Suzi! I've changed my mind re: Labradors

[magnolia]

Originally Posted by RLC12345678

Oh my gosh, Suzi, thank you so much for all this information! It is truly helpful!!!! I know that getting a "guaranteed" lab was expensive. I didn't read the website well (just looked at the pics), so I am happy to know that if we got a silver lab from them then it would be guaranteed. My husband would want it trained for hunting purposes. I'll definately keep you updated on what we decide! My hubby really wants TWO labs, so we'll probably end up getting one of each...a silver AND a white. I don't really care about the "controversy" over the silver labs. They are gorgeous and since they are guaranteed, I think they are worth the money. AND I will have something different! It will probably be at least a year before we get a lab, but I'll definately keep you updated! I would love to drive to Texas to pick it up. I love Texas and I think it would be SO much fun to stop at your place and visit!!! I'll definately keep you updated! Thanks again for all the info! You have truly been helpful! Please let me know if there is ever anything I can do to return the favor in any way!

Oh, I don't mind and I certainly don't know everything there is to know about labs, what I wrote was just from our personal experience. MD (our lab - and you'll get a kick out of his name - Midnight Dee Ohh Gee - Midnight "Dog") was a beautiful chocolate lab that was given to us by very good friends for Sam's birthday - they were selling the puppies for $500 each. Sam didn't really have the time to devote to training him, and being a new lab owner, didn't realize the training needs to start a lot sooner than what we did - over 9 months old. By the time he took him to Arkansas, it really was too late so MD became our big baby, not worth anything when it came to hunting and retrieving but my gosh, such love and devotion he gave us and we gave it right back to him - he's been gone 2 years now and I miss him so much I think him and Gage would have become best buds - Gabby couldn't stand him!

As for the "guarantee" part, the breeder on the website (unless I read it wrong) says they'll train them and if it's successful, then they "guarantee" him/her to be trained in retrieving, obedience, etc. And they'll give you the commands they've trained him/her with for each action done or what you want the dog to do. I mean, if you're gonna pay that much for one, you expect it to do what you want it to do. I would suggest, if you've settled on the silver, go ahead and contact the breeder - just as if you were searching for a yorkie. Let the breeder answer any of your questions, answer any they have, and go ahead and get on a waiting list. If you won't be ready for one for another year or so, the waiting list may be that long - why get ready for one only to be disappointed because you have to wait another year. And if a pup becomes available for you and you aren't quite ready, the breeder should understand if you've kept up a conversation with them and move you down a couple spots or so on the list (I'm not a breeder so don't know if this is a possibility). So go ahead, send them an email - begin the lines of communication, ask lots of questions of them, do more research on the lab breed in general to prepare in advance - heck, depending on where they are in Texas, take a week-end trip out to see their kennels, visit with them, etc - make sure the silver is what you want. Either way, you are already off to a good start - just keep going down that road

And you don't owe me anything - I'm learning with you while sharing what little I do know of the lab breed