Lab puppy shortage

[bellerivercrossbowhunter]

belleriver, my condolences it takes a long time for the pain to go away if ever. I lost my boy of 11 years 17 months ago and still shed a tear now and then and think of him everyday. I now have a lovely girl who just turned 13 months that I have had since she was 8 weeks. She helps, but you still think of the one you lost, especially when the new one does things the old one did.

Again sorry for your loss.

Thank-you for that.

The pain of losing her will never go away.

I picked up her ashes yesterday and broke down again.

I hope to have a new friend this year. I need to be patient to find the right pup.

[Dakota Creek]

Another lab person and I were talking about this. We have noticed a few people who may not have a long standing track record post plans for an upcoming litter with exorbitant pricing attached. It's a bit of a question mark, to put it politely....... While we ABSOLUTELY all start somewhere, it's usually pretty obvious who arrives on the scene simply to pump out puppies and make a buck.

People who are just out to make a buck and are preying on people who have soft hearts and maybe aren't terribly informed? Unethical. Especially with covid finding many people at home and wanting dogs, so many people are taking advantage of this predicament and want to tap into the inflated market demand to make a buck. But will those "breeders" provide support to their puppy people when they have questions, encounter issues, and in general need a knowledgeable dog person who understands their breed and this pedigree? Most won't. And that's shameful. While most people may not do everything I do, I know the good breeders try to socialize their puppies and safely expose them to what they can to try and prepare them for the world and what it can throw at them. Give me a breeder who does their research and makes effort over someone just trying to make a quick buck any day.

Exactly why puppy buyers should do their homework!

Why would anyone buy a pup without health clearances on both sire and dam with the $$$$ and limited availability of puppies these days ..... a "vet check" or CKC registration does NOT represent health clearances. Besides hips (which can not be certified until the dog is 24 months old), elbows and eye certification, every breed has additional health clearances that can and should be done (like CNM & EIC testing in labs) that good breeders do. You are making a 10 + year commitment (hopefully longer) and why would you not try to start with the healthiest breeding and pup available. The argument that they didn't have time to get all the testing done before the female came into season and they bred the dog anyway is definitely a "red flag" as a good breeder will wait until after that cycle, get the testing complete and then breed on the next cycle.

A breeder who not only hunts their dogs, but also takes the time to train, trial and title their dogs allows you as the buyer to see the trainability and teamwork that their dogs can achieve. Just saying he / she is a great dog to hunt with, gives you no idea what level of training is possible with a pup out of that breeding. An FTCH, AFTCH, HRCH or MH in front or behind the dog's name proves that the dog has the ability and genetics to be trained to be a complete hunting partner. Without the titles, unless you have seen the dog work, you are going on the breeder's word and these in these days of pandemic puppy demand can be questionable.

And as mentioned, a good breeder is always willing to answer questions no matter how old their "puppy" is. Our interest and commitment to our pups does not end when the puppy buyer walks out the door but continues for the remainder of the dogs life.

[BurlyGirl]

Exactly why puppy buyers should do their homework!

Why would anyone buy a pup without health clearances on both sire and dam with the $$$$ and limited availability of puppies these days ..... a "vet check" or CKC registration does NOT represent health clearances. Besides hips (which can not be certified until the dog is 24 months old), elbows and eye certification, every breed has additional health clearances that can and should be done (like CNM & EIC testing in labs) that good breeders do. You are making a 10 + year commitment (hopefully longer) and why would you not try to start with the healthiest breeding and pup available. The argument that they didn't have time to get all the testing done before the female came into season and they bred the dog anyway is definitely a "red flag" as a good breeder will wait until after that cycle, get the testing complete and then breed on the next cycle.

..........

And as mentioned, a good breeder is always willing to answer questions no matter how old their "puppy" is. Our interest and commitment to our pups does not end when the puppy buyer walks out the door but continues for the remainder of the dogs life.

These two points right here ^

Health clearances are a non-negotiable these days.

