Hi there,

There may be other threads on this...though i haven't seen anything recently.

My fiancee and I would love a dog....either a labrador or a golden retriever. Does anybody know the best places to look for one? We have seen one or two ads, but have been too late, and i wondered if anybody had any suggestions or new of a breeder in canton vaud?

thanks
Rob

Take a look at this thread.

Thanks! So breeders are unlikely based on that....

I'm sure there are breeders, google will find you one in your area but please give a chance to a rescue dog first if possible.

Your best bet is to wander the woods - there is a good chance that someone will have left their dog off the leash.

It is perfectly acceptable to assume the dog isn't under control and so you can take it home with you.

Honest

What about trying this?

http://www.petfinder.ch/

The list of registered and selected breeders will be listed on the official site.
http://www.skg.ch/lang/fr/pid/104.html

For small dogs this list is less complete. so I give your the small dog pages here:
http://www.zwerghundeclub.ch/

But even if you want a specific breed do check the rescue site. You might find one there.

good luck!

Hi Rob,

Here's the link to the retriever club here in Switzerland - breeders on there are registered breeders with the SKG (which is the Swiss equivalent of the American or British Kennel Club) so you can be assured that the puppies are of quality and ethically bred:

http://www.retriever.ch/

Under the Welpen and Zuchter tab, you will find the entire list of Swiss breeders and hopefully someone close to you. Breeders are well connected here in Switzerland, if they dont have a puppy available, they will refer you to a fellow breeder within that list.

If for some reason you decide to go across the border for one, please make sure you go to a ethical breeder. Here's a thread which might be useful on how to spot one:

How to spot a reputable breeder

Sites like www.kijiji.ch will have lots of puppies for sale but there are lots of unenthical breeders (and even puppy mills claming to be breeders!!!) over the border who try to lure Swiss buyers into buying poor quality, badly socialised pups with a low price - having experienced the same thing when I was looking for one two years ago (alarm bells went off when one of them refused to provide me her vet's contact and a letter stating that the pups have not been in contact with wild animals). Dont support that vile trade. Do your homework and it will save you alot of heartache in the long run

Also in the meantime, have a look at the BVET website for the mandatory ownership theory course that you and the fiancee will have to take before you own a dog (as well as a practical one when you get the puppy). Just spoke to my dog's breeder two days ago about another matter and we started chatting about the new dog laws: the Swiss breeders have started questioning potential owners whether they've looked into the possibility of the course, and some even, when you're starting the course - before entertaining you. Just something you might want to get out of the way first! Good luck!

__________________
Remember when someone annoys you, it takes 42 muscles to frown, BUT it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and b****-slap the mother-f***er upside the head.

Keep an eye on these pages and you might find what you're looking for:

http://www.petitesannonces.ch/r/1109
http://annonces.romandie.com/index.php?p=2&cat=15
http://www.anibis.ch/c/01
http://chiens.annonz.ch/

Good luck

Maybe try some dog homes like the Swiss version of the Blue Cross etc. Some Kennels may have taken in homeless dogs as well

Here is the search page for the animals with out homes.
http://heimatlos.tierdatenbank.ch/pe...&t=heimatlos_f

Why oh why do I always go look at that site?!

Dont' you want this little beagle? He's so cute! Type in #27209

Here's a six month old lab mix: #29213

Ha! Sorry if I encouraged it MiniMia...very cute indeed!

I, too, will encourage you to think about rescue. There is so much need - and the rewards are so very, very great.

In addition to the Tierschutz database linked by MiniMia, if you are fixed on a certain breed you may also want to look for a breed rescue. These are not so common in Switzerland, but there are several in Germany if you don't mind a bit of travel. For instance, take a look at Retriever In Not:

http://www.retriever-in-not.de/index.php?id=12

I will also second Summerrain's comments on searching for a reputable, ethical breeder - if this is the right route for you, go directly to the Retriever Club she has linked. Sadly, the 'free ads' listed in other posts are sometimes used by battery farmers and irresponsible BYBs - you need to be careful. SKG breeders will list their current and upcoming litters with the breed club, and the club Zuchtwart can advise you.

But whether from a rescue or a reputable breeder - the important thing is to do your research and be prepared to provide the best possible forever home for your new four footed friend.


(And don't forget the SKN. If you are a first time owner the theory course must be done before you acquire the dog. You will then have 12 months to do the practical course with your new dog.)

Wishing you - and your future canine companion - all the best.

ETA:

Hopefully EF's resident labrador expert will be along soon...

Here's another site to keep an eye on:

http://www.tierschutzbund.ch/tierver...seite=3&vkat=1

You can also register at the Guide Dog School in Allschwil (near Basel) and let them know you would like to adopt any Labs who don't make it as guide dogs.

This one did and she went away today.

Attached Thumbnails

 

Aw, Argus - have a cyber hug. You must be so very proud of your girl - yet I know how difficult it must be to see your protégé set off on her new life.

What a wonderful, selfless thing you have done - my hat's off to you.

This is going to sound like a very bizarre suggestion, but bear with me. We arrived in Switzerland nearly 5 years ago with our wonderful lab and for the last 3 years I have been trying to convince my husband that we need to get him a friend. I have searched for good breeders and good labs and have found only a few that breed the good stocky type I like...........price over 3000 CHF.
I have decided I will buy from the UK. Good reputable breeders, good lineage and good price. From £4-600. I have spoken to a number of the breeders who will sell to people overseas if they are the right type of owners!
Have a look on epupz! The number of swiss that fly to the uk to buy their dogs is staggering. Dogs here are over priced and to my mind there is too small a gene pool. There are more dogs in the UK than people in Switzerland!

There are many good breeders in the UK, in Germany, in the Netherlands, in Sweden, in the US, in Australia, in every country. Nothing wrong with finding your puppy over the border.

But please - do not buy over such internet sites. These sites are littered with battery farmers and scams.

If you are not aware of what goes on in the battery farming trade (a more accurate term than puppy farming, puppy mills) please do a little googling. Best to have a strong stomach, though. Every pup bought from a battery farmer condemns another dog to a life of misery - do not support this vile trade.

I'll say it again - if a dog from a breeder is what you feel is best for you, go directly to the breed club of an FCI kennel club (the KC in the UK, VDH in Germany, etc.) who will guide you to reputable breeders within their club.

Again, see the 'How to find a reputable breeder' thread - the same process applies to all good breeders, worldwide. Prices from reputable breeders in the western world are not all that far off those in Switzerland, btw.

Reputable breeder, reputable rescues - both work hard to ensure the same thing: a loving forever home for their dogs.

Yes, the process of bringing a dog into your life can be time consuming and costly. But well worth it, when you consider that your dog will be your loyal, loving companion for the next 10-15 years.