Looking for a Labrador Puppy!!!?

Question

I am looking for a Labrador Retriever puppy in California. Chocolate or White. Not more than $500. Thanks.

Answer 1

Go to a local shelter or rescue. Labs are very popular and unless you are going to show your dog, there's no reason to buy from a breeder. You can find a list of shelters and rescues and the pets they have in your area on www.petfinder.com

If you are set on buying from a breeder go through a website like AKC and find a real breeder, who knows what they're doing and breeds quality dogs. If you just get some nieghborhood breeder than you are really not garenteed quality of the breed at all which ruins the purpose of buying from a breeder.

Answer 2

Best place to start looking is at www.akc.com. They have a breeder referral section.

The way I found my puppy was to attend dog shows. That way, you get to actually /see/ what the people have to offer, and what the dog you're looking for will look like when it grows up. An AKC-sanctioned conformation show is actually a show of breeding stock. The judges look to see which dog best 'conforms' to the Breed Standard, hence the term 'conformation show'. The Breed Standard was written up by the parent Breed Club, and describes what the 'perfect' dog should look like.

Another good source might be a Lab rescue. They usually have a much lower cost per animal, and usually when you get it, it will already be spayed/neutered, had a fecal check for parasites, had a heartworm check done and also a dental checkup.

Answer 3

The first thing I'd like to say is that there is no such thing as a White lab. They're a scam to get people to pay more money for a dog. Only three colors are recognized by the AKC: Yellow, Chocolate, and Black.

Now about the pup, wouldn't you so rather adopt? There are many Labs in the shelter, unwanted and abandoned. Not only are the dogs often cheaper, but you're saving a life too.

http://www.petfinder.com

Answer 4

http://www.petfinder.com is a great place to start, as above answerers stated. Also: http://www.akc.org/breeds/labrador_retriever/puppy.cfm

When you find a breeder, make sure they test eyes, hips, and elbows (OFA, CERF, and PRA tests) -- hip dysplasia is very common in Labs, and you don't want to have to deal with that.. it's very costly. An added plus to knowing you're buying from a good breeder is if they actively show or work their dogs, and both the parents and ancestors have their Ch. title. It's better to pay a few hundred dollars more for a puppy whose parents have been health tested than to get a cheap puppy that's going to have health issues in the future.

Also -- Labs don't come in white. They come in Chocolate, Black, and Yellow. :-)

Answer 5

Try adopting from Labrador Rescue or a local shelter, they may not have puppys, but some are young, and they all need a home. Labs are great dogs, but you may want to focus on the personality before the coat. If you go to your city's animal shelter there is bound to be one. Plus, check your newspaper, some have pet pages on ceratin days.

Answer 6

quote
"The first thing I'd like to say is that there is no such thing as a White lab. They're a scam to get people to pay more money for a dog."

Not true
http://www.hunt101.com/img/496956.jpg
White has been a normal (and common) dilute of Yellow since there have been Labradors. They are however registered as yellow and not as white.
@ $500 you are probably restricting yourself to newspaper quality or less.

Being quite picky about dogs, there are only two breeders in the US that I would consider.
For a show Lab I would go to June Miller (Millmar Labradors) Homburg NY
For a field Lab I would go to Mary Howley (Candlewood Kennels) Portage WI

Answer 7

Check local shelters, or ask a nearby vet if there are any labrador rescues around, theres one where i live and theres plenty of puppies. And theres no such thing as a while lab, theyre just very light yellow labs.

Answer 8

how bout u find a dog in a shelter that deserves a home. there r tons of lab and lab mixes in shelters all accross the us. in my local shelter there is a lab mix who has been there for 5 years. but because people go to breeders dogs like this dont get homes and spend the rest of their lives in a shelter or foster home. so go to a shelter and save a life. there is nothing more rewarding.

Answer 9

Not more than 500 is most likely going to lead you to a horrid puppy mill, which means sick pup, and often, death.

Feel free to look here for reputable (and more costly) breeders anyhow:

http://thelabradorclub.com/breeders/directory_results.php

Go to your local shelter if your not willing/able to spend a good amount in a reputable breeder!

Answer 10

Check your local newspaper ads and Craigs List.