I'm gonna be a Grandpa!

[Smoking Duck]

I finally get to join the ranks of , well, let's say , the seasoned smokers here.

My lab Steeler is going to have pups.  I'm so excited...........she just turned 4 in November and we were able to get her hooked up with a nice boy.  Big, yellow, block-headed male that goes about 105 lbs.  Great hunter with a good nose!  We're very proud of the two and eagerly awaiting the arrival of what we hope will be a big litter!

Mom and Dad seem very excited but then they get excited over table scraps, so it's hard to judge.  Should have the little ones sometime in Feb, I think.

SD

[deb415611]

Very cool Duck.  I'm sure Mom & Dad are excited! 


I wish you were closer as we are planning on getting a lab pup in the spring.

Deb

[Smoking Duck]

It's never too far to travel for a good pup, Deb.  If you're looking for a good hunting dog, these will be it.  Both dogs have incredible pedigree.  When Steeler was going through her hunt tests, I had people offer me anywhere from $5,000 - $10, 000 for her.  Of course, I wouldn't sell her for $100,000.....................I did, however, make inquiries as to anyone wanting a wife  ;D  I haven't been able to teach her to retrieve anything regardless how high the setting on the electronic collar  ;) :o


And, if she sees this, I'm a dead man!


SD

[Stargazer]

Hey, congratulations on the new additions coming soon to your family.

I pray each and every one is born healthy and well. :)

[Smoking Duck]

Thanks, Star.  I waited patiently until she was at the age I felt she would be ready for pups and I'm so glad I waited.  She's been such a great dog (if I was half the man she thought I was, I'd be golden) that I'm really excited about it.  My son, who turned 10 on the 19th has been bugging the wife and I about wanting a yellow lab.  There was no way we could afford to buy another lab so this fills the best of both worlds.  I get to continue her lineage and the boy can get a new pup.  Now, I'm just hoping she'll throw some yellows.  Mine was in a litter of 13 pups with a mother who was chocolate and a father who was black.  Every single pup the mother threw was black (which is the dominant gene).  Hopefully, with the father being yellow, we'll get some yellow pups but it's kind of a throw of the dice.  Haven't told the son yet; going to make sure everything comes out healthy as I don't want his hopes to get high just to get crushed.

Maybe this will be the start of a year that will be much better than 2008. Keeping the fingers crossed.................

SD

[FLBentRider]

Maybe this will be the start of a year that will be much better than 2008. Keeping the fingers crossed.................

A M E N , Brother!

[Gizmo]

Congratulations DogPa Duck.

I am with Deb.

My daughter has a small female Yellow around 65 lbs and she is just like family here.  We get to doggy sit for a week.
The dog is a bit of a bed hog though.  Her more human character starts with her preference to lay her head down on the pillows.  Fortunatly she does a great job of warming up the bed before you get in.

Let us know how the extended familys turns out.

[La Quinta]

Congrats Giggles and Mrs Giggles...that is...well...awesome news...little angels are a blessing!! Puppy pictures are soon to come!!!  ;D

Merry Christmas Marc!!

[Smoking Duck]

You betcha, Q!  Gestation period is ~ 60-63 days.  Will post pics of the finished product.  It's a lot like waiting for smoked cheese to mellow  ;D

[NePaSmoKer]

Congrats SD to you and the new parents  ;D


nepas

[deb415611]

I did, however, make inquiries as to anyone wanting a wife  ;D  I haven't been able to teach her to retrieve anything regardless how high the setting on the electronic collar  ;) :o


And, if she sees this, I'm a dead man!


SD

Well I can assure you that I don't  retreive for my husband either!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D 

Back to the pups -- I also hope to see some pup pics.  If I were going to hunt I would contact you in a second but we are just looking for a family member (I was going to write pet but that doesn't sound quite right as our animals are part of the family).  We are going to start checking with breeders soon.  HCT gave me the name of someone in New England to call to find some local breeders.  Our sweet pup, Nutmeg,  passed away in September.  :'( It's been very strange in the house since then.   Our initial thoughts were yellow lab but color doesn't really matter. 

Deb

[Smoking Duck]

Hey Deb,

Sorry to hear about the passing. It's always hard......I remember the day I had to put down my very first dog that was all mine....it was as hard as the loss of friends on some level.

I wouldn't overlook dogs that have been bred for hunting as family members.  Steeler is great as part of the family member.  Some folks don't make their hunting dogs house dogs and are dead set against it.  However, I'm of the opinion that since mine works harder than I do when it comes time to hunt and retrieve meals for the family that she deserves to be every bit a part of the family.  Truth be told, I've trained numerous dogs (some just basic obedience and some for obedience and hunting).  I can definitely tell a difference between the dogs bred for hunting and those produced by "puppy mills."  Now, I'm not saying that all who breed labradors for house pets are all puppy mills by any means but you really need to do your homework on breeders.  If HCT says they're a respectable breeder, I would take it to the bank.  If you go with someone else, do your homework.  Labs have problems with eyes and hips as I'm sure you're probably aware.  It can cost you a lot of money if they develop and a lot of pain for the dog.  I have a friend who has a lab that has been on a $8 per day regimen of pills for the past 5 years and that really adds up. That's not to say that hip and eye problems don't occur with hunting dogs, but you want to check out the certifications on eyes and hips of the parents.  Not a guarantee that your pup won't have problems, but it does lessen the chance. 

You probably are already aware of this stuff.  However, I've seen a lot of greedy people and with the popularity of the lab across the country, it sometimes brings out the worst in people and the owners and pets pay the price.  Unscrupulous dog breeders are a nemesis of mine and if I had a way, I'd shut down every last one of them.  Sorry for the soapbox; I'm just a guy who loves dogs and hate to see bad things.  You know, my greatest fear is that with this new movie, Marley and Me, it's gonna make a lot of people who shouldn't have dogs want one and then the dogs will suffer for it.  I know for sure that's not the case with your family, but you watch and see what happens.  I'd bet a boston butt that the upspike in labs at the humane society takes a huge leap within the first year after that movie.

SD

[HCT]

Duck...........Duck..............Goose,
That is some of the best news I've heard this year. A very heartfelt congrats
There are breeders and then there are BREEDERS, the ones that are dedicated to this exceptional breed and extremely hard to find. Duck, you weren't on a soapbox, you told it like it is. Too many idiots out there trying to cash in on the lab and its reputation, so yes, one has to be careful and check their credentials. Most of all check the breeders credentials and history.
Pictures when the time comes and bottle up some of the newborns puppy breath for me.
Hugs and butt sniffs to Steeler from my boys, just hugs from me :P
Please keep me posted.
WAY to GO STEELER!!!!

[seemore]

Awesome news, Gramps!!!  Don't spoil those soon-to-be grandpups too much!!!!!