Hi
I don't know if anybody remembers a post I put up a while ago about the chance I had to take in a stray collie/lab cross from a guy I met in the street. I refused as I did not know the poor pups background etc and then a family walked past and took her there and then and I tore myself apart for not taking her myself. Well sadly I found out yesterday from the husband of this family that the puppy died. I was so upset when I heard especially for the young daughter who was so thrilled to be getting a new puppy. I am relieved though that I did not let my head run away with my heart and listened to my husband who had advised not to take the pup and to give it some thought. The family had some very costly vets bills to pay and were very very upset to have this happen to them and are now going to get their next dog from a rescue or a breeder.
Meanwhile we are still looking for the perfect lab and have had fun going to check out obedience classes. We are looking for a cream/white slimmer type lab bitch from a small breeder who has her labs and puppies living in the house, in the heart of the home and not in pens/runs? Any details would be really welcome to help speed up our search.
van

It's sad to hear that the little pup died but at least the famliy that took her know that they done all that they could for her even if they did let there heart rule there head i am sure they dont begrudge spending any money on her, and as for dogs being in pens or there kennels what is wrong with that some of my dogs live out in kennels but are still part of our family i do have the females in to whelp and the pups are reared in the house but by the time they are 8 weeks old they spend some time out side and there is nothing wrong with that. dogs like to have that bit of freedom of not being told to go and lie down or get out of my way.

I must admit I wonder why people are concerned with dogs being kennelled outside. Surely if you are not around it is better that they have fresh air than not. Also whilst they are part of your family and mine are definitely my children they are still animals and as long as the temperature is appropriate to their breed then what is the fuss about keeping them outside?

I admit there are some of the toy breeds that most probably shouldn't be kept outside but that is more to do with how they have been bred i.e. as lap dogs

Hi Van,
What a shame the puppy died, the little girl must have devastated.

I personally think you're right to look for a breeder who raises their pups in the house - after all, a puppy has enough stress to cope with in a new home without being overwhelmed by all the normal noises of a household on top! I know of stud dog owners who have that written into the contract, and won't allow their (Champion) dogs to mate a bitch who lives outside!

It's up to individuals preference I suppose. Although surely the aim of any breeder of dogs is too bring out the best aspects of the breed and surely being hardy is a trait you would want to continue or else you run the risk of breeding dogs that could be prone to illness as there parents have may have been pampered too much.

My two dogs both came from breeders that kennelled them outside (the parents not the new puppies obviously) and they all have champions in the blood line and the breeders have got many champions.

Just because one person has an opinion does not mean that someone elses is not valid.

My akita's coat suffers as does she if she is kept in side she is far too large and heavy coated to cope with modern warm environments (although I must admit my lab does love the duvet - but who's dog doesn't!)

Hardiness is indeed a laudable quality in a dog. My personal opinion (not a dig at anyone!) is that a good breeder will want to produce puppies that fit easily into people's homes - most dogs live indoors, and only ever see a kennel when their owners are on holiday.

Yes I certainly agree that coated dogs tend to have better coats if kept outdoors, and that some breeds cope okay without a lot of human company. My breed, however, is neither of these!
:)

Hi
In relation to the comments of corso girl and timb, I am not saying that I believe it is wrong to keep dogs outside, after all if you have many then it would be impossible to keep them all in the house!!!!! However, it is our personal preference to look for a small breeder who has been able to rear his/her dogs and pups in the home. We have also been advised to do this by different dog trainers at various obedience classes we have visited over the past few weeks.
Naturally I do not mean, keeping the dogs inside at all times, of course, they have to have plenty of outdoor time etc. We really do not mind whether the dog is from Champion lines or not as long as when we meet the breeder and see the set up and the health and care of the dogs it matches up to what we are looking for.