[CaseLogic]

At first thought, the obvious answer is yes, why NOT rescue! I'd love to rescue a puppy. However I do have my concerns. I've heard stories that because Labs are so popular, there are a lot of irresponsible/uneducated breeders out there, and are breeding poorer quality labs. And by "poorer quality" I mainly mean a bad temperment. It is important to me that the lab I get not be hyperactive (not unusually hyper, I know puppies are hyper but bad breeding can cause some really bad temperments), etc. If I were to rescue a puppy, I have no real way of knowing what he will grow up to be like. If I were to rescue an adult, it would be a non-issue because they're grown up and they are how they are. I'm just worried that, without knowing about the parents, I could end up being incredibly overwhelmed by a puppy behaving out of character.

What are your thoughts?

[GoodBullyLLC]

Originally Posted by CaseLogic

At first thought, the obvious answer is yes, why NOT rescue! I'd love to rescue a puppy. However I do have my concerns. I've heard stories that because Labs are so popular, there are a lot of irresponsible/uneducated breeders out there, and are breeding poorer quality labs. And by "poorer quality" I mainly mean a bad temperment. It is important to me that the lab I get not be hyperactive (not unusually hyper, I know puppies are hyper but bad breeding can cause some really bad temperments), etc. If I were to rescue a puppy, I have no real way of knowing what he will grow up to be like. If I were to rescue an adult, it would be a non-issue because they're grown up and they are how they are. I'm just worried that, without knowing about the parents, I could end up being incredibly overwhelmed by a puppy behaving out of character.

What are your thoughts?

My thoughts are; as long as you have the right information and make sure the puppy is adequately trained and lead, you most likely aren't going to run into any problems.

All dogs can have behavior problems with bad leadership - even if you pay $5000 for one from the best breeder in the U.S.

If you are a good leader for the dog and provide for it correctly and always look to expand your knowledge, you can rescue a dog without any fear of what it will turn into. Usually what happens is dogs turn into nightmares because that's what the owners were thinking was going to happen the whole time they raised them - it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy because that attitude is not the attitude of a leader.

You can rescue with no doubts - just get the puppy trained and seek the knowledge you need to become a great alpha.

[cshellenberger]

Originally Posted by CaseLogic

At first thought, the obvious answer is yes, why NOT rescue! I'd love to rescue a puppy. However I do have my concerns. I've heard stories that because Labs are so popular, there are a lot of irresponsible/uneducated breeders out there, and are breeding poorer quality labs. And by "poorer quality" I mainly mean a bad temperment. It is important to me that the lab I get not be hyperactive (not unusually hyper, I know puppies are hyper but bad breeding can cause some really bad temperments), etc. If I were to rescue a puppy, I have no real way of knowing what he will grow up to be like. If I were to rescue an adult, it would be a non-issue because they're grown up and they are how they are. I'm just worried that, without knowing about the parents, I could end up being incredibly overwhelmed by a puppy behaving out of character.

What are your thoughts?

30% of a dogs disposition is genetics, the rest is training (or lack there of) Good training can do wonders. There may be challenges, but with good training and socialization they can be overcome.

[Achilles]

Achilles was a rescued pup. He came from a very bad environment indeed and was actually born with the humane society's help because his parents were so abused and ill they were taken in. He is a lab/weim mix and he is honestly my best friend! He's my first dog and so I don't have another dog to compare his temperment to but I'm sure all the love and guidance we gave him paid off! He's 16 months now and super well behaved!

With that being said, I vote for rescue! I could have gone out and spent thousands on a pup that may have been just as terrific as Achilles, but I figure, why not give the ones who really need it a chance. I cant help but get all sentimental...I love my little (or big rather) puppers!

Hope that helps you make your decision. Good luck!

[RonE]

The last three dogs I've adopted have been 9 years old, 5 years old and 1 year old. I had a very good idea what I was getting into. (Well, nothing could really have prepared me for the young Plott hound.) Either I have been exceedingly lucky to get exceptional dogs, or we really do have a lot of control over how are dogs are going to turn out - even if we get them as adults.

