Should I get this puppy? Really torn.

[daydreaming]

I guess I didn't understand the entire story. If someone is going to benefit from this financially, then I'd walk away for sure.

It's a gamble. Get insurance immediately unless you've got lots of cash sitting around. And I'd personally never a adopt a puppy from questionably tempermented parents if it was ever going to live with kids. What are your goals here, other than to have a new pet dog to love? Since you require a puppy, one might assume you don't want to pay for a well-bred pup from a reputable breeder. Is it financial? Your reasons are yours alone and nothing wrong with them, but if it's financial, consider the cost of hip dysplasia surgery on top of TPLO surgery and potential elbow surgery not to mention some of the long-term issues with BYB dogs like really bad skin issues that require meds and special foods for life. Not that a well-bred dog cannot have these issues, but it's less likely. And look at the temperament of dog that you prefer. Are you looking for a dog that gets along with other dogs? I did Lab rescue for years and pups from backgrounds like this usually did not have the typical Lab temperament. There were more than I care to remember that came with issues and had to be euthanized (biting, screws loose to the point where they would randomly attack their owners, etc.). We did not euthanize dogs for dog aggression (unless it killed another dog) but plenty of the dogs from iffy backgrounds could never be around other dogs or small animals (like cats).

It does sound like your mind is made up. Best of luck with whatever you decide!

Our mind is anything but made up, haha! We've gone back and forth (fiance and I), and are leaning towards no, for pretty much all the reasons mentioned.
We did find out it was likely an accidental breeding to a neighbors lab, to their lab, by doing a lot of detective work.
There is a rehoming fee for her of $100 that included taking her kennel, toys.

We lost our dog not long ago to lymphoma. She was adopted as a stray that originally brought her puppies to us to be fed. Fell in love and kept her. She was pregnant again at this time, and had a difficult pregnancy - had to go in for a c-section (& spay at the same time). We raised the pups to 9-10 weeks and most rehomed with family. We had her a good 6 years after that, when she got very sick in March 2015. Auto-immune hemlytic anemia. We spent roughly $6k to treat her for this, and was off all meds by November. 3 days after Christmas she relapsed. Went spent another $4K or so..including mostly experimental IVIG human treatments. It was working, and she was recovering well. Then her lymph nodes became swollen, and fine needle aspirates confirmed. Lymphoma is what relapsed her. Being on steroids so long, she was not eligible for chemo. About 3 weeks later, she could not breathe, and we had to let her go. It's been extremely difficult.

The process of looking for a puppy has been nothing short of very, very discouraging. As I mentioned, the rescues have pretty crazy adoption proceedings, and not having a fence seems to disqualify you instantly. I've sent in many, including excellent referenced from my vet. She was surprised I was denied, too, given everything else.
Shelters, I can't count how many I've contacted. No puppies. They are almost immediately sent north/west of the country. I am sure there will be one, eventually, but it's been over a month of daily checking now. I've stalked all their facebooks.
I've attended many petco/smart adoptions, including hours away.

I have looked at breeders within a reasonable drive (to us, that was about 7 hours) for labradors. Most had waiting list into next year, or were done with their breeding for the year, or were very questionable in their practices (Requiring NuVet be given for health contracts to be valid), or just didn't sit right with me when I investigated them further. The prices I found ranged from $700 (These prices are the ones that required nuvet, and also largely bred the 'silver' labradors)-$1500(these had waiting list much longer than we were comfortable with).

I'm in the deep south, and quickly discovering there aren't a lot of reputable breeders around.

We're looking for a med-large size dog. 50-80lb range. We want a puppy, and have already been stocking up on toys/fleece blankets/puppy things. We adore pitbulls, but fear the bans will reach our area soon, so we have not been considering them, as much as we'd like to. No reasons other than companionship. We'd like to take it fishing, hiking, walking downtown, etc. We don't have children or any other pets, but wouldn't want it to be aggressive towards either, of course.

[Labradorks]

Our mind is anything but made up, haha! We've gone back and forth (fiance and I), and are leaning towards no, for pretty much all the reasons mentioned.
We did find out it was likely an accidental breeding to a neighbors lab, to their lab, by doing a lot of detective work.
There is a rehoming fee for her of $100 that included taking her kennel, toys.

We lost our dog not long ago to lymphoma. She was adopted as a stray that originally brought her puppies to us to be fed. Fell in love and kept her. She was pregnant again at this time, and had a difficult pregnancy - had to go in for a c-section (& spay at the same time). We raised the pups to 9-10 weeks and most rehomed with family. We had her a good 6 years after that, when she got very sick in March 2015. Auto-immune hemlytic anemia. We spent roughly $6k to treat her for this, and was off all meds by November. 3 days after Christmas she relapsed. Went spent another $4K or so..including mostly experimental IVIG human treatments. It was working, and she was recovering well. Then her lymph nodes became swollen, and fine needle aspirates confirmed. Lymphoma is what relapsed her. Being on steroids so long, she was not eligible for chemo. About 3 weeks later, she could not breathe, and we had to let her go. It's been extremely difficult.

The process of looking for a puppy has been nothing short of very, very discouraging. As I mentioned, the rescues have pretty crazy adoption proceedings, and not having a fence seems to disqualify you instantly. I've sent in many, including excellent referenced from my vet. She was surprised I was denied, too, given everything else.
Shelters, I can't count how many I've contacted. No puppies. They are almost immediately sent north/west of the country. I am sure there will be one, eventually, but it's been over a month of daily checking now. I've stalked all their facebooks.
I've attended many petco/smart adoptions, including hours away.

