2006-10-28 20:47:43 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
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DO NOT BUY FROM A GENERAL WEBSITE - EVER
Wouldn't pick a spouse off a website, don't do it with this member of your family.
Now labs are "yellow" - not "golden." They come in black, yellow and chocolate. Golden retrievers are a different breed.
The current popular favorites of Golden Retrievers and Labs are suffering from the effects of being loved too much by too many. Goldens now have the dubious distinction of being the No 1 breed in biting the vet because they are wimps about pain - and then there are the rampant health problems - hips, allergies, a cancer rate in the top 3.....(Love them to death but after 28 years of having them, I gave up because of the way the breed had deteriorated.) The poor Labs are having the same problems now - the hips, etc and I noticed the other day, that the temperament problems must be increasing when I saw the Lab National Breed Club had posted on its breed rescue page "Lab Rescue does not work with aggression. A dog that bites will not be brought into the program." Hmmm... now what brought that on, eh???Be very careful if you decide on one of these breeds - Lab or Golden - and only deal with a serious reputable breeder from their club's list or their breed rescue. A Lab with agression problems?? Unheard of 30 years ago, apparently common now with the over breeding primarily from backyard breeders.
Start here:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/labrador_retriever/index.cfm
http://www.thelabradorclub.com/
That second link takes you to the National Breed Club which is the only club about the breed that is recognized and accredited by the AKC and it sets the standards for the breed .
The Clubs' websites will give you an ENORMOUS amount of information about the breed - the good, the bad, and the why or why not to get that breed. The clubs websites also have:
(1) a breeders list - all of whom have agreed to abide by the breeders code of ethics (which you can read)
(2) a link to the breed rescue for their breed
Do give serious thought to adopting from an adult from a breed rescue. The clubs' breed rescues go to a great deal of trouble to determine the dog's temperament, personality, likes and dislikes (particularly kids and cats and other dogs in the household), health, and level of training. They make a huge effort to match the right dog to the right home - and if they don't have one they think will be suitable for your home, they won't place it. Great way to avoid the puppy training, newspapers, chewing.......They have dogs that are purebred and part-bred (1/2 or so of their breed.) Dogs that come through rescue are so thrilled to have a forever loving home having once been abandoned to a shelter or rescue that they are typically extra devoted and loving. Dogs lose their homes for reason that are not their fault: death, divorce, a move and they couldn’t keep them, financial problems….
If you decide to get a puppy, please use one of the breeders who are members of the breed club. A well-bred pet puppy may not be a candidate for the show ring (that nose being 1/8th of an inch to long or something else very picky) but they will be very healthy, the parents carefully screened for hereditary health problems (and the breeder has the records from the OFA & CERF to prove it), and from a breeder who has devoted a great deal of time to understanding the breed and bloodlines. A responsible breeder will have a written contract with a health guarantee for hereditary problems; require that if for any reason you ever have to give up the dog that it comes back to them; and always be available for help, assistance and advice about your dog. Such a breeder will tell you if they don't think their breed is right for you based upon your needs. They want a perfect forever home for the puppies - not the money. (In 43 years in the dog show world, I have never known a breeder of that caliber who has made a profit on their dogs - it is labor of love.)
A puppy from such a breeder costs no more - and often less as poorly bred dogs tend to have very high vet bills over the years - than from a backyard breeder who doesn't do the health checks, knows nothing about the breed or bloodlines, doesn't give a guarantee, never wants to hear about the puppy again and has breed from mediocre or poor quality dogs.
Now which breeder/bloodline you choose will depend upon what you want the dog for: pet, field hunter, obedience, conformation. Bloodlines matter. A pet puppy from a field trial/hunting bloodline might be more energetic and more independent (and more exhausting for the pet owner) than a pet puppy from an obedience or conformation bloodline. You may find the breeder who has the type of dog you want but no litter on the ground at the moment. Most good breeders have waiting lists -get on it. You may find the breeder and puppy you want but at a distance. Among the really responsible breeders(members of the club) shipping a puppy is quite normal -they want the best possible home for the dog and the written contract is very extensive - and they will have all kinds of paperwork from the AKC showing the titles their dogs have earned.
Do ask the breeders on the club list if they have any dogs they bred that they need to rehome - good breeders all require if the owner can't keep one, it comes back to them. It may be a dog they placed and it came back because the owner didn't have time, didn't realize how big it would get, got divorced.... It may be a dog who was a show prospect but as they grew didn't meet their early promise. It may be an AKC Champion they decided not to use in their breeding program because while it did get the Championship, they don't need more bloodstock or find a tiny conformation flaw they don't want to reproduce.
