Question about Lab breeders
Question:
> Hi there. I guess this is a delurk too. My fiancee and I are >going to be getting a house in the next two years or so, and we wanted >to start getting to know the local Labrador breeders in our area >(Northern Virginia/DC Metro area) so we can pick a breeder and be >picked by them. > Well, you’re located near a LOT of breeders.
http://www.akc.org/dic/events/search/index.cfm?action=plan&event_numb… 156202# Laborador Retriever Club of the potomac Specialty – Next weekend is Old Dominion (near Leesburg VA). http://www.infodog.com/clubs/2001003201.HTM Why not come out and meet some labs and see if the showlab is what you are thinking of? Oh and insist on OFA!!! www.offa.org Melissa
Response:
>> Hi there. I guess this is a delurk too. My fiancee and I are >going to be getting a house in the next two years or so, and we wanted >to start getting to know the local Labrador breeders in our area >(Northern Virginia/DC Metro area) so we can pick a breeder and be >picked by them. >Well, you’re located near a LOT of breeders.
Well that’s always great to know! :) >Ah, well…hrm. You might know what you like, but I’m not sure what >you like given your description. See, show labs are generally >considered thicker/heavier/less functional and field labs are >generally considered lighter/streamlined/more functional ("functional" >in terms of ability to hunt). If you give me a more clear idea of what >you’re looking for, I might be better able to give you some pointers, >or at least let you know how to describe your dream lab 
Hm. We watched a televised show the other night where the brief glimpse of a Lab we got had a very narrow muzzle, and a more narrow chest. Honestly, it looked a little weedy, and I didn’t understand how it managed to take BIB. Dream Lab-wise, the AKC standard describes a dandy one, but somehow I don’t think we’d get one of that calibre. *wink* Of course, like I said, we don’t know how accurate the televised shows we’ve seen are indicative of the state of the breed. Anyway, we are looking for a Lab that we will be able to do flyball with, and maybe even some of the low-level agility trials with (things other than border collies don’t seem to do terribly well at agility). We are active, outdoorsy people with no children, and no plans to ever have any – we’d love to have a Lab who we could take woods-rambling with us and canoeing and camping. This made me think that a Lab from field lines would be better suited to what we’re looking for, but I don’t know if that would make them too ‘on’. We’d like a dog who can handle a full day of hiking, whose body is built for the endurance of a weekend of ‘backwoods’ camping. Temperment is important to us, the Lab will be living with a Bengal cat, and smaller-animal aggression would be a Bad Thing. We don’t plan to do any hunting, but stamina is important, so faults in the body would be less desirable than faults in the head. Am I making any sense? Orchid
Response:
Interesting to see in your post that you’ll be showing Am Water Spaniels. I grew up with them and they are still my father’s favorite breed. I’m always curious about why so few of them are shown–many shows have none entered. I also recall that the ones we had often had eye problems. Is that true now? Good Luck in the ring. Margaret – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I am a breeder, just not labs! > I will be showing an American Water Spaniel, and an Ibizan hound and a > cocker in obedience (I breed cockers). > Just a word of warning – most of us are better to talk to *after* we are > done competeing! We can relax then. > Not sure when the lab show, but it should be posted soon. > >Oh and insist on OFA!!! www.offa.org > Absolutely. I wouldn’t want to go through CHD if we can > possibly avoid it – the hip replacement surgery is scary in cost, but > we couldn’t do anything else and still feel like good pet owners. > You can do a lot to avoid it – and many of the other problems of carelessly > bred labs by carefully selectnig a breeder. > Melissa > Orchid
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >http://www.akc.org/dic/events/search/index.cfm?action=plan&event_numb… 1 >156202# >Laborador Retriever Club of the potomac Specialty >- Next weekend is Old Dominion (near Leesburg VA). >http://www.infodog.com/clubs/2001003201.HTM >Why not come out and meet some labs and see if the showlab is what you are >thinking of? > Yeah! We saw that listing last week, and have already made > plans to go out. Are you a breeder? Are you going to be shwing > there? It’d be nice to ‘know’ someone there already so we’re not > coming in completely alone. :)
I am a breeder, just not labs! I will be showing an American Water Spaniel, and an Ibizan hound and a cocker in obedience (I breed cockers). Just a word of warning – most of us are better to talk to *after* we are done competeing! We can relax then. Not sure when the lab show, but it should be posted soon. >Oh and insist on OFA!!! www.offa.org > Absolutely. I wouldn’t want to go through CHD if we can > possibly avoid it – the hip replacement surgery is scary in cost, but > we couldn’t do anything else and still feel like good pet owners.
