Four years after our boxer rescue died we were finally ready for another dog and two months ago rescued a beautiful 5-year-old yellow lab. He was a wonderful dog. A week ago he suddenly started acting sick and was diagnosed with severe liver disease (by a specialist) and we had to put him down. We're heartbroken because we loved having a dog back in our life. We work during the day so we relied on dogwalkers and not wanting another rescue, I was thinking that we'd just have to give up on the idea of a dog until retirement, when a friend of my wife's steered my wife to a breeder (a real breeder, not just someone with a yard :-^) with "older" dogs, i.e., 8-15 months. This sounds great -- we'd love another dog, and we'd miss a lot of the "start-up costs" and we'd know more about the dog's health and the breeder says the older dogs are housebroken and behaviorally good -- but I'm wondering why any breeder would have dogs that no one wanted, and what other pitfalls there might be. The breeder also says that we could "borrow" a dog to see how well it does in our home, and that also strikes me as weird, like they're desperate to get rid of these animals. And the question remains how well a dog that young would fit into our 40-hour weeks. We can afford doggy daycare as well as dogwalkers, but is that really a solution? Or is that cruel for such a young dog? Anyone have any thoughts? And I apologize if this is a FAQ. I've not been able to find much help with this online.
Hello and a warm welcome to the forum. I'm so sorry for your loss, that must have been devastating to you, to lose a young dog so soon after bringing him home. As for your questions, I can't comment on an individual breeder, but here are a few observations. Adolescent Labradors are notoriously difficult. This is when you have a "puppy in an adult body". Training tends to go backwards and you need a lot of patience. Adolescence is around 8-15 months. This is the age when huge numbers of dogs are given up for rescue. Reputable breeders will often have a clause in their contracts that states that any unwanted puppies should be returned to them in the first instance. This means that someone who couldn't cope with adolescence could very well surrender their puppy back to the breeder, for them to then rehome. There's not necessarily anything wrong with the dog, other than the fact it's a normal teenage Lab. I would be concerned if the breeder had a lot of her puppies returned for rehoming, however. It would make me wonder if the dogs they are breeding are not being chosen for temperament, or if they aren't doing due diligence making sure "hot" dogs (that they may have been specifically breeding for) are going to suitable homes. These are questions you should really ask the breeder. Some breeders also keep hold of puppies to start their training (whether for field work or in the show ring) and then decide they're not suitable for that, so sell them on at that point. Again, it's something the breeder will be able to tell you. As for how to go about combining a dog with a full-time work schedule, it's great that you already have daycare and dog walkers in place. As long as your dog has enough mental and physical stimulation, it's not cruel. This article may help you: http://www.thelabradorsite.com/combining-a-labrador-puppy-with-full-time-work/
That sounds the opposite to me. I'd think a breeder who wants to make sure the dog will work out for you in your home and will take it back if it doesn't is truly looking out for the dog's best welfare.
I've not looked at older puppies from a breeder, but this is par for the course for lots of rescues. I've been looking at rescues here in Spain and they ALL offer this option. While it weirds me out a bit too (I mean, how do they know I'm not just going to kidnap or mistreat their dog?), it also seems to be a good way to spend more time with a dog before making that big plunge to bringing them home permanently.
It gives me a little bit of a flashback to our first rescue, which was very fast and pressured. I think they just had so many dogs that they were giving them to anyone who walked in. We grew to love the dog they gave us, but it had significant medical problems, was highly dog aggressive, and hated men, even growling at me occasionally. I want to avoid taking on someone else's problem this time.
Hi @AlanM, welcome. I am so sorry for your loss. It is clear from your post that you have given this so much thought and that you want only the best for your future dog. I can't offer any info regarding the breeders, other to say that I think someone that is willing to let you "borrow" a dog to judge suitability sounds like they are not just trying to get rid of the pup. Like you, we rescued a dog last year and after only 10 days and multiple vet stays, visits, Bailey chairs and specialists we had to admit defeat to megaesophagus and had to have her PTS. It was heartbreaking. And when we considered a new pup I was so anxious about getting another dog that may have a problem that would lead to us losing another pet. We were so broken from Ayra's loss. Why I mention this is that perhaps your vigilance could be related to your fear of losing another dog unexpectedly. Just a thought. Best of luck with your decision. I hope you keep us updated.
Yes. When we lost our first boxer rescue I was sad but okay; it was hardest on my wife. And this time, when we were getting a younger dog with no apparent health problems, it was indeed heartbreaking. I was sadder over this lab than I remember being for any of my family members who have died. I can't even throw out his chewed up dog toys. I actually cried and I've not cried about anything in many years. So yes. I don't want to deal with more loss than I need to right now.
