Questions For Potential Labrador Retriever Breeders

Take a list of questions for a Labrador Retriever breeder written ahead of time when you visit them. This list will also be handy if you are going to be meeting a lot of Labrador retriever breeders at a Dog show. If you meet a breeder online, you are still going to want to ask a lot of questions. You will be overwhelmed by all of the cute furry faces in order to trust your memory to recall the questions you need to ask.

The questions that will tell you the most about any Labrador Retriever breeder will be what kind of contract do you require, when can I visit the kennels and are there any health warranties. If your potential breeder refuses to let you visit the kennel, say goodbye and move on. They may have something to hide. If your breeder doesn't do contracts, also move on, because they definitely have something to hide.

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.

You also need to ask what the breeder considers a good home for one of his or her puppies. If they don't seem to care, then they certainly do not care about dogs. They are just after your money. A good Labrador Retriever breeder will go on and on about they kind of owner he or she wishes all Lab puppies could go to. They will also quiz you about your store of Labrador information to see if you are anywhere close to being their idea of a good Lab owner.

Although there are no certainties in the dog world, you can greatly reduce your chances of getting a raw deal and a sickly puppy by obtaining certain paperwork from the Labrador Retriever breeders. You need to see the health certificates of both of the puppy's parents, especially their hip dysplesia scores. If the breeder doesn't know what you are talking about, say goodbye. Hip dysplesia is the most common ailment among Labs and is carried by genes.

A contract also can help eliminate a lot of future headaches. It should list what the breed is responsible to provide and what they are not. They might even have clauses such as you having to go to them first if you are no longer able to keep the adult dog. You won't get your money back, but at least your dog will have a good home. Assume nothing. Great Labrador Retriever breeders will bring all of this up if you forget to ask.

Brooke Sunderland has experience dealing with canines and understands how important learning about a breed's history really is. Not only is the Labrador an attractive, statuesque dog but they also have a very long and complex history. The Internet is one of the best available resources when it comes to finding out further Labrador information regarding the history of Labradors.