12 y/o daughter wants Lab puppy for Xmas. Responsible; Committed...what to do? Not sure what to say! Help me.?

Question

My 12 y/o daughter, Jessika, wants a Labrador puppy for Xmas this year. I told her that it's not a good time around Xmas and I might get her a Lab puppy early/mid next Jan/Feb. The problem is, she wants one from a "reputable, registered" breeder. I told her why spend $800 for one when I can get one for $300 in the newspaper. Is there really a difference? I know about hip and elbow dysplasia but really, what are the chances of the pup getting dysplasia later in life?
She is very responsible and seems very comitted in getting a Lab. She has spent over 5 months researching the two breeds she wants: Lab or Golden Retriever. She decided that all the fur on the Golden would be a bit difficult for her to manage so has now been researching Labs even further! She spends hours on the net looking up breeders, info on dysplasia and other hereditary diseases etc.
I know not many 12 y/o's are as responsible when reasearching for a pup.
I have an 11 y/o son who now wants a JRT!

What do I do?

My son, Chris, said he wants a JRT for Xmas if Jess gets a Lab but I can't get him one because I know after a week of the JRT, the responsibilty will be left to me. I can count on Jess taking full responsibilty of her dog.
Chris hasn't spent 2 minutes researching the JRT breed so Jess researched it for him!

Jess and I have fallen in love with a Lab puppy that is $800 and I'm not sure if that is going to be too much for me.
I have a hubby but he is currently out of work and he can't get back into work until mid Jan.
With my hubby only getting around $550 a fortnight and me getting around $1700 a fortnight, it makes it harder for me to say yes to her. I know how much she wants this dog and how willing she is in getting it I'm just not sure whether to get it or not?

Please help me, I don't want to make a wrong decision.

Hillary: she is deffinetly scared of theLab getting sick later in life because I know how expensive it would be for medication and/or surgery and I doubt in a few years things will change too much. I know that if the dog DID get any health problems that would be VERY expensive, we would have to put her down.
That's why Jess wants a dog from a reputable person who screens their dogs of any health problems so the risks aren't as high.

We have been to 2 shelters and we check every week on the Internet for any changes in the shelters.
She really wants a Lab puppy because she wants to learn how to be more responsible with a puppy. She is very willing to get up every 2-3 hours to let her dog go out and do pee or poop.

I live in Australia so it doesn't snow here. It gets lowest 4 degrees Celcium so that's still very cold but it is rare.

She is only interested in Labs but thanks for the suggestion of a Papillon. She isn't into small dogs like Chihuahuas or anything like that.

I've owned several dogs before so I know how hard it is.

Jess just wants a dog for a pet, we don't want to show or breed or anuthing like that. She knows all about agility and stuff but she doesn't seem like that's what she would want to do with the dog. She knows how energetic Labs are and she knows how much exercise to give the Lab when she/he is older.We know how over-bred, that's why she wants it from a reputable breeder who screens their dogs. She is not going to be walking the dog when it's dark; I'm not stupid and neither is Jess. She wants this dog I know she won't get bored or tired of him/her in a year or two. She knows that when she gets the dog, she will be the one picking up dog droppings and taking her/him to obedience classes. I am very willing to help her but this is her dog and she needs to show more responsibility than she ever has before. Labs shed a lot but Goldens shed more so that's also why she didn't pick the Golden. Kristin: my daughter doesn't like nor have any interest in small dogs nor do I so if we did get one...

, it would be a large/medium sized dog.

Answer 1

post a wanted ad on
http://www.everythingbudgie.com
they are free

Answer 2

Its seems that your daughter has done more research than you! Good for your daughter!

Buying a dog out of the newspaper is bad, these dogs are bred either in puppy mills or by backyard breeders who don't care about the dogs mental and physical health. Labs are popular pets, and because of this there are tons of badly bred labs all over. Chances are that a pup you buy from an irresponsible breeder WILL develop physical problems, and mental ones as well. Typically poor bred dogs will have trouble being trained, and will be excessively hyper or excessively sedentary.

