sdbrewer
Active Member
With the passing of my old dog – thanks for all of the kind words by the way – we are vaguely in the market for a new lab. The family wants one in spring of next year. I’d prefer to wait a year beyond that but if the right litter comes along, I’m sure I will lose that discussion. So, if you hear of any litters, I’d appreciate a “heads up.” Doesn’t have to be SoCal. I’m open to shipping a dog from anywhere. If the dog is from up in NoCal or AZ or UT or NV or some such, we’d probably drive and pick it up there.
Here’s what we’re looking for (I know some believe the only thing that should matter is pedigree; but that isn’t the case for our family – though it is important):
Must be female;
Must be yellow or brown;
Must be from solid hunting lines;
Must have all standard health clearances;
Must not be “high strung” – this is probably the toughest requirement to screen litters for. Here’s an example of what I’m getting at: Gary Bethel – “Bird Dog Bunkhouse” on the Refuge Forum – specifically breeds for dogs which are serious hunters but also very mellow around the house. He describes them as having an “off” switch. That’s what we’re looking for. After all, the vast majority of the dogs life, it will be around the house and not out in the field (though I want it to perform sufficiently out in the field). I’ve already talked with Gary by e-mail and he presently doesn’t have any litters coming up that fit the bill (unfortunately).
I have a pretty good idea of what such a dog ought to cost and am a firm believer in the purchase price being the cheapest part of dog ownership.
I appreciate any leads you might send my way.
Here’s what we’re looking for (I know some believe the only thing that should matter is pedigree; but that isn’t the case for our family – though it is important):
Must be female;
Must be yellow or brown;
Must be from solid hunting lines;
Must have all standard health clearances;
Must not be “high strung” – this is probably the toughest requirement to screen litters for. Here’s an example of what I’m getting at: Gary Bethel – “Bird Dog Bunkhouse” on the Refuge Forum – specifically breeds for dogs which are serious hunters but also very mellow around the house. He describes them as having an “off” switch. That’s what we’re looking for. After all, the vast majority of the dogs life, it will be around the house and not out in the field (though I want it to perform sufficiently out in the field). I’ve already talked with Gary by e-mail and he presently doesn’t have any litters coming up that fit the bill (unfortunately).
I have a pretty good idea of what such a dog ought to cost and am a firm believer in the purchase price being the cheapest part of dog ownership.
I appreciate any leads you might send my way.
I'm really enjoying my FC Roux pup, 9mt. old and just finishing up water forcing, the whole litter was very smart, very user friendly, bird crazy and laid back, mine's in the house most of the time. All the pups I've seen out of him have been pretty much the same way.
