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  1. #1
    House Broken shelby's Avatar
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    How long did you wait?

    I know everyone is so much different in dealing with loss, but out of curiosity how long did you wait before getting another puppy? I have never bought from a breeder before, so I found the process is long. I have a huge hole in my heart, and I need it filled. With that being said I placed a deposit on a puppy sat. Oh buddy do I feel GUILTY! I just weighed all the options, and a puppy coming in say June, would be easier than a puppy coming in sept. Im in SF bay area, so rain, ect....

  2. #2
    Puppy lvraider's Avatar
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    It’s a really hard thing. We lost our big guy on September 11 of 2017. Although we thought we’d wait a year, we missed having a dog too much. We picked up our new guy Koby on Valentine’s Day 2018. Although we still miss Battleship , this new guy brings a lot of energy and love to our house. Best of luck!



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  3. #3
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    It is a personal choice. I typically have multiple dogs and plan years ahead. But, there is no right or wrong.

    I find that people that are in a hurry and place a deposit on a puppy just because they want it ASAP (for whatever reason), have more issues with said puppy (health, temperament, etc.) than the person who waited a little longer and found the right breeding (for them).

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  5. #4
    Senior Dog dxboon's Avatar
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    Everyone will be different. My hope is always that people who are going the breeder route, take the time to vet their choices before they commit, to ensure that they aren't supporting people with bad breeding practices who produce dogs which are not a credit to the breed. Labs are the most overbred, and badly bred breed out there. I think people who don't care about getting a well-bred dog and supporting breeders who do things the right way, should go the rescue route where they are 1) not financially supporting people who breed badly and whose dogs are more likely to wind up in shelters and/or not be representative of Labrador temperament and/or unhealthy; 2) giving a dog in rescue a home.

    If you are in NorCal there are good breeders up there and bad breeders. Shelley, who is on this board, is a good resource for your area. Puppies can be an emotional purchase, but when you think about how much time and energy you will put into this dog and the years it may live with you, I think doing a lot of legwork before getting a puppy is the way to go.

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  7. #5
    Senior Dog Shelley's Avatar
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    I have on my website says to plan 6 months to a year for a puppy, so you can vet a breeder, maybe meet them and some of their dogs, and build a relationship before you buy a puppy. The precess is long, because puppies aren't toasters, and breedings can be missed, or not enough puppies to fill demand, (my current list overflowing), and the litters are planned for in advance, not to mention good breeders have a reputation for puppies with solid temperaments and conformation, and intelligence, so people don't mind waiting for a quality puppy. Sometimes people fall off the wait list at the last minute and people might unexpectedly get offered a puppy, it doesn't always happen but it can.

    Anyways my point is, make sure your breeder is the kind of breeder you really want a puppy from before you commit. :-)

    I understand the urgency, but I rather enjoy the anticipation of a breeding, or a new puppy, so the wait is a sweet one.

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  9. #6
    Best Friend Retriever outrag's Avatar
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    As others have said, everyone is different and there is no right or wrong answer. When I lost Tanner, I had another lab that grew up with Tanner but was 4 years younger. Even with Yukon remaining, it was very very hard having lost Tan. I started looking for another lab almost right away, but ended up waiting almost 11 months before the new pup came home. It was really hard having discussions with myself on "should I" or "shouldn't I".

    When I first got the new pup, I still wasn't sure because he had to fit in with Yukon, who was much older. What I noticed though with the new addition of Griffin was that the immense grieving for Tanner had lessened. It could be something as basic as a new pup keeps you so busy that you don't have as much time to dwell on the loss. I also believe the new dog helps beyond that and they fill your heart with new joys. It's also nice to mix it up so your not dealing with a sick senior all the time. Having a new pup is a ton of work, but it's at the other end (beginning) of life, so it helps vs dealing with senior issues everyday. Now Yukon is a senior (11 1/2) and Griffin is young (2) so I have a mix.

    I think it's good you're looking for another and whatever timeframe that is, it will all work out.

    Bob
    Griffin growing up!

