Buying Labrador (victoria)

**LimeSlice** · June 4th, 2012, 07:25 PM

When we move, C wants a dog. This is something she has been asking for consistently for almost a year now, and as husband does not like them, we never got one.
I would love to get her one when we move, and I have a huuuuge yard so in a position to do it.

She has said she wants a lab (pointed them out), a black one.
I have never had a lab, only Shepherds, so no idea what I am looking for in a dog. I would prefer to get a puppy that she (I lol) can train and will live hopefully, for the rest of her childhood.

Does anyone have any info for me? Breeder recommendations etc? And how much am I expecting to pay?

TIA!

**Amity** · June 4th, 2012, 07:50 PM

Check with the landlord first. Animals are expensive so I'd get here and work out a budget first.

**Amy_jellybean** · June 4th, 2012, 07:55 PM

We had a lab puppy, when we left to go to Europe he ended up in the federal police training program as a sniffer dog

He was a beautiful dog but labs are a LOT of work!!! Lots and lots of training, discipline and love. I would not consider getting another lab unless I was not working and home all day and had school age kids to run them ragged!!!

**Dansta** · June 4th, 2012, 07:59 PM

pure breeds are very expensive.
would you be willing to travel? my folks have a yellow and brown lab i can ask them for the breeder details. they're exxy but have show papers ect

i grew up with labs they're wonderful dogs to have.

**Joeve** · June 4th, 2012, 08:03 PM

We have always had them. They are beautiful but puppy like for many years so yep lots of work, lots of chewing up stuff! You would def be better buying from a breeder and making sure the pup has its hips checked. They get displasia very similar to sheppards.

**LimeSlice** · June 4th, 2012, 08:13 PM

Thanks everyone

Yep, Div, very much in the planning stages! I am thinking as a Christmas present at this stage.

**Enchanted** · June 4th, 2012, 08:13 PM

We have a gorgeous 9 year old black Lab. He was really hard work up until he was about 6 when he finally settled down. From day dot he was walked everyday for an hour, had someone home with him for half the day but still dug hundreds of holes, destroyed anything he could find & was always hypo! He really is a gorgeous dog & is a lot more docile now but they do require A LOT of attention. He is very affectionate & has a beautiful temperament so I really don't mean to try & put you off but just wanted to give you the run down of our "early years" with him.

**foreva*your*mummy** · June 4th, 2012, 09:00 PM

I too have a 2 1/2 year old black purebred Lab, she dosent have papers. I have alway wanted a Lab because they are the most loving beautiful nature. They can chew alot and need alot of excercise because they can get fat. We live on a dairy farm so no worries about that.

**EssTee** · June 7th, 2012, 12:12 PM

pure breeds are very expensive.
would you be willing to travel? my folks have a yellow and brown lab i can ask them for the breeder details. they're exxy but have show papers ect

i grew up with labs they're wonderful dogs to have.

Sorry but pure breeds are no more expensive than the designer breeds and pet shops dogs. The amount you pay for a pure bred puppy is because they are well thought out, pure lines. They usually have health tested parents, who have undergone xrays and breed related health tests to ensure that they are healthy and will produce healthy puppies. The puppies are brought up usually in the home, around other people and dogs, not in tiny cages in a puppy farm. Breeders rarely make a profit, and any profit they do make, goes right back into their dogs.

In saying that, there are better breeders than others. When you look for a puppy, search for a breeder who you click with. Ask if the parents are hip and elbow scored, and if they fall within the breed average for the breed. Ask what their pups come with - they should come health checked, vaccinated, wormed, microchipped, diet sheet and puppy pack and should come WITH papers, if the breeder is ANKC registered. Breeders also should not be charging you more for the dog to come with papers, and dogs that come with them doesn't automatically make them worthy to breed from - having papers is to show that you have a purebred dog and you can prove it because you can trace back the dogs heritiage and it's pure bred all the way.

On top of that, many breeders care about where their puppies go. Labradors are a family breed, and shouldn't be left outside alone all day and only to be interacted with when you feel like it. Labradors are a full on breed, they have high energy and take a long time to mature. They can be very destructive as pups, and get bored easily and will destroy things even more. They are incredibly intelligent and should be given things to do and exercise in order to work their brains as well as exercise their bodies. They are a dog that sheds a lot, despite their shorter coat. The reason they so often get fat is lack of exercise and too much food. Labradors should not be fat if they are exercised correctly and fed appropriately.

If you are going to invest in getting a puppy, I'd suggest that the whole family should be on board.

**LimeSlice** · June 7th, 2012, 12:30 PM

Thanks EssTee for your post! It was exactly what I was looking for, re what to look for and ask for.

**EssTee** · June 7th, 2012, 12:37 PM

not a problem

just be aware there are a lot of "labrador" breeders out there that want to make a quick buck on such a popular breed.
if you look for a breeder, there is a site you can start of which only allows ANKC registered breeders to advertise there, but I don't know if I'm allowed to post it, and I don't think I can PM you (i'm really new on here and can't do a lot). Also, don't be surprised if some breeders come across as harsh, or ones that ask you as many questions as you ask them. You wouldn't believe the types of enquiries some breeders get, so be thorough and open about things. A one line email to a breeder asking "how much is a puppy" will get you no where.