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  1. #1
    Puppy
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    Hi & getting a new pup

    Hi all,

    Recently we lost Arthur, our 3-year-old yellow lab. Alas he got out and ran in front of a car, he went quickly.

    We are currently on the hunt for a new pup and have been introduced to someone about an hour from home. The breeder comes highly recommended from a few in the local shooting community - easy to train pups, quiet and very biddable and the lineage of the pups is very very good.

    We have 2 concerns though. When we went round last night mum was locked up in another room of the home and barked pretty much the whole time we were there - she seemed pretty annoyed that we were there.

    The other concern is around age - the pup will be 12 weeks when we collect her and we're concerned that this is close to the end of the socialisation window. The breeder has had the pup in and out of the house and they are socialised to most household things as well as visitors, new people and a few children. Is 12 weeks too late to take a pup?

    One pup was up, nosey, tail wagging, roaming the room and exploring (I was atracted to this one) whilst the other pup was very quiet and just wanted to be cuddled by the kids. Her tail was between her legs the whole time. They all fell in love with the quiet one. Should I be concerned by that behaviour?

    A good friend has her sister and the blood lines are great - so... should we buy with confidence or is this one we should be wary of... thanks...

  2. #2
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    I would imagine in the UK you are instructed to find a breeder who does health testing, so please make sure that's all been done before you consider buying a puppy. Labs have a lot of health problems that can be mitigated through heath testing of the parents.

    Mom was probably mad she was locked up and away from the excitement. I would have insisted she be out and about so that you could meet her. You WANT to meet the parents or at least the mother.

    Age of the puppy is fine. They learn to adjust just fine even at an older age. I wouldn't let that hold me back at all. The quiet pup can require a little more encouragement later on when you are training, but if it was eagerly going to cuddle with the kids, then it would appear fine with people, so I wouldn't let a little tail tuck bother me. Or pick up the pup you want and tell the family that was what was left!

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    Charlotte K. (12-06-2016)

  4. #3
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    A single visit with the breeder may not be the true test of a puppy's personality. You see the puppies for an hour, the breeder will have been living with them for 12 weeks by the time you pick the puppy up to bring home. Maybe the quiet puppy had a busy morning and the more active puppy had just awoken from a nap. I'd suggest telling the breeder what you're looking for in a dog and letting the breeder help you decide which would be the better fit.

    I picked up my second lab at 12 weeks and she was probably similarly socialized. I've taken her to obedience classes, she got along immediately with our older dog, friends and family, isn't afraid of the vacuum cleaner, walks well past traffic, friendly with others and very adaptable to new situations. Much older dogs who are adopted from shelters etc bond well with their families. Someone recently posted an opinion article by a dog trainer who suggested what some people call socialization may not be the best approach for all dogs. If I can find it, I'll add it to my post for your consideration.

    By the way, welcome to you and your family. We hope to learn more about you and your new pup, whenever that occurs!

    Here's that article: More Harm than Good: 3 Reasons Why I Never Socialize my Puppies | The Collared Scholar
    Sue

    Chase 9/29/2006- 6/30/2017 Always in our hearts
    Lark 12/25/2012- 2/2/22
    Henry 7/14/18
    Joey 5/14/2022

    “Because of the dog's joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift. It is not the least reason why we should honor as well as love the dog of our own life, and the dog down the street, and all the dogs not yet born. What would the world be like without music or rivers or the green and tender grass? What would this world be like without dogs?”

    Mary Oliver, Hidden Content

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    Charlotte K. (12-06-2016)

  6. #4
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    Welcome to the board!! I got my first Lab when I was posted to the UK back in 1984, and have imported two from there in the past 5 years. One thing I would recommend is the go to The Kennel Club website. There you can find a listing of breeders who are in the Accredited Breeder Scheme. These breeders have met the standards set forth by The KC. If the breeder you are looking at is not accredited, I'd find out if the parents of these pups have been cleared for all the issues Labs can be tested for.

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    Charlotte K. (12-06-2016)

  8. #5
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    welcome and sorry for your loss

    My first question would be does the mom and dad have their health clearances (i assume they are similar there as they are here in north american - hips, elbows, eyes, heart...)

    12 weeks isn't too old IF the breeding is doing a good job of socialization AND ideally got them started with house training and such. I'd be happy to get a puppy that's a bit more than 8 weeks if the breeder were responsible and doing lots of work with the puppies.

    As for the mom...i'd have mixed feelings about her being put in a room and her barking the entire time. She was separated from pups and maybe just wasn't trained to wait in another room when guests come (and it wasn't really an ideal training situation). And I guess crate training isn't as common around there. Did you get to meet her at all?

  9. #6
    Best Friend Retriever ronmcq's Avatar
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    So very sorry for your loss of Arthur and hope a new puppy will replace and fill the empty spot he left in your heart.

  10. #7
    Senior Dog Jollymolly's Avatar
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    Sorry for your loss.I was wondering if you got to meet the pups parents at all. I hope you find the right pup for your family and welcome to the forum.

  11. #8
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    Me thinks a troll is at hand.

 



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