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Thinking of gettting a Labrador...

40 replies

selee · 29/03/2009 00:12

Would be grateful for any advice, we are thinking of buying a labrador puppy. But we are new to all of this so would love to hear of advantages/disadvantages, help on where to look, breeders/rescue/ etc etc.
We are in the early stages of planning so am open to hear other views!
We live in a coastal area with an average sized house (I imagine!) which a fairly large garden. I am a sahm to two toddler boys (age 1.5 and 2.5). Looking for a family/child friendly animal of course!
Thanks.

OP posts:
SheSellsSeashellsByTheSeashore · 29/03/2009 00:15

We have a lovely little black lab named Bess. She wouldn't harm a fly let alone a child.

She has however eaten her way through 4 whole dining chairs and a table leg and a rug.

When I was researching labs they are not the best breed to have around children, but nor are they the worst.

They require a hell of a lot of exercise.

themoon66 · 29/03/2009 00:16

I still miss my lab who died 7 years ago

Get a bitch. Girl labs love to please you and are VERY easy to train.

My mum used to breed labs, so I was brought up with them.

They do need a lot of exercise to stop them being boisterous and destructive. They like company and are not a dog that can stay home alone for long periods. They also eat ANYTHING - dead rabbits, rubbish in the gutter, sheep shit... you name it.

But they are ADORABLE!

themoon66 · 29/03/2009 00:16

OOOh... seashells... my lab was called Bess too!

selee · 29/03/2009 00:28

Thanks for the replies. Great to have some info from those of you who know about labradors. Where should we be looking to for seeing them- any ideas? We live in the east hampshire area.

OP posts:
themoon66 · 29/03/2009 00:34

Hampshire is alien territory to me. Sorry. Yorkshire woman born and bred, now living as ex-pat in Lincolnshire

SheSellsSeashellsByTheSeashore · 29/03/2009 00:39

try here or ask your local vet if he knows of any reputatble breeders in your area.

Rescue centers are good if you are not bothered about the dog being kc reg.

daisydotandgertie · 29/03/2009 09:05

Have a look on lovely lab advice centre. It is full of labrador adorers who have a massive mine of information to tap into - they also have clear information on health problems to be aware of, and the meaning of hip and eye scores which are usually mentioned when you're buying a pup.

My bugbear are those who breed dogs for show - show dogs are bred for a different set of reasons to working dogs and are often bred with an emphasis on refining a visual standard, in my opinion often at the expense of the other important elements of labs.

Although it is only my opinion, I feel quite strongly about it and would avoid buying a show strain dog because I don't feel that they are a true reflection of the breed and don't necessarily maintain the wonderful lab temperament and attitude.

Working dogs are far more robust in body are lighter in structure and are bred for intelligence. loyalty and bidability rather than looks. I feel the working strain of lab is truer to the labrador character standard which I adore.

I know there will be millions of people who disagree with me but I do feel very strongly about it and have chosen my beautiful girls accordingly.

There is a fabulous lab breeder in West Sussex who piles great care and thought into her breeding - I can email you the contact details if you like. I also have a wonderful, wonderful trainer in Hampshire who is not expensive, gives one on one training and is just fabulous. She made an enormous difference to us!

I have 2 wonderful labs - both black. I don't think you could be looking for a better sort of dog.

Oh yes - and when you view puppies, make sure you see them with their Mum and if you feel even a little uncomfortable about their set up, their breeder or in fact anything at all WALK AWAY.

selee · 29/03/2009 12:44

Thnaks so much Daisydot and gertie, great info very much appreciated. And yes, I would love the breeder in West Sussex's details. That would be lovely! Will try my local vet too and ask around...

OP posts:
themoon66 · 29/03/2009 14:13

I second what daisydot says... go for a pup from a working background and stay away from show dogs.

My clever, happy lab was from a gun dog mother.

higgle · 29/03/2009 14:17

As a dog lover and owner for many years I've come across lots of labradors ( though never owned on, hounds of various kinds are my favourtie dogs) From what I've seen the pedigree ones have been lovely but very bouncy, need tons of exercise and will eat anything and everything. But - the ones that are mostly labrador but not pure bred, so they look like labradors but are a bit smaller or have some white on them tend to have a lot of the atributes but are better family pets in that they seem calmer- perhaps you might find one in a rescue place, or get a puppy from a real farm (not puppy farm)

HolyGuacamole · 29/03/2009 14:18

Aw, am jealous as I'd love a labrador but DH says no They are beautiful dogs.

daisydotandgertie · 29/03/2009 23:04

Selee - I'm glad it helped! The breeder I was talking about is Diana Stevens, she breeds labs with the Wylanbriar prefix. Her website is [http://www.wylanbriar.co.uk here]. She also posts alot on Labrador Forums.

If there's anything else labrador I can help with, shout.

daisydotandgertie · 29/03/2009 23:06

Bugger. The website seems to be down. I'll dig out another contact and let you know.

woodstock3 · 29/03/2009 23:26

we got our lab from a brilliant woman in hampshire whose name i have inevitably forgotten - will see if dh can remember. agree with going for a working dog (even if you wont be working him they are more obedient). but read the chewing thread on here first! and then think about whether your house can stand a lab

shoptilidrop · 30/03/2009 10:47

Oh, ive got a lab, he is wonderful.
He does go aganist the grain with the eating a chewing though. Hes really really picky and its always been a struggle to get him to eat. He doesnt chew, hes 8 this year and still has toys from when he was a pup.
Check hip and eye scores. My dog now has bad hips, which is very common. He loves lots of exercise but is equally happy just chilling out at home.
My lab is very affectionate, he loves attention and just to be close to you.. so if you dont want that, dont get a lab!
Hes wonderful with my daughter, so patient, she has climbed on him, dressed him up, done ' his hair' she adores him totally.
Only down side with labs is the shedding. They shed constantly, all year round and you could hoover 3 times a day and you house will still be covered... again, best to think if that is somethiung that would
bother you.
I would never have another breed apart from a lab.

