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Do not, repeat, do not take a puppy from its mother until it is at least 8-9 weeks old. Weeks 7-8 are extremely important for dog socialization. It is in those two weeks that their mother teaches them to inhibit their bite. Puppies placed at 6 weeks or younger often turn into very hard biters, very mouthy as adults.
This is a critical socialization period for them. They need their mother. In these weeks they learn to inhibit their bite, to accept discipline from other dogs. In other words, mom teaches them important pack behavior. This behavior transfers over to their human pack.
I am wondering where you are getting these pups if you say there are only three left. Are there simply reservations on them or is the owner selling them prior to 8 weeks ? That may also be illegal in your state. It is in mine. If the owner is letting people take them home at 5-6 weeks, then this is the ultimate idiot, backyard breeder.
If she expects you take a pup this weekend, then I would try to give her a deposit and have her hold the puppy for at least two more weeks. If she insists you take it, then I would suggest you do a lot more research on the internet, in case you don't believe me, on when to take a pup from its mother. Then decide if you should walk away.
I had a very large male Labrador who topped over 100 lbs briefly when he was about 3. He wasn't fat. He was a very large lab with long legs and a huge head. But weight isn't good for large dogs so we got him down to 85 lbs fairly quickly. He remained that weight until he got older and started losing muscle mass. He was about 70 lbs in his last years. He was petty close to skin and bones at the end due to having degenerative myelopathy.
Retrievers aren't as heavy as Labradors. They're more slender dogs. It's very possible that these puppies will only weight 50 lbs. It's more likely they'll end up in the 60'ish range. But there's not much difference between a 60lb lab mix and a 70 or 80 lb lab mix. Their body structure is still similar in size. You're getting a breed that is great for a jogger.
Personality is both breeds are energetic puppies for 2 to 3 years. You can't get around the puppy phase with any breed. Plan to crate train. That way there won't be destruction when left home alone. If you're truly trying to avoid an energetic dog, consider a breed that is less energetic. A basset hound becomes a happy couch potato faster than lab or golden. But if you can stick through the early years, any breed will happily lay at your feet while you watch TV. Your plans to go jogging and for 40 minute walks will do a good job of expending energy. Doing play dates or going to the dog park to romp with other dogs will wear your puppy out so it sleeps.
I'd be more inclined to get the playful one than the shy one. Shy dogs can be very neurotic. You want to pick a dog that is confident but not aggressive. Shy dogs can be aggressive because they lack confidence and scare easily.
The post above is good advice. Don't adopt a dog too young. Puppies need that time with their mothers for personality development. You'll have a mess on your hands if your dog is taken from its mother and litter too early.
We had a male golden and a male lab both were about 90lbs. We had a female golden and she was about 70lbs. I think the lab/golden mix would make a wonderful dog. They will stay pups for a long time and as before require lots of exercise.
We had a golden/lab mix for a blessed 15 years, and I can vouch for the personality being wonderful (she too had golden hair but was black). Her personality, well it was so wonderful that it has taken me 3 years to finally say I am ready to love another.
What else, well she was never over 55lbs (so maybe something else in her makeup?), was a character in a half, took no time what so ever to train, was loyal, loving, and just the perfect dog. I actually think that is the best of two wonderful breeds of dogs and would highly them to anyone. She was not a child dog, although she would great my grandchildren with a kiss and a wag and off to the basement until the house was quiet again.
I hope you do adopt one and have a wonderful and long relationship. Good luck!
Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate your feedback. I wouldn't think they would grow up to be that big. Based on your feedback, I'm wondering if the playful puppy is going to be more hyper and have more energy than the shy one. With my work schedule, walking 2 times even 3 is going to be ok. I'm Just worried if the dog is going to require more walks than that or more exercise. I'm thinking adopting the girl might be a good idea since generally speaking female dogs are smaller than males And I'm assuming they might be less hyper, no?
Don't know if you got your puppy or not but no do not assume females are less hyper as my females have all been more hyper then my males. I tend to have had rather laid back boys and crazy girls. And a shy puppy does not mean it will be an easy puppy. My Jazz was a shy puppy and I spent a lot more time with her dealing with issues that were a result of that. Don't get me wrong as she was a fantastic dog and will no doubt remain my once in a life time dog but I put a lot of time in with her. I had claimed I would never get a young puppy again as yeah she was that tough. Well eventually I did get a young puppy again but I lucked out as Chaos was a social butterfly and a very easy puppy but she is still more hyper then either of the boys I have owned.
As someone else said do not take that puppy before 8 weeks. I have a friend that breeds border collies that does not let them go to their new homes until 12 weeks so they get a lot of time to learn from mom and siblings. It is important. I think My Dash probably was taken too early ( I got him from the humane society at 1 yr) as he would mouth too much for a year old dog and he would grab rather hard so I really had to work on that to stop him from grabbing people when he was young. As he aged he was OK as he was a love bug border collie X springer spaniel. For that breed mix he had hyper moments but over all he was very laid back and easy going. After I worked out a few aggression issues he had come with he was probably one of my sweetest dogs and one I would trust with anyone. I think that first year he was just in the wrong home and they let him control them and he developed some bad habits so they dumped him but thanks to his true love...FOOD his habits were fixable and after a few months I never had any sign of aggression from him just tons of butt wiggles and licks!
Would love an update, you got some good answers, please let us know.
A close relative adopted a golden mix several yrs ago, owners thought the puppies w/b full golden bc mom was bred w/ another so imagine their surprise when all the puppies were black - apparently there was a black 'visiting' dog in the neighborhood around that time, some pups were longhaired and some were shorthaired. Anyway he was a great family dog, if I was looking (and younger), I wouldnt hesitate (we had goldens and they were great and he was very similar in personality).
Please let us know how it's going and what 'the rest of the story' is
Great dogs, very loving. I was wondering were you located the mix. I have been looking for the black lab or lab golden mix for a while. I have had 2 of the breed and they a the most wonderful animal. I lost both of them over the last few years and have been looking for a new puppy. But any way I can't tell how great they are, But do be prepared for a very active first year.
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golden/lab mix
