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Thread: Lab puppies

  1. #1
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    Lab puppies

    From San Antonio tx. We are looking for white, yellow, or black lab breeders / puppies to buy our first retriever for hunting. Our preference is white or yellow. I have researched what to look for in a breeder but I find it hard to choose one because a lot or all of them wanted you to put a deposit and pick one out before even meeting the litter. We want to as a family be able to go and meet the litter and hope that the one for us is in that litter and buy it. I was hoping for some insight, or anyone else in texas know of anybody. I'm hoping to have one by Xmas for my boys. I'm also looking in Kentucky because we have family there and visiting this thanksgiving. Thoughts and/or recommendations would be great.
    Last edited by cmurph; 10-02-2015 at 07:58 PM. Reason: Typo

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    Welcome...

    First, there are only three colors: yellow, chocolate and black. No good breeder will call a Lab white. That's a red flag.

    Second, you are very smart not to purchase a puppy on the internet or put down deposits sight unseen or without amazing references from people you know and trust.

    The best scenario is letting a breeder know what you are looking for and telling her about your family and environment and then she will point you in the direction of not only the appropriate puppy, but the right breeding. Doesn't mean you won't have to put down a deposit, but they won't even want your money until they have properly vetted you and perhaps even had you to their home to meet some of their dogs, especially the mom (with a good breeder, dad most likely will not live there or be owned by the same breeder).

    Many good breeders have waiting lists, so having a set date, especially during a time when less litters are born, Christmas, can lend itself to picking the wrong puppy for the wrong reasons. So, I would not limit yourself to a Christmas puppies. Puppymills, usually on the internet, will have lots of Christmas puppies because that is a perfect time for impulse buyers to get pups!

    Your best bet is to look for Labrador Retriever Clubs in the areas you are willing to travel to for a pup. Lab Clubs have pretty strict restrictions on who they allow in the club and breeders must sign a code of ethics as to their breeding practices, which includes all of the health testing as well as breeding for the right reasons. You are typically pretty safe going through the clubs. Also, the Lab clubs usually have people who field puppy inquiries and can help you determine some good options.

    Good luck!

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  4. #3
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    I know TX is big, but I would stick to folks in the lab clubs.

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  6. #4
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    I really hope you follow the above advice. When I read "white" Lab and Christmas puppy I wanted to cry.
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    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    Welcome to the board. It's wonderful you are doing research before buying, but, not trying to be mean at all, but your research sources are not the best if you are asking about white Labs, since there is no such thing. That's the trouble with research, it's like the old joke that you can't find a word in the dictionary to be sure you are spelling it correctly without first knowing how to spell it.

    There used to be a section on this board on what to look for in a breeder but darned if I can find it now. Anybody know where that went? Did we lose that when the board crashed last year?

  8. #6
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    I'm new to the research of labradors so could someone explain what the problem is with "white" labs? I did do research on white labs and they a yellow lab just with a light cream to white fur; that akc does not acknowledge the white coat. Because this will be a hunting dog most likely we will end up with a yellow lab.

  9. #7
    Senior Dog Abulafia's Avatar
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    I think the problem people are pointing to here is that there is no such thing as a "white" lab, only yellow labs with very light colored coats. Yellows range from 'fox red,' which is ... well, dark orange / yellow to 'cream white,' which is probably what you have in mind. But those are all yellows labs. Labs come in only three recognized colors—yellow, chocolate, black—so when breeders advertised "white" (or various other colors), I think it puts people on guard.

    But I'm guess that maybe this isn't breeders advertising "white labs" (you never wrote such) so much as perhaps you not being entirely aware of the standard terminology—by "white or yellow" you really meant "yellow, either lighter or darker coat."

    And that's fine, and a matter of taste, however what is far more important is the health and temperament of the dog. Although I had a preference for black (and that's what we got), I researched my breeder thoroughly and chose her based on her reputation for producing intelligent dogs of sound health and calm, attentive, sweet temperament. We couldn't be happier.

    I think people are also concerned because you say that you want a dog "by Christmas." It's a red flag for breeders to breed dogs for holiday pick ups—that smells of sloppy or irresponsible breeding. When I first contacted my breeder, she had no litters coming up. Only when she did a breeding, a couple months later, would she accept a deposit. Later, it became clear that I would be out of the country when the pup should come home, and neither of us thought it would be good for her to hold onto the dog past about 8 weeks. So I held out for the *next* breeding (different sire and dam, obviously, but I was asked to check them out and approve), and finally got my girl at the end of July.

    It's always good to remember that you are bringing a living being into your family for—hopefully—twelve, thirteen, fourteen years. This is why it's more important to focus on breeder, health, temperament, and litter than coat color or bring-home date.

    (And finally, although I don't know how old your boys are, I think it's generally not a great idea to get a dog as a present for a kid—or anyone. If you choose and purchase the dog, it's your responsibility entirely.)

  10. #8
    Senior Dog windycanyon's Avatar
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    Cmurph, if you bump your number of posts and private message me, I can refer you to a reputable breeder/trainer in the Austin area. It doesn't look like they will have puppies ready until mid January or so, but training books, crate, leashes, etc are always better gifts for the kids so they can get prepared for when pup comes home anyhow.

    Most of us who breed are at the mercy of our girls and when they "decide" to come into season (and then they have to decide when they ovulate!). For me, Thanksgiving seems to be a popular time to have puppies, lol.... It's not really that breeders avoid Christmas for pups, but many breeders will not allow them to go home at that time even if they are ready because it's just too overwhelming of a time at most homes for new puppy. We like pups to ease into the family lifestyle since there is already so much stress involved w /them going to new homes. Best of luck, Anne
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  12. #9
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Snowshoe View Post
    Welcome to the board. It's wonderful you are doing research before buying, but, not trying to be mean at all, but your research sources are not the best if you are asking about white Labs, since there is no such thing. That's the trouble with research, it's like the old joke that you can't find a word in the dictionary to be sure you are spelling it correctly without first knowing how to spell it.

    There used to be a section on this board on what to look for in a breeder but darned if I can find it now. Anybody know where that went? Did we lose that when the board crashed last year?
    it was lost when the board crashed. A few threads were found:
    clearances: Clearances For Labs
    puppy buyer etiquette (which has some good info on finding a breeder as well): Puppy Buyer Etiquette
    and "asking about a breeder" which also has some basic info on finding a breeder: Asking About Breeders or Where to Get a Puppy

    Lots of great advice above. Really think about when a good time for the family to welcome home a puppy is. Holidays can be VERY hectic and not at all a good time to bring home a puppy (unless the plan is to have a SUPER quiet holiday which can work - but this means no travel and not hosting parties). Bringing home a puppy takes a lot of time and work for all the family members.

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  14. #10
    Senior Dog Meeps83's Avatar
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    I know quite a few people with light yellow labs that they call white. I here at least, people use terms like "white" and "red" to describe the coat colors of their yellows. I know some sell their dogs as that color, but many people just.......start saying it.

    To the OP, many people here will be able to give you excellent advice on what to look for in a breeder and a puppy. It will all be worth it in the end

 



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