2006-07-06 14:43:36 · 5 answers · asked by Jeff R 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Most labs have excellent temperaments, but make sure you can see the mom before you get a pup. The apple really doesn't fall far from the tree... Find a good breeder by going to www.akc.org or talking to people at dog shows - you can find a list of "events" on the akc website. You can also find info about the breed clubs on the akc site - they probably have a rescue group where you can get an older dog for less money if you want to. The best breeders will be members of their breed club, promoting healthy dogs with great temperaments. They should ask you a bunch of questions to make sure their puppy will be getting a good home. If all a "breeder" seems to care about is whether your check will clear, you can be sure he won't care a week later when the pup is dying from distemper or parvo and you want your money back.
Whatever you do, DON'T go to a pet shop, a flea market or buy one sight-unseen off the Internet!!!! You'll pay top dollar for what is usually a poor quality puppy mill dog. And you'll be supporting one of the cruelest industries in the country. The breeding animals are often kept in deplorable conditions - spending their entire lives in small wire-bottomed cages. They probably haven't been vaccinated against contagious diseases or tested for any health or temperament problems or genetic diseases - that costs money and cuts into their profits. A female is often bred every time she comes into heat. When her poor little body can't take it any more, she is often clubbed in the head and tossed into a dumpster or an open ditch. Most puppy mills ship their pups to pet stores at wholesale prices and many pups die before they even get there.
These so-called "breeders" have now figured out that they can use the internet to ship a dog directly to the customer and thus make more money by cutting out the middleman. If you buy a dog from out of state, good luck getting your money back if there's something wrong with the pup. These people count on you becoming instantly attached to the poor little guy and being willing to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars at the vet to treat whatever is wrong with him.
2006-07-06 14:48:21 · answer #1 · answered by Danger, Will Robinson! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Call any reputable Kennel in the bay area. They carry a list of regional breeders. Also in the back of any "Dogs" magazine and others are ads from national breeders. Again find a reputable source (Kennel , veterinarian etc) and they will list for you (not recommend you) some breeders. The reason people tell but don't "recommend" is for liability reasons. Such is life in the modern world.
2006-07-06 21:54:07 · answer #2 · answered by M D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Consider rescue. A vet will have the number for Labrador Rescue in your area. They will have puppies this time of year.
You will be saving a life and you get lots of "extras" when you adopt.
Consider an adult, or young adult. They make great pets. Sometimes they are already house broken, and obedience trained, they also seem more "grateful" because they know just how bad life can get.
Good Luck.
2006-07-06 21:54:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is the Del Monte KC show in Seaside on the weekend of July 16th. I have heard it is a nice show but never been there!
2006-07-06 22:20:56 · answer #4 · answered by whpptwmn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GOOD FOR YOU!!!
Yes,lotza shows around there.Go to the AKC site or infodog for dates,places!
2006-07-07 08:18:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