Hi,
we are looking for a black lab bitch for around the end of March 08.
we live in Brighton but would be happy to travel as far as the Midlands for the right little girl. could anyone who's planning to have some pups ready for then or knows someone who might please let us know.
many thanks
nicky & steve

Here are the telephone numbers of the Labrador Retriever Clubs around the UK, if you contact a few on the list I'm sure they will point you in the right direction for reputable breeders

Cots & Wyevern - Mr Karl Gawthorpe 01932 874539
East Anglian LRC - Mrs Janet Cole 01354 680375
Kent, Surrey & Sussex LRc - Mrs Karen Walsh 01483 797653
LRC Scotland - Miss N Farquharson 01382 459099
Lab Club - Mr Arwyn Ellis 01766 522146
LRC Northern Ireland - Mrs M Hughes 028 92 63803
LRC Wales - Mrs M Barker 01443 842585
Midland Counties LRC - Mrs Julia Lewis 01484 680123
North West LRC - Mrs Maureen D'Arcy 01254 264177
Northumberland & Durham LRC - Mr Paul Smith 01642 292965
Three Ridings LRC - Pat Gill 01943 467926
West of England LRC - Gordon Fox 01566 785121
Yellow Lab Club - Sussie Wiles  01895 823227

ok great will give them a call thanks
nicky

if you go on the Kennel Club Website you can search all breeders that are registered with them. It also shows who is part of their accredited breeder scheme. Its where i got my little lab from 5months ago!

It'll tell you when the pups will be ready etc.

Hope this helps!

http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/asp/PSAR/

Meg x

>if you go on the Kennel Club Website you can search all breeders that are registered with them. It also shows who is part of their accredited breeder scheme.

The KC puppy register does not mean that the Breeder is reputable nor does the Accredited Breeder Scheme..............anyone can become accredited it seems. However, the list I gave above would only recommend Breeders who abide by a code of ethics as set out by each individual Breed Club . If however, you want to look through the KC kennel Club puppy register, then vet each Breeder very carefully

Yes very good advice Jo.

I would also say try and get a relatonship built up with your breeder as you will soon learn alot about their ethics and why they are breeding over a length of time. Just ringing up and going to see a litter will not give that indepth view on the breeder. Once you have that relationship  it should carry on throught the lifetime of the pup and beyond hopefully

Unfortunately the Accredited breeders scheme having been marketed as a tool for increasing puppy sales has not been supported by many of the best breeders, because they see no need to have to prove their ethics, their reputations in their breeds speak for themselves, and many feel the requirements of the scheme are pretty minor compared to what they do already, and frankly do not wish to be associated in any way with many of the breeders that are listed, who comply with the letter but not the spirit of the scheme.

So if it is not working the way it was intended then what is the answer to encourage and educate newbie prospective owners ?

If the ABS is to mean something then it needs to be tightened up and those joining the scheme should have a provable good track record in each breed they have.  Even if people choose not to belong to the breed clubs of their breed due to political reasons they should have to comply with the breeds code of ethics not just the general KC one.

The things that should be the minimum criteria for inclusion on the scheme are at the moment accolades (club membership, number of stud book qualifiers bred etc)  Number of litters bred of itself should not count as a positive aspect, as it is quality not quantity that should count.

Maybe it should be the percentage of pups bred that go on to achieve stud book qualifications, or working qualifications that should be counted.

The established good breeder has no incentive to join the scheme, they already shell out enough money with affix maintenance each year, and health testing and proving their stock.  I personally don't see why I should have to pay for the privilege of showing that I do the right thing by my dogs and breed.

I think what the Kennel club fails to see is that far fewer of those breeding and availing themselves of KC registration are really what they ought to be.

It is interesting that in many countries where organised Kennel Clubs have had a much smaller start the requirements for dogs to qualify as breeding stock are much higher.  Compulsory health tests, minimum show achievements, working ability qualifications and temperament tests.  Checks by a KC official on every litter before registration when they are permanently identified and certified as typical of the breed.

You will find very few reputable breeders on there, very few breed club members for any breed listed.

One thing fortunate about choosing a labrador puppy especially black and yellow is there is quite a number breed and shown/worked so you have a huge selection of good breeders and waiting times are often not as long.  The down side for the breed is they are everywhere and there seems no slowing in the numbers bred every year.

I believe because of this there is really no reason for you not to get it right, Ie researching the breeders , perhaps getting repuations through the breed clubs.  There are very many excellent breeders of Labradors throughout the UK so be CHOOSEY.

One thing to be careful with is the backyard breeder is become clever.  If you find some breeders seek references from various breed clubs on this person.

Lucy in my opinion the best thing for newbies is to join their breed clubs , buy the dog papers every week and educate themselves.  People have to take a little responsibility in my opinion to educate themselves. There is little excuse now buying from the wrong type of breeder with the information you can find positive or negative on the internet . 

Regarding the ABS The KC is a business , like so many they get it wrong from time to time. This one is a cracker of an error.  This has been the most unsettled and disappointed I have witnessed between the caring ethical breeders and the KC.

I think Mr Irvine may eat his own words on this one.

Not jumping on you Lucy honestly )   BUT I would be advising doing ALL your homework first before striking up freindships/relationships with any breeder. 

I would , if I was the original poster search out a few good breeders in this breed contact the clubs, so some more research, IE how results, breed club affiliation and then contact them and see how you feel about them.

I agree once that is done and you know they are 100% the right one then bash on with the relationship building.

Yes I agree do your homework BUT the only real way to know they are right is to build that relatinship as you get a true feel about who they are and how they treat their dogs which to me is a very important part of choosing a breeder