As for the support, my youngest puppy is now four years old. I still go help with training/behaviour questions the odd time one pops up. Gotta say, I'm really pleased to see how they've turned out so it's a nice excuse to check 'em out

[krakadawn]

Good comments from the last two posters. Well done!
On face book the last while there have been numerous litters for sale. We see on a regular basis NO health clearances posted. They often say Vet checked and believe that is sufficient. What they have told you is their ignorance about breeding.
When I question whether they are registered, have a 5 generation pedigree,have a health warranty, have health clearances(minimum of hips,elbows,EIC,CNM), I often get challenged by the non registered crew who don't believe in what I just posted. Often the comments from the purebred but not registered crew......sorry but without papers ...well you know the answer.
Often these discussions evolve when someone is wanting/selling a silver lab???

There are some good litters out there, most are sold before you see a listing and most are headed to competetive/working homes.

What shocks me is the price people put on some of this stuff. Recently I bred my AFTCH to a very nice female, this is a repeat breeding, likely half yellow, half black pups that are priced below what we are seeing on some of these litters. Check around ,there are some excellent litters to choose from.

[BurlyGirl]

Good comments from the last two posters. Well done!

.......

What shocks me is the price people put on some of this stuff. Recently I bred my AFTCH to a very nice female, this is a repeat breeding, likely half yellow, half black pups that are priced below what we are seeing on some of these litters. Check around ,there are some excellent litters to choose from.

Big thanks to the OP for starting this thread and giving the members the opportunity to discuss what we are seeing out there, as well as the chance to discuss the finer points of what to look for to determine a good breeder from the rest.

[LiveBates]

I saw an ad for a litter of Sheppard pups last week, and I was bored, so I asked what the lines were, health history etc.....she got back to me and said both are pure bred, no history.....I wanted to reply and tell her she was disgusting, as all I picture is seeing a sheppard walking down the street, dragging its hind quarters and wobbling. I let it be...as unfortunately....people will buy these.....thus making a market for them.....

[Sharon]

and what are the most common dogs in rescue centres?- Jack Russell Terriers. Pups are SO.........cute - lots of advertising for them- but NOT a dog for a first time pet owner. I've rescued 4 and it has taken all my skills/experience to make them good house pets after they have learned for a +-year to run the show.


edited for spelling

[BurlyGirl]

and what are the most common dog in rescue centres?- Jack Russell Terriers. Pups are SO.........cute - lots of advertising for them- but NOT a dog for a first time pet owner. I've rescued 4 and it has taken all my skills/experience to make them good house pets after they have learned for a +-year to run the show.

That's the problem. All puppies are cute so people don't want to say no to them. Then puppies grow up, they weren't taught basic obedience and manners, their breed characteristics may be far too different than what the owner wanted but "the puppy was so cute". Or the puppy was so cute and it was *right there * and available, so who cares about health clearances? Uh, you SHOULD. Who wants a sick dog with lifelong gong show vet bills? With careful planning, most of it can be avoided. Because we're talking biology and genetics, it isn't a concrete solution, but good breeders at least try their hardest to ensure their puppies are healthy and have appropriate temperament for their breed.

[Gilroy]

and what are the most common dog in rescue centres?- Jack Russell Terriers. Pups are SO.........cute - lots of advertising for them- but NOT a dog for a first time pet owner. I've rescued 4 and it has taken all my skills/experience to make them good house pets after they have learned for a +-year to run the show.

Sharon,

A little off topic but I actually think there is a business to teach a class called Dog ownership 101 at your local Pet Mart etc. some topics

What breed of dog are you thinking of buying and why. So the instructor would go into the history of the breed and what it was breed for and inherited traits, ie jack Russel's like to dig holes in the ground, collies like to round people into groups.

How much time can you spend exercising a dog, the perspective owners can then eliminate 90 % of their choice.

How much cash have you got to spend on medical...

[trky chsr]

What shocks me is the price people put on some of this stuff. Recently I bred my AFTCH to a very nice female, this is a repeat breeding, likely half yellow, half black pups that are priced below what we are seeing on some of these litters. Check around ,there are some excellent litters to choose from.[/QUOTE]

I'm sort of looking for a Springer right now and I get Kijiji alerts. I can't believe what people pay for mutts, The"Springadors" and so on. I've seen some ads with 1 or 2 of these left and they're asking $2500 for them! TC