We're Buying from a Breeder

[.sarah]

Edited to add that Sarah's post was very well written and informative. Good advice there on what to look for.

Thank you!!

[BC_MoM]

Just my opinion:

Labs are VERY FRIENDLY and very good with children..

But small children? 2 years old? Good luck. That Lab with that strong body will be knocking her down quite a bit.

[Crazy-Cat-Lover]

Just my opinion:

Labs are VERY FRIENDLY and very good with children..

But small children? 2 years old? Good luck. That Lab with that strong body will be knocking her down quite a bit.

I will make sure my dog and my daughter know how to play with each other. Sierra is great with dogs and understands that some are bigger than her. The only time I have seen a dog knock a child down is if they arent trained or exercised enough.

[K9soul]

With a child that young (and living in an apartment), I'd still personally highly recommend/advise getting an adult dog who has been around young children and has developed his/her personality, and is over those hyper/nippy puppy stages. Best wishes with whatever you decide to do. Looks like you have received some good advice on finding a reputable breeder.

[Corinna]

I don"t have advice but to say please check on other dogs the breeder has sold . Ask for a referal list from them and call the folks and talk to them. I did that when I looked for Merlin While it helps it doen't nessacarly cover every thing Merlin was the first of the pups my breeder has raised that got cancer. 6 litters and he was the first. He was 7yrs old most of his litter are still alive and going strong only one other dead hit by a car .breeder really misjudged that owner when they came to purchase the dog.
Another good source is your local feed store ask them about folks who buy from them . Thats how I found my breeder she did more than I had on my list of what they do to raise pups.

[Cataholic]

First- I say to the Kay's of the world- Don't EVER give up fighting the good fight. Rescue. Rescue. Rescue. I applaud you sticking your neck out, and for every dog that I know gets euthanized, surely your attitude help keeps another one alive. One day, the world will change, at least I pray that it does.

The difference between the term BYB and "reputable breeder" is nearly non-existant, IMO.

As for a two year old, an apartment, and a cat- looking to add a puppy? WOW. With an 17 month old (well, I am rushing it by ten days), 6 cats and a small house- I am at my limit- time wise, space wise, energy wise. Sure, you might be 100% the person I am, I accept that, but, I don't think so. A puppy? With a 2 year old? In an apartment? Something is going to give. Not immediately, perhaps, but, in short time. I pray that your breeder born pup doesn't become one of the voiceless ones Kay works so hard to avoid.

Sure, you didn't ask my opinion. I don't care. I don't speak for you. I speak on behalf of the animals that are being killed daily. Intentional breeding is irresponsible breeding. Until the day we stop killing the innocent animals- that is my position. If you don't like it? That is okay. That means I still have my work cut out for me.

Johanna

[lv4dogs]

I agree with some of the advice you have been given. Sarah & Vela have some excellent posts out there for you as do some others.

I understand why you want a dog from a reputable breeder with a young child in the house and I am glad that you are going about it the right way. Just be aware that a young puppy has a lot of energy & has no basic manner yet. Excpect the puppy to teeth even on humans, chew up your daughters toys, is not potty trained yet and did I mention he/she will have lot of energy. lol
Even though I personally would never get a dog from a breeder no matter what unless I am planning on showing him/her I still will stand by your side. IT is your decision & you are doing it the right way at least.

Just be aware that if a shelter won't allow you to get you are more than likely to run into the same problems with a reputable breeder (everything except the child part anyways).

Expect to wait at least about 6 months if you go with a reputable breeder, sometimes up to a few years. Decent breeders have waiting lists, especially for puppies that are going to companion homes. You may find an older dog that they have available right away or one that they want to be shown in an event but usually not a companion puppy.
You should expect to pay no less than about $600ish but of course the price can go up thats for sure.

Be sure to look well into the future. This dog will be your child for 12+ years. Will you be able to find other apartments that allow large dogs?
You said Dh doesn't want a long haired breed & has no answer, please ask him again why. Because if it is a hair issue.... well some labs can be very heavy shedders.

A true reputable breeder usually *but not always* concentrates on one breed. If you come across a breeder that breeds more than one breed please be extra cautious with them.

You say that:

The only time I have seen a dog knock a child down is if they arent trained or exercised enough.

That is so not true, well maybe when you are talking about an adult dog that is trained but when dealing with a puppy its a whole nother story. They are young & simply not cordinated enough or sometimes gets a little too excited. Expect this to happen often during the first year especially.

A lot of rescue organizations especailly ones where the dogs are in foster homes know a lot about the dog. They know if they are good with children, what behavioral issues they may have, grooming issues, etc... etc.... You will have much more luck dealing with them than with shelters.

[anna_66]

The only time I have seen a dog knock a child down is if they aren't trained or exercised enough.

Sorry but I had to chuckle at this comment Have you ever seen my boy Bon (Mastiff)? He's around 140 (give or take) and my little 2 yr old niece is maybe all of 20 lbs. He just licks her and knocks her down
At my bday party she had hold of his collar and he just turned to look at someone else and *boom* down to the floor she went!http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...2/f0a79a7b.jpg
Not trying to be offensive to you at all...just gave me a chuckle

Now as to you getting a shelter dog, I think that's awesome if you can find the right one for your family. But I also understand you getting from a breeder, that's where we got Bon. We didn't want to wait to find the "right one" at a shelter...we wanted a dog NOW. We had just lost our big guy Angus and needed to fill that void. I drove over 3 hours each way to pick him up (sorry...just a little plug on my special guy...Bon)

So, I say do what you want. It's your life, your family, your money. As long as you take good care of it I feel it's your decision.
If you find the right shelter dog I say *YAHOO!* but if you get a dog, no matter what kind I'm still going to be just as happy for you
Ohhh and as for the eating and shedding...our big guy eats around 4 cups of food/day and others he'll only eat 2 (we free feed) so it's not that much more food But the shedding...he's short haired and my girls both have long hair, he sheds just as much as they do

[Crazy-Cat-Lover]

Thanks Anna. I was just meaning that I have *personally* never seen this. Even if a dog did knock her down, she would just laugh about it and get back up!

[MariaM]

I've skimmed through this whole thread and am...........APPALLED!


At how much this boy looks like Major, that is!

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/...?petid=5668695










Haha, sorry to sidetrack thread. I'm not sure if they really look identical in the pictures I posted, but Whiskey looks EXACTLY the same except for his slightly longer neck. If I would have seen that top picture and didn't know it wasn't Major, I would have said "Where and when was that taken??"

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I'm appalled by some of the comments in this thread.

I think .sarah, Vela, and Karen all provided great information and advise.
I can't remember if anyone said this already- You will probably have to wait for a puppy after you find a breeder. Reputable breeders generally have homes lined up for their puppies before the litter is even born.

Good luck!
Keep us posted.