You can do a lot to avoid it – and many of the other problems of carelessly bred labs by carefully selectnig a breeder. Melissa – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Orchid
Response:
I see you have lots of helpful responses already, but just wanted to mention that if you are considering a rescue dog, there’s a great Lab rescue group around here (DC area) – Lab Rescue of the Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac. See the website at http://lab-rescue.com/ –Cathy
Response:
> Anyway, we are looking for a Lab that we will be able to do > flyball with, and maybe even some of the low-level agility trials with > (things other than border collies don’t seem to do terribly well at > agility).
OH! Please, don’t believe this! Yes, agility tends to be "dominated" by certain breeds – BCs, goldens and aussies in the larger heights – but that does not mean you can’t do well – VERY well – with a lab! I’ve seen some great, fast, clean runs by labs. Yes, BC’s are flashy and amazing to watch, but when they make mistakes, Katie bar the door! <g> A slower, clean running dog may not always win first place (though they can if all the zippy dogs blow their runs!) but agility isn’t (or shouldn’t be) about placements. Its about having fun on a challenging course doing the best you can with your friend. I’m no lab person, but I can’t imagine the chubby blocky dogs I’ve seen in breed shows doing jumps and weaves <g> so you may want to look towards the field lines. Christy
Response:
>http://www.akc.org/dic/events/search/index.cfm?action=plan&event_numb… >156202# >Laborador Retriever Club of the potomac Specialty >- Next weekend is Old Dominion (near Leesburg VA). >http://www.infodog.com/clubs/2001003201.HTM >Why not come out and meet some labs and see if the showlab is what you are >thinking of?
Yeah! We saw that listing last week, and have already made plans to go out. Are you a breeder? Are you going to be shwing there? It’d be nice to ‘know’ someone there already so we’re not coming in completely alone. :) >Oh and insist on OFA!!! www.offa.org
Absolutely. I wouldn’t want to go through CHD if we can possibly avoid it – the hip replacement surgery is scary in cost, but we couldn’t do anything else and still feel like good pet owners. Orchid
Response:
> Anyway, we are looking for a Lab that we will be able to do >flyball with, and maybe even some of the low-level agility trials with >(things other than border collies don’t seem to do terribly well at >agility). We are active, outdoorsy people with no children, and no >plans to ever have any – we’d love to have a Lab who we could take >woods-rambling with us and canoeing and camping. This made me think >that a Lab from field lines would be better suited to what we’re >looking for, but I don’t know if that would make them too ‘on’. We’d >like a dog who can handle a full day of hiking, whose body is built >for the endurance of a weekend of ‘backwoods’ camping. Temperment is >important to us, the Lab will be living with a Bengal cat, and >smaller-animal aggression would be a Bad Thing. We don’t plan to do >any hunting, but stamina is important, so faults in the body would be >less desirable than faults in the head. Am I making any sense?
Yes. It sounds like what you want is a moderate dog — I would look among show breeders (I don’t know what television show you saw; typically folks complain that the show dogs are way too fat, so I think it’s just an anomaly, whatever you saw) who are doing obedience, agility, etc. with their dogs. Look for breeders with lines that mature slowly (not looking like fully adult dogs by the age of 6 months). Look for breeders who do hunt tests, rather than field trials (to avoid dogs that are too much "on"). In short, a breeder with interests similar to or compatible with yours is the most likely to have dogs that you’re interested in. When you visit the breeders, check out the *adult* dogs (the puppies are awfully cute, I know) and ask yourself if they’re what you want around your house. Visit several breeders, at least. The Potomac is going on this weekend, and you should try to attend it. The AKC events will have the location of it. If you decide to go there to try and meet breeders, just bear in mind that it’s the biggest and some would say most important regional specialty of all the labradors — so breeders are likely to be a little wigged out. Don’t expect long, leisurly conversations. I would instead state that you’re looking for a dog, and do they have a business card so you could call them up at a better time? Also, many folks attend from out of town, so if someone gives you a california card, don’t blink . You should round up some local breeders. Also, good breeders will be happy to refer you on to other breeders, so you can build a base that way too. You can also check out the Labrador-L mailing list for some contacts yourfirstname yourlastname in the body of the message. Cheers, –Cindy
Response:
> Hi there. I guess this is a delurk too. My fiancee and I are >going to be getting a house in the next two years or so, and we wanted >to start getting to know the local Labrador breeders in our area >(Northern Virginia/DC Metro area) so we can pick a breeder and be >picked by them.
Well, you’re located near a LOT of breeders. >We know what we like in a Lab’s looks – we like the ones whose lines are >more functional, with the broad chest and the blocky head that we see >on the field-line Labs instead of the more ’streamlined’ body types >we’ve seen on televised shows; we don’t know how representative of the >actual state of the breed those televised shows are though.
