Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 1:24 am Post subject: First time owner really excited!
Hi everyone,
My name is Louis. I got recommended to this site by a friend of a friend. Basically, I have just moved from London to Wales with a friend and we are starting a self-sufficient forest garden/farm... bored with city life etc.
We already have a cat (and a new stray who gives us big eyes at the window until we let him in) and within a few days we'll have chickens and ducks too. Since we started planning this, I wanted to get a dog. I used to have a dog as a kid who sadly died while I was at uni but I loved him to bits and used to take him on both daily walks but living in London and having a full time job didn't allow me to own a dog... but now I can
We live in this beautiful part of Pembrokeshire and have 2.5 acres of wonderful land which has a river running at the bottom, for our new dog to enjoy.
Anyway... after the long story, I have been looking for a long time for a suitable dog. I was after either a lab or a golden retriever and have been searching for months with no luck... until yesterday when I arranged a viewing for some 4 week old yellow lab puppies.
Basically I wanted to join as even though I have had a dog before, I never had to deal with the vets and the rest of the adult bits. Also, a friend mentioned I should get a hip score done and had no idea what it was.
I have done bits of research like asking to see the mother, making sure it has had the suitable jabs, do go for one that is barking lots etc but is there anything else I should be aware of?
It is still early days yet as I am being emailed photos tomorrow then seeing them soon after but fingers crossed all goes well.
Thank you in advance for any replies. I am so exitied at the prospect of having a labrador around the farm, coming on walks with us, running in the river, just want to make sure I do it all correctly
I too would recommend reading through the puppy section. One thing I will add is to check the parent animals don't have any nervous traits e.g. wary of men. Since getting our lab puppy (who showed such a streak), I have learned that nervous tendencies can be inherited and I'm sure such behaviour can be modelled by the mother animal to her pups. Also, to get a pup that has been well socialised having been brought up around people, animals and household noises. If the dog is going to live in the house, to get a puppy who has been brought up in a house so it is used to this environment.
Your new life sounds idylllic and just perfect for a dog - lucky puppy! Goodluck with it all and enjoy your puppy parenthood!!
wow that will be one very lucky puppy. We do require pics when you have them that is a must. Also the best bit of advise i can give is to pay the £10 to be a member of here. I got my lab pup at a very young age (to young) and joining here was the best thing i could of done.
Looking forward to hearing all about pup when you get him/her
I will go through the puppy section with a fine comb and once I get my hands on the little angel and I will join here too (don't wan't to jinx it before hand).
And don't worry, once I have her, I will be photo happy. This project that we are doing we are documenting on twitter until we get a web site sorted. We've only been here a few weeks but we've already uploaded videos and photos of the land and the cats. If you want to check it out we are @Harmony_Hill on twitter. I will be posting lots of Lily bits on there hopefully. Can't wait to be a doting father
Hi and welcome to LF, please also visit www.lab-health.co.uk there you`ll find loads of info on all the health tests available these days, many breeder use these on their animals and its always best to use these breeders if you can, they`ve done all they can to try and produce healthy pups although of course its not something that can be guaranteed.
You mention a dog barking, by their nature Labs are not generally noisy animals, this wouldn`t be good if they are going to be worked on shoots etc, pups generally have not been vaccinated prior to you picking it up.
If, when you read through the recommended sites you have specific questions please don`t hesitate to ask, you`ll find members very friendly and willing to help and advise
Hello and welcome to you. I love Pembrokeshire. I spent all my childhood holidays about 5/6 miles southwest of Fishguard, on the coast. It is an idyllic place to live. You are very lucky, and so your pup will be.
Your life in the country sounds great! What a lucky pupster. Enjoy all the excitement and happiness that a pup brings. I wouldn't be without a dog or three around the place now
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Goodluck with it all and enjoy your puppy parenthood!! 
