Recommendations for buying a lab pup

[aggielandman]

I'm looking to purchase a black lab pup in the next year or so.
I had a lab when I was a kid, and he was a good dog.
I just want a friendly family dog.....I don't plan to use him for hunting.
What are your suggestions? Are genetic hip, eye, etc problems that big of an issue?
Thanks!

[bloodtrail18]

You won't find a better tempered lab than one from Wild Rose.

https://uklabstexas.com/

[hooligan]

You won't find a better tempered lab than one from Wild Rose.

https://uklabstexas.com/

These guys have beautiful pups, always walked away with one at DSC this year and they have a kennel in Grand Prairie i believe that you can see the dogs at. I had an amazing lab from ganderhill labs https://ganderhilllabs.com/ I believe his sister is still one of the dams. To me no prettier dog than a big block head english lab. They raise hunting and field trial dogs but Kalani was just a family dog and trained his as a therapy dog for hospitals. Good breeders will match you with the right temperament pup. I'm sure more knowledgeable people than me will chime in but I'd say decide if you want an english lab or american and then research breeders.

also if you're just looking for a companion dog and not worried about pedigree check out https://dfwlabrescue.org/

[Alderrg]

The genetic / health issues can be hit or miss. Lots of ppl have bought cheaper non health tested dogs and have had a great experience.
If your adding whats hopefully going to be a 10-14 yr commitment of a family member, the extra funds up front for a health tested dog out weigh the risk, vet fees, and potential short lifespan IMO!
Pedigrees can tell you alot about the potential you can expect out of the dog as well. For what you're wanting, you dont need a 3 gen pedigree loaded with FC MH type dogs.

I breed English Labs. My current dogs / lines come from dogs that carry a CH show title as well as MH titles. My Stud has an exceptional on/off switch. In the house or around the kids hes pretty calm, quiet, and obedient. Once the collar goes on, he knows its time to work. He picked up 2 finished passes the last few weeks and is 1 pass shy of SH title. You can def tell the difference between him and an american bred dog in the field and blind, but he gets the job done and done well!

All that being said, english dogs are much harder to find in this area. Typically they are selling for more then alot of high power pedigreed field dogs. (my trainer still cant believe the price my pups go for compared to some of the really nice American breedings that are flooding the market!)

I would find the right breeder that has a breeding that matches what you are wanting. That health test their dogs and offers at least a 26 month guarantee, English or American, both great dogs and can be everything you're looking for!

[dclifton]

Are you around DFW? If so you may want to look at DFW lab rescue. They have some absolutely beautiful dogs. I personally have head better luck getting them when a little older when you can kind of read them better. I have not had great luck with puppies. Just my .02

My wife has absoluelty fell in love with some of the dogs on their. But they will not adopt outside of DFW area i think within X miles. Kinda crappy but im sure they have legit reasons.

Ive been in kind of the same boat as looking for more of a family dog now. All of my hunting dogs have passed away and dont have the time to devote to a hunting dog. Wife just want a good mature dog.

IDK ive had great luck with rehomed free dogs. Terrible luck buying pups...

[Russ79]

Here is a place my wife found out about at one of the vets we use- look up www.soggybottomretrievers.com. We are looking to maybe get a pup from them this summer. They have pictures of dams and sires so you can see which one's you might want to get a pup from. From the website they look to be top notch, from health guarantees to beginning of training. They are located in Huntington, Texas.

[Russ79]

Full disclosure, we don't want one to hunt with, just a family pet but it looks like they get them started on the right path if you are looking for a hunting companion.

[3rdCoastHunter]

Dude if you just want a family pet why not adopt - you don’t need a wild rose kennel lab to lay around the house lol this a Walmart parking lot pup use case

[hooligan]

these guys have some great looking pups https://www.retrieveafriend.org/

[HOOKNBULLET2]

My wife takes our dogs to compete in trials almost every weekend. The rescued/adopted dogs win a lot of titles and their owners claim that they are far superior pets than many of the specially bred dogs I see at those events. I know the 2 dogs we rescued were better pets than our 2 purebreds.

[Razorback01]

My two cents. Wait until they are at least 8 weeks old. We are on our 4th lab. First chocolate male, lived to @13, good dove
dog, no issues what so ever. Picked him up locally at 6-8 weeks.

Second lab, probably picked him up early, yellow male, cranky, and skin problems. Overall a good dog, lived 12-13 years. Always ear problems. He would chase a ball all day, but I didn’t acclimate him to gunfire. Shoot a gun he was back at the truck. This dog broke me from getting male dogs, **** on everything, never again.

Second lab, black female, perfect dog, my buddy left the state so my wife looked over them for a few weeks. We adopted her as she had some white feet so we knew she would probably be less favorable for purchase/adoption. She lived @12-13. Same as above, shoot a gun and she was headed to the truck.

Current lab, choclate female, picked up locally from a crappy run local family. Wasn’t a breeder, but just not in a good environment. We got her at 4-5 weeks prior to the “litter acclimation” by the jyp. We got her based on the conditions, took a while to get her out of the biting phase, but we have that under control. She isn’t trained on dove, but she is hell on squirrels and tennis balls. I also acclimated her to gunfire by taking her to the gun range and moving closer to the line each time, and no issues on 4th of July.

No issues with kids or cats. Get a female.
”

[Gary Roberson]

Don't do it! They will destroy everything in sight until they are two years old. LOL!!!
Adios,
Gary

[Deadeye Mex]

Check with Chris Krause, Oak Creek Retrievers. He is a fulltime pro trainer and does a little breeding. He has a lot of breeding connections and you can't find a better guy to work with!!

The hip and eye issues do exist and can be a problem. There's no guarantees but if the parents are certified, it helps to control some of the variables and limit your dog's chances of having/carrying.

[muddydog]

If you not going to hunt, I'd recommend a pet from a shelter or this site. There's a rehome of a beautiful Belgium Malinois on here now.

[kmitchl]

Adopt a rescue. We had a rescue lab mix that lived to 16. She was a great dog.