Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => General Chat => Topic started by: LennyJ1 on December 08, 2010

Title: Looking for a dog - Lab
Post by: LennyJ1 on December 08, 2010
Hi Guys

I am looking to get a dog and would love to get a Lab, it will be a present to my wife (and for me)

Anyone know of a breeder or any one who has pups

(if you know of other dogs for sale or for free then I would love to here about them)

Thanks

Lenny
Title: Re: Looking for a dog - Lab
Post by: Kat on December 08, 2010
Labs are great dogs, I have a Golden Retriever that is a old year this Christmas.  She's still too chicken for the mountains but couldn't ask for a more lovely dog.  She came from Omagh...a true Sperrin Gold!  Will keep an eye out, good luck in your search!
Title: Re: Looking for a dog - Lab
Post by: Dowser on December 08, 2010
Here's a good place to start:

http://belfast.gumtree.com/cgi-bin/list_postings.pl?search_terms=Labrador&search_location=Belfast&ubercat=1

Few tips here too:

http://www.labrador-retriever-guide.com/labrador-puppy.html

 :)
Title: Re: Looking for a dog - Lab
Post by: LennyJ1 on December 09, 2010
Great web page find andy

thanks
Title: Re: Looking for a dog - Lab
Post by: Drongo on December 10, 2010
I've two labs...

Milo - yellow cross dog (4yrs) and Annie - pure chocolate bitch(1yr)

Always had dogs and always had labs so not too much problem for me...

Both live and sleep outside, but allowed in at nights/weekends when we are at home.

Walked 1hr every morning and 30mins most nights and go everywhere with us (beach, forest, National Trust places ect) at weekends.

Fed Premium food (Oscars), more expensive but a noted change in behaviour as it lacks the E numbers and sugars in cheaper brands.

Both Microchipped & Insured (Tesco's)

Labs are social animals, they need frequent/almost constant interaction with other dogs/animals/humans and without this in the early stages you will struggle to have a well adjusted dog.

They are strong, will easily pull you over if they want.

One of the reasons for getting Annie was that out work patterns changed and Milo was alone for long peroioids during the day, his behaviour changed and he bacame agressive towards other dogs and also very destructive chewing and digging etc...

Taking a pup classes to socialise with other dogs is a great idea, we took both out to Belfast Dog training School (google it) this helped alot

Better go, next class at tthe door, will write more later if I get time...

Drongo
Title: Re: Looking for a dog - Lab
Post by: LennyJ1 on December 10, 2010
Thanks Drongo that was a great help
Title: Re: Looking for a dog - Lab
Post by: Matthew on December 10, 2010
We have a black lab (Kora). She is no family pet and is used almost exclusively as a gun dog, with the odd trip into the hills. 

Drongo  gives some excellent advice and I agree daily exercise seems to be the key to a happy and well behaved dog.

None our dogs have ever been taken to puppy classes but yet do behave around other dogs on the odd occasion they meet.

(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e144/matthewrblack/the%20dogs/DSC02082-1.jpg)

(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e144/matthewrblack/the%20dogs/DSC02185.jpg)