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  1. #1
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    Looking to adopt a Lab Puppy in Northern California

    Hello everyone,

    I'm a new user who is currently in search of a new Lab puppy, and I wanted to get all feedback in making sure the dog is healthy. On the same side, I'd like to stay on the cheaper side of $800 if possible, but I know that's a big ask. Especially with AKC registered pups being the staple of many breeders.

    Can anyone point me in the direction of healthy lab pups that are on the better side of my price range in Northern Cal? Papers aren't necessary as I don't plan on breeding nor competing with the animal. Normally, rescues would be great, but I'm fulfilling a request of my vet partner that has always wanted a lab pup to raise. We have experience with other dogs, both purchased from breeders and adopted from shelters, so it's more a childhood dream than it is a capricious decision.

    Any help would be majorly appreciated, as I'm relying on the wisdom of others to push me in the right direction.

    Thank you

  2. #2
    Real Retriever fidgetyknees's Avatar
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    Be careful with putting a $ amount on a puppy. It is really expensive for breeders to do all the health screening to get a healthy sound litter. You can get lucky with pups and have no health screening .... my shelter girl turns 12 next month and has been incredibly healthy her whole life, but I have known people who have had dogs go blind at 4 (testable eye issue in labs), or have hip dysplasia and the surgeries cost $''s to fix .... both things which could have most likely been prevented by good breeding.

    You will need to figure out what kind of lab you want. The bench bred dogs are more laid back and have a bigger bone structure. The field bred range in size dramatically from very petite to very tall and can be very active which may or may not be what you want.

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    windycanyon (10-12-2016)

  4. #3
    Senior Dog Shelley's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thirdwheel View Post
    Hello everyone,

    I'm a new user who is currently in search of a new Lab puppy, and I wanted to get all feedback in making sure the dog is healthy. On the same side, I'd like to stay on the cheaper side of $800 if possible, but I know that's a big ask. Especially with AKC registered pups being the staple of many breeders.

    Can anyone point me in the direction of healthy lab pups that are on the better side of my price range in Northern Cal? Papers aren't necessary as I don't plan on breeding nor competing with the animal. Normally, rescues would be great, but I'm fulfilling a request of my vet partner that has always wanted a lab pup to raise. We have experience with other dogs, both purchased from breeders and adopted from shelters, so it's more a childhood dream than it is a capricious decision.

    Any help would be majorly appreciated, as I'm relying on the wisdom of others to push me in the right direction.

    Thank you
    Hi there,

    You would be hard pressed to find a well-bred puppy from a reputable breeder that does health clearances, and proves their dogs at that price. Prices in California are in the $1500-$2000 range. You may be able to purchase an older puppy, retiring adult, or a puppy that didn't work out for showing since many breeders run on more than one puppy, at a lower price. Sometimes breeders charge more for an older puppy that has been housebroken, crate trained and has basic obedience, so your milage may vary.

    I do want to mention that your best bet for a healthy puppy is one from a breeder that registers with the AKC, it goes along with the other things that the breeder does with their dogs. Registering a pure bred puppy with AKC isn't just about breeding or competing with the dog, but supporting the pure bred fancy. AKC lobbies for breeder rights, supports search and rescue, donates money to research, etc... So the registering fees go towards good things that AKC does.

    My recommendation would be to contact a few breeders near you and start a dialogue, and to start saving your money to plan for a puppy next year. Please let me know if you have any questions.

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    windycanyon (10-12-2016)

  6. #4
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    No advice on specific breeders, but I can attest that $1500-$2000 is the price range I came across when I was looking at breeders for my dogs. There was one breeder that I spoke with who was less expensive, but she gave me a lot of pause and I believe she was a backyard breeder rather than a good breeder (advertising "white labs", became extremely defensive when I asked her about testing). I'm sure there are many BYBs that also charge $2k for a puppy in an effort to look legit.
    All that to say, you should screen for a good breeder rather than for a breeder based on price.

    You may want to reach out to Golden Gate Lab Rescue as well. They sometimes have litters for rescue, though I'm sure the wait list is on the longer side for that. I believe they have a fee in order to get on their waitlist, but not certain. Good luck!

