Opinions on visiting a litter ...

[Cinders29]

Hi,
We’ve been to view a litter of labs ( spent months researching and turned down a huge amount and had our hearts set on this litter due to excellent breeding history etc ) extremely happy with breeder, dogs and puppies are beautiful and well looked after, quizzed us a lot which I appreciated, the only thing thing we’re unsure on is how excitable the dam and sire were ( and the rest of the dogs there ) They’re beautiful and very friendly but very very jumpy. I know labs are and we’ve had them in the past and we will be training etc as we have young children so will want to limit that as much as possible. We were there over an hour and the whole time they climbing all over us etc. Is this a red flag ? Or normal behaviour ? Or is it just that the training hasn’t been done ? Does it mean our potential pup will be the same, or is it dependant on the work we’ve put in?

I just want to be 100% certain that this is the right litter for us. Like I said, everything else I couldn’t fault - they’re champion show dogs so I assume
They’ve had a lot of training - or is this just labs for you? ( I’ve had other labs and they were not as jumpy as this )

Sorry loads of questions - opinions would be great thank you

Temperament is mostly inherited so insanely bouncy parents = insanely bouncy puppies.

Personally, I think a dog that is still insanely hyped up and bouncing about after an hour of presumably a boring person sitting relatively still has a poor temperament, no real self control.
I wouldn’t buy any pups off such a dog.

There is no need for COI to be so high high in such an insanely popular breed.

The idea that working breeds are harder work/more lively makes me so sad.
Show breds are bred for looks.
Pure and simple.

A decent working bred HAS to have a good balanced temperament, especially in a gundog, to match else it would be a shit working dog.
On the whole they tend to be healthier aswell.

When faced with a choice between a show bred and working bred of the same breed I would always go for the working.

Well on that note - we went to visit a litter this evening as wanted to look at the differences - all great health scores low COI, parents were incredible and so calm and well trained and we’ve put down a deposit 🙈 they are working stock - he’s basically everything I didn’t want originally haha I wanted show, he’s working and he’s a darker yellow and I wanted white yellow..those COI scores yesterday scared me though and made me realise I want so much more in my dog than looks. Looks are actually the last thing I’m interested in and anyway the one picked this evening is still as bloody beautiful.

Thanks so much for all your help yesterday. It really helped. I messaged other breeder - it didnt go down well but 🤷🏼‍♀️

Here’s a pic of our new family member :)

The fact it didn’t go down well shows you have made just the right decision.
Wishing you many healthy and happy years with your new addition.

Aw I am feeling broody. When our lovely old boy goes a springer OH says we will buy a lab. again, they do worm their way into your heart

So cute!

I think you’ll be really pleased with your new addition.

Workers are the best!

Awww very cute. Great update!