A dog from a responsible breeder will most likely not develop those problems, and many times you can get a lifetime health guarentee along with quality advice and continued care long after you buy a dog, if anything goes wrong or if you can't keep it, the breeder will always take it back or help you find a suitable home for it, wheras with a dog bought from an irrsponsible breeder (like one that would advertise in a newspaper), you don't get a long guarentee, if any at all, and the breeder couldn't care less what happens to the dog as long as they make a buck.

Anyway, why worry about a cost difference of $200? You will end up spending about $1,000 on the dog in its first year alone, so over the lifetime of the dog, will $200 make a difference? Not at all. Well wait, yes it will, with the irresponsibly bred dog, you will end up paying more than $200 in extra vet bills for all those extra health problems, guarenteed.

If you really want to save that $200, then go to a breed rescue or shelter and find a dog there, labs are dime a dozen.

Whatever you do, don't support irrsponsible breeders, your 12 year old daughter knows better, you should too.

Answer 3

Rules Rules Rules, make it your daughters responsibility to feed and pick up after the dog, take the pup to puppy class and obedience training, she will enjoy her puppy much more having little assignments to achieve each week...sit, stay etc.
The puppy needs to be well socialised with other dogs and everyday things like noisy traffic, shopping centres, doing this gives Jessika a reason to be involved with her new charge.
Is she up to it and are you up to helping her?
My personal preference is the retriever they are beautiful and as for coat something you should know is that while the lab doesn't require as much grooming it has needle hairs that stick to everything and lots of them, so long or short there is no getting around hair.
My daughter has a black lab, good breeding she also had a golden lab $300 back yard breeder who became very ill, very quick and passed away at 6months young no aparent reason, this devastated my daughter and her black lab who lost her best friend.
Please yourself what you pay, just be careful what you actually get. At least with a reputable breeder if something does go wrong you have some come back on them.
Good Luck

Answer 4

Your daughter may be responsible. But what is important is that YOU are responsible.

It's not safe for a 12 y.o. girl to be walking a dog twice a day. Sometimes she may have to walk the dog when it's dark out if she wants to make it to school on time.

I think you should decide if YOU want to do this. I have seen too many cases of kids losing interest in the dog after a year or two.

Both the child and the dog are innocent. A 12 year old is still maturing and should not be expected to commit the next 12 years of her life. If she fails the dog, and she is a responsible kid, she will always feel guilty.

But it's all gonna be okay if YOU love dogs and want one!

Answer 5

I would introduce your daughter to www.petfinder.com . If she still wants the $800 dog, and you can afford that much and are willing to pay it, (if it was my child) I would tell her that she is going to have to earn it. Laundry, dishes, shoveling snow (or yard work) vacuum, mop, clean bathrooms, etc. Try to talk her into adoption though. There are a ton of dogs out there and she will find a lab. It just won't have papers and unless she wants to show...who cares about the papers??

It's great to hear that you are doing your research ahead of time. Most people don't.

Also, if you consider a JRT, do as much research or more and be prepared for a wild ride! JRT's are awesome little things (I have a JRT mix), but high maintenance and high energy.

Good luck to you and yourr family.

EDIT>>I wanted to add that all of my dogs have been shelter dogs and I don't have nearly the health issues that some of my friends with "purebreds" do. My dogs are healthy. One went through kidney problems, but I think :( it was a result of me feeding him low quality foods as well as unhealthy table scraps. (I was a teenager when I got him and didn't know any better). Regardless, he was a 50lb. dog that lived until he was 15.

Shelter dog does NOT always equal health problems!

Answer 6

A dog is a huge commitment, not one to be taken lightly. It sounds like your daughter has done her "homework" but until you actually own a puppy it is a whole new ballgame. It is not a walk in the park! They take a lot of your time. Your daughter is getting to the age where she will be spending more time with friends. The dog will need constant care. Who do you think will be looking after it's needs? You! As far as the breeder goes. We have owned two dogs. One from a breeder and one from the newspaper. I would definitely go the breeder way. The dog from the newspaper ended up to be a "puppy" mill puppy and we had a lot of problems with him. Cost us a fortune in vet bills. Of course this can happen with breeders too, but you have to find a reputable one. Talk to others who own labs in your area. I am sure you will find a good breeder when the time comes. Good luck!