NEVER EVER buy from a pet shop. Those puppies came from puppy mills where the parents are locked in cages, bred until they literally die from it, never vaccinated, never wormed, fed just enough so they don't quite die of starvation, live in filth, never bathed or groomed or cared for, are typically of very poor genetic stock both physically and often mentally. The puppies are shoved off to pet stores with no vaccinations, no worming, no socialization or handling... You are buying nothing but heartbreak at a price higher than what a responsible breeder charged for a pet puppy.
IF A SERIOUS BREEDER OR RESCUE TELLS YOU THAT THE BREED IS NOT SUITED FOR YOUR SITUATION - BELIEVE THEM - NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU LIKE THE WAY THE DOG LOOKS
2006-10-29 06:05:13 · answer #1 · answered by ann a 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you looked locally? I'm sure there are responsible breeders who advertise on-line but, wouldn't you rather go to the breeder's home so you could check it out?
When you visit the breeder you get a good idea of how your puppy has been raised. You might be able to see the parents of your puppy. That will give you a good idea of the tempermant and genetics.
Breeders are usually very helpful and can answer any questions you might have. You will have several puppies to choose from.
It's only a suggestion, unless you are looking for a rare breed that you are unable to find locally I think it's a better idea to actually meet the breeder and the puppies.
Whatever you decide, best of luck with your new puppy!
2006-10-29 13:27:55 · answer #2 · answered by Mugsy's Place 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GOLDEN Retrievers. YELLOW Labrador Retrievers.
Sorry to be pedantic.
Please be careful about buying a pup from people you don't know or haven't been personally recommended.
I would ask at the local vets for information on Labrador breeders or I would go to a couple of dog shows and chat to the various handlers. They are always willing to talk about their breed and will point you in the right direction.
You could be 'sold a pup' if you don't know what to look out for.
2006-10-29 13:07:06 · answer #3 · answered by DogDoc 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
make sure you go to a good breeder the best way is to go to the kennel club site and look up on their map for breeders in your area and then go and look not buy if the breeding establishments look good then go and buy always see mum with the puppies and how they live etc and ask lots of questions like how long has she been breeding what breeds does she show/judge advice on the puppy and then walk away and consider your options if they don't meet your criteria then you can always get in touch with the kennel club and give your fears .....i strongly believe folk who do not register their puppies with the kennel club do so because they are breeding for profit and not the betterment of the breed...so you are taking a chance on the welfare of the puppy and contributing to the puppy farmers coffers......
2006-10-29 05:51:40 · answer #4 · answered by madison 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beware of sites offering pups and willing to ship them to you. Do not buy a pup without visiting and meeting the parents! Puppy mills are everywhere and besides supporting a cruel industry you will be stuck with a dog with multiple health issues. Hip dysplasia is prevalent in labs and unless the parents have been x-rayed and cleared (listed as OFA Excellent, good, etc.) you will be buying a problem that might not show for a year or two. AKC registration means nothing-ask for cleared hips and eyes. Do your research before you buy! Good luck. (consider a rescue?)
2006-10-29 04:05:41 · answer #5 · answered by ER RN 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
When there are dozens of rescue centres around the country begging for people to take on an unwanted or abused dog, why do you want to buy a pedigree dog, a lot of whom have inherent defects due to inbreeding and overbreeding. You rarely see both parents and promote the puppy farm breeders. Leave the Labradors/retrievers/Shepard's etc to the service dog industry. IE: guide dogs, hearing dogs, drug dogs, police dogs. Get yourself a loyal mutt who will love you for the rest of its life.
2006-10-29 04:10:37 · answer #6 · answered by Joanne E 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Please don't consider buying from the Internet.
If you are really serious about wanting/caring/loving a puppy contact the RSCPA, Battersea Dogs Home or your local vet, any of these will help with advice or you might find your ideal dog just waiting for you there.
So many dogs are unwanted/badly treated/throw out when the going gets tough and it can get tough.
Remember a dog is for life and if you love your dog it will reward you a thousand fold with fun, love and loyalty.
2006-10-29 04:05:34 · answer #7 · answered by cosmic 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
well website should be the 2nd thing to look for a puppy. Try your local town for breeders or clubs that sell the breed you want. If no luck, try the newspapers and the vets. THEN look on the internet as you cant check if they're healthy.
2006-10-29 04:25:33 · answer #8 · answered by xchocolate-rainbowsx 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
From your vets or contact the kennal club so you know the breeders have been checked and your pup doesnt have any inherited problem such as bad eyes or bad hip scores, you cannot breed from your pup ever if she has any of theses probs.
2006-10-29 04:59:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Try this website below. You can also become a member and list adverts on the website for things wanted.
2006-10-29 04:12:20 · answer #10 · answered by beanoman71 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