Hi everyone, just wanted to get a few opinions from you as am relatively new to this board.
My husband and I are looking for a puppy, this will be our first together although both of us grew up with dogs. We have decided to go with the breed we are familiar with this time (Labrador) and decided to look for one to collect in February 2003 - we have had this plan since about April, so well thought out! And getting excited too cos we have dreamed of our own dog since we met about 7 years ago. So we have contacted the Lab Club of Scotland and they said they could let us know in December when puppies are born that would be ready for February. I have also found a number of breeders based in Scotland on the web who I have contacted in case they are planning litters.
My worry is (and a very long winded way of getting to the point, sorry!!) that breeders are reluctant to answer queries of this nature at this time of year to avoid people looking specifically for Christmas. Do you think this is likely to happen, and if so am I going to be able to convince anyone that this was a long term desire of ours? As we haven't owned our own dog before we don't know any breeders or been to any vets to get references if that is necessary.
Also we both work - between us we can manage our time (flexible working hours, brilliant stuff!) so that the dog will be alone for about 3.5 hours a day, and we have leave booked so that for the first month or so we wil be around all the time. But I am worrying that breeders don't like their dogs to go to a family where they will be alone at all, is this your experience? or am I being paranoid? I just noticed that I haven't been getting responses from my individual enquiries and thought I might have timed it badly.

And how do you get those emoticons??! ;)

Ok, I found them!! :p :)

I can understand why you would be worried, there are a lot of people who are looking for puppy for Xmas to give to there kids, and they have not thought things out at all! What I would say is just to call the breeders, and have a chat with them, to see if you can get your name put on a list, I sure they will ask you lots of questions and perhaps some personnel ones, as well, it must be a nightmare for some breeders this time of year, because a lot of inquires are for puppies for kids, Give them a call. … IM sure after a chat things will be fine! let us know how you get on! :-)
behave76

Good luck sounds like you have it all worked out. :) I am sure once you have spoken to them they will know your the real customer so to speak xx

I don't think you need worry about the Christmas issue. That is only really an issue where people want the puppy for a Christmas present or to join a family at Christmas. It is not the best of times for a new puppy.

As long as you can show that you the necessary arrangements on place for the early days - first two weeks or so and to gradually build up to being left for 3.5 hours - you should be OK. Some breeders are very very choosy and insist that the puppy does not go to a working household. IMHO this does not necessarily mean the puppy is getting the best home. As long as you can show that you fully understand what your breed needs then you should be halfway there.

I certainly met this when I was getting my first dog. I came across some very stuffy, for want of a better word, people. Sure, they had the best interests of the dogs at heart - but by default, if you worked you were a no good home. Incidentally - I have since found out that at least one of the breeders I approached works!!

I did find many breeders though who listenend to my situation and agreed it was most likely to work. So even if you do find one that says - no - don't stop looking. If they give you good reasons why you shouldn't do it - then please listen to what they say. From what you have said though - you should be OK.

good luck

Pam n the boys

Good luck in finding your puppy.

Pam n the boys

Thanks to everyone, it is great to hear what you have to say and very reassuring ;) In spite of all my instincts I was beginning to wonder if this wasn't meant to be, and then of course February is still ages away so it's not time to worry yet :O

Hopefully when I have good news I can tell you all about it...........

I think it sounds like you have things well thought out if you tell breeders what you have posted here I wouldn't think there will be any problems.
Anne

If you're looking for a working bred lab, you could try Shooting Times, as they quite often have breeders advertising in the back. There's a guy here called John who's is into working labs (I think), so he may be able to put you in touch with someone.

if youre sruck ive a friend that breeds them!! let me know,.

Hi Dizzy,
When you say North, how far? My husband is worrying about too long a journey with our puppy when we first collect her. I have had a response from someone in Ayrshire, which would probably be a 3-4 hour journey back and we thought this was maybe our limit. We thought we might be able to find one more locally than this but it hasn't proved the case so far. As far as working labs are concerned, it wasn't a particular preference of ours because she is to be solely a pet, we do not intend to breed from her or work her - but if we do locate a working dog breeder who believes their dogs would be suitable for us, then of course we would be interested ;)

Apart from their abilities, there can be quite a difference in looks between working and show labs. Genearlly speaking the workers are not as heavily built, and are more leggy and athletic. some show labs can be very heavy looking, and this is not just weight. so if yopu have a real preference to look this may also affect your choice.

im north, she isnt, theyre around stafford, where are you, if its any better for you i'll give you her email addie

Thanks Dizzy, but I'm in Aberdeen area - actually not all that handy for most of the breeders I've found on the web!! I'm hopeful I won't have to leave Scotland for our puppy, and I've been getting some good responses now.

Thanks anyway

Hi

Druimmuir is keeping her ears to the ground and we'll ask our trainer next week. If you look in the P&J/ScotAds, you'll see those who advertise every month and who you might want to steer clear of.

I only suggested one from working stock, as that's what I know about . . . ;)

9th

Cool thanks! I have noticed when I've glanced through the evening express (don't know whether to be embarassed or not :o ) that there are always lab puppies in there and I really wanted to stay away from them but I never thought about checking for recurring ads - good idea