Hi @AlanM , that's a horrid heart breaking thing to happen, losing your new dog like that. I think I would echo concerns about why breeder may have a number of dogs of that age, but given that they are genuine reasons I too would think that it's a good thing to have a "trial " period, if nothing else to see if the "puppy brain with adult body" is the way forward for you. I'm not an experienced lab owner, although I've had other breeds, and currently have an 11.5 month old black girl, who I just adore. There's a certain charm at this age I feel and they're through the worst of the biting. I think it would a really rewarding thing to do with the right support in place.
I've had three rescues, each at six months old. I didn't regret a moment. My first was Boogie, who I name myself after on here. He was Heinz 57 and lived a happy, healthy 19byears old Bbb
Hi and welcome to the forum. I think there are advantages and disadvantages of having a slightly older pup. Advantages to me would hopefully be: house trained, not biting, used to being left alone, good lead walking, know medical history Disadvantages to me would be: not trained how you would train, might not have any of the above training, could come with underlying health issues I'm sure there are a lot more, but might be useful for you and your wife to write some lists! As for working, when we got Harley I only worked 18hours a week. Since January this year I now work 35 hours a week, but flexible hours (she is now 3.5 years old). I have a fantastic dog walker who also does day care. They have her for walks 3 times a week and I do some split shifts so I can break up the day for her. If I'm in work for a whole day she goes to day care. As long as provision is put into place I don't see working being an issue.
Our first Lab was a 4 year old rescue. She could not have been a better dog, well trained and well socialized. She had some health issues in her old age, but nothing before 12 yrs so we pretty much lucked out. Our next two we got as pups, and I prefer that, because we got to watch them grow up, but it was a lot more work. Both my wife and I worked from home so we could accommodate a pups schedule pretty well.
I think the offer of a loan to see if the dog fits sounds like a good idea. Particularly if the dog has already been surrendered back to the breeder - gives it a better chance of finding a permanent home with you maybe? I'm sure the breeder wants their dogs to find a new permanent home that works out. We have had 3 dogs, all rescues. Belle, our first, was with us for 10 years. Scooby, our second (and our welcome to the world of Labradors) was only with us for 10 months, it was heartbreaking to lose him so quickly. Both dogs just landed on us. With Coco, our 3rd dog, we visited him and walked him with our resident dog, Belle, for 4 weeks. We were offered a home trial, but we were already convinced and took him home. Whilst I find puppies cute & lovely, for me - I prefer to take an adult dog with basic house training. This fits in perfectly with our lives & work commitments. The on going training has been a challenge with boisterous Coco. But very rewarding. Both Belle & Scooby were minimally trained, but they were calm and gentle and got away with it.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your beautiful dog. Really get what you are saying about it being the hardest thing and being unable to throw out anything that is a reminder of that beloved dog. We got our dog at 9 months (2 weeks after our old dog died) and he was a handful! We initially had 4 weeks off work and after that we made full use of daycare, 4-5 days a week. We did obedience classes every weekend too. Once our dog grew up a bit and settled down (about 2 years of age) we gradually cut the daycare down to 2 days a week (plus we go to Flyball training and do daily walks etc). We both work full time (well I work 9 days a fortnight). This works fine. We don't regret it for a minute. I recall feeling a bit shell shocked for the first few weeks, hehehe, but that's normal and it passes as you all work out a routine and get to know each other. As others have mentioned an older puppy or younger dog can still be a lot of work but if you have a good daycare and are experienced at teaching a dog (so can work on any issues and shape good behaviours), then it's totally manageable and can be combined with full time work. Only thing to keep in mind with a dog from a breeder (e.g. that has been kept for a while but that didn't quite make the grade) is that this dog is probably pretty used to living with other dogs rather than being an only dog. But daycare will help a lot with that. The option of having a trial period sounds good to me. I'd get all your ducks in a row and then give it a go
Well, you need to look carefully at the reasons for the breeder you have in mind, but the breeder of my puppy often has older dogs available. She shows dogs and works dogs, and she will keep puppies and try them out. As they get older, it becomes evident to her whether or not they are champion prospects, and she keeps those that are, and rehomes the ones that aren't champion material. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the dogs she rehomes and she has absolutely no trouble in finding them good homes. So there is not necessarily anything suspicious, but as I say do ask the question and make sure you understand why the dogs are available.
I have raised dogs from puppies and acquired an older one. Our Lab was around 8 months old when we got him and he was a bit of a nightmare, to be honest, but even with all that I still think I would take on an older again rather than a puppy. Puppies are just so much work to start with, and if you are working it is really difficult in those early days. My pooch is now almost 5 and he has turned out to be a wonderful dog.
