Dog breeders in the North East?

Minxy_Bella

I'm currently considering getting a puppy from a breeder, as I'm afraid we've had a couple of unpleasant experiences with rescue dogs in the past. (I would prefer to give an unwanted dog a home but with my youngest child being only 7 still, I'm a bit wary as you just don't know what you're getting with a pooch from a dog shelter).

This is definitely going to be entered into with extreme caution - we want a dog for life - and a puppy appears to be the best option as it'll grow up with our children and be a much loved pet. (I work from home so I'll be 'mummy' 24/7!)

Has anyone got any recommendations of reputable breeders in the North East? (Or places to avoid - or general advice other than making sure we see both parents?)

Ideally, we would be looking for a labrador.

MTIA

nementai

I'm sorry if I sound like I'm lecturing, but you can often get very young puppies from rescues, who'd have no prior problems and could be brought up to be fine with kids.
Sometimes pregnant mums come in, so the pups would be rehomed as soon as they're ready.
Understand if you'd rather not, in which case I have no helpful advice I'm afraid, but please do reconsider a rescue!

suki1964

Always always start with the Breed Club - in this instance :http://www.thelabradorretrieverclub.com/Entrance%20Page.htm

Now they have a link to puppies available - Ive not searched it

The best way forward wehn looking a pedigree pup is to ring the club secretary in your area and the areas you are prepared to travel to and get chatting. Secreatries tend to know whos good and whos not so good when it comes to breeders and if they get to know you on the phone they will be more then happy to put you in touch with breeders.

Do expect a bit of a wait for the right pup. Although now is a good time to start looking as good breeders will be having litters born about now and ready to be homed June/july

Edited to add, with breeders you may not always get to see both parents as they usually own the b1tch and pay for the stud to cover.

Do keep away from small ads and never ever agree to meet someone halfway in a car park ( I have heard that one countless times)

Be prepared for a good breeder to be asking more questions of you then you of them. For a good breeder needs their pups to have good homes, with people who are going to make the best of their dog as the pups are the breeders reputation

foreign_correspondent

You don't always know what you are getting with a pup either! At least with an adult dog its temprement can be judged more accurately.

I think, often, the safest bet, behaviourally, is a dog which has lived in a foster home, where it has been assessed fully, and in a range of different situations, with kids, with cats, home alone, out on walks etc, plus they very often come fully toilet trained and past the manic chewing, peeing and pooping stage!

There are lots of labs in rescue:
http://www.dogsblog.com/category/labrador-retriever/

If you do want a pup, as nementai says, there are many pups being born in rescue or handed in at very young ages. There is a list of rescues in the north east here:
http://www.dogpages.org.uk/nth-east.htm

You could also post a 'homes offered' ad on dogpages here:
http://www.dogpages.org.uk/forums/index.php?showforum=3

If you do look at breeders, as Suki says, start with the breed club. There is also some very useful guidance in choosing a pup here, from the dogs trust, which has a useful checklist :
http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/information/atozofdogs/p/puppies/buyinganewpuppy/

Please do be very careful, never buy a pup because you feel sorry for it, and do not give money to unscrupulous breeders or puppy farmers, it keeps them in business.

You also need to make swat up a bit before you start looking, and make yourself aware of all the right questions to ask (specific to the breed you are looking for) - so with labs you need to read up on some of the conditions that commonly affect them, such as hip dysplasia so you can ask the breeder about the hip scores of the parents etc.