SHOW US YOUR PETS!!!

[Quick Steel]

Just in case anyone has missed the news, once again dogs (over a thousand) have been killed by dog treats imported from China. Whether its pet treats, dog or cat foods, children's toys or so much else buying Asian based products is a high risk proposition.

[Cutty]

Just in case anyone has missed the news, once again dogs (over a thousand) have been killed by dog treats imported from China. Whether its pet treats, dog or cat foods, children's toys or so much else buying Asian based products is a high risk proposition.

I check more for what I feed my dogs than myself. Never anything but American made for my pups

[zp4ja]

Hello Gents,

Sorry for the delayed response. I was in Guadalajara since May 8th and just got back on Thursday. Worked 15 to 17 hour days for 12 days straight. Pretty burnt out and just popped onto the forum briefly for some brief break from work.

Rocky, Phil, Charlie, Wayne and Dimitri (and anyone I may have missed), thanks so much for sharing your feelings, quotes and empathy.

Yesterday, we went to the airport to pick up the new little friend. Her name is Lucy. She popped out of the crate no worse for wear after her 8 hour commute. She was bouncing around and playing like a healthy and happy little pup. We took her straight from the airport to the vet for a very positive checkup result. I went thru a broker, not direct to breeder, which adds significant cost, more than twice the cost. She was quite expensive but worth every penny to get a healthy and happy pup. The buying experience was kind of like ebay where direct contact with the breeder was not allowed. I was given the breeder's contact info when we picked her up though. I called the wonderful lady and it was obvious that it was no puppy mill and it was not all about the money. She really cared for this little angel. She kept her 2 extra weeks (she will be 10 weeks on Sunday) just to be sure she was eating well and could make the trip OK. She even included a 1/2" binder 50 plus pages in plastic sleeves with care instructions, pics of the puppy and parents, lineage/pedigree of the AKC Champion bloodlines, AKC registration form, kennel inspection certificates, certification from Orthopedic board for both parent for testing of congenital heart disease and patellar luxation (hereaditary bad knees check), 60 days AKC insurance,etc.
She even came with a microchip that I asked the breeder how to register to our name. She handles it and pays the $25 to do it even after the sale. She also paid for the AKC Puppy Protection Package (about $200) which includes AKC registration fee, lifetime help line for behavioral support from trainers, etc, etc. Not sure I would recommend the broker route yet, i think we got real lucky randomly picking a dog and it's associated great breeder.

The most important thing is the wife was giggling and real happy and the pup is healthy. She loves her new baby very much. I would do anything for that woman. She had one accident since home, my fault (the dog, not my wife). She goes to the back door when she wants out, not bad for a dog that has been at home for just 12 hours. She can fetch a ball and does not mind some rest in her crate. She is adjusting well and what a little cute angel.

Sorry to ramble but what a special gift. We have been truly blessed. A few pics of Lucy...

Regards, Jerry

[Quick Steel]

She looks so sweet I think I better get my glucose level checked. Congrats!

[knifetime]

My brother has one that looks just like her,she is a neat little dog.

[btrwtr]

Jerry,

She looks like a bundle of fun and I'm sure she will bring a lot of joy to the household. Beautiful little dog there!

Wayne

[treefarmer]

Fine lookin' little pup! If we had a dog with that much paper work, it'd get snake bit within a week ! Sounds like y'all have found another great companion, congratulations !
Treefarmer

[Cutty]

She's a cutie pie Jerry

[zp4ja]

Thanks Gents! She is a little fireball. The wife is real happy.

She has an affinity for eating small pebbles. I laid about 400 feet of sod on Saturday in the back yard to cut down on access to the pebbles. She just loves that grass!

Treefarmer,

Yea, lots of paper for sure. I could really care less about the bloodline in all honesty. Just wanted a healthy dog. My lab comes from long champion bloodline and I never even registered her. Just wanted a good dog not a piece of paper. For me, it is like buying a knife for a COA or the box. To each his own but I buy knives, not boxes or COAs.
The hereiditary checks are nice as I guess these dogs can have bad knees. The little girl is garunteed against congenital diseases and such for 10 years. Made sense to me that with that, better chance of getting a healthy dog. Just could not bear seeing my wife go thur losing a dog again soon.

