AKC puppy finder. Put in breed, mileage and click findNo. I mean a real 4-legged one! My daughter is on a mission to get a Labrador. It must be black. So, I'm looking for a pup within 200 miles of Richmond, VA.
All labs are not equal . Being it's your daughters is she looking for pet quality? I have hunting field trial labs which make great pets but can be over powering for a pet owner . Find a good breeder in the Richmond area if she does her homework the chance of getting the type of pet she or they want can be found . I'm into the hi energy, powerful labs that will not stop. I don't think she is looking for that type . I'll keep my ears open . Please be careful out there these dogs are known for hip issues and a few other problems . Do your research .
Jim W
Yes she's had 2 labs before. I've forwarded all these posts to her.Is she familiar with owning a lab? Beyond the orthopedic issues that are common, is she ready to have a 4 year old, 80lb puppy? Labs take a long time to mentally mature, longer than most other breeds.
But, they are excellent dogs, extremely loyal, great protectors, until the one time they are not. Labs in general can be a crap shoot, depending on expectations.
Find a local breed specific rescue group and you should get all the information needed before hand.
I agree with Tommie, years ago we got a black lab mix puppy from the local SPCA that was outstanding. Absolutely wonderful in temperament, kindness, and learned to poop near the woods way in the back on his own. Lived to 16, miss him a lot. Later adopted a young chocolate...likely a puppy mill dog. Good gesture, and she was fine with me, my kids, and family, but 50/50 on visitors. Violent in a flash. UPS guy not impressed. We took her to trainers who said she had fear aggression. They also said that if a pup is not properly socialized in the first 16 weeks of life, it will have issues, and never be what it could have been.Pound dogs are a crap shoot. Some are great but many are emotionally damaged. The scary thing is that a rescue dog can act perfectly normal for months or even years, then suddenly something will trigger the animal and it goes apesh*t berserk. Been there. Twice.
Getting animals from a shelter is a wonderful gesture and sometimes is very rewarding. Just keep in mind that some are profoundly damaged goods.
They also said that if a pup is not properly socialized in the first 16 weeks of life, it will have issues, and never be what it could have been.