Would you buy a dog at Petland?

[MJM]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

You better not read this story then...

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index...-year-old.html



All dogs can attack/harm children or adults, regardless of breed. Likewise, all dogs can be trained and socialized to be wonderful family companions. The onus is on the owner to properly train the dog from a very early age to be calm and restrained around other people and animals.

That goes without saying, but their are specific breeds that is definitely less likely with.

[chid]

I wouldn't buy a dog from Petland ever. Have you ever owned a Lab X? I'm not trying to convince you not to get a purebred but if you know the X they might be just as trainable and well behaved. I have a shepherd/collie X and he is the smartest little guy.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

You better not read this story then...

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index...-year-old.html



All dogs can attack/harm children or adults, regardless of breed. Likewise, all dogs can be trained and socialized to be wonderful family companions. The onus is on the owner to properly train the dog from a very early age to be calm and restrained around other people and animals.

While true, some breeds are better with kids. Huskies are great dogs but are typically more aloof than labs. Cocker Spaniels aren't great dogs for kids as they nip alot. Of course there are exceptions but like the OP said he wants to hedge his bet with a lab. I don't blame him as they are probably one of the best family dogs.

[chid]

I have some guy in my apartment who has a pure lab, that dog is the most psychotic dog I've ever met. He takes it to training but his personality is just that he cannot help himself from barking and running up the wall and jumping all over the elevator.

Can't really train personality out of a dog, but like Zevo said there are "typical" things certain breeds will have.

[redforever]

If you want a great tempered labrador retriever, go to these kennels out by Strathmore, they have chocolate labs.

http://www.ringneckkennels.com/

I can attest to the temperment and health of dogs from this kennel. My son has one, his friend has one, and some friends of ours have one.

Edit: By the way, you might not get a puppy right away and you might not get a puppy at all from these kennels. They screen their clients and interview them and I know some have been refused.

[MJM]

Originally Posted by redforever

If you want a great tempered labrador retriever, go to these kennels out by Strathmore, they have chocolate labs.

http://www.ringneckkennels.com/

I can attest to the temperment and health of dogs from this kennel. My son has one, his friend has one, and some friends of ours have one.

Edit: By the way, you might not get a puppy right away and you might not get a puppy at all from these kennels. They screen their clients and interview them and I know some have been refused.

Thanks. The one application we did submit was rather lenghty and asked for very personal information. However, it gave me great confidence in the breeder. They clearly cared for their dogs. I'll look into these guys. I suspect the only issue we may have is that we both work.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by MJM

That goes without saying, but their are specific breeds that is definitely less likely with.

I know you don't want to hear it, but mixed breeds (ie. mutts) are often the most stable when it comes to temper. Along with the in-breeding you get with pure breeds, you also get the weird psychological issues that often come with it.

Dogs are like women, the better they look on the outside, the crazier they are on the inside.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by chid

I have some guy in my apartment who has a pure lab, that dog is the most psychotic dog I've ever met. He takes it to training but his personality is just that he cannot help himself from barking and running up the wall and jumping all over the elevator.

Can't really train personality out of a dog, but like Zevo said there are "typical" things certain breeds will have.

That sounds like a lack of exercise. Training is good but if you don't exercise a lab(walking on leash doesn't count and once a day isn't enough), all the training in the world isn't going to work.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by MJM

I suspect the only issue we may have is that we both work.

I guess it depends on how much you work, but if its a lot, you may not want a smart dog like a Lab. Without a lot of activity and mental stimulation, smart dogs get bored.....and destroy things and develop psychological issues. We had a dog once that chewed a hole in the kitchen floor because of this....and she was a small dog that wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Think twice before you decide on a Lab. If you're going to just let it be by itself in the house or yard from 9-6, it might be too much dog for you.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I guess it depends on how much you work, but if its a lot, you may not want a smart dog like a Lab. Without a lot of activity and mental stimulation, smart dogs get bored.....and destroy things and develop psychological issues. We had a dog once that chewed a hole in the kitchen floor because of this....and she was a small dog that wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Think twice before you decide on a Lab. If you're going to just let it be by itself in the house or yard from 9-6, it might be too much dog for you.

Very true. Most larger breed dogs, and specifically labs, will need to be exercised(run off leash)at least twice a day or they will be destructive. If you or your wife are not prepared to take your dog out before work and after work for the next 7+ years, a lab is not for you.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by MJM

Thanks. The one application we did submit was rather lenghty and asked for very personal information. However, it gave me great confidence in the breeder. They clearly cared for their dogs. I'll look into these guys. I suspect the only issue we may have is that we both work.

No, that is not their main concerns. Both my son and his wife work too.

They are more concerned in how you will take care of the dog when you are with the dog.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Zevo

Very true. Most larger breed dogs, and specifically labs, will need to be exercised(run off leash)at least twice a day or they will be destructive. If you or your wife are not prepared to take your dog out before work and after work for the next 7+ years, a lab is not for you.

Labs are wonderful dogs. While we now have English Springer Spaniels, and we now live in the country, we have had Labs, while living in the city, and while both of us worked.

I know of no Labs with all the psychotic problems being mentioned in this thread. They are very laid back, easy going dogs, they fit in well with both humans and kids of all ages and sizes. From my experience, you would have to do a lot to a Lab to make it ornery.

Yes, you have to take Labs out in the morning, but yes, you have to take out any dog in the morning. And a Lab does not need an hour run in the morning or it will go bonkers the rest of the day. You should however, give them as much exercise as you can when you get home from work and when you are not working.

