I'm looking into getting a Labrador Retreiver - what's the best way to proceed (breeder resouces, etc.)?

Answer 1

Find out as much as you can about labs. If you have a yard, get a fence. Look into socialization and obedience classes. Make sure that you hava enough time to devote to training and exercising the dog. Try to get the dog from a rescue, NEVER a pet store. Good luck!

Answer 2

Labs are the greatest dogs. I have had tons of different breeds but never fell in love with a breed until I got Labs. They are the most intelligent, loving, versatile, dedicated, affectionate dogs.
First, I well tell you there are two types of Labs, the English and the American. There is no difference in registration or no seperation in the the breed, it is like a different style. The American are more a hunting line, they are taller, leggier and more energetic. You will see them alot at field trials. The English are shorter, stockier, blocky heads and a little more calm. If you watched a AKC dog show you would see the English in the confirmation ring. Both styles hunt so at field trial you will see both. I did not know there was a difference until I started visiting breeders and researching the breed. The American also have a slightly longer face. Unless you want to hunt I would not recommend getting one that is coming from a strict line of field retrievers. They have an extreme need to do their job. The personalities are the same they are both friendly, loving, intellgent and affectionate its just the look. I ended up getting a yellow male of the English style but my boyfriend has a black american one and they are both the greatest.
But no matter what you decide find a respectable breeder who breeds for the love of the breed and not for money. You also want to find a breeder who has the parents OFA certified for hips. That means the dogs have been genetically tested for hip problems. You should be able to see the parents as well and I always got references from my vets as to who good breeders were. I also visited the local dog shows and met breeders there.
There are also several Lab rescue groups who have great dogs for adoption, or at the local shelters are also great loving Labs who need a home.
Labs love being with you and need regular exercise. They are easy to train and you can teach them almost anything.
I still check out Lab websites it is a great way of seeing breeders and advice on the breed.I kust do a general search and you get everything you could think of. They are the greatest dogs and you will love having one. I will never be without a Lab.

Answer 3

You can contact the AKC(American Kennel Club) for a listing of breeders in your area if you are looking for a purebred. Also, when visiting that breeder, ask tons of questions, ask to see both the father/mother, check out the conditions(is it clean, water available,pups seem happy, parents are healthy),ask to see the "papers" on the puppies, before a breeder can sell, the proper paperwork must be completed. Another great place to find a Lab is at the dog pound, shelter. There are many labs out there and this is a fantastic place to find a pet. Nearly every dog you find there will be loving and your best friend. They are checked over head to toe, they make sure they aren't food aggresive or child aggresive. Check it out, you'll probably feel sad leaving them all behind and may end up with a playmate for your Lab, they like friends too!

Answer 4

First of all find out as much as you can, we took almost a half of year to do reasearch and keep an eye on breeders to find ours. They are total lovable dogs, they are the best ever. Just do alot of reasearch on bredders in your area, the care they need , what to look for in a puppy, everything. When you find your right breeder, or whatever, the most important thing is to make sure it is healthy, and the parents and sibilings are healthy too!! Like i said we took almost 6-9 mths to get ours, then we even had to wait after we found our breeder to the pups we delivered and then ready to leave their mom, .. you shouldnt hurry this process, you want a good healthy dog, espically since they are know for bad hips, and etc. But htey are the best. I have a choc lab from a breder in wisconsin, and we love her soo much, she has have a few health problems, but you never know what will come up after you have your pup. Go on lab websiters or searchl abrador bredders and yo should come up with some resources, even akc can probaly help. Good Luck!!

Answer 5

Much like many of the others on here, I agree with the "rescue" option. Check out your local County Animal Shelter (*not the Humane Society) first, then check out the local rescue organization, and then finally lastly check out The Humane Society.

Shelters and Rescues get little attention, and dogs there are in desperate need of good homes. The Humane Society gets sufficient money and attention.

You may even find yourself liking another dog for their own individual qualities, rather than the specific breed.

And hopefully you will find a nice "older" (older than 1 year) and a nice "mix" breed dog.

Mix breeds come with fewer medical and "inherent social" issues .
Congratulations and Best of luck to you and your new pet!

Answer 6

Research, Research, Research. Be sure that they fit your lifestyle and that you are prepared for a dog. Labs usually shed YEAR ROUND, with two major hair drops a year. Labs need exercise or they will get very fat and this can lead to EXPENSIVE and painful problems.

Considering rescuing a lab or a lab mix. These dogs are fabulous and there are usually plenty available from various sources:

http://www.petfinder.com

http://www.thelabradorclub.com/rescue/searchrescue.php

If you go with a pup, be sure to use a good breeder. Labs are incredibly prone to severe hip problems - problems that can warrant euthanasia as young as 6 months old. Buying from a good breeder will minimize this possibility. ONLY use a breeder who is a member of the national club, and preferably their local club as well, and who follows all the ethics and guidelines put forth by that club and the AKC. Yes, even pet quality non-show puppies need to be selected by this standard.

http://www.thelabradorclub.com/library/selectpuppy.html

http://www.akc.org/future_dog_owner/about_buying_a_dog.cfm

http://www.thelabradorclub.com/breeders/

Remember that the WORST places to buy from are Internet ads, newspaper ads, pet shops, and backyard breeders. Find a good breeder.

http://dogplay.com/GettingDog/index.html

http://www.geocities.com/bluegracepwd/wheretobuy.html

Good luck in your search.

Oh, and never mind the negs I get, I have cowardly backyard breeder stalkers who childlishly neg all my answers. They love me so much, but I just don't feel the same about them.

Answer 7

I think your best bet is a Lab rescue group. They are all over the place. To find, type in your state and labrador rescue. Remember, young labs can be very hyper and destructive. They need a lot of training and attention in the early days. If not, they will be a problem..guaranteed.

Answer 8

You'd be amazed at the amount of labs you will find at rescue shelters. I would start there first. I know everyone wants a purebred dog. ( They see it as some sort of status symbol.) However, purebred tend to have more health issues and a shorter life span then a dog that is mixed. (Not to mention the outrageous prices people ask for "purebred" dogs)

Good luck on your search.

Answer 9

k,, this is an easy one,,, go to AKC.ORG and get the name of the labrador retriever breed club in your area/state,, contact them and they sould be able to give a list of reputable breeders. you could try searching labrador retriever club of ( your state). kudos for you for going about getting a pup the right way,,, you will not be disappointed if you buy from a reputable breeder - who will assist you with any concerns for the entire life of your dog.. remember - no pet stores or backyard breeders....

Answer 10

www.petfinder.com

www.petharbor.com

You can find listings of Labs available through animal shelters and rescues on those websites. Please consider adoption as your first option, because there are plenty of wonderful labs out there needing homes. Also research the breed and seriously decide on whether the dog will be a good match with your family and living situation. Good luck!