What You Need To Know When Choosing A Labrador Retriever Breeder

By Scott Watson


If you want to add a new dog to your family, you have likely been looking at different breeds in order to find one that suits your family and your lifestyle. If you have decided that you want a lab, finding the right Labrador retriever breeder is very important. Here is what you need to know in order to find a reputable breeder and get the dog of your dreams.

Labs were originally hunting dogs although now the majority of dogs tend to be family companions. Retrievers were expected to jump into water or other conditions and bring back game that a hunter had shot with a gun or bow. Because of this, they have specific physical characteristics that have been bred into them over generations.

Keep in mind that some dogs are better hunters than others. If this is what you want your adult canine to excel at make sure that you work with a breeder who specializes in hunting dogs. There is no reason why a hunting dog cannot also be a good family companion as well.

It is important to ask about the health of these dogs before agreeing to bring home a particular puppy. Like other large breeds, these dogs can be prone to certain health issues. Some of these can be quite serious. Hip dysplasia is common in these dogs and a reputable breeder will be careful to minimize the chances of their dogs developing this medical condition.

Socializing a puppy is important and it doesn't start when you pick it up. Much of what a dog learns is actually imprinted early on when the baby is still with its mother and its litter mates. You may want to find out how long a dog will stay with its mother. The longer it stays the happier it will be and this can translate to being easier to train once you bring it home.

Some breeders go for periods of time without having pups available for purchase. While this can be frustrating when you want a dog immediately, you may end up being further ahead if you have to wait. Some breeders may be waiting to breed dogs who live a fair distance away or may be allowing their females to rest and recover between litters.

You may want to find out if you can meet the puppies before you choose a specific one. Puppies have different personalities and it's nice to meet them and find out which suits your family best. Some individuals want confident, dominant dogs while others prefer ones that are a bit more submissive.

You can find breeders in a number of different ways. You can always look on kennel club websites to find names or speak to individuals in your area that have labs you like. That way you can get a good idea of how a particular kennel's dogs will turn out when they grow up. Then you can enjoy your new furry companion and be confident they will be a good fit for your family.




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