Hi all, Im originally from London but now living in Malta. I recently had to put down my 15yr old girl and I've been looking to get another Lab.
Problem is that in Malta the organisation of the Malta KC and CA are described at best as shambolic, there are no registered Lab breeders, and being a small island the gene pool is very small...so I'm not convinced that the lab owners here are as scrupulous as they should be when pairing their animals for mating.
Because of these reasons, and because Im looking to breed in few years. Ive been looking around Europe (primarily in the UK) for a registered KC lab bitch puppy with good eye/hip/elbow tests (and preferably clear DNA test) but because Im not living in the UK any longer many breeders are reluctant to sell to me (which I TOTALLY understand). Another problem I have is going on waiting lists or making a deposit, especially without meeting either owner or mum, let alone the puppy (pictures tell you so little about a dogs temperament or upbringing).
As I am looking to breed in the future, it is SO important for the future of Labs in Malta that I find the right bitch with the right pedigree...
...can anyone give me any help or pointers???
Problem is that in Malta the organisation of the Malta KC and CA are described at best as shambolic, there are no registered Lab breeders, and being a small island the gene pool is very small...so I'm not convinced that the lab owners here are as scrupulous as they should be when pairing their animals for mating.
Because of these reasons, and because Im looking to breed in few years. Ive been looking around Europe (primarily in the UK) for a registered KC lab bitch puppy with good eye/hip/elbow tests (and preferably clear DNA test) but because Im not living in the UK any longer many breeders are reluctant to sell to me (which I TOTALLY understand). Another problem I have is going on waiting lists or making a deposit, especially without meeting either owner or mum, let alone the puppy (pictures tell you so little about a dogs temperament or upbringing).
As I am looking to breed in the future, it is SO important for the future of Labs in Malta that I find the right bitch with the right pedigree...
...can anyone give me any help or pointers???