Just Got a Black Lab Puppy

[ExpatCanuck]

We just picked up a beautiful black Lab puppy (9 weeks old as I write this) last weekend. He is devilishly handsome and too smart for his own good right now - hopefully the brain power will serve him well when he has the capacity to use it responsiby (the same descriptoin and hopes apply to my 2 human kids :)). He has a hunting dog's pedigree and is a purebreed, and I am reluctantly considering the neutering option for him when the time comes. Any suggestions from experienced dog owners would be greatly appreciated.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

"No, no plans to hunt, although I am hoping he can scare away the deer from my property when he gets some size on him."

No sense waiting until the pup matures ... I will be more than happy to assist you with your deer problem! Will bring my own ammo. Send directions.

[buccaneer81]

LOL! Want a smart dog, get a German Shephard or a Poodle.

My experience for smarts has been Shelties and Bostons.

[nonliberal]

http://web.mac.com/craigthedogwhisperer/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html

[buccaneer81]

Just gotta say, your tagline is top five material!

[davetex]

My neighbors Lab ate the entire console out of his new truck,
pulled up, thats right, I said pulled up three peach trees from the yard, chewed up the 1x4 trim all around his house (siding is hardy panel). Dog of Mass Destruction.

[keat]

Any suggestions from experienced dog owners would be greatly appreciated.

1. Exercise.
2. Discipline.
3. Affection.

and Neuticles!

[buccaneer81]

Dog of Mass Destruction.

LOL!

[Paperdoll]

I have been looking for a Boston for three years. Found one I wanted for $1000.00, and the owner raised the price to $2700.00 with retention of 1/2 ownership. Naturally, though heart broken, I refused. Want a well marked black and white with a black nose. Any ideas?

[lapster]

I think she should have gotten a Doberman -- specifically one with its ears and tail intact. Just as adorable as a Lab. And considerably more intelligent. But, then, I may be a bit biased after nine wonderful years under Baron's tuteledge.

[Cagey]

Many of us are razzing you but you are in for a treat.

We just lost our chocolate Lab and she was without a doubt the best dog I have ever been with and we've had a bunch over the years.

Best of luck. You chose a great breed.

[trimom]

Three labs have owned us. They will chew anything, even a dog house. And your new pup will be completely loyal to your family. Make sure the pup knows that you are the Alpha beast in the house!

[buccaneer81]

Wow. I've seen breeders online advertising from $600-$1000. Mostly in the Midwest. No way should you have to pay over $1500.

We had ours from 1976-1989, and my parents paid $300 in '76.

[IrishCatholic]

Congratulations. I have an English Mastiff and there isn't a sweeter 175 pound dog anywhere. He was the runt as his granddaddy weighed 220. He guards his couch well by laying on it. It used to be my couch but I have to go to work.
He doesn't much care about deer but he sure dislikes coyotes. He likes to wait until he is up on them near the barn (I have barn cats that draw them) and then explodes in a loud freight train roaring charge. Ferocious, but not fast. Coyotes can fly. You never even see their legs moving.


As for your dog, if you are not going to breed him get him fixed. I say this for two reasons. As a house dog you really don't want his pecker popping out of its sheath all the time as he tries to hump the mother-in-law or the kids. Second, getting him fixed will keep him from roaming when other dogs are in heat and it will calm him down. Just wait until he is old enough to get past the puppy stage.
All dogs are social animals. The more you pay attention to them the better they will adjust. My dog waits on his dog bed until my wife gets up and then climbs on the bed to snuggle with me.
What a fine dog. I have owned shelties and basset hounds but from now on will always have a mastiff. They are fantastic with kids.

[buccaneer81]

I think she should have gotten a Doberman --

I've got a MinPin now. I've heard they only look like Dobermans. But they sure act like Labs.

[Judith Anne]

Please click on my screen name to see our furkids. We have an American Mastiff, bred by former OEM breeder Frederika Wagner. 7/8 OEM, 1/8 Anatolian Mastiff. I agree with you about the neutering, it was in our contract.

Tinker is one and a half in the photo, now just turned 3 yo. What a wonderful, wonderful dog... Grandkids love him, even the baby. He's actually kind, which is hard to believe until you see him lay down in front of the granddaughter so she can pet him...she grabs him by the collar, and he just walks with her at her pace.

We'll likely get another in a few years, another male, he's probably the smartest dog I've ever known. His boss, the minpin Bebe in the photo, is dumb as a stump, but they're best friends.

[altura]

There are few people who shy away from Bubba... he is VERY big.

[nonliberal]

Thanks. You are one of the few that gets the joke!!

[McGavin999]

Contact the Breed webpage and look for the breeders directory.

[buccaneer81]

His boss, the minpin Bebe in the photo, is dumb as a stump, but they're best friends.

LOL! My minpin is brain dead, too!

[altura]

Our black Lab was two when we got him from a Lab rescue group.

He was fixed at that time, but, as you so elegantly put it, his "pecker keeps popping out of its sheath" to this day when he's excited or happy.

P.S. He's always excited and happy.