Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 6:40 am Post subject: Advice
Hello I'm new to all this.I have had dogs all my life but they have been German shephards.Now I have a little boy and he is 17 months old and me and my wife have decided that a Labrador would be a great family dog.The problem I have is that I phoned a guy last night to go view some,and he said they are "short leggged" labradors.I have never heard this before.Do they come in long legged aswell?.....sorry if I sound stupid
Regards
Gregg
Ermmm No!
I suppose that some labs, particularly those with a lot of working lab breeding may be leaner and leggier compared to some of the more 'show-type' stockier build, but they shouldn't be short-legged!
But more importantly, have the pup's dam and sire been hip-scored, elbow scored and have clear eye tests? These are far more important than the length of the dog's legs in my opinion, if you want the best chance of having a healthy pup and avoiding massive vets bills.
Also, if you read through some old posts on pups and toddlers, you will see that a lot of people have real problems trying to keep both pup and child happy and safe when the pup is small. Lab pups can be very nippy and clumsy and don;t settle down till they are a couple of years old.
If you look at some of the 'stickies' at the top of the puppy forums I think there is a lot of information about buying health tested pups so its well worth a look. Also there is another sire dedicated to lab health which tells you what to look for and what can go wrong if you buy from un-health checked dogs - I'll find the link for you.
Best of luck - its well worth shopping around as you want this pup to be yours and you families best mate for the next 12-15 years!
He means they are from show lines rather than working lines I would *think*. To be honest anyone who describes a labrador as thus is so way off the mark shows they know very little to nothing about the breed and really shouldn't be breeding, let alone selling you a puppy.
Its a bit like going to a garage and buying something the salesman described as 'one of those things that you sit in and it takes you places' rather than knowing that the item is called a car
Woring line labradors tend to be a little taller and slimmer in body and face but with seemingly longer leaner legs. Show lines tend to be a little broader and 'stockier' - what pet folks often call 'chunky' labradors.
I would imagine that if you ask any further questions such as are both parents hip scored and eye tested (essential for a healthy pet puppy) chances are his answer will be no. ESPECIALLY if you ask can you see the documents to prove this.
I would walk away. Will post better places for you to try in a sec.
Di
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The boys!
Read: Wylanbriar Dog Blog on the website: Updated! 1st February 12´!
thanks guys
I think its all above board as he was on the kc website and has all papers and the sire and dam have been checked for everything.i may have got it wrong and he meant "chunky type" just don't know which i prefer i'm trying to get some pictures of both the "chunky type" and "leaner type" so if anyone has any links to them that would be great
thanks
Gregg
Please please have a read of this topic and ask the questions in the post of the breeder, you will then feel a lot more comfortable that they are breeding a puppy good enough to take into your home and live a long happy healthy life with you:
I have to say sadly the Kennel Club website, although seemingly the logical place to go for a good breeder is rife with puppy farms, commercial breeders, pet people who have given it no thought then found they can't sell the pups by word of mouth and suchlike. People tend to not need the KC list if they are a decent breeder....
Make sure if you go ahead you see copies not of the pedigree, that is by the by, but the hip score document and the eye test certificate for both parents with no excuses on their parts, and the eye certificates need to be dated in the last 12 months like a car MOT.
I would just add that there is some Working Stock that is described as "short legged" labradors. I have to say I have come across quite a few of these over the years and they have mostly had hip and elbow problems. They usually have quite a stocky body on short legs and this causes all sorts of strain on the joints.
I can think of one dog that used to work on the shoot when I lived in Bucks that was actually a super working dog but had to be retired at 6 with intermittent lameness both shoulder and back end.
If this is what was mean't I would find another breeder.
I would speak to Di or Becs in PM or any others who breed and tell them who the breeder is so they can give their unbiased advice. As for the breeder being on the kennel club register .... that is no guarantee as I could resurrect my affix but I don't know anything about labs.
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