From Where do I buy a labrador puppy in Wiltshire

rammster

From Where do I buy a labrador puppy in Wiltshire ?

My wife would love to have a labrador puppy, however we went via some of the local ads and found puppies being kept in appalling condition. In one place we found a !!!!! that had given birth 8 weeks ago in utter starvation. She was emaciated and it was a painful experience for both of us. And the person we went to was KC registered.

I am after a labrador puppy that is perhaps 8 weeks of age and of a good pedigree. I am after a quality breed and would not mind aiming for the higher end of the market. I want to buy it from some one ethical, where I am sure that the animals have not been treated as a part of a money spinning business.

I would want them microchipped and would also want them to come with relevant paper work including vaccinations. Not just photocopies of things with different addresses on them and being told to trust them.

My start of getting a pet has been a painful one. I would be grateful if someone would point me in the right direction.

manda1205

Have a look on here;

http://www.labradorforums.co.uk/

They have sections in the forum about breeders and theres lots of good advice on there too.
In general though I dont think you'd get a pup at 8 weeks fully vacinated, maybe they're first jabs but not the second set as you usually have to wait a week or 2 for the second set. Also not sure about being microchipped, I think thats usually down to the new owner, as you would then have to pay anyway to change all the details on the paperwork. We did our pup when she had her second jabs and the vet did a deal for having them all done together. IMO the main thing to check would be making sure they were wormed and flea'd (sp?) and knowing exactly when that was. HTH a bit anyway.

gratefulforhelp_2

Please report the dodgy breeder to the kennel club, if the KC don't know, they will remain KC reg.

foreign_correspondent

Please report the dodgy breeders to the KC and the RSPCA!!

Bear in mind that a lab puppy will be cute for a short while, (a matter of weeks) but it will soon be a gangly adolescent and hard work for far longer than it is a little ball of fluff - I mention this, because you say your wife wants a lab puppy - is she fully commited to 10-15 years of fur being shed everywhere (labs shed a lot), long daily walks, come rain or shine (as a working retrieving breed labs do need quite a lot of exercise) and the training that comes with owning a big, bouncy dog? Lab pups also tend to mouth and nip a lot, and labradors will generally eat anything they can find.

Bear in mind too, that a puppy needs a lot of supervision in its first weeks and months - and will have accidents in the house, chew and destroy things and be generally hard work! (my mum's lurcher youngster took up antique renovations - she was a dab hand at silently stripping mahogany veneer off furniture!!)

Of course, you may well have thought of all this, or had dogs before - but it's worth a mention, because for some people the reality of owning a puppy / dog doesn't match up with the fantasy!

When you say 'good pedigree' are you wanting a lab to show, or are you more concerned about health issues? I take it you have looked into hip and elbow scores, if not you need to research the health tests that both parents should have had before breeding them and ensure they are in place.

I believe the breed club are the place to start if you are looking for a decent breeder, alternatively, have you thought about rescuing a slightly more mature lab? - often they are past the housetraining and manic chewing stage and the right dog can be a far easier prospect than a puppy.

cyberbob

Visit a few breeders. Don't just go with the first one you find. Makesure you see both parents and that they have been hipscored.

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/buying/index.html

Also contact the breed clubs for advice

http://www.labradorbreedcouncil.co.uk/

buddys_mum

Have a ring around the vets, they somethimes have adverts in the surgery?

Depends on where in wiltshire you live, PM me where abouts and i might be able to suggest a few more places.

rammster

I live in North Swindon. I am really hoping for a healthy puppy by being cautious and also doing things correctly as I am new to all this. I am really thankful for your replies and I feel that I am already learning a lot here.

Mutter_2

http://www.chocolatelabs.co.uk/index.html

Everything you need to know on that site, including breeders.
Choccie labs are my favourite for temperament, though others may disagree.
You may need to spread your horizons in looking and not confine the search to Wilts.
Of four dogs, only one came from my locale. To find the dog you want, you need to research the breeder and ask the questions given on the site.
Good breeders are in demand, and usually have waiting lists so don't expect a puppy tomorrow.:D Good luck in your search.

buddys_mum

I dont live that far up, im in Trowbridge area.

Was going to suggest Molevalley farmers notice board, or countrywide farmers notice board.
Certainly try the vets, i know there has been a few pups about in melksham - could try the vets there.


shooting times, classifieds - dogs.

skysky69

I think most people have said what I would say is the important bits. I have a pup here now who we have had for 2 months and he is a complete joy. I have always had black ones, they don't tend to shed as much as yellow (they seem to shed a little constantly whereas mine seem to blow there coat a couple of times a year). You definitely want a pup that has been raised in a home environment, in a house, with house noises such as washing machines, vacuums, televisions etc. If they are kept outside they will have never experienced these things. We don't use ours for working, but as a personal preference only, I prefer working lines. They tend to fall into two categories, working or show. Show labs tend to be more chunky and stocky whereas a working lab will be more slender - better suited for jumping a five bar gate to retrieve game. When I have seen adverts on the kennel club puppy register the first thing to put me off is "nice chunky pups". I always look for FTC in the pedigree which is Field Trial Champion. The big negative of this is that these dogs tend to have a far greater need to be kept "busy" or need a job - but the temperament and health along with the intelligence suits are situation.

Make sure if you go to see some puppies that they have the mom and that she is friendly. Some puppy farms say they can't show you the mom as she has become possessive of the pups and can be funny about people touching them - THIS SHOULD NEVER happen. The temperament of the mother (and father) should be faultless, a happy mom can't wait for you to see her puppies.

Oh and as already mentioned, they should re-name lab puppies crocodiles as they can be one of the worst dogs for puppy biting and it is really important to teach them bite inhibition when they are babies as they have a really powerful jaw when they are older so should know to be gentle.

Labrador forums is a wealth of information - definitely a good place to start. My first lab was advertised in a local shop, my second lab is from the KC website and my current pup was from a gundog website's classified's section.

Sorry to be waffling on, but the other thing is you could pretty much get a lab pup tomorrow but anyone who gives up their pups soo readily cannot really care too much about them. If someone questions you a lot about your situation, personally that is the kind of person I would prefer to get a dog from as they have the dog's best interests at heart.

And you want hip and elbow certificates

lisawood78

Please please report the bad breeder, that is a disgrace.
Good luck with your pup