Niki8

Thank you so much guys...it gives me some idea about how much and what to do and what not... :) Thanks for the link 'canine fun sports', great info and beautiful pics:-)

Hi guys, I am getting a lab pup at the end of November and am trying to read lots and lots beforehand to have some basic knowledge as this will be our first dog. I have found lots of very interesting and useful info in here but have a question in my head related to a thread from yesterday about elbow dysplasia. I know labs are quite prone to hip/elbow dysplasia and even though I am getting a pup from a breeder whose dogs have very low scores, there is always a chance a lab can develop this condition due to environmental factors. My question is how much exercise is too much? I guess the older the pup, the longer walks I can do with him but I really don’t have any idea…My partner and I are both quite active people and we spend lots of time bush walking, jogging and doing other sports…I am excited to have our new pup with us soon and can imagine how much fun it will be but want to make sure we don’t overexercise him and cause some related health problems…thanks in advance for your comments and shared experiences :)

Awww...love the vids :-) too funny :-) Can't wait to have my own cheeky friend ♥♥♥

Awww...:-)

Sorry, maybe I havent't explained myself well...I was thinking of getting a pup from a pure-bred border collie and pure-bred labrador retriever...in that case, I meant it would be 50/50... A Registerd Breeder is actually not permitted to breed it's purebred dog with any other Purebred dog, other than of the same breed. Therefore you are unlikely to get any health testing from such a combination. And to use the Labrador X Poodle (Labradoodle) as an example of a 50/50 split. It was found the variations in coat, temperament and size too great for this breed combination to be of any real use as a guide dog. Unfortunately the Spin Doctors had made it a popular "designer Dog" and the rest is history. Not to say a cross breed dog isn't going to be a wonderful, clever individual. The smartest loveliest dog I have ever owned was a Border Collie X Aust Cattle Dog. But I couldn't replicate her in size, temperament or personality even if I wanted to. Thanks LizT :-) Yep, I had a feeling that registered breeders were not allowed to breed two purebred dogs of different breeds - maybe I even read it but with all the info I have been getting in last few weeks it simply stayed somewhere at the very back of my mind...it make sense...THANK YOU :-)

This is the best part of having an open discussion, education. Well done on doing all your research first before just jumping at the first puppy you see. Good Luck :) :) :) :)

Thank you :-) Will read through it:-)

Thanks heaps Kavik, it means heaps to me:-) Yep, labrador was my first choice and think will stick to it:-)

Hi guys, Thanks heaps for all your comments, even though I haven't replied to all of them yet, I am very grateful for them and have read every single one. Your comments make sense and won't definitely go for a cross-breed (unless it's from a shelter or a rescue group). Most likely though will go for a pure-bred dog :-) You have probably saved me another week or two trying to look up more info about cross-breeds, now I do have much better understanding why not to go for one:-) Also thanks that you have commented even though my post may have been offended some of you as pure-bred dog breeders. I truly hadn't believed anyone would reply to it or thought it would be deleted before anyone would have a chance to comment (being on the site of pure-bred dog breeders). I have learnt a lot today and maybe this post has helped also someone else who had been deciding between a pure-bred and a cross:-) Thanks lots and lots and have heaps of fun with your lovely dogs:-) Xx

Thank you :) I want a dog who needs lots of exercise and loves being outdoor (which both labs and border collies are)...I used to be a semi-professional dancer and spent lots of time training in the studios and outdoors...I want to stay fit and always wanted a dog and I feel now i would actually have time for it...I work only three days a week...as for training, I want to go through a proper training with my dog (go to puppy classes and than continue on with classes for more grown up dogs) - at the end of the day, I want a fairly big dog and I can't afford not to have him/her trained:-) I do actually prefer short-haired dogs. I want a dog who loves to play, being challenged but is also good with kids...I don't have kids yet but considering to have a kid in like 4-5 years...suggestions? LOL...thanks...much appreciated :-) Labrador Thank you :-)

Thanks heaps:-) I haven't made my final decision, I want to take time with that...will look up the Australian Shepherd as well;-)

