into his new home. Never did this myself, but it makes sense.

QueSerahSerah · 05/01/2006 16:40

Lol Cupcakes. I presume ds has now wet himself with excitement

Top tip on the blanket by the way - try and get one to go in mums bed before you pick him up - it will be a comfort to him. Also, one of those stone hot water bottles are great to remind them of snuggling up next to mums warm body if you can get hold of one.

I'll keep a look out for the "how do I get puppy pee out of my carpet" threads

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