PlumBumMum · 30/03/2009 10:53

Ahh I love my labrador we got him as soon as he could leave his mum, I had a great book all about labradors will see if I can hunt it out, I think I just got it at pet shop

Ours is 10 yrs old, and has had artritis and cataracts from he was quite young, but I just love him and he still looks like a wee pup, and he's great with the dcs

We gave him an old slipper and plenty of chew toys when a pup and he never ate anything else, but he was a digger in the garden

newpup · 30/03/2009 11:48

I have a 10 month old yellow lab bitch. She is from gun dog stock. She is absolutely gorgeaus and I love her to bits. Labs are fab family dogs and are great with children. They do need a commitment to exercise every day no matter what.

My parents have had labs for years and they have all been wonderful dogs although the boys tend to be a bit more boisterous around the teenage stage! I chose a bitch as they tend to be a bit more biddable although not always the case.

Definately, research your breeder well. I would go for a gundog line rather than a show line as they are bred for their fitness, health and ability to be trained as opposed to a show line bred for looks.

Always check out the mothers health status make sure she is hip scored. Never ever buy a puppy if you have not seen it with the mother. The mother is a good indication of temprement too. I loved my pups mother when I met her. Try and make several visits to the puppies while they are with the mum, breeder should be happy to do this. Never see the puppy for the first time only when you go to buy it!

Labs can be dreadful chewers!!! Some of my parents dogs have been really destructive although my girl has been fab so far. Be prepared for this! Lots and lots of puppy chew toys and anti chew spray a must!

There are quite a few of us on here with labs. I got a alot of support on here the first few weeks we had her. Having a puppy is quite similar to having a newborn. Have a think about wether you will use a dog crate. I would recommend this especially if yours is a chewer. Also have a think about how you will house train, there are several ways to go!

Good Luck - you will be smitten!

selee · 31/03/2009 23:01

Many thanks for all the advice and tips, after discussing it with dh at length he wants us to wait 6-12 months (until our youngest is out of nappies). I am dissapointed but respect his thoughts, we are both however completely sold on labradors and are very excited about having a lab in our family.
Not toooo long to wait!

OP posts:
mrsjammi · 31/03/2009 23:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

selee · 01/04/2009 13:34

Thanks it is good to have an even spread of opinions so am very grateful for all the responses. We are still very keen on a labrador and thanks for all the advice esp on working dogs. Would love the details of books etc etc that have been mentioned too.

Exciting...!

OP posts:
newpup · 02/04/2009 07:23

Good to have some time to prepare. You can read up on the breed, talk to owners and cost up how much it will be(not cheap)! It also costs between £160-£200 to have a bitch neutered.

They moult quite badly several times a year but lab coats are low maintenance, no costs at a grooming parlour! Quite a few other breeds need to be clipped and trimmed every couple of months. Labs just a need a brush, although they do like to roll in sheep poo and other lovely stuff!!!!

As you can tell I am a total lab lover! They are wonderful family pets and require a lot of excercise but the return in loyalty and affection is immeasurable.

Let us know when you get one!

dollius · 02/04/2009 07:41

We have a gorgeous black male labrador. He is very fit and needs about one hour per day, with perhaps a couple of two-hour walks at the weekend. My husband also goes running and cycling with him. It's a great way to get exercise yourself, but make sure it is do-able with two little ones (my two can be a bit tricky about walks sometimes).

He is amazing with the children, very gentle and a really loving nature. He really wants to please, but you should invest in some really proper training because they are big dogs (around 30 kilos at full adult weight) and could easily knock someone over in their eagerness to make friends.

BUT he has an enormous amount of energy, gets very excited to meet new people, bounds about and is bouncy. You have to be very alert to what they are doing, particlarly while they are young, and careful about where you let them off the lead until they are well trained.

Second getting hip checks, but ours actually had elbow dysplasia which he was born with - it's worth asking for elbow screening as well. Ours required major surgery when very young and he wasn't allowed exercise for three months, which I think sent him a bit doolally and definitely interfered with his training.

We also know he will develop severe arthritis - very common in labs.

Oh, and he loves to roll in fox poo, which stinks to high heaven. Requires a big hosing down after most walks! Still haven't managed to stop him doing that (ours is three).

newpup · 02/04/2009 09:48

What is it with labs and fox poo!!!

bella29 · 02/04/2009 09:56
  • how's your girlie today?

I have had a number of different breeds (and crossbreeds) but got my first lab last year. I can see now why everyone chooses them! Big, bouncy and silly but very biddable and fantastic with children.

I prefer the chunky show-type labs so I went through show breeders but chose a lady who is very reputable and does all the right things (hip/elbow/eye screening and no interbreeding) - I used to be a vet nurse so I know how much hip dyspalsia can cost!!!!

They do take a long time to grow up - expect them to be puppy-ish for 2 or 3 years. I keep saying when mine is 4 he will be great

Best of luck!

madwomanintheattic · 02/04/2009 10:07

we have two - a choc bitch and a black dog
we got the choc from a breeder in fordingbridge, but don't think she's breeding at the mo. look on the kc website and it will give you an idea of litters expected soon.
our choc is running to fat (in standard lab fashion she will eat anything not nailed down) and as a 'show' shape she's short and barrel chested lol. the black is more working shape (taller and leaner) and is unbelievably soft. they are chalk and cheese but love each other to bits. we're flying them to canada in the summer and i have no idea how they are going to cope in two separate boxes for 9 hours lol!

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