Steve Mikkelson
New member
I am starting to prepare myself for purchasing a black lab puppy more specifically researching, and could use any advice anyone is willing to share. Feel free to PM me or reply to this post. I live in West Michigan.
Here’s how I’m looking to use the lab (in order of importance):
1. Shed hunting
2. Family indoor dog – Brains / obedience is a must
3. Competition in the field – any type
4. Female that can provide me my next competition dog.
Here’s some background on me so we don’t have to start with go see the parents and start with good bloodlines.
1. I’ve raised, trained and bred competition beagles that run to catch the rabbit for 19 years
2. I finished CKC & AKC field champions. Also accomplished the pinnacle of it all with AKC national championship win in 2006.
3. I’ve bought beagles from the best breeders in the game throughout the US and Canada. I’ve bought dogs out of the best producers and I’ve bought and bred dogs with a glowing red pedigree.
So here are some questions that I have, but feel free to share anything you think I should consider.
1. Any recommendations of breeders? Any in Michigan, northern Ohio or Indiana would be more easy for me to visit.
2. Any recommendations for bloodlines?
3. Expected price range for a female pup. I’ve seen AKC registered dogs from $100 to $1200. I do understand that the older the litter gets, the better price you will get, but you may miss out.
4. Skeletal Health certifications of the sire and dam. Do you stay away from fair or do you only buy excellent?
5. Should I be concerned when a breeder tells me they have never had to cull or is that just not done in the Labrador world?
6. Is there a magazine or web site that identifies a list of the best producing sire and dam for specific types of competition?
7. Is there a “godfather” of labs out there that is willing to share info with me? I know some of the old timers love to pass on there knowledge and others would rather spend the time in the field.
8. If you were to rate the main characteristics of the sire and dam I should consider, what would they be?
If you made it this far through my post, thank you very much for reading.
Here’s how I’m looking to use the lab (in order of importance):
1. Shed hunting
i. Needs a good nose
ii. Must retrieve
iii. Must have hunt and drive
2. Family indoor dog – Brains / obedience is a must
3. Competition in the field – any type
4. Female that can provide me my next competition dog.
i. I would enjoy having a few litters if I can acquire enough knowledge to be confident I can improve the female’s performance through her off-spring.
Here’s some background on me so we don’t have to start with go see the parents and start with good bloodlines.
1. I’ve raised, trained and bred competition beagles that run to catch the rabbit for 19 years
i. Phased out due to available training land and my available time to condition the hounds as it takes a good 20 hours a week for a couple months straight to have them in the physical and mental condition to succeed.
2. I finished CKC & AKC field champions. Also accomplished the pinnacle of it all with AKC national championship win in 2006.
i. No intention a bragging or thinking I can do this in the retriever world, but my point is, I know the amount of work it takes to have a competition dogs that wins.
3. I’ve bought beagles from the best breeders in the game throughout the US and Canada. I’ve bought dogs out of the best producers and I’ve bought and bred dogs with a glowing red pedigree.
i. I know that the above does not guarantee a thing, but I have learned that creditable and accomplished breeders, proven producers and a pedigree of dogs that suit your desires increase your odds of getting a good one.
So here are some questions that I have, but feel free to share anything you think I should consider.
1. Any recommendations of breeders? Any in Michigan, northern Ohio or Indiana would be more easy for me to visit.
2. Any recommendations for bloodlines?
3. Expected price range for a female pup. I’ve seen AKC registered dogs from $100 to $1200. I do understand that the older the litter gets, the better price you will get, but you may miss out.
4. Skeletal Health certifications of the sire and dam. Do you stay away from fair or do you only buy excellent?
5. Should I be concerned when a breeder tells me they have never had to cull or is that just not done in the Labrador world?
6. Is there a magazine or web site that identifies a list of the best producing sire and dam for specific types of competition?
7. Is there a “godfather” of labs out there that is willing to share info with me? I know some of the old timers love to pass on there knowledge and others would rather spend the time in the field.
8. If you were to rate the main characteristics of the sire and dam I should consider, what would they be?
If you made it this far through my post, thank you very much for reading.
