There are many things to look for when choosing a puppy. The first thing to remember is ALL LABRADOR RETRIEVER puppies are cute, adorable and tug at your heartstrings. Use your head when you choose a puppy not just your heart. This doesn't mean leave your heart at home, your heart is essential when making a choice. Just don't fall for the first big brown eyes you see.
There are some very important questions to ask the breeder of your potential new family member. Many of them can be asked over the phone to save you a trip to the breeder. These are just a few questions you should ask a breeder.
Are the mother and father OFA and current CERF certified and can I see the documentation?
The answer to both questions should be yes. OFA and CERF are used to help minimize passing along genetic defects from generation to generation. If they are not yes we recommend that tell the breeder you'll think about it.
Are the puppies being raised in the house?
The answer should be yes to this question also. Puppies need the commotion of a family and this is the beginning of the puppies' socialization.
How long have you been breeding Labrador Retrievers?
It may be difficult to interpret the answer to this question. If the breeder says this is their first litter you may want to ask a follow up question about which breeder is helping them. If the breeder says several years, you will have to use the answers to other questions to decide if this is a good thing.
Are the parents on the premises?
The answer to this question can also be difficult to interpret. If one of the answers to either of the first two questions was no, then having both parents on the premises is probably a warning sign that the breeders are in it just for the money. If the answer is yes and the breeder has been breeding for many years it can be a sign that the breeder is trying to reinforce a specific trait in their line of dogs.
How old is the bitch? How many litters has she had?
Most reputable breeders breed a bitch so she will whelp after two years of age. If a bitch is bred so she whelps around fourteen months she is a youngster trying to raise a litter of puppies. If the breeder has been breeding for many years and is using preliminary OFA x-rays ask what special circumstances caused this particular breeding. A reputable breeder will have a well thought out breeding program that will explain why a young bitch was bred.
If the number of litters the bitch has had is greater than or equalls her age your talking to a puppy mill. Stay away from this breeder. A breeder who will breed a bitch on every heat does not care about her health or the health of the puppies.
What are the pedigrees of the parents?
A good breeder will know the pedigree of both parents for at least three generations. They should be able to talk about the pedigrees and point out how they compliment each other. They should also be able to provide you with a copy of the pedigrees.
You should also be prepared to answer many questions from the breeder. A good breeder cares about where their dogs live. Some of the most common questions are listed below. They are not in any order and not all breeders will ask all these questions. If a breeder does not ask some of these questions that should be a red flag.
If you have questions that we may help you with please write to us at: labradors@netzero.net