I want to get a dog but I have to work, how does everyone on broadway market do it ?

Several journalists have exposed fake companies by sending their own human DNA off for dog breed analysis and received mixed dog breed results. When they ask for a photo of the dog many companies simply send you a guess based on appearance. Even for companies that do actually carry out out some sort of DNA testing there is no protocol standard so even real testing can produce vague results especially if a dog is a mix of similar breeds and any rare breed in the mix often aren't picked up as the companies database can't have exact genetic codes for every single breed for comparison. Here's a token pic of Omar chilling

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That's a prime example right there. Omar is 100% Luck Dragon.

Yeah if you zoom in a bit

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We were never asked for a photo when we sent our test off. I'm hoping that because it's in Germany maybe they're stricter. Although Volkswagen, so...

Accurate breed analysis but an iffy emissions rating?

Haha exactly.

So ahead of our dogs arrival, can I get some recommendations on the must haves in terms of brands and or types; Bowls, Beds, leads & collars?
Also any pro tips of things you’d not be without or have discovered?

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Pampeano make nice collars, though I think their quality has dipped a bit. Earthbound has been the most indestructible beds we've had. We have a Yeti bowl for water which is massive overkill, the stoneware Mason Cash are nice but basically anything will do.

Looks like a nice dog, enjoy.

We'd been using a True Love brand harness I got a couple of years ago, it's done the job but we just upgraded to one of these, it feels much nicer.
https://www.hunterpetuk.co.uk/products/divo-nylon-neoprene-harness

For water and food, for some reason my little idiot tips over water bowls so I got one of these as it's too wide and heavy to tip
https://www.therange.co.uk/pets/dogs/dog-bowls-and-accessories/oslo-pet-bowl/#9188

We use a slow feeder inside the bowl, unsure if it helps

That one will always be hungry. No matter what you feed it.

Cannoli was inhaled the other day without much repercussion.

Thanks @Sumo @umop3pisdn

Noob question are all poop bags equal??

are all poop bags equal??

I shun the flimsy black ones in favour of the green ones you can buy in bulk from Amazon etc.
they seem much less in danger of splitting when you accidentally pick up a twig along with a freshly laid shit.

Biothane leads are worth a look, they don't hold water like fabric and wipe clean which is handy in winter.

Having something to carry all the walking/training paraphernalia with you is useful, whatever that might be. For us it's a cheap bumbag.

If the heat gets to them you might want to look at a cooling coat and Weatherbeeta are good.

One thing we wouldn't be without is a "frozen Kong". Keeps ours occupied for a good while which was a godsend in the workng from home with a puppy stage.

1. Soak dried food in water overnight
   
2. Whazz with a stick blender or similar
   
3. Spoon mixture into the Kong
   
4. Freeze Kong
   

Definitely not. I quite like the Tesco ones.

Yeah I just bulk buy the biodegradable ones every 6 months or so. Those little bag dispensers that clip on to a lead are useful.

When it comes to coats Equafleece are regarded as the best for weatherproof ones but there's tons of choice out there.

+1 for Equafleece, plenty available second hand too (got ours on Vinted).

We buy what ever sometimes they are thinner but you’ll be shocked at how many you actually go through.

Yeah I have one for peanut too, really good although he fuckin hates it.

Does keep him dry tho

Thanks everyone. Giving me some good starting points!

Does a Labrador need a coat?

Nah not really but I find if its raining or really muddy with the equa on peanut is easier to clean.

Good option for a lab is a drying coat for when it inevitably finds a water source.

Well somewhat fortunately we seem to have a lab that isn’t really obsessed even bothered with water.

No but it's more about how much you want to deal with a mud/waterlogged dog afterwards

Crumpet is lab shaped and sized, we've got a coat for when it's absolutely freezing. She hates it though. When are you picking the pup up? Am I right in thinking they'll be a service dog?

You are correct. We’ll get her after our trip to Canada so late August early September.
I’m sure they’ll give us a bunch of stuff beyond her working garb and we’ll get lists but I’m trying to get ahead due to being away before.
Had a few sleepovers with her now. She’s very chill which is good as H is not lol. I’ve also no experience of dogs which I think has benefits as I’ll just take the training I’ve had and will get as gospel.