Looking for a Labrador Retriever Puppy?

Because we, in rescue, often receive or must reject the results ofirresponsible breeders or irresponsible puppy sales, we have compiled thisbrochure to help you make the right choice in a puppy. Before you fall inlove with the first adorable Labrador face you see, take the time in aninitial phone call to ask the following questions. You may not find abreeder who fits 100% of these criteria but don't settle for anything lessthan one or two negative responses. At the end of the list you will findquestions to ask yourself. You should be able to answer all of themaffirmatively before you begin your search.

Remember you are adding a new member to your family for the next 10-15years. NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO BARGAIN HUNT!! Prepare to spend at least $400-$600 or more for a well-bred puppy.

You may have known someone who has or you may yourself have purchased a"backyard" bred dog or a pet store or puppy mill dog and had greatsuccess. However, the high number of serious problems seen in the breedtoday make this event unlikely to re-occur. Chief among these aretemperament problems ranging from aggression to shyness to hyperactivity.Hip dysplasia, eye problems causing blindness, heart defects that canseverely shorten life span and auto immune disorders and cancer are alsobecoming prevalent.

Responsible breeders will do all they can to avoid these problems byresearching pedigrees and screening parents for certain inherited problemsbefore breeding.

Keep this checklist by the phone when you make your calls and Good Luck!!!

• Where did you find out about this breeder? Responsible breedersusually have a waiting list of puppy buyers. They usually don't find itnecessary to advertise in newspapers or with a sign out in the front yard.
• Do both parents (the sire and dam) have a hip clearance from theOFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), PennHip or Wind-Morgan? Ask tosee the certificates. "My vet okayed the x-ray" is not a valid clearance.Prelims can be done before two years, but some dogs can fail to get finalOFA clearance at two years, even if they passed before.
• Do both parents have current eye clearances from an Opthomologistor CERF certificate (Canine Eye Registry)? This must be re-done everyyear. Ask to see the certificates.
• Does either parent have other clearances, Elbow, Heart, and Thyroid?These are some of the other problems labradors can have and some breedersare checking for.
• Are both parents at least 2 years old? Final hip clearances cannotbe obtained before that age. Prelims can be done before two years, butsome dogs can fail to get final OFA clearance at two years, even if theypassed before.
• How often is the dam bred? If it is every heat cycle, this istoo often, and may indicate that profit is the primary motive forthe breeding.
• Do all four grandparents, siblings of the parents and any otherpuppies that they may have produced have these clearances? A responsiblebreeder will keep track of these statistics and honestly discuss anyproblems that have occurred in the lines and what has been done to preventthem from re-occurring.
• Is the breeder willing to provide you with references and telephonenumbers of other people who have purchased puppies from them?
• Will the puppy have a limited registration with a mandatoryspay/neuter contract? A breeder who cares enough about the breed toinsist on these is likely to be a responsible breeder.
• On what basis was the sire chosen? If the answer is "because helives right down the street" or "because he is really sweet," it may bethat sufficient thought was not put into the breeding.
• WILL THE BREEDER TAKE THE DOG BACK AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON, IFYOU CANNOT KEEP IT?! This is the hallmark of responsible breeding (andthe quickest way to make rescue obsolete).
• Is there a written guarantee against congenital health or temperamentproblems, that does not require you to return your puppy or euthanize it?
• Will the breeder be available to answer any question you might havefor the life of the dog? Is this someone you would feel comfortableasking any type of question?
• Is the breeder knowledgeable about the breed? Is he or sheinvolved in competition with their dogs (field, obedience, orconformation)?
• Are there a majority of titled dogs (the initials: CH, OTCH, CD,JH, WC... before or after the names) in the first two generations? Theterm champion lines means nothing if those titles are back three or moregenerations or there is only one or two in the whole pedigree.
• Is the dam available for you to meet? Although the best stud maylive far away the breeder should be able to show you pictures and answerquestions about his temperament and health. Note: owning a "breedingpair" with little in common other than being of the same breed is oftena sign of an ill-informed breeder. Even responsible breeders who mighthappen to have the perfect sire at home rarely use the term "bothparents on site," knowing that the dog's other qualities are moreimportant than his location!
• Have the puppies been raised in the home -- not in a kennel, barn, or the back yard?
• Is the breeder knowledgeable about raising puppies, criticalneonatal periods, proper socialization techniques? Puppies that areraised without high exposure to gentle handling, human contact, and a widevariety of noises and experiences, OR are removed from their dam or littermates before at least 7 weeks, may exhibit a wide variety of behavioralproblems!
• Does the breeder provide you with a 3-5 generation pedigree, acontract to sign, copies of all clearances and guarantee, health recordsand material to help you with feeding, training and housebreaking?
• Have the puppies temperaments been evaluated and can the breederguide you to the puppy that will best suite your lifestyle? A very shypuppy will not do well in a noisy household with small children, just as avery dominant puppy won't flourish in a sedate, senior citizen household.A caring breeder will know the puppies and be able to show you how to testthem so that good matches can be made.
• Do the puppies seem healthy, with no discharge from eyes or nose,no loose stools, no foul smelling ears? Are their coats soft, full andclean? Do they have plenty of energy when awake yet calm down easily whengently stroked?
• Do the puppies have their first shots and have they been wormed andvet checked by the time they go to your home?
• Does the breeder have only one or at most two breeds of dogs and onlyone or two litters at a time? If there are many breeds of dogs there, thechances are the breeder cannot devote the time it takes to become reallyknowledgeable about the breed and if there is more than one litter at atime it is very difficult to give the puppies the attention they need andmay indicate that the primary purpose for breeding is profit, rather thana sincere desire to improve the breed.
• Does the breeder belong to A Labrador Retriever Club and/or alocal All-Breed Club.
• Do you feel comfortable with this person, after all you are enteringinto a decade long relationship? Are you feeling intimidated orpressured? If so, keep looking!