owning a labrador puppy

Can't advise you on labradors I'm afraid but sorry to hear about your whippets [I'm on my second; I adore them]. All I know about labradors is that it takes two years for them to start to grow up and they need loads of exercise. I'd heard that chocolate ones have a different temperament to black and golden [more neurotic] but don't take my word for it as I have no experience of them. I'd love one of those big black Sandringham type labradors but I just don't walk far enough these days [although you've got me having little fantasies now ].

Having taken on a springer/viszla cross all I know is that any 'working' breed needs plenty of training, play and stimulus. Its also quite unfair to have a dog without giving them the sort of training they need for the life you expect to lead. Our neighbours took on a very sad chocolate labrador who had been living a very confined life in a little semi in a nearby town. Thankfully hes taken to being out on the farm and trots behind his new owners - tail a wagging - but he was quite a handfull at first from not getting a decent 'social' education.
From what I gather taking on a new pup needs a lot of commitment - our dog was loved and owned by an older couple who had to give her up to Dogs Trust when they realised they could not cope. We keep in touch with them and have exchanged photos so alls well that ends well.

Hello Angel2, welcome to gransnet. Its a bit addictive though, so beware.
So sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved whippets, and what a blow to lose two within such a short time. I posted on here recently about the loss of my beloved little cat Panda over six weeks ago now. Everyone is so understanding, and posted some beautiful messages. I found much comfort in messages from like minded folk. Regarding your inquiry about chocolate labs, I have a neighbour who has one, although his temperament is gentle, (the dog I mean) !! he seems to give them a few problems in that he is very strong, I often meet them out walking and they look exhausted being pulled at a rate of knots. Dont know whether this is lack of training or just a strong willed dog taking advantage of his owners.
Good luck with your search.

P.S. plenty of whippets and greyhounds get handed in to Greyhound Trusts for re-homing.

P.P.S. yes, would like to second forbesisnow's comment this chocolate lab is very strong - he has 'bundled' me over a couple of times when he comes to court our dog. Mind you, ours used to pull her previous owner over - hence the sad trip to Dogs Trust.

Hi Angel, We had a black lab years ago. They are adorably lovable,so affectionate, but they need to be properly trained,like all dogs.
For the first couple of years, they can be destructive if you don't keep them occupied, they chew anything!
They do settle down though....eventually , we used to call ours Houdini as he could escape from anywhere.

I'd love to hear more about your whippets if it doesn't upset you too much to write about them. It was this time of year several years ago that my first whippet became ill and I still miss her terribly.

Thank you all so much for your comments, information and advice. This site is amazing!
You have reinforced what concerned me about labrador pups - maybe I can love them from afar and melt at the cute puppies. I think we will stick with the little whippets we know and still love. I think as we had such a run of bad luck with them I felt it might be good to try another breed. I have looked at rescue sites but at the moment every dog that appeals says not to be rehomed with children under 11 or 8 years and our grandchildren range from 4-8.

To respond to Tegan. We had two whippet brothers 14 years ago- Jack white and brindle particolour and Ben a brindle. They used to steeplechase around our sitting room, jumping over the staves of the dining chairs and through the underneath of the coffee table. They were real hunters and would work as a pair chasing rabbits and squirrels. I hated that being vegetarian and an animal lover.

Ben, who would have been better named Reckless, died just before his third birthday after cannoning into of all things a headstone on a dogs grave at a local Hall where they loved going for walks. We missed him so much. he was really laid back and always found a comfy spot with an impromptu pillow.

We had little Joe just a fortnight later. he was beautiful - a champagne colour with a blue muzzle and looked like he wore grey eye liner. He had no prey instinct at all and stood watching a rabbit about ten yards away with no interest . He was amazing with the grandchildren and they loved him. Jack did not like the children on his territory one little bit and we had to muzzle him. The children still adored him. Joe used to keep his claws in check by biting them off if they got too long. He would also make a really funny purring sound when he knew his dinner was coming, and he would sometimes sing with you. he has left a huge gap.

Thanks again all. It was lovely to read your words.

I adopted 2 labs 20 years ago - a yellow mum aged 4 and her 7 month old black lab puppy. They were wonderful dogs and we still speak fondly of them. The black lab died 8 years ago, because I found her passing so devastating [even tho'she was 14] that I can't bear to put myself through this again.Her mother also died at 14 years .
They are what our dog trainer called 'biddable' in other words they want to please but --- can be naughty if not handled properly. So puppy classes are vital even if like me you've had other dogs. I'd had a Border Collie and thought I was a bit of an expert. However, he was a totally different character, highly intelligent and easy to train. If your trainer is as good as mine was he will help you train according to the breed. He also called labs 'dustbins' and they will literally eat anything and can be very greedy - prone to plumpness, so be careful. They are very lovable, wonderful with children, have a sense of humour, drop their hair everywhere, greet your guests with big sloppy licks, drool with hunger when you are eating and try to stare you out when you are eating. I could go on, but you've guess I'm a terrific fan and recommend these dogs to you - enjoy them, it's a fun journey.

dorset, they (labs) are gorgeous aren't they? It was two years after having ours put to sleep, before I stopped filling up at the thought of him He was a real character.

those brown labs in particular can grow very big. My cousin had a massive one. He seemed to be twice the size of some labradors. Check out both parents.
Gun dog breeds all need loads of exercise and will eat as much as they can.

