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  1. #1
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    Newbie here.... Thinking about buying a lab...

    Hello all, new to the forum here, and to labs as well! I am 25 years old with two kids ages 3 and 1. I have always been a dog person, having three growing up, but black labs have always been my favorite, but have never owned one! I am wanting some advice on whether I should go for it or not. We currently live in a small town inside city limits (moving out to the country within a couple years), with a fenced in yard which is pretty good sized. We are an active family, and would look forward to taking our dog to the river/woods/park and on my nightly runs. Is there anything I need to watch for and do you think this would be a good fit for my family? Thank you.

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    Welcome, Labs are great dogs, without a doubt! You may find that some breeders are reluctant to place a puppy in a family with children so young. I did it years ago and it definitely took work. What ever you decide I do wish you the best. Please do your research and look for a responsible, reputable breeder.

    I also love black Labs, it is all I have ever had.
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  3. #3
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    Hello and Welcome!

    Of course, IMO, labs are the best family dog. Please, please, do your due diligence when looking for a breeder. There are breeders and then there are breeders. Health clearances is very important. Don't buy from a pet store or back yard breeder. Pet store dogs are most often from puppy mills.

    Also, don't discount a rescue. There are many here who have rescues which are lab mixes and are fantastic dogs. There is a thread at the top of the Fire Hydrant section about breeders and getting a puppy.
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  4. #4
    Senior Dog MikeLynn's Avatar
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    Hello and welcome! Labs are amazing dogs and blacks are my favorites. Wishing you a lot of good luck on your your search. Have no advice here on pups and little kids as I've only had fur babies, but have friends who've gone that way and had no problems. Def belongs on you, the kids. the dog, your approach to training etc. etc. etc. BTW, there's a lot of useful info on almost everything here, and if you can't find the answer you're looking for, just ask - the folks here are very knowledgeable and helpful. M&M
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  5. #5
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    Thanks for the replies! The only thing that concerns me is living in town, but I we would be very active with him and will be moving to the country soon I hope. What is a good price to pay for one?

  6. #6
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    welcome

    labs are wonderful (clearly everyone here thinks so)! But be ready for tons of work during the first few years. They are very rambunctious puppies especially if you are also managing young kids. They can easily knock over children and can be very mouthy (nippy). They are big chewers and it will take time and training to discriminate human kid VS dog toys. On the plus side, toys for kids that young generally are made to now be easily swallowed by child OR puppy IT can be done but be honest about how much time and energy you have to get thru the puppy stage.

    The price varies by region. The important part is to only support reputable and ethical breeders ESPECIALLY as you have young children. Labs are the most popular breed and thus most over bred. This had lead to major health issues and even some tempermetn issues - a lab iS NOT A LAB just because it is "pure bred". that stellar temperment and health come from properly breeding your lines. The breeder should do all health clearances (hips, elbwos, eyes, heart, eic, cmn) and generally breeds in hopes of keeping a pup for themselves (or the stud's owner or co-owners) so are looking for a particular temperment as well. Not sure what cost is in your area but generally I see things around $1000-1500 (though again, more expensive doesn't mean better either, you need to read up on what good breeders "should do" and then ensure they do it).

    https://www.lab-retriever.net/board/d...nces-labs.html

    https://www.lab-retriever.net/board/d...etiquette.html

    https://www.lab-retriever.net/board/f...ers-puppy.html

  7. #7
    Senior Dog BaconsMom's Avatar
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    Welcome to the Forum! Labs are wonderful family dogs, I grew up with labs, and I now have one, as the start of our family.

    As others have said, please make sure that you find a breeder that does all of their clearances: hips, elbows, CNM/EIC. Also, make sure you take your time, because finding the right breeding at the right breeder can take some time. There are many on this board that have waited for years on a waiting list for a pup.

    Also, something to think about is what lines you are looking for. By that I mean whether or not you want a lab from Field lines (like Bacon in my sig pic, bred for hunting, very active) or Bench lines (broader head, bred for show, usually a little more mellow). That will help you choose a breeder. I do know several field breeders in the Midwest, so let me know if you would like some names (PM only per Forum rules).
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  8. #8
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    look forward to taking our dog to the river/woods/park and on my nightly runs.
    Lots of good stuff up above. I'd just like to make sure you are aware a puppy should not run with you till about 18 months old, to avoid strain on joints. Some folks even say wait till 24 months. How far do you run?

    You mention only kids in your family, no mention of a spouse, so if you are a single parent family fitting in another child (that would be a puppy ) might strain your time more than you expect. People do manage though.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Whitetail90 View Post
    Thanks for the replies! The only thing that concerns me is living in town, but I we would be very active with him and will be moving to the country soon I hope.
    Labs are people dogs and in general don't want to be outside without their people, so town vs. country is not a huge issue. It's nice to have a fenced yard in town or a ton of acreage in the country so that you can safely play with your pup without fear of her running into traffic or stray animals bothering you all. But labs outside by themselves = trouble. They'll cry, get bored, and act out.
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  11. #10
    Senior Dog Charlotte K.'s Avatar
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    Welcome! I would recommend an adult, at least 2 years to middle aged, retired, well socialized, house trained (or at least crate trained) Lab. My kids had dogs around all the time, but they really did not like the "monster puppy" stage, which seemed to last from teething or 3 months up to about 3 years of age. I also recommend at least three months of obedience class for you and the new dog to get on the same page. Puppies are death to kid's floor toys and teethers or pacifiers. A toy in the gut can be death to the dog. A puppy is also one more toddler to train.

    All that being said, a Lab can be the best kid's dog.

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    windycanyon (08-17-2015)

 



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