I have looked at breeders within a reasonable drive (to us, that was about 7 hours) for labradors. Most had waiting list into next year, or were done with their breeding for the year, or were very questionable in their practices (Requiring NuVet be given for health contracts to be valid), or just didn't sit right with me when I investigated them further. The prices I found ranged from $700 (These prices are the ones that required nuvet, and also largely bred the 'silver' labradors)-$1500(these had waiting list much longer than we were comfortable with).

I'm in the deep south, and quickly discovering there aren't a lot of reputable breeders around.

We're looking for a med-large size dog. 50-80lb range. We want a puppy, and have already been stocking up on toys/fleece blankets/puppy things. We adore pitbulls, but fear the bans will reach our area soon, so we have not been considering them, as much as we'd like to. No reasons other than companionship. We'd like to take it fishing, hiking, walking downtown, etc. We don't have children or any other pets, but wouldn't want it to be aggressive towards either, of course.

Sorry to hear about your dog. That must've been hard

Rescues have strict rules. On one hand I get it, but on the other hand they do miss out on a lot of good adopters that way. The rescue I was with only required fences under certain circumstances. We were mostly owner surrenders and frankly, our best adopters were urban and the majority of the dogs we had in rescue came from suburban homes with fenced yards. Fenced yards can act as a real crutch with the wrong family.

You might have to drive to find your pup if your area is lacking good breeders. But, I will say, what's six months or a year to get the right pup? It's just time and it goes by pretty quick. What will happen if you don't get a puppy TODAY? Nothing... Better to get the right pup later than the wrong pup now.

[Tanya]

Yes if you want a puppy (under 12 weeks) then rescue/shelter will be very hard and they go fast. unless one lucks out and there is lots of puppies at once (we had one rescue end up with 36 puppies in the span of a few months just by fluke, various litters). People usually hold onto the puppy until 5-15 months before dumping.

some rescues have very strict rules. My friend and I were chatting about this again yesterday. On one hand, it's their time and money going into the dogs and their right to set the rules, my friend and I both agree it's discouraging people from going with rescue. The worse I find are breed rescues. We know many people denied immediately from the breed rescue and going with byb's. It's frustrating on all levels (and to everyone!). Most all breed rescues are better about "fit for the dog and if family has a plan". No fence in the rescues I am with for most dogs means we'll ask how they plan to keep the dog safe and exercise them.

None of the breeders could recommend fellow breeders with a litter coming up? I know many tend to have waiting lists but I also know many who luck out and find a litter with an available pup or two within 4 months of searching. May mean expanding your search depending where you are.

Regarding the "oops" litters and byb's - things will range greatly. If you are open to forgoing health clearances at least ensure it's a nice family pet. and cared for and get ready to socialize that puppy safely as soon as you can. We don't recommend giving puppies away for free so paying a nominal fee is fine, and preferably to someone willing to use the money to spay their girl but you can never really know!

good luck

[Maxx&Emma]

If you can post the area you are willing to travel for a puppy surely someone here can help you locate a responsible breeder. You might have to wait a bit for a puppy but if you want a well bred Lab it will be a wait well worth it.

[lovemylabby]

I am coming in late on this thread...going back to the original puppy you posted about.

I feel so bad for this poor puppy being bounced around like that...perhaps it would be nice if you gave her a home?

[Rosy]

This really comes down to whether or not you feel up for the responsibilities that come along with this dog. I wish you the best of luck!

[TT120]

I am coming in late on this thread...going back to the original puppy you posted about.

I feel so bad for this poor puppy being bounced around like that...perhaps it would be nice if you gave her a home?

This is how I would feel. Sounds like this poor little guy needs a good home.

[labsnewfy]

This is how I feel too especially since she is a little chocolate girl, like my Tootsie. It is hard to tell who could get ahold of her and use her for nothing but breeding to make money or worse just tie her up at a box in the back yard and forget about her.

Sarah is from a byb, we knew most she had ED as her sire did and allergies inherited from her dam. We didn't let her jump in and out of the back of the explorer, kept her weight and diet managed. She will be 10 yrs old this year and we are managing her elbows with pain meds just started last year. We keep an eye on her allergies wiping paws, food and treats she gets etc. I have to say I would do it all over again.

Still you have to decide what is best for both of you.

[doubledip1]

I personally wouldn't take her.

There are a lot of dogs in this world that need homes. But if I didn't have my well-bred Labradors, I just wouldn't have dogs. Not taking a puppy that needs a home doesn't mean you are a bad person. You have every right to wait for the dog that you want. You have every right to PURCHASE a dog. Just because the dog is there, doesn't mean it must come home with you. It was a hard thing for me to learn, but I'm glad I did.

[milo]

I think you need to wait and find the right dog for you. You seem hesitant to the point that if you are questioning your decision to this point then just wait. This will not be the dog that "got away"

I found my first dog milo on petfinder.com and had the whole rescue story, while he was extremely intelligent and I'd put his off leash listening ability against any other dog, he had a severe bone cancer and died at 7.5 years and a few thousand dollars later.

i did get somewhat lucky through networking with my current dog champ, but now that I own a "real" lab from a very reputable breeder, the intelligence and temperament is very noticeable & exactly what I was looking for.

Just trying to help