Angel; my current whippet is a fawn with a grey muzzle; we spend most night curled up on the sofa together watching telly. I know what you mean about changing breed; I sometimes think of doing so but then realise that my whole life/house is geared towards whippets. What I would like again [I used to have cocker spaniels] is a dog that I can take for walks and not have to worry about; Hattie is only let off the lead in safe places and even then there's always the risk of barbed wire etc. Would never let her off in our local country park where there are children playing and other dogs running around [in fact I wouldn't let her of the lead when I'm with the grandchildren because she runs so fast she would break their legs if she ran into them]. Have you looked at thewhippetforum site? They often have whippets for re homing. Mind you, I think you have to have them from a puppy; I didn't socialise my first whippet properly and she always remained nervous, whereas this one I can take anywhere. If you were thinking of a larger dog have you considered Viszla's? Incredibly sensitive dogs but wonderful companions when well trained; perhaps more whippety in nature than labradors. I hate having Hattie as an only dog as whippets so love company [and they don't take up any space, do they?] but can't afford the insurance on two dogs. I would love a brindle again [my favourite colour]. Please let us know what you decide .

@ Ella46 a friend and I took her pooch for a walk in the New Forest. In the car park we came across another walker with a lovely black lab, so like mine. Of course I had to pet the dog and talk to the owner, but then started filling up when the dog leant on me and looked up as if to say ' I'm sorry you're sad'. My friend had to lead me gently away before I completely lost it - that was only a few months after Bella died. Now 8 years later that doesn't happen thankfully but I still look at labs with a sad longing.

Thank you all for your comments. After much research and a lot of soul searching
Henry a little whippet puppy will be joining our family after Easter xx

How lovely Angel2, you have more years of fun ahead. It would be nice to see a photo of Henry in the 'pictures' section when you get him, and to hear how he gets on.

I have posted a picture his lovely breeder Tracey sent me. Took me a while! He doesn't look much like a whippet yet on it but he's already ensnared me!

Angel2 so pleased for you,you will certainly enjoy him we had a Basset called Henry and he lived up to his name in more ways than one,he used to wander into neighbours house's and make himself at home and was spoilt by everyone.Enjoy your new puppy

Angel2 what a great time you're going to have. We also had a Henry, a rescued old cocker spaniel who was so well-mannered and loyal. I have a basset now - the cuddliest, most patient dog in the world (and also the most stubborn!). Happy days

Oh, I'm so jealous. Please don't tell me the breeder has any more pups for sale or I'll be very tempted to contact her. I've never had a boy whippet but have always been told that they are the only breed of dog where the boys are as sweet natured as the girls [if not more so] and terribly loyal to their owners [the girls keeping just a little bit back for themselves].

By the way, we've just been oop north and, with the weather being very cold and windy didn't do the sort of walking we planned to do. One day we both said how relieved we were not to have a dog that needed miles of walking each day whatever the weather; just a five minute run round the beach and she'd be crashed out for the rest of the day [as were we!]. Most of the time all we saw was nose peaking out from under one of her duvets [she buried herself in them].

Sorry Tegan but they've all gone now. The breeder is just lovely- such a warm and friendly lady. Pups (9) are reared in the home with 3 other family dogs and visiting children. I can hardly wait for ours to come now especially as my husband has just been diagnosed with Alzheimers. I'm looking forward to a bit of joy!.......and a bit of mischief.
They do say that whippets are different from other breeds in that the boys are friendly and the girls a bit more aloof but always had boys so don't know how true that is.

Enjoy your new little puppy! You will have hours of fun with him and a lot of love and licks. I'm hoping to get another cocker spaniel puppy in June as a sister to Hamish my black cocker boy. He's needing a playmate as although he tries to play ball with our cats they are just sooooo not interested!! The litter is due sometime in April, so watch this space........

I have greyhounds who are in my opinion a very faithful breed. I do prefer dogs to bitches. My boys follow me around the house positioning them selves so that I am always within their sight. The bitch although sweet natured much prefers her own company and retires to her bed after walks. The boys generally ignore her but will cuddle up together.

In my life I have had a Fox Terrier, a Boxer, a Border Collie, Greyhound Collie X and my lovely, lovely, Greys, there is no other breed for me, they are such wonderful dogs. The only drawback is that I can only let them off the lead in certain circumstances.

I hope your new little whippet brings you lots of happiness Angel12 looking forward to seeing photographs of your new baby.

Yes, that is the drawback isn't it; when I had spaniels I could go to the local country park and just let them off, but would never do that with the whippet [and even on farm land I worry about barbed wire] but I seem to have adapted myself to that sort of dog ownership. I do love spaniel puppies, though, and melt whenever I see one. I gave up on them because I'm useless at grooming them; always started off with good intentions but ended up going to the dog grooming place apologising [yet again] for all of the knots and tangles. I said I wanted a dog I just had to wipe over with a cloth occasionally and that's what I've got. And, although I hate seeing little dogs in their designer doggy clothes I love buying whippet coats and collars [different ones for different weather; it was a two coat job last week]. And I spend a lot of time talking to greyhound/whippet owners that I meet when out walking. Spoke to someone the other day that was quite relieved when I said what terrible thieves they were [she thought it was just hers!]. She had a rescue whippet that actually had barbed wire cuts round her back legs where she'd been tethered in some way but still had the sweetest disposition.