Labrador Breeder recommendations?

[sundae]

Originally Posted by bluesea718

Goldens and Labs are very similar in their hyperness or lack thereof, MomPlus4.

It's all in their breeding. If they're bred for field work, they're going to be spastic, hyperactive chewers who won't sit still for more than 10 seconds. If they're bred for show/conformation, they're going to be more laid-back and couch potato like.

My Emma was a purebred black Lab who came from some fantastic show lines, and she is the only dog I've ever bought from a breeder. She was always a couch potato and the sweetest dog ever. I had her from 8 weeks until she died this past November, 9 days after her 13th birthday.

With a rescue, you're not really going to know, but this is something you can ask about. Perhaps the rescue will have more information on the dog's "lines" if it's a purebred.

One or more of the lab rescue groups only takes/ adopts out purebred dogs, but that's based on the phenotype (appearance) of the dog. That's why, if a person is going to adopt instead of buy, I highly recommend working with a group where the dogs are fostered in the volunteers' homes. Nothing like living with a dog to tell you what to expect with regard to activity level.

[Original Frisco]

Collin County Humane Society just rescued a litter of puppies. Check them out on Facebook.

"Another litter rescued today. 6 week old Weimaraner Chocolate Lab pups!!"

Aren't they adorable???

[Original Frisco]

I just had to share a pic of our adorable puppy we rescued from CCHS a few months ago. There are SO MANY puppies needing good homes!!

We renamed him Wrigley since hubby is a huge Cubs fan...

[sundae]

Originally Posted by Original Frisco

I just had to share a pic of our adorable puppy we rescued from CCHS a few months ago. There are SO MANY puppies needing good homes!!

We renamed him Wrigley since hubby is a huge Cubs fan...

Cute puppy and I love the name. I'm glad you had such a good experience with adopting from a rescue group. CCHS has a good reputation and they do a lot of good for the animals who desperately need the help.

The concern with rescuing a puppy straight out of a shelter is disease. Parvo and distemper are killers of puppies and there is no way to tell if a puppy is already sick and incubating one of these illnesses. A dog can be symptom free for 7-10 days (sometimes even a bit longer) before breaking with the disease.In the meantime, it can pass the illness to other animals who are at risk.

I do rescue and I am scared of bringing a young pup right out of a shelter. I have a senior dog and I don't want to risk exposing him to distemper, despite the fact that he has been vaccinated.

I will take adults, who have a much better chance of having had shots, but at the very least have a much more capable immune system. I do foster lots of puppies, but they come from other sources.

Typically shelter puppies (as are most puppies in general before owner intervention) are loaded down with worms and other intestinal parasites that can passed along to humans and other animals. I am seeing a lot of giardia (think Montezuma's Revenge) in shelter rescues lately.

I do think adoption from a shelter is a fabulous option, but just be aware of what you might be getting yourself into before you take that step. For the general public, I recommend adopting a puppy from a rescue group, versus pulling one straight from a shelter all on your own. Let the rescue group, such as CCHS, take the risk.


ETA: For those people who don't know, I wanted to clarify that CCHS is the rescue group. CCAS is the shelter. There is a big difference. Also, even though it's just semantics, you adopt from a rescue group, but you rescue from a shelter. If you're working with a rescue group, the dog has already been rescued by them.

[melmax]

Sundae, you scared the cr#p out of me when I got a puppy for my Mom 2 years ago at the shelter. Your information was very good and I made sure the border collie puppy was checked out as much as possible before taking him to my Mom and then insisted that my Mom take him in to see her vet asap. I will have you know he grew into a very loving healthy wonderful active dog.

[sundae]

Originally Posted by melmax

Sundae, you scared the cr#p out of me when I got a puppy for my Mom 2 years ago at the shelter. Your information was very good and I made sure the border collie puppy was checked out as much as possible before taking him to my Mom and then insisted that my Mom take him in to see her vet asap. I will have you know he grew into a very loving healthy wonderful active dog.

LOL I remember that! I am glad the puppy is doing well.


I am going into my 15th year of volunteering/ fostering for rescue. My biggest piece of advice is to learn from others' mistakes and save myself the trouble. It definitely shortens up the learning curve. I had a great mentor at the beginning and now I try to return the favor when others have questions.

[MO-Bearcat]

Originally Posted by melmax

to the OP, if you want to consider an Aussie mix, this girl is so sweet !! I just saw her today at The Colony Animal Shelter. I would bring her home if I did not already have three. They said she is a great house dog. Her personality is very sweet, not agressive. The link just went to the picture of her, her name is " Jaylie" .

http://photos.petfinder.com/photos/U...14902-1-pn.jpg

The OP specifically asked about lab puppies and breeders...your post is neither

[melmax]

Originally Posted by MO-Bearcat

The OP specifically asked about lab puppies and breeders...your post is neither

You can read, good for you. Other posters mentioned a good family dog and how high energy the lab breed is, so I suggested a breed that has a little less energy but still a great family dog.

[MO-Bearcat]

I have had labs for the last 20 years and see no issue with them as family dogs.