When to get a new dog?

[onoffon]

Have spent hours reading all the wise MNetters advice about puppies/dogs etc as DH and I have decided to get a dog later this year; but I just have a couple of questions.

We can't get one straight away because we're waiting to move from London out to the countryside, but when should we start looking? and how do you find a good breeder?

I would ideally like a lab cross (or more fashionably known as a labradoodle!) and have had a look for a good breeder; but how do you distinguish the good from the bad?

And should I just wait until we're ready and then look for adverts of recent litters, or should I identify a good breeder now, visit them to see previous litters so then I can get first pick of a later litter?

Can anyone recommend a good breeder?

Thanks

The UK Labradoodle site is a good place to start if you ignore the online fighting that sometimes occurs. My dog came from a breeder where the owners of pups from a previous litter had started a thread on the forum a year or so previous to when I was looking so I was able to read all about their experiences and felt confident about the breeder.

Have a good think about the size you want, some can be very big, think Labradonkey !. Combined with their bounciness and exuberance they can be a handful so you need to keep on top of the training. Read up on the different coats as well. My dog has a scruffy coat which doesn't need much maintenance, whilst others need a fair bit.

helloooooooooo there Wynken.

haven't chatted properly in an age. Is oxocube still about?

sorry for hijack onoff

We need another gunshop thread Slubber !! I haven't seen Oxocube for ages. How is Elsie doing, I guess she's not so little anymore now. Plog is generally sensible (some of the time) and has a new playmate in the shape of a 18 week White kitten, there is a general air of animal induced havoc in our house. Especially today with a dog/cat/kitten/curtain incident according to DH.

Sorry Onoff. I was just wondering whether you would be interested at all in fostering a Doodle before you get a pup. I'm sure you wouldn't, but just noticed that the Labradoodle Trust have two males, one 5 months and one 10 months who need foster homes for a couple of months to see them through being castrated. One in Sussex, one in Essex but they will move them. I just thought I'd float the idea just in case it appealled at all. If it doesn't I might have to volunteer but I think DH might freak as we have a kitten creating general mayhem at the moment.

Hasn't the OP already addressed the issue of not wanting a pup from a dodgy breeder?

I have a labradoodle and have had her since being a pup. I've really enjoyed the experience of seeing her develop and grow. I don't think you should be made to feel at all guilty for wanting the same experience.

Having said that Many Tears do have lots of pups and I think you should look there before considering other options. I regularly go on their website to look for suitable candidates for another addition

I got a puppy as well although I do occasionally feel a little bit guilty I am an inexperienced dog owner, have small children, cats and chickens also I did really wanmt the baby substitue, dd2 just starting school and I was going to be home alone for a lot of the time. Shre is great and getting a dog is one of the best things I have ever done. I waited until I had a lot of time (puppies really do need a lot of time), read everything I could about what to expect, training, breeds and just everything about dogs. She keeps me company, she keeps me busy, she gets me out of the house, she has also given me a bit of a social life (dog training and made lots of lovely friends in the park).

We are now planning for dog number 2, she will more than likely come from a rescue although I wanyt a puppy again mainly because of the chickens.
Someone at our dog traiing class has one of the large labradoodles and he is ginormous. also if you dont need it from the allergy point of view you pay a fortune.
I want a collie as my next dog, currently have a border terrier and realised that not only can I do this b ut I love it, am planning to start agaility next month when she hits 1year old.
Breeder wise, the only advise I can give (again am not an expert) is if you dont feel 100% comfortable then dont go through with it no matter how cute the pups are. the bad people in breeding (think puppy farms) are very decietful and know what they are doing.
Whatever you decide good luck. [bsmile]

There is also this, if you really like the idea of a puppywww.guidedogs.org.uk/whatwedo/training/puppywalking/

The downside is you have to give them up at 14 months albeit for an incredible cause.

Many tears often has mums as well as pups Gretel (collie) and Yasna (lab) are 2 who are currently on there with their pups or were very recently.
I have a many tears dog though we didn't see her mum or dad first (she was rescued from a pound in Ireland) we were able to get a good idea of her temperenant from her foster carer before making a decision. Our dog was 5 months when we got her and still very much a puppy except we didn't need to house train her - I initially wanted a younger puppy but am glad with the decision we made.
I like you was concerned about not knowing her parents but actually a good rescue will invest a lot of time in making sure that a dog or puppy is suitable for the home it is going to -they don't want them back as its not in the interests of the dogs or puppies to keep going through the homing process and, if you have been following some of the threads on here you will no rescue space is at an absolute premium.
I wouldn't for a minute want you to feel I am pushing you to take the rescue route but wanted you to know that my experiences have been extremely positive and we now have a lovely cuddle monster of a dog (her fosterers description) and don't feel the least bit short changed for not having had a young puppy. Besides dogs are generally such loving and eager to please creatures that missing out on the new puppy stage is unlikely to diminish the bond you have with them at all.

I know 'know' isn't no BTW. Whoops!

For what it's worth, we got our dog as an adult and he's every bit my 'baby' :) And there's been such a rewarding process of watching him 'grow' emotionally and bond with us and develop his confidence again and learn new things.

Don't want to make you feel bad about wanting a puppy if that's what you think is right for you, though I will always suggest considering rescue to anyone wanting a dog/pup.