Everybody loves puppies, but I will adopt adult shelter dogs for the rest of my life.

[Captbob]

Smokey was 2 when I adopted her 10 months ago. I wouldn't sell her for $1,000,000 ...........

[Aberdeen]

We purchased our lab from a first time breeder. I was worried about buying her as she was with her litter on the side of the road. She did have her papers and the mother was there though. It was 6 pm and they had been outside all day. We felt so bad for the puppies I think we would have paid milions for them to get them out of the situation. Fortunately someone else stopped and bought her brother while we were there. In any other situation we would have rather rescued over buying from a breeder.
With that said, I think rescuing is great! Our next dog will be a rescue.
I don't know if this will be your first lab be prepared for a VERY hyper dog no matter where you get the puppy from. Both my husband and I had both had retrievers but never a lab. We thought we knew what we were getting into. We love Abby more than anything but we had no idea what we were getting into. She is one CRAZY pup! I highly suggest reading the book "Marley and Me" before buying a lab. It is a true story about a family and their lab. The book is no exageration of what you have to look forward to!!

[briteday]

No matter if you get a rescue pup or a breeder pup, a lab pup is going to be hyper and thick-headed for the first year or two. If you can make it through that, you're a saint. They are a wonderful breed, just not for those who like calm, quiet dogs. You will have to commit at least 3 hours per day to training and exercising. Personally I wouldn't put a lab in a small house or apt. Be prepared to sign up for obedience classes and stock up on lots of chew toys. Marley wouldn't have lasted 2 weeks at my house but then again, I couldn't figure out why they didn't take her to obedience classes and work with her bad behavior. However, if you want to know what a lab is capable of, it's a great book.

[Baatfam]

Over the years, we've adopted four rescue dogs...the first three were middle age, trained and they were all terrific dogs...
The first two have long passed on, but we still have the nine year old Brittany and now our newest.
She's a 9 month old pup in need of training, but we couldn't say no...

There is something about a dog that has been rescued...especially the adults.
Its hard explain, but its as though they live their lives always trying to thank you for saving them.

Good luck,
Bob T.

[Mdawn]

My lab is one that someone abandoned in my area when he was about 4 1/2 months. I've often thought if I would have had him when he was a little younger, I could have molded his personality more and he would get along with my other animals a lot better. He can be very hard to handle sometimes and so very stubborn. Sometimes, I do get a little discouraged when it seems like he's not picking up his training or he refuses to behave. Then at other times he can be so sweet. The best thing in the world is to see the little "light bulb" go on when he FINALLY GETS something while training. It's like he's saying, "Oh, that's what I'm supposed to do!". It makes everything worth it in that moment. He does have some additional problems because of the circumstances he was in, but they are problems that were inflicted on him and he isn't at fault. I would choose him over over any number of perfectly behaved dogs. I think that the additional training we have to do and all the extra time he needs makes our bond a lot stronger than it would have been otherwise. So if it were me, I'd go for the rescue dog, even if they would have some additional issues that would need addressed.

[BabySophieCorgiEyes]

Originally Posted by CaseLogic

At first thought, the obvious answer is yes, why NOT rescue! I'd love to rescue a puppy. However I do have my concerns. I've heard stories that because Labs are so popular, there are a lot of irresponsible/uneducated breeders out there, and are breeding poorer quality labs. And by "poorer quality" I mainly mean a bad temperment. It is important to me that the lab I get not be hyperactive (not unusually hyper, I know puppies are hyper but bad breeding can cause some really bad temperments), etc. If I were to rescue a puppy, I have no real way of knowing what he will grow up to be like. If I were to rescue an adult, it would be a non-issue because they're grown up and they are how they are. I'm just worried that, without knowing about the parents, I could end up being incredibly overwhelmed by a puppy behaving out of character.

What are your thoughts?

That a silly question, of course it is good to adopt. You can adopt a puppy.