Answer 7

Jessika sounds ike a great kid-and with dogs, you really do get what you pay for. Is she planning on showing the dog or working with it in agility, etc? If so, she might research those activities locally and find a puppy that way.

One question, is Jessika a bookworm who isn't going to want to spend the hours it takes to wear out a Lab? The require LOTS o exercise till they are about 5 years old-very active dogs.

As for the JRT-they are not beginner dogs-they really are a handful in terms of temprament and activity requirements.

Also, remember that the cost of the dog is only a down payment in the true cost of a dog. My rescued kitten who was FREE cost me about 500 once I had him current on all his shots, neutered, etc......

Ugh, that brings up another aspect-the bigger the dog, the more expensive certain procedures are (surgery, etc) because they charge by weight. So, if money is a concern (and I'm not being judgemental) that needs to be considered.

I really commend your daughter for her work ....if you would like to discuss more my e-mail address is [e-mail].

Answer 8

Sounds to me like your daughter has done allot of work and thought this out very carefully. You sound convinced that she is responsible enough to have a dog, and thats awesome.
I would go over my finaces carefully and decide if I could really afford a dog. If you decide that you can, go for it!
Honestly....it sounds like the only thing holding you back is not knowing if you can affrord to. If you cant afford one from a breeder, talk to your daughter about adopting one. Just because the dog comes from a well known breeder deosnt mean it will never get sick, right?
Also, I highly reccomend obidience classes and puppy playgroups. Especcially with a lab, they have quite allot of energy and can get very unruly if not trained properly.
However, dont listen to everyone saying that Labs are awful, they are wonderful loyal smart dogs, so smart that they will get into allot of trouble if not trained, Lol.
Maybe Im biased tho....I was like your duaghter at 12 and earlier! And I wasnt able to convince my mom and dad to let me have a dog. I had to wait till I moved out and got my own place.
They thought I was in an animal lover "phase" and would grow out of it.
I'm an animal care tech now and in school for my vet tech degree, Lol. : )
Good luck!

Answer 9

I don't know anything about your daughter, but I am also 12 and I feel I am responsible enough for a dog. But I think you should stay away from big dogs like labs. They are adorable puppies, but they can get out of control without training as adults. If you do decide to get a lab, check here. http://www.petfinder.org/ They have TONS of great dogs for adoption, especially breeds like labs and golden retrievers. They might not be purebred, but you will be gaining a friend and saving a life! Good luck to you and your daughter! :)

Answer 10

There are so many labs in shelters, and lab mixes, it is just sad because they are wonderful dogs. I would go to a humane society or rescue group. You'll get a dog that is spayed/neutered, up to date on shots and treated for any problems it may have. I'd get an adult dog because then you can see the temperament you are getting, and it will be hopefully over the chewing stages and possibly housebroken.

If you can't afford to buy a dog, then consider fostering for a rescue group. Then you can take care of dogs and it won't cost you much besides time and food. Then your daughter can learn more about dogs and your son will see how much time they take.

Good luck, and please get a rescue dog!

Answer 11

It sounds like your daughter really wants a dog and is commited. When I wanted a dog I wrote my parents an essay on how I would take care of it and why I wanted one. If she is really commited she will do anything for one. I currently own a pure black lab. SHe is 6 and still wild. It is a big responsibility owning one. They are very active and need a lot of love and exercise. She must be commited. My mom made me promise I would do everything for her. Make sure she knows that she must brush her everyday (they shed a lot), Pick up her poop (it is not a fun job), give her food and water, and exercise her for about and hour. Black Labs love water so swimming is good. One thing to worry about is ear infections. My dog has problems with her ears. Make sure to clean them after swimming. She sounds commited. Good Luck!