Think seriously about your answers to the questions below:
Can you really afford to keep a dog?
Who will look after the dog when you go on holidays?
Are you prepared to walk and care for the dog everyday rain, hail or
shine?
Do you have enough room to keep a dog?
Will the dog be left alone for long periods of time?
Remember to never buy a puppy or a dog on impulse as many people do not realize how much time, effort and money. It requires to make a happy, healthy, well trained Labrador or any dog for that matter. If you make the wrong decision the dog is usually the one that suffers by either being neglected, dumped or even worse put down. Only because you didn't do enough research before hand.
But on the other hand all the time and effort is worth the it when your labrador comes and lays there head in your lap when your feeling down. Or when you play your first game of fetch together. One of the nicest things is that dogs give you unconditional love without expecting much in return.
Before you make your final decision about getting a dog you should be
sure that the Labrador is the right breed for you. Buy researching
the breed more thoroughly throw the web, reading lots of books, going to
dog shows and asking breeders about the good and bad points about the breed.
After you have thought about all of this carefully. Then your
are ready to purchase a labrador.
I would suggest you buy your labrador from a responsible breeder. Responsible breeders will have hip, eye and elbow clearances done on there breeding dogs. The only reason they should be breeding is to improve on what animals they already have and to improve the Labrador breed in general. They care about the dogs they have and the puppies that they produce. These type of breeders don't make money from breeding as they spend more money on caring for there animals.
Unlike some people who only breed and sell dogs for money. These breeders don't do any form of health clearances neither do they care about the welfare of any of there dogs. Breeders like these are often called "Puppy Mill" or "Backyard Breeders". What ever you do don't buy a dog from a pet shop, even if you feel sorry for the animals. As these animals usually come from puppy mills or Backyard Breeders.
Here a few ways to help find a breeder:
Check the breeders web page
Contact the Labrador Club in your state
Also try contacting your Canine Council
in your state for a list of registered breeders.
Search the web
Here is a list of questions to help to determine if the breeder is reputable or not.
1. Do both parents of the puppies have clearances
for there hips, eyes and elbow clearances?
This is the most important question to ask, as Hip Dysplasia, PRA and
Elbow dysplasia
are all hereditary diseases which are passed on to the puppies from
the parents and there ancestors.
This does not guarantee that your pup might not get these diseases
but it cuts the chance down considerably. Also make sure you see
the written certificates for these clearances. If the breeder does
not own the stud dog, they still should have this information available
for you. If not, ask to speak with the owner of the stud dog.
2. Why are they breeding this litter?
You want to find out if the breeder is in it just for money or whether
they are truly committed to the breed. You will want to find out if they
will help you out if something happens to your dog such as health or genetic
problems. Most reputable breeders will guarantee that if you dog
develops any hereditary disease they will replace the animal for
you.
3. Ask if you can see both parents and any other
relatives they may have?
Seeing the parents will help determine what the pup will turn out as
such as temperament, size, type etc. If the parents appear aggressive
or fearful then don't buy the pup as many of these traits will be passed
along.
4. Ask if you can contact any of the former puppy
buyers?
This will help to establish how the dogs are going and what the breeder
has been like after they have the dog.
5. Do they give you any type of guarantee for your
puppy?
Most breeders guarantee against hereditary disease, some breeders also
guarantee for general health as well as other things but you will have
to ask for more details.
If you are interested in competing in dog competitions such as showing,
obedience etc.
Here are a few extra questions you might like to ask the breeder.
6. Do they compete in any form of dog competitions?
This way you will find out what areas they are compete in and which
area they are breeding for.
7. Do the parents of the pups have any titles and
any other relatives as well?
This will tell you if they have the results, in the area you are looking
at competing in.
If you are happy with the answers the breeder has given you, it's
time to take a look at the puppies.
When you go to view the puppies, pay close attention to there living
environment. Is it clean? Does it smell? Are the dogs lying
in their faeces? Do the other dogs they own look like theory are
in good condition?
Here are a few things to look at when checking the puppies :
Make sure they can move and walk freely.
Feel the puppy over for any abnormal lumps or bump's and any broken
skin.
Also check the coat for any hair loss as this can indicate skin conditions.
The eyes should be bright and clear and no discharge coming form either
the eyes or the nose.
Check the gums and make sure they are nice and pink.
Smell the ears, as any unusual odorous can indicate an infection also
check for excess black waxy substance which can be from ear mites.
Don't forget to check the back end of the puppy for any signs of
diarrhoea.
Make sure the puppy is well covered and not to bony, compare the weight
of the puppy to the rest of litter.
Also a pot belly can indicate that the puppy has worms.
When you have checked over all the puppies, then it's time to decide
which puppy has the personality that you like the most. Then it's
time to purchase your new friend.
By the time you have reached this stage you should have a healthy,
well cared for
Labrador puppy to enjoy, for the next 10 to 12 years.
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