Answers Help You Determine The Labrador Retriever Breeder For You
There is a curse to being the most popular breed of dog in America. That means there are a lot of Labrador Retrievers that are being bred for money at the initial sale without any thought as how good a potential pet they will make. You can help avoid these so-called Labrador Retriever breeders by asking them some questions about how they do business and what they expect for from a Lab owner.
Although you will think up many more questions depending on your unique home situation, these are the three main questions you need to ask. Always ask when you can visit the kennels, meet the parents, see the contract and meet the breeder. The first two will quickly let you know if you are dealing with a puppy mill owner. Since you can’t legally shoot the puppy mill owner, you can at least not give them any money.
You can tell a lot by what a Labrador Retriever breeder is like when you visit their home and kennel. Are they messy? Did they even remember you were coming? And does the place stink of dog poop? The place should be reasonably clean, smell okay and the dogs should appear clean, happy and friendly. It is normal to see some living outside most of the time in covered kennels. If you don’t like what you see and smell, move on.
The kennel or home kennel should not smell putrid or like a garbage truck in summer. The dogs should be healthy, smiling, well behaved and clean. It is okay for Labrador Retrievers to live most of their lives in outdoor covered kennels with runs.
There should be a contract for you made up by any reputable Labrador Retriever breeders. It should clearly spell out what the breeder is responsible for and what you are responsible for. Ask if you could take a copy home with you to look over more thoroughly before you sign.
You need to see the health certificates of both of the puppy’s parents, especially their hip dysplasia scores. If the breeder doesn’t know what you are talking about, say goodbye. Hip dysplasia is the most common ailment among Labs and is carried by genes.
And you need to ask about what Labrador information you need to know in order to comfortably live with a Lab. A good breeder will already pepper you with questions about your knowledge of dogs and past experience with them before you even get a chance to ask this question!
Expect to have to provide a letter of character reference from your veterinarian and to have your home checked out. The breeder should love his or her puppies more than money.
