Dog Fixing in NE

[Phil Lilley]

I didn't know what else to title this as...  I hope this doesn't go in a bad direction but it's worth mentioning.  It's an interesting mindset people have at least in Beverly, MA.

My son married and stayed in Beverly after attending a school in the area.  They've been there for over 10 years.  They have 3 kids and wanted to get a lab last year.  Their choices - go to a shelter and pick out a dog.  But there aren't any actual dogs at the shelters... they see dogs from other states that are available, mainly in the Midwest.  And they start at 4 figures, plus transportation.  Then you have to go to a school and they determent if you're the right person to own a pet.  And of course, the animal has to be fixed.  That's true here locally too, if the animal comes from a shelter.

Caleb bought a lab from a friend of mine who lives in SE Kansas.  He picked it up last summer while they were here visiting.  Getting the dog back home on the airline was a challenge, not to mention the dog locked him out of the van at the airport in Boston... at midnight.

They're visiting this week.  They didn't bring the dog.  Getting someone to board the dog was difficult.  They want to have one litter with River, a female, so she's not fixed.  No boarder anywhere will take a dog that's not fixed.  Maybe it's for different reasons other than they wants all dogs fixed... may be it's a pain to have a female in heat at the boarders, not that River was in heat. I don't know.  But this is what made me scratch my head.

Their friends, neighbors and family members (Maggie's) really have taken issue with them NOT getting River fixed.  It seems to be the general attitude in that area.  Caleb said that people think the only people who should own dogs that aren't fixed are licensed breeders and even they're called "puppy mills" and are looked down on.  He said it's crazy... a lot of people WANT to own dogs but it's so hard and expensive.  And there aren't enough animals in New England because all dogs are fixed to they have to go to places where dogs aren't fixed to buy dogs.... even muts.  Regardless, they have to be shipped in from places other than New England.

[DADAKOTA]

Weird beliefs on both coasts.

[tho1mas]

Phil - Perhaps a move westward should be in his future?

[Quillback]

That's interesting, my sister and BIL have had Labs for years and have litters of pups to sell almost every year.  They have never mentioned having any pressure to get their dogs spayed, but I'll have to ask them.   They live in Wrentham MA.  As far as demand, they are all sold before they are weaned, I think the get around $1K per pup.

[Phil Lilley]

8 minutes ago, Quillback said:

That's interesting, my sister and BIL have had Labs for years and have litters of pups to sell almost every year.  They have never mentioned having any pressure to get their dogs spayed, but I'll have to ask them.   They live in Wrentham MA.  As far as demand, they are all sold before they are weaned, I think the get around $1K per pup.

I'm sure every area/community is different.  You get out of the cities into the rural areas and it may be different.  Caleb would have definitely bought a lab up there if he could have found one.  But he said it was cheaper to buy the dog and fly it back than buying one up there. 

[Quillback]

28 minutes ago, Phil Lilley said:

I'm sure every area/community is different.  You get out of the cities into the rural areas and it may be different.  Caleb would have definitely bought a lab up there if he could have found one.  But he said it was cheaper to buy the dog and fly it back than buying one up there. 

If they are looking for a stud for their dog, the one my BIL uses is supposed to have all the right stuff for a family type lab.  I think, but not sure, the stud lives somewhere near the Cape so it would be a bit of a haul from Beverly.  

[fishinwrench]

I've never been a fan of surgically or chemically altering animals.  People who claim to believe in, and respect, the creator seem to constantly be in favor of altering nature.   It just doesn't sit well with me.  

Maybe the parents of people who lean that way...... should have been "fixed" instead.  🤔

[Phil Lilley]

24 minutes ago, Quillback said:

If they are looking for a stud for their dog, the one my BIL uses is supposed to have all the right stuff for a family type lab.  I think, but not sure, the stud lives somewhere near the Cape so it would be a bit of a haul from Beverly.  

I’ll get that info from you when they’re ready to move on it. Thanks 

[Nick Adams]

I don't think people realize the number of animals in shelters around here. It's pretty astounding. There are more shelters that I can count and one in almost every town, so I'm not surprised other areas have strict laws/attitudes about spay/neutering. 

[rps]

I was raised by a mother who bred and showed dogs. English Setters, English Springer Spaniels, and Otterhounds. She and I exhibited all over the United States, including the big one, Madison Square Garden.

Your best source for non shelter dogs will be from a breeder who belongs to a national breed club (show or gun/work). Expect a health guarantee. Expect the breeder to require you to neuter or sign a contract to breed only with the original breeders consent. Mom learned that early when we got a call from a man in NYC who wanted information about the dog he bought at a store. We discovered someone in Kansas had bought one of her dogs at an estate sale, bred the female dog multiple times, and was selling them with Mom's kennel name.

As for the "expectations" of others, most of the people in the US have zero knowledge of fishing, hunting, or dogs other the something that looks good. Were Mom still alive, she would be horrified at Labradooles, dappled dachshunds, and peekapoos.

Just for pride, the attached link goes to the foundation female dog for mom's breeding program. https://pedigree.englishsetters.at/details.php?id=10380&gens=4

 

BTW Phil,  your dirty word blocker thinks dog terms are dirty.