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Original poster

Questions to ask and things to look at when you go to visit a dog breeder/pick a puppy.

38 replies

Slubberdegullion · 08/02/2010 18:29

I'm currently on the search for a lab puppy. I've done a fair amount of research on the 'bare bones' questions I need to ask the breeder (Health checks, worming, KC registration, socialisation, age of dam/no of litters etc) all that kind of stuff which has been great in helping me to decide whether to go and look at a litter at all or give it a wide birth.

I have a visit planned tomorrow to see an accredited breeder who not only ticks all the boxes but sounded lovely and gave me a proper grilling too (which I know is a good sign). She has two bitches who are due in 2 and 4 weeks respectively.

So what else do I look at and ask? Can I just say 'what are their temperaments like?' and expect a response above 'they are lovely'.

And when the puppies arrive and I can go and choose form 3 weeks (is it from 3 weeks?), well how on earth do you choose between one small little bundle of yumptiousness and the next one?

I am in serious overthink mode atm

OP posts:
Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 08/02/2010 18:33

I'll keep adding questions

This breeder explained that she has the puppies in the house until they get to 4 weeks and then they go out to a special pen with a pig lamp doohickey. Is that OK?

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Bella32 · 08/02/2010 19:33

Sounds like you're being thorough

You need to know not only that the breeder does health checks, but also what the results mean. For labs it's hips, elbows and eyes and you need to know what the averages are for hip & elbow scores and satisfy yourself that the dam and sire have below average scores.
You also need to check the pedigree for too much inbreeding.
As for pups being outside (still with Mum, I assume) - it's not ideal but okay as long as the pups are given time indoors for human socialisation and to get them used to household noises.
When you go to choose, it's very unusual to have first pick. If it's a good breeder there's usually a few people ahead of you in the queue! Go for a middle of the road pup - not too bold and certainly not shy. Steer well clear of shy or timid pups.
That's a few tips - am sure Midori will cover the rest

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 08/02/2010 19:48

Oh yes, am thorough to the point of tedium.

Have swotted up on my scores, and I'll be checking all the paperwork tomorrow (she told me the scores over the phone and they are all fine).

wrt to breeding, if I find out the dam and sire's KC names can I check the ancestry on the KC website? Am I right in thinking that it's OK to have..oh what is the word, the breeders affix?? mentioned a few times but not the exact same named dogs (so daughter mated with dad)?? Is that called line breeding? There are a few hefty threads about it on the labforum but my brain was starting to ache a bit at that point.

I'm not looking for a show or working dog btw (although I prefer the 'look' of the working labs) so long as the health checks are fine I'm really looking for a dog that will 'fit' with my family.

re first pick I'm in luck as everyone else on her list is after a chocolate and I want a black. Does anyone ever ask the breeder to pick for them?

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Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 08/02/2010 19:51

I've just remembered that she said she has the 5 generations history she can show me. So what is BAD and what is OK when I'm having a butchers at that?

sorry. I'm a terrible bore I know.

OP posts:
Bella32 · 08/02/2010 21:25

Yup, have a look at the 5 generation pedigree. The same name or names may show up a few times, but you don't really want any mire than that.
Black labs are the best. Undoubtedly. If you feel happy with the breeder you can ask for her opinion on the pup's personalities, and which would suit you best, although good lab pups are generally all good, iyswim

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 08/02/2010 21:34

I've just checked out your profile Bella... I see why you are biased!

Thanks for your advice.

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Bella32 · 08/02/2010 21:38

I'm not biased - my boy is gorgeous

fruitshootsandheaves · 08/02/2010 21:40

When I went to the breeder I got my springer from he had two pregnant bitches who were due within 2 weeks of each other. I met both mums and the dad (same dad for both litters). I knew I wanted a male pup so I was 2nd on the list for the litter which was due second. In fact when the first bitch gave birth the breeder contacted me and said I could have one of hers if I didnt want to wait. I did however wait for the second litter as the mum was more lively and I wanted a 'zingy' pup.
The breeder covered almost all of our questions when we went to see him before we asked. The pedigree of the dogs was all available from the breeders website and he explained the tests they had had.
TBH we were so gobsmacked by his own dogs training we just hoped our puppy would be born trained like them!
We only had a choice of 2 in the end which was really hard.

We learnt from experience after our first springer. Born outside, back of a bungalow, old lady couldn't remember exact day they'd been born just that one hadn't made it when she'd found them in the morning! never indoors, all the pups were terrified and ran away screaming, the mum growled at us. We knew we shouldn't but we took one. We were very lucky in that he was the gentlest, funniest dog ever but he had a really rare condition and died when he was 4.