Regards, Jerry

[orvet]

I thought this thread needed a bump and I think this belongs here!

[knifetime]

For me it is a fact that I like my dogs better than most people I know,lol.
I have 3 and would not trade them for the world.

[gino]

For me it is a fact that I like my dogs better than most people I know,lol.
I have 3 and would not trade them for the world.

That goes for me as well

As some of you know I went through a rough stretch this year and my dog was a saving grace, he was there for me every day without question

[Mumbleypeg]

Here's a picture of my two British labs. If I don't put them in the kennel they follow me everywhere on the ranch so when possible I just take them with me (they have me well trained ). The one on the right has been a great retriever but at 9 yrs old she's not getting around as well as she used to so she's retiring to the life of leisure and being spoiled rotten. The pup on her left is off to a good start but still learning. That's her in the bottom picture after a swim in the stock tank. Hoping she will be as good or better.

Ken

[Quick Steel]

Good looking dogs Mumbleypeg. I've heard that British Labs have a temperament that is a little calmer or more self controlled than the American Labs. Or is that just British snobbery?

[AREMINGTONSEDGE]

How many acres is your ranch Ken? Great pics of the retrievers, beautiful dogs!

[Jethro Bodine]

Latest pics of my blue heeler, Sadie, with her best confirmation pose (achieved by my wife holding a kitten outside range of her fence line).

Almost 2 years old next month, she's 45 lbs & built for speed.

[jlw257]

RIP Old Chunk, now all little Boo Boo want to do is sleep.

[Mumbleypeg]

I've heard that British Labs have a temperament that is a little calmer or more self controlled than the American Labs. Or is that just British snobbery?

I am no expert on dogs so not really qualified to answer that question. Only thing I can offer is limited personal experience. I had a black "American" lab that was advertised when I bought him as being from field trial stock. He wasn't cheap. He turned out to be a big (85 lbs) good looking dog, great personality, everyone loved him. He was also an absolute bust as a gun dog, with zero interest in retrieving anything. Wouldn't even fetch a tennis ball but he did love to swim.

The British labs I have had personal experience with (the two pictured here plus one belonging to my son) are smaller (females about 55 lbs., males about 65-70) eager to please (trainable) and have really strong retrieving desire. They will go until I worry about their health. No shock collars, etc. required. They are also great pets and wonderful with my grandkids, who pull them around by ears and tails, lay on them, etc.

For a great resource on British labs see http://www.duckhillkennels.com. Both of my British labs and the one belonging to my son came from there and I highly recommend them. Not cheap but in my opinion worth every penny if you want a good gun dog. These folks have a great set up for training dogs. The YouTube video on their Puppy Headstart training program (access from the web site) is entertaining.

Ken

[AREMINGTONSEDGE]

JLW, I'm really sad for your loss of Chunk and the grief of Boo Boo . A lot of us have been there several times over and it never get easier. He was a good lookin' Bulldog!

[jlw257]

Thanks Rocky, we will miss old Chunk, he and Boo Boo was a team. The UPS man wouldn't come to the house because of them.
Larry

[Quick Steel]

Thanks Mumbleypeg. Your experience confirms the good things I've heard about the English Labs.

[jlw257]

My Grandson and his dog Chase, ready for the world
Larry

[Quick Steel]

jlw257, a great photo. Shepherds are my all time favorite breed, tho I never met a canine I didn't like. Yours looks like he is in his prime.

[jlw257]

jlw257, a great photo. Shepherds are my all time favorite breed, tho I never met a canine I didn't like. Yours looks like he is in his prime.

Thanks QS
Chase isn't a year old yet but he's showing sign of becoming a great dog.
Larry

[jerryd6818]

Last weekend, we stopped for a visit at the house of a friend we had not seen for a few years. This is her dog. English Mastiff. Weighs 220 lbs.