Make sure your dog is always up to date with their shots, get them into obedience training, or perhaps the kennel you purchsed the dog from offers those type of classes, and feed the dog a good quality dog food. AND get your dog into a routine, so they know what to expect, day in and day out. From that point of view, they are no different than humans, we also perform better when we follow a regular schedule.

[jar_e]

FWIW, since its sounding you're going the breeder route, make sure you have very clear guidelines with the breeder about what they are giving you and what they will protect you from. My girlfriend and I recently purchased a purebred airedale terrier and ended up driving all the way to Tappen, BC for the best breeder. Though you're obviously playing >$1 000 for a purebred, the breeder promised to cover any cost regarding hip dysplasia, and any medical costs for the first year regarding the puppy's health.

Even with breeders, you'll have good and bad...just make sure you do your research and make sure you have a clear understanding on what the breeder is providing you.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by redforever

Labs are wonderful dogs. While we now have English Springer Spaniels, and we now live in the country, we have had Labs, while living in the city, and while both of us worked.

I know of no Labs with all the psychotic problems being mentioned in this thread. They are very laid back, easy going dogs, they fit in well with both humans and kids of all ages and sizes. From my experience, you would have to do a lot to a Lab to make it ornery.

Yes, you have to take Labs out in the morning, but yes, you have to take out any dog in the morning. And a Lab does not need an hour run in the morning or it will go bonkers the rest of the day. You should however, give them as much exercise as you can when you get home from work and when you are not working.

Make sure your dog is always up to date with their shots, get them into obedience training, or perhaps the kennel you purchsed the dog from offers those type of classes, and feed the dog a good quality dog food. AND get your dog into a routine, so they know what to expect, day in and day out. From that point of view, they are no different than humans, we also perform better when we follow a regular schedule.

I absolutely agree that Labs are wonderful family pets. I was just trying to convey that they stay active for many years and if not exercised they can be a pain in the butt.

Our newest dog is a Yellow Lab/Retriever mix and if not exercised is a handfull.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by jar_e

FWIW, since its sounding you're going the breeder route, make sure you have very clear guidelines with the breeder about what they are giving you and what they will protect you from. My girlfriend and I recently purchased a purebred airedale terrier and ended up driving all the way to Tappen, BC for the best breeder. Though you're obviously playing >$1 000 for a purebred, the breeder promised to cover any cost regarding hip dysplasia, and any medical costs for the first year regarding the puppy's health.

Even with breeders, you'll have good and bad...just make sure you do your research and make sure you have a clear understanding on what the breeder is providing you.

A reputable breeder should show you the blood lines from the puppy you are purchasing, for a couple of generations, to prove that those type of problems do not exist in their animals.

But yes, any reputable breeder should also be giving some kind of guarantee if problems do arise.

Nothing is 100% for sure in anything in life.

[AFireInside]

I would not buy from petland. Puppy mill stuff aside, the will rip you off on the price. Then add in supporting puppy mills etc.....

Years ago we adopted a young black lab, and she was an amazing dog.


If I were going to get a dog like a lab, I would rescue a young one. I would go to a breeder to get a dog that you can't find in a rescue situation. We got an english bulldog, and there are not many that need to be rescued. Plus we are only able to have one dog at this point. I would definitely rescue one once we have our OWN space and can have more than 1 dog.

But if going with a purebred, definitely research breeders and pick a good one! Ours were great.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by jar_e

FWIW, since its sounding you're going the breeder route, make sure you have very clear guidelines with the breeder about what they are giving you and what they will protect you from. My girlfriend and I recently purchased a purebred airedale terrier and ended up driving all the way to Tappen, BC for the best breeder. Though you're obviously playing >$1 000 for a purebred, the breeder promised to cover any cost regarding hip dysplasia, and any medical costs for the first year regarding the puppy's health.

Even with breeders, you'll have good and bad...just make sure you do your research and make sure you have a clear understanding on what the breeder is providing you.

Airedale’s are awesome. I love terriers but a Wheaten was about as big, strong, and boisterous as I could go with small kids, otherwise I’d have lobbied for an Airedale

[dissentowner]

If your going purebred then find a breeder registered with the Canadian Kennel Club. Make sure you meet both parent dogs. You are going to pay big bucks but it is worth it. Never buy a dog from a pet store. I bought 2 Saint Bernard's from pet stores, one lived to be a year and a half before he got a nervous system disease and I had to put him down. The second one went mean as he got older, turned pretty much into Cujo and Saints are one of the most docile breeds. I finally put him down after he was 2 and a half years old after he bit my mom on the arm while she was visiting. My parents also had a purebred Black Lab that was mean as hell so don't assume your going to get a sweet dog. The lab was an adopted dog though so that may have had something to do with it.

[Ducay]

Ugh, you've got to be out of your mind to buy a dog from petland

a) There are about a zillion puppies and adult dogs looking for rescue everyday
b) Petland and other chain stores often use puppy mills
c) Think of how long that dog has has to sit in those display cages....can't be great for their mental development or behavior.

[TopChed]

After my own experience with an SPCA dog, it kinda bothers me to see someone so dead set in their opinion about a rescued puppy. Our dog lived a long and healthy life, and was great with everyone. He was easily trained and an amazing part of the family. I can definitely understand why so many people are against buying from Petland or some breeders when there are so many great dogs who need a home.