Hi all, I've not been on the forum for a quite a while (so long I had to create a new account) but recently we lost Arthur, our 3-year-old yellow lab. Alas he got out and ran in front of a car, he went quickly. We are currently on the hunt for a new pup and have been introduced to someone about an hour from home. The breeder comes highly recommended from a few in the local shooting community - easy to train pups, quiet and very biddable and the lineage of the pups is very very good. We have 2 concerns though. When we went round last night mum was locked up in another room of the home and barked pretty much the whole time we were there - she seemed pretty annoyed that we were there. The other concern is around age - the pup will be 12 weeks when we collect her and we're concerned that this is close to the end of the socialisation window. The breeder has had the pup in and out of the house and they are socialised to most household things as well as visitors, new people and a few children. Is 12 weeks too late to take a pup? One pup was up, nosey, tail wagging, roaming the room and exploring (I was atracted to this one) whilst the other pup was very quiet and just wanted to be cuddled by the kids. Her tail was between her legs the whole time. They all fell in love with the quiet one. Should I be concerned by that behaviour? A good friend has her sister and the blood lines are great - so... should we buy with confidence or is this one we should be wary of... thanks...
Hi Stig, I am so sorry to hear about Arthur Personally, I think that any time alarm bells are ringing when you have dealings with a breeder, you should listen to your instincts. Why was the mother dog locked away? Why was the little pup so timid and afraid? 12 weeks is late, but not impossible - I got one of my old dogs at 12 weeks and the other at 16 weeks, and both were fine. It all depends on how they have been socialized while with the breeder, and if you have concerns there anyway, well, I would just be cautious.
Oh Stig, that's very sad news, poor Arthur So very sorry xx I agree with Karen always go with your gut instincts. I brought Hattie home at 13 weeks and she is 9 years old now, she is incredibly sociable with dogs, all animals, children, old and sick people, you name it she's just great with it and is an all round wonderful girl. She is also a Pets as Therapy Dog, we visit Hospital wards and a Hospice every week x
Hi Stig, I agree with Karen. If something's not sitting right with you, walk away. There are enough breeders out there that you should be able to find one that feels good and has the right kind of puppies. Why will the puppy be 12 weeks? Is this something the breeder is dictating? It's not necessarily a problem in itself, if the breeder is going to do plenty of socialisation, which includes all the sorts of things she will see in her everyday life - cars, lorries, trains, other animals etc etc. Shadow came to us at 14 weeks, and I don't think it caused him any problems - in fact, we didn't have a crocopup phase with him at all, because he'd had more time with the other pups and dogs. But, my two (both from same litter, even though Willow came to us earlier) are both quite nervy dogs. Shadow was certainly more nervous as a young puppy (terrified of traffic, for example), whereas Willow was pretty bullet-proof. I got him over his fear of traffic, but it took several months and neither dog is particularly confident, which I think largely comes down to their genetics. How old are the puppies now? I'd be very concerned that you weren't able to meet mum and that she was obviously distressed. Are you planning to work her?
Hi all, Thanks for the replies. The puppies are 11 weeks currently and we'd collect this weekend coming. The breeder loves the dogs and has them mat trained etc. and had base socialisation from what I can gain. She comes highly recommended so I don't have reservations about her/how they have been for the first 11 weeks. When we got Arthur the father went nuts, really quite aggressive, but, Arthur couldn't have been a better dog and never showed any signs of aggressiveness in the 3 years we had him... my kids tormented him from day 1 we had him so he put up with a lot. We want a calm dog, but not a nervy one. He will primarily be a pet, but I will train him to retrieve and work when out in the field.
