Page 4 of 4 FirstFirst ... 234
Results 31 to 32 of 32

Thread: Lab puppies

  1. #31
    Moderator
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Greenwood, Delaware
    Posts
    7,348
    Thanked: 7148
    I've been following this post from the beginning and have held off replying until now.

    To the OP, welcome. I haven't see you post in a few days, so I'm not if you were scared off by some of the reply's. I hope that's no the case. There are a lot of really knowledgeable people here, and a lot of good advice has been given. Many of the people here know from first hand experience the trials and tribulations of getting a pup from a less than reputable breeder.

    While cost is definitely a factor when getting a puppy, it shouldn't be the top concern. Finding a breeder who does all clearances and proofs their dogs in the show ring, or any of the many competition disciplines, is the top priority. Deciding what you want from your dog will steer you towards a breeder. Do you want a hunting dog? Do obedience, Rally or agility? Conformation shows? Depending on what you want from the dog will lead you to a breeder who breeds the type of dogs you are looking for. If you are just looking for a family pet, getting a dog with strong field trial lines may not work out so well as a house pet. Too much drive and energy. If you are looking for a dog for hunting, pure show lines may not work out so well.

    About 6 years ago I found myself in a position that I could get a puppy. We had rescued and adopted adult Labs, but hadn't had a puppy in 20 years. I started doing some research and found a quality bred puppy was going for anywhere from $1500 to $2000. Now that I knew what the cost for a locally bred pup, I called my friends in the UK, the breeders whom I got my first Lab from when I was stationed in the UK back in 1984. They told me they were planning a litter later that year, and what the pups cost. They are Kennel Club Assured Breeders, do all clearances, and show and work their dogs. They only breed when the need a puppy for themselves, a litter every 2 or 3 years. The price of one of their pups was considerably less than a local puppy, and I know their lines. At the time I assumed I'd still be able to fly a puppy as excess baggage, so shipping the pup would cost a round trip plane ticket, plus the excess baggage fee which was $100. So even with that factored in, A puppy from my friends in the UK would be about the same price. A little over 2 years went by before they had a litter, as they had two missed matings. As it turned out, you could no long ship an animal as excess baggage from Heathrow, and I had to ship the pup as freight. So in the end, purchase price of the pup, plus shipping came to just over $2400.

    To me it was money well spent. I got a dog from my friends, who I've known for 30 years. I know the time and effort they have put into their breeding program, their priority always being sound, healthy dogs with true type and temperment. Sophie and Bruce are directly related to the two Labs I brought home from the UK way back in 1989. Just over 2 years later I got a second puppy from them, Bruce. He cost slightly less as the exchange rate was more favorable at the time.

    Could I have gotten dogs here of the same quality for less? Absolutely. I can tell you this, I get a stupid grin every time I look at these dogs and think about the fact that their lives began with my life long friends, and that they walked the same ground as my first Labs. In some ways these two are living history, and you can't put a price on that.

    I do have to smile sometimes when people tell me they have "English" Labs. I'll tell them that mine are English Labs, that is they are born in England English Labs!

  2. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to barry581 For This Useful Post:

    Maxx&Emma (10-10-2015), MikeLynn (10-10-2015), Tanya (10-09-2015), windycanyon (10-10-2015)

  3. #32
    Senior Dog Jollymolly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    5,108
    Thanked: 2778
    Hi welcome

 



Not a Member of the Labrador Retriever Chat Forums Yet?
Register for Free and Share Your Labrador Retriever Photos

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •