I'm probably the only one on a Lab forum that doesn't have a Lab yet. Just wanted to introduce myself and learn all I can before we get ours next year. I've had different breeds and currently have 2 miniature poodles, but am on waiting list for a Lab next year. I've never been owned by this breed and wondered if first time human at 62 yrs. old is too old to start with one. The breeder has beautiful dogs and highly recommended by our Vet. I fell in love with one of her 3 yr old female who she will breed . The breeder would start housebreaking and basic commands and the puppy would be about 6 mo when we would get it and she feels a puppy would be fine, but I'm wondering about the mother when she is retired. Any suggestions? Dawn
Re: Hello Hi Dawn, welcome to the forum! 6months is an unusual age to get a puppy from a breeder, are you saying you would get yours sort of 'partially trained'? I know Angela did that with her Dexter, but most people get their puppy at around eight weeks of age. I can see advantages in getting a house trained dog, with basic commands, but the very early training would be out of your control, of course. Are you also saying that you are thinking of taking on the mother dog, when the breeder no longer wants to breed from her? As long as she has been a family pet (ie raised in a household, not just in a kennel), that might work out very well.
Re: Hello Hi Dawn, Welcome to the Forum,I'm Angela(already mentioned ;D) with Dexter 10 months.We live in Dubai and brought Dex over from Scotland.Importation rules dictate that he had to be 4 months old to be allowed in the country ( there is a long story about a DOB cock up...so he was actually 5 months when he arrived :-\) Reading your post ....I'm a not understanding you...are you making the choice between a 6 month old puppy or her mum? We didn't have a choice and there was a lot of benefits to having an older pup ..... Pretty much house trained ,basic commands in place,crate trained....but I feel I missed out on the lovely 8 week puppy stage.i didn't get the chance to make the most of the socialization period ...Dexter would have been in a backpack with me EVERYWHERE!although we are lucky and he is a chilled dog .i also missed the attachment period where you can really make headway with recall and Heelwork .....the breeders had worked with this but we have started from the beginning again as we have built our relationship with Dexter. Dex is our first dog so my experience is limited but owning him has taught me you will need energy,time,patience and a good level of fitness to look after a labrador.They are wonderful,wonderful dogs but you really need to invest in them.you sound like you have previous dog experience but certainly the exercise requirements will be very different from the breed you currently own. Hope that helps a bit...let us know what you decide
Re: Hello Hi Dawn, We have 3 dogs, Alfie bernese 9, Harry springer x pointer 1 and Charlie labrador x cocker 4 months. If you're thinking of an older dog can I put in a suggestion for a rescue lab perhaps? There are some very good rescues operating now, that will fully assess each dog before rehoming it to the ideal circumstances. Ideal for you and the dog. Just a thought. For me personally though, if I had a choice between 6 months old and 8 weeks old, I'd take the younger pup every time. We have a cut off for getting any more pups. When I reach 50, I've said no more after that. Hopefully a dog is with you for 15 years, so we've been thinking of our age throughout the dogs life, not just puppyhood. I can't see the OH lifting an ageing lab into the back of the car, like he does with our Bernese at the moment! This is a lovely forum, and a brilliant main site for labrador information, I hope you'll stick around!
Re: Hello Hi Dawn and welcome from me and my two year old Lab boy Sam and rescue mop Millie age unsure but about 4/6 . I am 66 years young so was 64 when I got Sam as a 9 week old puppy and havent ever found him to be too much to cope with but then I am very fit ( for my old age ) I walk miles every day, in fact I am convinced that having Sam has helped to keep me very active so dont give your age a moments thought I am a little confused about having a 6 month old puppy though , if there is no alternative then thats fine but I would always opt for a young pup if possible
Re: Hello Hi Dawn - no useful tips from me. Dogs definitely keep you young no matter what the breed (well...maybe not the handbag ones ) Just wanted to say hi from me and Lilly - black lab bitch who joined us at around 11-12 weeks. jac
Re: Hello Thank you for responding. As much as I would love to have a lab maybe I will do more thinking about it and reading about your experiences and live it through all of you. We live a very quiet life with our mini's. I also never had a large dog...just always had this Lab love. Again, thank you so much for replying..really enjoyed hearing from you. Dawn
Re: Hello Hi Dawn and welcome ;D This isn't a lab only forum and there are other members here that don't have any labs. I love poodles, and it would be great to see some photos of your little ones! Pippa
Re: Hello Hi Dawn and welcome! Labradors (like any dog) differ a lot in temperament and some can be very laid back and quiet (even from the puppy stage). My first Lab was like that. If you go for a puppy then you can choose one with a quiet, calm temperament. It sounds like that is what might suit you - not a pup that is at the high energy end of the scale. The breeder can help you choose a pup that will suit your own energy levels. Having said that, puppies are a lot of work and you don't get much sleep at first (as I'm sure you know from having your Poodles). If you are wanting to avoid the baby puppy stage then an older, relaxed dog who has finished her or his breeding career can be a good option - but as Karen says I'd go for a dog that has been raised in a family environment (not stuck in a kennel). Other than that, I agree with Kate - forget your age and go for it Would love to see pics of your gorgeous Poodles too!
