Responsible Labrador BreedersContact Labrador Retriever Clubs, local kennel clubs, the AKC breeder referral page, or veterinarians in your area for referrals. Selecting a breeder is the first step in finding a Labrador puppy. There are several types of breeders. Not all breeders focus on the best interest of the breed and the what is best for their puppies. Responsible breeders are knowledgeable about the breed and they strive to produce healthy sound puppies. These breeders will be an ongoing resource for you during your dog's lifetime. Responsible hobby breeders focus on the betterment of their favorite breed.
Health concerns in Labradors
Visit with breeders and their dogs
Interviewing the Breeder
Ask about the
goals of their breeding programs, and how they select the dogs used in their breeding program. Look for a breeder
that focuses on quality rather than quantity and monetary profits. When a
financial profit is the primary goal, the choices and decisions made by
these puppy producers are often not in the best interest of their dogs,
their puppies, and/or the Labrador breed. The selection of the breeding pair should be based on specific characteristics including health clearances, conformation, and temperament. Ask how often their females are bred and how
many litters the breeder has in a year. Look for a
breeder that is
concerned about the health and well-being of their females and
puppies. Generally, responsible hobby breeders will have 1 to 3 litters a year. Usually, their females have 3 or 4 litters in their lifetime. Most of their
litters are planned with the hope of keeping a puppy. Ask to see
the pedigrees and health clearances of the sire and dam. Hip, elbow, eye, EIC, and D locus (dilute) DNA testing are recommended for
Labradors. Hip and elbow clearances can be verified on the OFA website. Many reputable breeders do additional clearances on their dogs. They will be able to provide documentation for each clearance. Ask if the puppy will be sold with papers from the American Kennel Club. The AKC registers purebred dogs. This organization also encourages sound breeding practices by promoting the breed standard, supporting a variety of dog events, providing information to potential breeders and prospective dog owners, requiring DNA testing of frequently used stud dogs, and investigating reports of substandard kennel conditions. Many breeders place their puppies with papers with a spay/neuter agreement and an application for AKC limited registration. The offspring of these dogs can not be registered. The dogs can not compete in AKC conformation classes, but they can participate in numerous AKC events. Ask the breeder where their puppies are raised. The puppies raised in the house by responsible breeders are usually well cared for and properly socialized. Puppies require a clean safe environment, good quality food, room to run and play, a variety of toys, and lots of human interaction. Ask the breeder about their policies regarding inherited health problems. Many responsible breeders will provide the owners with a new puppy if the puppy develops serious inherited problems such as hip or elbow dysplasia. Ask the breeder about their return policy if you can't keep your dog. You will be required to return the dog to the breeder if you are unable to keep the your dog, or the breeder may be able to help you find a new home for your dog. Interesting and Informative Link Finding a Responsible Breeder![]() |