  7. #5
    Senior Dog MightyThor's Avatar
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    If you get your post count up you can receive direct messages. I got Thor from a breeder in Northern CA and did a lot of research before finding him. I found a couple of breeders I liked, and ended up going with the one where I was able to visit and meet the dogs and see their kennel facilities (it was nicer than my house....). I also talked to owners of their dogs going back over 10 years. But I agree with the other posts - I didn't find a pup for under ~$1600 that had all of the health clearances.
    Mighty Thor, "So Much Dog", born 1/6/2014
    And baby Barley, born 3/9/2018

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  8. #6
    Senior Dog windycanyon's Avatar
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    I ask folks to describe to me their idea of the perfect lab... looks, energy level, size, color, etc. are just a start. What function/ activity do you want to pursue outside of family companion, if any?
    I have a friend in N. Cal you could contact too if you just give more details, but you really need to be prepared to pay more than what you are thinking, unfortunately. The cost of vets, food, testing etc has really gone up in the past 10 yrs it seems. Buying the healthiest pup you can is the wisest choice and a good first step in ultimately saving you money in the end.
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    barry581 (10-13-2016)

  10. #7
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    I live in Utah. A 12 hour drive. Lots of breeders doing health testing here, with pups in the $650 to 850.00 range. P.M. me P.S. I am not a breeder and pay more than this for pups, but there is initials lie FC or AFC in front of the parents names.

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    LabraGal (10-14-2016)

  12. #8
    Senior Dog windycanyon's Avatar
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    It just occurred to me that this is posted in the rescue and adoption page. Are you truly looking to BUY a puppy, or are you looking to adopt a rescue? If looking to adopt, please contact the lab rescues that we vet thru the LRC, Inc. Find a Group - The Labrador Retriever Club, Inc.

    Btw, I just placed an order for some very basic whelping supplies (incl dewormers, microchips etc-- no vaccines even!) and my total came to $980. Breeding is NOT cheap when done right.
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    The WindyCanyon Girls (taken Summer 2018)
    IntCH WindyCanyon's Northern Spy CDX RA JH OA OAJ CC (14.5 yrs)
    IntCH WindyCanyon's Ruby Pink BN CD RA CC (4.5 yrs)
    IntCH WindyCanyon's Kanzi BN CDX RE JH (5 yrs)
    IntCH WindyCanyon ItsOnlyMoneyHoneycrisp BN RN CC (16mos)
    IntCH WindyCanyon's Pippin BN RI CC (2.5 yrs)
    IntCH WindyCanyon's Envy CDX RE JH CC (10.5 yrs)
    IntCH HIT WindyCanyon's Kiku A Fuji Too CDX RE JH CC (10 yrs)







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    barry581 (10-13-2016)

  14. #9
    Best Friend Retriever
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    Quote Originally Posted by windycanyon View Post
    It just occurred to me that this is posted in the rescue and adoption page. Are you truly looking to BUY a puppy, or are you looking to adopt a rescue? If looking to adopt, please contact the lab rescues that we vet thru the LRC, Inc. Find a Group - The Labrador Retriever Club, Inc.

    Btw, I just placed an order for some very basic whelping supplies (incl dewormers, microchips etc-- no vaccines even!) and my total came to $980. Breeding is NOT cheap when done right.
    Don't you have in your contract that buyers should have puppy checked by a vet ASAP after pickup? I thought that was the norm, perhaps not.
    If so, why are you buying supplies and apparently doing veterinarian work; dewormers, microchips, vaccinations?

  15. #10
    Senior Dog TuMicks's Avatar
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    Wow, I am really, really lucky to have been able to get Rocket Dog (FC/AFC sire, FC dam) for only $1750. It had to do with her being a carrier for one of the genetic labrador retriever conditions (EIC). But she's a carrier and will never suffer the disease. So we spayed her and are thrilled to have her.

    There are, for sure a LOT of ways to throw money away when picking a pup. (Like paying crazy amounts of money for exotic unofficial coat colors, or getting a designer mutt like a labrdoodle.) But you gotta amortize the cost of a dog over it's life span. $2000 over a 12 year life span comes to less than 7$/month. If you can get a pup with the greatest likelihood of a long, healthy life... and one whose progenitors had were smart, trainable high-achievers, then it is money well spent.

 



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