Please can anyone tell me a good place to buy things for my new lab pup. I'm looking for a crate (which I was told will be a blessing) and also which is the best sort of bed to go for? There are sooooo many. I want him to be comfortable and warm. Plastic???Wickar???Beanbag???Help. I've looked in the usual Argos and on a few sites, but it's a pain. I don't really know what is a good price (more for the crate) as I really don't know what is best. Sorry to ramble on a tad but I really want our knew friend to be happy. Thanks for any advice.

puppy pens & crates can be bought from CROFT ONLINE they do beds as well

Jean

Croft are excellent quality & quite good value.
I'd go to a big pet superstore if you can & look at all the different types of bedding. I wouldn't get anything too expensive as a young pup can chew their bed. I'd either get a plastic one & put a blanket in or just use a blacket until pup is a bit older & settled & then I'd invest in a nice duvet or soft bed.  :)

PS I love your name - fluffyfleabag  :)

I'd agree with going  for a crate and I would recommend one, a dog whose trained to love his crate is so much easier to deal with for those every day situations like builders or visiting friends and relatives, alternatively I'd start off with a cardboard box - this can also be used to section off part of the crate, avoiding the outlay of two crates so the first one isn't too big.  Avoid whicker at all costs - a teething pup will demolish one in seconds! A good plastic bed is fine when he's a little older (although it may well still be chomped ;)) and a selection of vet bedding, so you can keep one or two pieces in the bed while washing/drying the rest.  Most dogs like a beanbag - but they can become and instant snow storm for an active pup!  Great toys for puppies are soft and chewable - Raggers and Kongs are always top of the list.  Kongs have a dual purpose as they can be stuffed with different foods from his normal diet and used to fend off boredom.  Pets at Home are a good 'petstore' as are Jollyes if you have one near you.

Hi everyone. Thanks for your help so far. I live on the outskirts of Bristol. What's a good size crate for a lab? I'm just sooooo excited about collecting him now I can't wait. :)

If anyone else hasnt already said this........ANY bed u look at, imagine how long its going to last, and what sort of mess it will create when used as a chewie toy?!!!!!!!

So beanbags, NO WAY!... beds stuffed with white fuzzy stuff will make ur house look a little less like its snowed, but still bad.......cheap blankets, vet bed, cardboard box and a crate, until such age as puppy can 99% be trusted not to chew!

Em (one who knows about messes and chewed beds!)

TIP:

If anyone has a snow-storm bean bag episode DO NOT use a Dyson to clean it up - the static created pushes the beans around.

if you didn't want to go to the expense of buying a bed too, the crate you buy will make a great bed and the puppy will also feel safe and be able to go in there during the day when he feels tired or if your house is busy, crates are a godsend believe me :)

Help the Haggard, I mean Aged, and other charity shops. :D We get our doggy blankets from there (old candlewick bedspreads and the like) - and they cost £1 each. We overheard someone asking for dog blankets, for the lady in the shop to go upstairs and bring a bin bag full of them down, so we butted in and grabbed a couple. Cheap, easily replaceable, and helping charity at the same time? Bargain IMO :D

what a brilliant idea kathy !!!.

You would want one that is suitable for an adult to stand up and turn around comfortably.  Not sure what the standard is for lab but the size cage I use for a Weim is 35 high, 42 long and 32 wide which is plenty big enough.  If you phone up Barjo etc they are very experienced and advise you on the correct size for your breed.

You can now get cages that open both ends and that have "dividers" you can move as the dog grows.

I bought my crate from e-bay, there are sellers that sell brand new crates at knowck down prices, and postage is very reasonabel.  Lots of people using champdogs have bought crates from e-bay and been very happy.

Go IMMEDIATELY to Ebay... do not pass go do not goto a pet superstore.... why? You will save a LOT.... regularly new and 2nd hand crates bedding etc there... though I do like the idea of supporting charity shops if you can find something you want there.

You will find all the names of crates etc that will be recommended to you, you will also find crates from suppliers that many go to that put stock up on ebay. I have bought 2 there, excellent quality and excellent price... do check what the pots and packing is they are charging and also what their 'feedback' is... make sure they have performed well for previous customers. Can't advise on suitable size, will let others do that.

Good luck the crate is a God send... dog loves it! Good luck with the new pup ours is 7 months old now and makes life even more interesting ;).

Happy New Year to all

regards Dave

Got to agree about crates on eBay - my sister bought one for her lurcher boy (a 48" crate I think - the biggest anyway) for £50 brand new with bedding :D  I'll ask her for the eBay shop's name, as it was a company.

We also bought a crate from eBay, a 36 inch is going to be ample for our ACD, so would think a 42 inch would be right for a Lab unless he/she is going to be oversized, in which case a 48 inch may be necessary.  There were two seller when we bought ours, can't remember the name, but it was the one with the black coated crates, not the silver ones

Yeah - my sister's is a black one :)