Bella32 · 08/02/2010 21:40

Sorry about the typos - it's my poxy iPhone

CountryGirl2007 · 08/02/2010 23:10

Why not just get a puppy from a rescue?

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 09/02/2010 12:39

Thanks for your post fruitshoots. I've just got back from the breeder and not only was all the paperwork perfect, and all my other list of desirables answered her two bitches were absolutely and utterly gorgeous AND I got a slide show of the puppies from previous litters. Now I just have to keep every single crossable thing crossed and hope there is a black bitch in there somewhere.

I am really quite excited now [understatement].

Sorry to hear about your first Springer

Countrygirl - I want a lab (always have, always will) and because they are a breed with genetic health problems I want to make sure, as much as possible that I could check the background of both parents before buying.

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Bella32 · 09/02/2010 14:02

Fab news, Slubber Sounds excellent.

What colour are the parents?

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 09/02/2010 14:10

Both of the bitches are chocolate and dad is black.

Oh there HAS to be a little black girl in one of the litters doesn't there...surely surely surely?

All the photos of the litters has about half and half of each.

ooooh I am MORE excited about this than I think I was about the arrival of my own children. That's quite bad really isn't it

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Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 09/02/2010 14:15

spelling errors and random apostrophes due to prospective puppy mania

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minimu · 09/02/2010 14:46

I found it more exciting than having my babies all the fun without the labour and they are toilet trained so much quicker I can feel your excitement from here just a bit

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 09/02/2010 16:08

Oh amen to the no labour and reduced toliet training, I will also NEVER have to read Where's Spot? to my puppy, hurrah many times over for that.

It's too early to buy a clicker isn't it? Lord help me, the puppy isn't even born yet and I've been perusing clicker websites. I thought I was bad with at tent websites but there is a WHOLE NEW WORLD of dog stuff out there.

OP posts:
GrimmaTheNome · 09/02/2010 16:27

Obviously this pertains to my favourite breed but its a pretty good list of questions - it sounds like you've got it pretty well covered already though.

Good luck!

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 09/02/2010 16:42

Ta for that Grimma. Yes I think I asked all the questions on your list (that or the breeder got there before me and filled me in).

She also offered to look after the dog when we go away on holidays (not necessary as my mum is going to have her) but I was impressed with her desire to keep in regular contact with all her puppies.

Oh and she gave me cake. None of the other breeders I have visited gave me cake .

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Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 09/02/2010 16:52

As an aside, she asked me why I wanted a bitch and my answer was

a) we always had bitches when I was growing up (silly reason I know, but I guess you choose what you are used to)

b) temperament

c) I'd like to have the option to breed from my bitch in the future.

The breeder was saying that once a dog is neutered that really there is no difference in temperament between them and a neutered bitch.

With the breeding thing is it unreasonable to want to keep my options open at this point? Lurking on the breeding section on the labforum was a bit of an eyeopener as to how expensive/hard/heart breaking it can be, and as there are SO many litters of lab puppies out there do I have a sort of moral obligation NOT to breed from my bitch?

Long and rambling sorry.

I guess I'm just musing about the (probably unlikely) scenario of there not being any black bitches available, but there being black dogs and am I being daft not to at least consider getting a dog?

MAJOR overthinking going on (still)

OP posts:
Bella32 · 09/02/2010 16:59

My black dog is the soppiest, softest dog you could ever imagine

GrimmaTheNome · 09/02/2010 17:03

Sounds like a fab breeder - bodes well!

Bella32 · 09/02/2010 17:06

...you only have to look at him and he rolls over for a tummy rub. His tummy reminds me of a huge Black Bear

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 09/02/2010 17:14

They are so funny aren't they Bella? In fact rolling over and presenting belly for a rub (or collapsitis as my father calls it) was one of my subconscious tests.

Both mums and dad (did I say the breeder owns dad too (fear not! no relation, checked the 5 generations thing carefully, and def not in anyway like a puppy farm either - everything all above board) passed with flying colours.

OP posts:
skybluewinking · 09/02/2010 18:59

Hi Bella,
I am in the early stages of looking for a puppy, and must say that your posts are very helpful. Making me think very carefully.
I was on a list for a puppy at a breeder, but they very sadly all died. However they didn't ask me a single question, so maybe I had a lucky escape, (without wishing ill on the poor puppies).
Why can't I see your profile?would have loved to see your boy!

Bella32 · 09/02/2010 22:29

Aw - am sorry, skyblue - poor pups

What kind of dog are you looking for?

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