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    Griffin Male Black Lab 03/14/16 -

    Yukon My Wonderful Yellow Lab 11/20/06 - 03/12/19 Will cherish the memories!!!!
    My Precious Tanner Boy 11/25/02 - 6/25/15 Will miss you always!!!!

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  11. #7
    Senior Dog dxboon's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shelley View Post
    I have on my website says to plan 6 months to a year for a puppy, so you can vet a breeder, maybe meet them and some of their dogs, and build a relationship before you buy a puppy. The precess is long, because puppies aren't toasters, and breedings can be missed, or not enough puppies to fill demand, (my current list overflowing), and the litters are planned for in advance, not to mention good breeders have a reputation for puppies with solid temperaments and conformation, and intelligence, so people don't mind waiting for a quality puppy. Sometimes people fall off the wait list at the last minute and people might unexpectedly get offered a puppy, it doesn't always happen but it can.

    Anyways my point is, make sure your breeder is the kind of breeder you really want a puppy from before you commit. :-)

    I understand the urgency, but I rather enjoy the anticipation of a breeding, or a new puppy, so the wait is a sweet one.
    The right puppy is well worth the wait!

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  13. #8
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    There is no right amount of time to get another dog after you've lost one. I agree whole heartedly with several on the breeders who have posted here. Some people think a puppy is a puppy is a puppy. When I suddenly lost my boy Bruce at the age of 20 months I was devastated. Even though I still had Sophie (Bruce and Sophie came from the same breeder, whom I've known for well over 30 years) there was a hole in my heart. There was no question I'd get another puppy, it was just a matter of where from. Bruce's breeder and his sires breeder both offered me puppies from upcoming litters, but I really didn't want to put another puppy through the import process from the UK. So the search began.

    It seemed like every time I'd find a breeder I liked, some red flag came up. Clearances. Lack of performance titles. Performance titles, but the dogs didn't look like a Labrador. After many months of searching the right opportunity came to me. I fit what the breeder was looking for, and the breeder bred the kind of dogs I was looking for. A good match all the way around.

    I will say this. Many years ago when I lost my boy Clancy, I called my friends in the UK to see when they would be having puppies. Because of the many judging commitments they had around the world, they had no plans for breeding in the foreseeable future. There referred me to a breeder in PA that had some of their dogs. I went to meet her, and 2 weeks later I took in a 4 year old male who she had sent off for field training and had been abused. It was completely unexpected, but that dog took to me from the moment he met me, and he helped me heal from the loss of Clancy, and I helped him get over his issues from his abuse. Long story short, while I may have wanted a puppy, that dog was exactly what I needed.

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  15. #9
    Senior Dog janedoe's Avatar
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    We've been getting our butts kicked for 15 months now with Argos then Fran. We know we have limited time with Nikki.

    We have talked it to no end and the thing is that we don't think it's about replacing a dog or a lack of commitment to their memory but we're sure that we have to have dogs in our house. They are all so unique. I am fascinated by how different they all are. There will never be another Argos or another Fran. When we find ourselves in a place where we want to bring in another member of our family, we will get to know him or her for who they are.

    Do not feel guilty. If you are ready for a new family member, go for it and good for you. The grief is about what you lost, not about your new love.

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  17. #10
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    Agree with the above about still ensuring to find a reputable breeder.

    This is my first time dogless since I got Rocky. When I lost Penny just under two years or so years ago, i wasn't ready to get another dog (emotionally, financially) and by the time I may have been, Rocky was needed special care and I couldn't swing another dog (financially, time-wise, and it wasn't fair to Rocky if I did).

    As for getting a dog in the home sooner if I am not ready to buy but need a dog in the house - I can foster. or dog sit. I have options if I feel i need a dog in the house sooner.

    I dont know how long I will wait. I am tentatively considering wait until fall. But I don't know that I will make it that long! I don't plan to get a puppy either. Ironically I know a few good breeder (proves their dogs, all health clearances) that have a puppy available now but I don't want a puppy (nor am I ready). So yes often you need to wait awhile for a reputable breeder but sometimes they have a puppy or two available sooner if you are open on gender/color and willing to travel a bit. I will either go with breeder slightly older placement (maybe a keeper puppy they opt not to keep as the dog matures) or a rescue/re-home.

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