I’m excited to add one more dog to our household in 2021! I’ve been carefully selecting the right dog breed for us (over analyzing, for sure).
I’m composing this to:
Show exactly how important it is to carefully select any type of dog or puppy
Process my option (writing assists me do so)
Document my life with dogs
Choosing the right dog breed for us
In the last 3 months, I have spoken by email or phone with 9 different breeders, 3 shelters as well as 1 rescue group.
I’ve filled out their questionnaires, asked many of my own questions, weighed the pros & cons of each option, complied with them on Instagram as well as emailed past puppy buyers.
Talking with each one has been a positive experience.
After great deals as well as great deals of thinking, I decided I want a field-bred Labrador from a great breeder.
I truly enjoy working with breeders who like as well as support their breed as well as focus on:
temperamento
saúde
and the dogs’ capabilities to thrive doing their work.
I expect a great deal from my dogs.
I push them physically as we train for path marathons. We work difficult in agility. as well as now that I online in Montana (vs. San Diego), I plan to train my dogs for hunting.
I am excited about all of these training adventures. My heart is full when I’m working with my dogs. I like discovering together with them as well as watching what they can do.
The right dog breed is different for everyone
Choosing the right dog breed has been extremely difficult for me. I’ll only get to have so many dogs in my life; I want to select them wisely.
To be honest, I’m worried I’ll be tired with a Lab. They’re just so normal as well as everybody has one – for great reason, they’re nice dogs!
On the plus side, Labs are generally calmer as well as much easier to train than a weimaraner, my present dog. (Although “calm” is all relative. What’s “calm” for me may be “hyper” for somebody else)
Knowing what I want in a dog
Here’s what I’m looking for in my “perfect” dog. Of program there is no such thing as this imaginary perfect dog.
Long distance path running buddy. 3-4 miles most days as well as 10+ miles on some weekends. (once age appropriate)
Friendly with dogs, kids, cats as well as strangers.
Able to train for agility for fun as well as light competition.
Has an “off switch” in the home while I’m working, presuming I’ve done my part to provide exercise & training.
Calm at breweries, patios as well as during travel (with training).
Sticks close when hiking & running off leash (with training).
Able to train for hunting as a pastime as well as perhaps search tests.
And … it’s not all about ME. I likewise requirement to make sure that I’m providing the very best house for whatever type of dog I choose. I do feel I can provide a great house for any type of of the sporting breeds.
So … why not one more weimaraner?
You may wonder, why is she thinking about a lab vs. a higher-energy athlete like one more weimaraner?
It’s a tough option for me. however what it comes down to is I like my high-energy endurance athlete, Remy. however I don’t necessarily requirement two extremely high-energy dogs right now. (Perhaps at some point!) I definitely have vizslas, German shorthairs as well as Brittanys on my brain … however perhaps for the future.
Plus, Labs are athletic too
The lab breeder I’m working with breeds dogs for hunting. She tells me all of her dogs are extremely athletic as well as will make great running partners, even as much as 10 miles.
These Labs are calm in the home however have an intense working drive around birds as well as guns. They are clearly strong as well as quick in the field, extremely in shape as well as muscular. I will not have a fat Lab, I promise you that!
Still, I’m not persuaded I will be able to take a lab on 10-mile runs. I truly hope so, however it depends upon the dog. Either way, I’ll still have Remy for long-distance running.
Other benefits of the Labrador dog breed
Labs are (generally) simple to train. I view Labs as athletic dogs who do not necessarily requirement constant “busyness” like my weim.
I feel Labs are a great breed for my very first genuine gun dog as well as hunting companion. I am extremely excited to begin training a retriever for hunting.
My weimaraner Remy has prospective to be a hunting dog too, as well as I have just started to work with him with our regional NAVHDA group. however I am likewise thinking about training a hunting dog from the extremely beginning. It is a new experience for me.
Choosing the right dog breed for chilly weather
Labs have a thick coat to protect them from Montana’s long, harsh winters. The only months we did not have snow in 2019 were July as well as August!
A Lab’s coat likewise protects her from the summertime heat. We online at 5,000 feet elevation, so the sun can be intense right here as well. For this reason, as well as since of all the running I do, we are going with a yellow lab vs. chocolate or black.
And Labs are far from perfect!
A purebred Labrador retriever can be many things … low energy as well as gentle … excessively excited over toys or sticks.
They’re strong as well as tend to jump on people, pull difficult on the leash, go crashing after a ball. My lab mix Ace knocked me flat on my back one time going after a ball. He didn’t even notice he hit me! (Eu chorei.)
Labs shed a great deal (like, A LOT) as well as are prone to joint problems. They’re sluggish to mature psychologically as well as young labs are unfortunately identified “hyper” by many people. This label is accurate.
Some Labs are just as nuts as a weim or a vizsla.
But every dog is an individual. I composed about this HERE.
Good breeders as well as genetics can only do so much.
As dog owners, it’s as much as us to do the very best we can with training, socialization, exercise, discovering the very best vet. Feeding healthy food. Making wise options on spaying & neutering.
And of course, taking the time to select the right dog or puppy for our present situation. We’re lucky to have so many options.
I’m excited for our next puppy. I can’t wait to satisfy her! It will most likely be over a year before our puppy is even born. great breeders commonly have waiting listings of a number of months or even a year. when all is confirmed, I’ll keep you posted.
Remy will be so excited to have one more dog around. He absolutely likes other dogs, as well as he shared our house so well with his sibling Raven back in January.
While wonderful Raven was not the right dog for us, she assisted show me exactly how great Remy is with a buddy. as well as exactly how all of my time spent training him (hours as well as hours) truly has paid off.
Believe it or not, Remy will really be a great function model! (Now that’s a frightening thought! Haha.)
I can’t wait on 2021!
If you’re willing, please share about the decision making (or lack thereof) when you selected your dog.
Let me understand in the comments! say thanks to you!
Lindsay (and Remy)
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