Are Labrador Puppies Right For You?

by Pet Care on October 29, 2008


When you are looking to buy Labrador puppies you should know certain things about the breed. This will help you on how to choose the right Labrador puppy and it will also help you decide if this is the dog for you. The first important thing is to research the appearance of the dog, how should it look and how it should behave. These are important to look out for when selecting your puppy.

The typical breed characteristics of friendliness and loving devotion are true of many Labradors but not all. Some Labradors can be aggressive and dominating, it all comes down to how they were bred and socialized. Choosing the right breeder is just as important as choosing the right Labrador puppies. Otherwise you might have a puppy that will grow up with a temperament you were not expecting and health problems that burn a huge hole in your pocket.
When you buy from a pet shop you will not be able to see the parent’s of the Labrador puppies on sale. This is already an obstacle in choosing the right Labrador puppy. Puppies in pet shops are often not properly socialized because they are taken away from their mothers too young. Pet shops cannot answer everything about a puppies’ ancestry, for example are there hip problems three or four generations ago?

You are also not able to observe the puppy in its natural environment, with its mother and brothers and sisters. A good breeder will be able to provide you with all the certificates you ask for without hesitation. This may seem like a lot of trouble to go to, but you want a puppy that will grow into a healthy dog. Otherwise you could have a puppy that grows up to have hip problems, eye problems and other health problems.
X-rays are not proof of Labradors puppies‘ hip health or its parent’s health. OFA certificates are. You should know that sometimes breeders who do not have such certification would use x-rays to prove to health of their dogs. Be wary of such breeders, they are likely to have too many litters in a year or at any one time. Ideally a breeder should only have one litter at a time to better concentrate on the puppies.

If the breeder tells you that he makes plenty of money by selling puppies then be aware that you might have a puppy mill on your hands. Labrador puppies should grow into healthy, active Labradors that love to be outdoors and engage in plenty of activities. If your puppy is quiet or inactive then you know something is wrong, Labradors are most playful and energetic as puppies. The extra money and time you spend on choosing the right Labrador puppies could save you a lot of money in the future.

Choosing the right Labrador puppies is not hard when you know the basics of the breed. This article will help you learn how to choose the right Labrador puppy.

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