We are looking to purchase two puppy dogs one chocolate and one other colour (probably black) as family pets in early 2005. 

We plan to have them neutered at the most appropriate time as we have no plans or skills to breed.  My partner and I live in Solihull West Midlands with a large garden and access too many woodlands and parks the closest is less than a 100 metres away.

We are finding it very difficult to differentiate the good from the bad breeders.  We are looking to pay £700 for the pair and would welcome some contacts.  My e-mail address is alan.hall@blueyonder.co.uk

I am also looking for a Lab puppy but I am expecting to pay up to £600 for one

Firstly have you thought about how difficult it will be to bring up two puppies together ? Labs are very lively dogs and having two puppies will make the task ahead of training very difficult in deed for you especially if you are first time dog owners.

Also how are you finding it difficult to decide what is a good breeder or a bad breeder ? What sort of breeders have you been in contact with so far and what have they said to you ?

Aslo labaholic why would you expect to pay £600 for a pup ? That seems on the steep side ?

Lucy

Not my breed but a quick scan of the litters advertised on the Champdogs site indicates that an average price would seem to be £450/£500 - getting 2 pedigree, KC registered pups from health-tested parents for £700 would be a tall order Guest.  Also, no reputable breeder would sell you 2 litter mates either-the amount of work involved with training them seperately and then together is huge, have you considered this?  Perhaps a better idea would be to buy one pup, spend the time training and socialising it and then when that dog is at least 18 months old, consider adding to your family?  I would suggest contacting the Breed Club to ask for a list of recommended breeders.  Hope that helps :)

LJS My black lab came from Poolstead 17years ago, he lived to 15 we could not put a value on him for all the years he gave us. The price of a quality puppy is not important to us but the breeder is, I know you can get a pup for less but all the knowledgeable, caring breeders that we have spoken to charge between £450-£630. I do not consider this 'steep' We have also spoken to some dubious breeders charging £600-£700. If you can recomend a breeder of quality show type Labradors we would be very grateful, regardless of price.

It is best not to be really looking for a breeder with puppies sitting there , good breeders have waiting lists , You should be able to find several good breeders with puppies planned, go on their waiting list and wait. That way you get a good puppy from a good breeder.

The normal price for a well bred sound puppy from good breeders and that includes most of the top breeder when selling as a pet is £500.   

I have the Pedigree book here on my desk if anyone wants particular breeders details happy to pass them on and I am sure they would only be too happy to help. I know when we look for our lab for my other half we contacted what I would consider the best show breeders in the UK and they bent over backwards for us with numbers and recommendations. The breeder was having the pick of the litter of the yellows as that is what she was wanting to keep for the litter and she gave us the pick of the blacks.

Pamela

preidie@yahoo.com