Ah, well…hrm. You might know what you like, but I’m not sure what you like given your description. See, show labs are generally considered thicker/heavier/less functional and field labs are generally considered lighter/streamlined/more functional ("functional" in terms of ability to hunt). If you give me a more clear idea of what you’re looking for, I might be better able to give you some pointers, or at least let you know how to describe your dream lab –Cindy
Response:
> dog, though SO grew up with Labs and loves them to death. So. Where > would we even start? My first thought was "Duh! A show!" And then I > saw all the different kinds of shows, and I’m lost. Should we go to > conformation shows? Or field trials? Or agility or obediance? We > know what we like in a Lab’s looks – we like the ones whose lines are > more functional, with the broad chest and the blocky head that we see > on the field-line Labs instead of the more ’streamlined’ body types > we’ve seen on televised shows; we don’t know how representative of the > actual state of the breed those televised shows are though. > Especially since we only get to see the groups, and thus only one Lab.
Hmmm…the show labs tend to be the blockier ones, while the field ones are more streamlined. But besides the point, go to *all* the different kinds of shows. Well worth it. ~Emily
Response:
Well…the kind of "show" depends on the kind of dog.. Do you want a companion dog? or one that will be used for hunting? If you want a companion dog (which can be used for lotsa things) go to a conformation show… If you want a hunting dog…go to field trials..that way you can be sure the dog your getting come from good working lines. The main thing is to buy a dog from a responsable breeder.. Make sure that the breeder tests for heretary disorders, such as hip dysplasia etc. And don’t just take their word for it…Make sure you ask to see the certificates for the various tests showing the dogs passed. As well, try to find a breed club. The breed club will be able to get you in contacts with COE (code of ethics) breeders. One that have signed a contract stating that they will do all nessary heath test and what not. Remember, you don’t have to buy the first pup you see. If possible, see if you can find a trainer or someone go with you to look at the pups. This way you can get a second-unbiased opinion. You may think that is is an awful lot of trouble to go thru to get a dog..but its well worth it. If you do your research, and buy from breeders with clean lines, you can just about guarntee yourself that you wont have a crippled dog in a couple years. if your having trouble finding a breed club, check with the American Kennel Club..or Canadian Kennel Club.or United Kennel Club …stay away from the fly-by-night, kitchen table registries..they are just there to make money and really are not real registries. Hope this helps! Jen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi there. I guess this is a delurk too. My fiancee and I are > going to be getting a house in the next two years or so, and we wanted > to start getting to know the local Labrador breeders in our area > (Northern Virginia/DC Metro area) so we can pick a breeder and be > picked by them. I have some experience in dealing with breeders from > the feline side (am getting a Bengal cat this fall), but I’m not sure > how different or not it is on the dog side – this will be my first > dog, though SO grew up with Labs and loves them to death. So. Where > would we even start? My first thought was "Duh! A show!" And then I > saw all the different kinds of shows, and I’m lost. Should we go to > conformation shows? Or field trials? Or agility or obediance? We > know what we like in a Lab’s looks – we like the ones whose lines are > more functional, with the broad chest and the blocky head that we see > on the field-line Labs instead of the more ’streamlined’ body types > we’ve seen on televised shows; we don’t know how representative of the > actual state of the breed those televised shows are though. > Especially since we only get to see the groups, and thus only one Lab. > Anyway, I don’t want to ramble on and on and bore everyone > silly – we’d like to give a good impression to the breeders we do > meet, and we’d like to be as well-researched and well-informed as > possible. Thanks for the help, > Orchid
Response:
Hi there. I guess this is a delurk too. My fiancee and I are going to be getting a house in the next two years or so, and we wanted to start getting to know the local Labrador breeders in our area (Northern Virginia/DC Metro area) so we can pick a breeder and be picked by them. I have some experience in dealing with breeders from the feline side (am getting a Bengal cat this fall), but I’m not sure how different or not it is on the dog side – this will be my first dog, though SO grew up with Labs and loves them to death. So. Where would we even start? My first thought was "Duh! A show!" And then I saw all the different kinds of shows, and I’m lost. Should we go to conformation shows? Or field trials? Or agility or obediance? We know what we like in a Lab’s looks – we like the ones whose lines are more functional, with the broad chest and the blocky head that we see on the field-line Labs instead of the more ’streamlined’ body types we’ve seen on televised shows; we don’t know how representative of the actual state of the breed those televised shows are though. Especially since we only get to see the groups, and thus only one Lab. Anyway, I don’t want to ramble on and on and bore everyone silly – we’d like to give a good impression to the breeders we do meet, and we’d like to be as well-researched and well-informed as possible. Thanks for the help, Orchid
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