I want a dog who needs lots of exercise and loves being outdoor (which both labs and border collies are)...I used to be a semi-professional dancer and spent lots of time training in the studios and outdoors...I want to stay fit and always wanted a dog and I feel now i would actually have time for it...I work only three days a week...as for training, I want to go through a proper training with my dog (go to puppy classes and than continue on with classes for more grown up dogs) - at the end of the day, I want a fairly big dog and I can't afford not to have him/her trained:-) I do actually prefer short-haired dogs. I want a dog who loves to play, being challenged but is also good with kids...I don't have kids yet but considering to have a kid in like 4-5 years...suggestions? LOL...thanks...much appreciated :-)

I have a Xbreed .. one herding, one hunting /retrieving and knew both his parents , and am an experienced dog owner. he is not much like either parent ..and is somewhat crazy . I can not really see an ounce of his father in his looks or temperament ..and size wise he is heaps larger than his mum..his coat is his own, and her temperament unfortunately escaped him :p so ... it is NOT 50/50 . I looked forward to getting him as I had a similar cross before ... wrong . Thanks :D :D

Hi everyone, Hey, I just would like to say huge thank you for all your replies, you are starting to persuade me that it's not a good idea to buy a cross-breed...I definitely don't want to buy a dog from someone who breeds for money and support breeding of dogs not tested for medical conditions etc. I just thought that if you breed two dogs with lovely personalities that there is not much chance you get puppies with 'bad' personalities...I mean if both my parents are kind how big is the chance I'll be an awful kid...LOL...sorry for the comparison:-)))

Sorry, maybe I havent't explained myself well...I was thinking of getting a pup from a pure-bred border collie and pure-bred labrador retriever...in that case, I meant it would be 50/50...

I do consider a purebred...the question was more about why not a cross-breed? I would love to take a dog from a shelter and help a dog who wasn't treated well or lost home but as a first dog owner, I read I should have a dog from a puppy first to learn how to train it...if I get a dog from shelter I would have to unteach the dog old habits and teach new...

Hey, thanks for your comment…I know I am maybe not at the right place but there is really nowhere else I could ask...and at least I'll get the opinions of some proper breeders… Well, why I have got actually across this cross-breed is because I am reading a book written by a UK vet on dog training and stuff and he does own a cross of a border collie and a lab…it’s a beautiful dog… Both border collie and labrador retrievers have beautiful personalities…and when I went through their characteristics, I was thinking maybe I could get a border collie…and from that I got to a cross of those two breeds…there’s nothing else really to it…I just want a healthy loving dog but was surprised about how much negativity I hear here when it comes to cross-breeds…

Hi there, I just would like to ask for your opinions and help…I have been considering buying a dog and I have been reading a lot to make sure I will be a good dog owner and give my pup/dog the best I can :) Originally, I thought I would go for a labrador retriever. My sister has had one and I truly love that breed and kind of feel we would suit each other. I love being outdoors and keeping my fitness up, plus I am a very playful person and I love fitness or mental challenges…when I read about labs, sometimes I have to laugh as they so remind me of my personality… :) Anyway, when I was reading through the books and different articles on the internet, I also got into a section of labrador crosses (particularly border collie lab cross). I wanted to find out a bit more about it and even thought I have found only the positive as for the personality of this cross breed, there are so many negative responses from people out there…I mean whenever I have found some article of someone considering getting a cross, people just commented in a way that “it was the worst thing to do” and that the person should get a pure-bred dog or help some puppy from a shelter. I’ll be honest…I also looked up ads on puppies of this cross-breed and there are almost none…hm…so I wonder why if you mate two pure-bred dogs (one border collie and one labrador retriever) who have had their testing done (as for hip dysplasia and other medical conditions these breeds are susceptible to), why is it such an issue? As from what I have read, the first generation of these dogs should have ‘better’ health and be just something in between of both breeds as for their personalities as they get 50% from each of the parents. Is the main concern that there is no control over the new owners who could potentially mate their puppies when grown up further? Wouldn’t then be a solution to require those puppies to be desexed as it is sometimes requested by breeders of pure-bred dogs? I feel a bit confused as for what I have been reading (the negative opinions of wanting a cross-bred dog) and that’s why I have thought I’ll just ask others…what are your opinions? I would actually really love to buy a border collie-lab cross from some nice breeders who provide a good environment for their litters and whose parents were tested but it seems that there is no one in Australia who actually mates those two beautiful breeds…any help? Or I just may stick to a pure lab… :) Thanks lots and lots...