It is my intention to buy a labrador when next in the u.k. I am going for 2 weeks and return from Gatwick on the 7th.October and would like to know how to go about it. I would have liked the dog to already have had some basic obedience training but I believe that this would imply an older dog.We would rather have a puppy which would grow up with us.How much older would the puppy need to be to have already received some training? I would need the dog to have all the necessary vaccinations , passports or whatever, at hand-over. We understand that bitches have a better temperament (although our previous one was male and was wonderful-sadly dying of leukemia). Having a wife and two daughters I am prepared to bend to their wishes and would accept a bitch. If I am barking up the wrong tree I would be most grateful if you could give me the right contacts.We are also thinking of having a small Jack Russell-any negative remarks on this would be appreciated. I imagine it would be convenient for them to be of the same age and I imagine a Jack Russell is 100% untrainable and more likely to train the owner! Best regards, Michael Zino, Funchal, Madeira Island.

I would make contact with the Labrador breed clubs. Expect to be asked to provide references re the care of your previous dog (say your vet and your old dogs breeder) as most reputable breeders would be wary of exporting to someone they didn't know, or wasn't known to someone they know well.

I would not advise having two puppies together. It really is double trouble, and will make training much harder.

As regards training, only you can really do this, as even a semi trained puppy will act as if it has never known any training if it thinks it can get away with it. You would need a mature adult, that has set habits if you wanted a trained dog, say one 2 years plus.

You can phone the KC on 0870 606 6750 or you can email them through their website. Just ask for the secretary contact details of labrador clubs. You will find the KC website if you do a Google search on kennel Club.