If you want to add a new dog to your family, you have likely been looking at different breeds in order to find one that suits your family and your lifestyle. If you have decided that you want a lab, finding the right Labrador retriever breeder is very important. Here is what you need to know in order to find a reputable breeder and get the dog of your dreams.
When a lab hunted with its human, it often had to leap into the water to retrieve a duck or a bird that a hunter had brought down. The water was often cold and it was expected that the dog bring back a bird without damaging the body or breaking the skin. Labs tend to love to swim and play fetch and will often spend hours doing so with their humans.
Keep in mind that some dogs are better hunters than others. If this is what you want your adult canine to excel at make sure that you work with a breeder who specializes in hunting dogs. There is no reason why a hunting dog cannot also be a good family companion as well.
Keep in mind that these dogs can have some serious health conditions and careful breeding can help to ensure healthier puppies. Hip dysplasia happens when a dog's hip joints fail to form properly. Large dogs like labs can often have this condition. If you want to make sure that your pup is less likely to have hip dysplasia, make sure you discuss this with a breeder and find out how they ensure healthy pups.
It is also important to talk to breeders about how their dogs are socialized. Part of this is how long the pups are left with their mother. A young dog learns a lot of important information as it grows up and the longer it stays with their mother the better off it will be. A good breeder will not be in a hurry to get rid of the pups just so that they can breed the mother again.
You may be surprised to learn that breeders do not always have puppies available all of the time. This is usually because they want their bitches to rest between litters. Bearing a litter of puppies takes a lot out of a dog and if she is bred repeatedly it can mean that her puppies become weak or sickly. You may find that you are further ahead to go with a breeder who rests their dogs between litters.
You may want to find out if you can meet the puppies before you choose a specific one. Puppies have different personalities and it's nice to meet them and find out which suits your family best. Some individuals want confident, dominant dogs while others prefer ones that are a bit more submissive.
Once you know what to look for in a breeder, its time to find names to interview. One option is to look in breed specific publications or on national websites that are dedicated to a particular breed. Then you can start narrowing down your options until you find someone you trust that you can get your new pup from.
When a lab hunted with its human, it often had to leap into the water to retrieve a duck or a bird that a hunter had brought down. The water was often cold and it was expected that the dog bring back a bird without damaging the body or breaking the skin. Labs tend to love to swim and play fetch and will often spend hours doing so with their humans.
Keep in mind that some dogs are better hunters than others. If this is what you want your adult canine to excel at make sure that you work with a breeder who specializes in hunting dogs. There is no reason why a hunting dog cannot also be a good family companion as well.
Keep in mind that these dogs can have some serious health conditions and careful breeding can help to ensure healthier puppies. Hip dysplasia happens when a dog's hip joints fail to form properly. Large dogs like labs can often have this condition. If you want to make sure that your pup is less likely to have hip dysplasia, make sure you discuss this with a breeder and find out how they ensure healthy pups.
It is also important to talk to breeders about how their dogs are socialized. Part of this is how long the pups are left with their mother. A young dog learns a lot of important information as it grows up and the longer it stays with their mother the better off it will be. A good breeder will not be in a hurry to get rid of the pups just so that they can breed the mother again.
You may be surprised to learn that breeders do not always have puppies available all of the time. This is usually because they want their bitches to rest between litters. Bearing a litter of puppies takes a lot out of a dog and if she is bred repeatedly it can mean that her puppies become weak or sickly. You may find that you are further ahead to go with a breeder who rests their dogs between litters.
You may want to find out if you can meet the puppies before you choose a specific one. Puppies have different personalities and it's nice to meet them and find out which suits your family best. Some individuals want confident, dominant dogs while others prefer ones that are a bit more submissive.
Once you know what to look for in a breeder, its time to find names to interview. One option is to look in breed specific publications or on national websites that are dedicated to a particular breed. Then you can start narrowing down your options until you find someone you trust that you can get your new pup from.
About the Author:
You can get a detailed list of the things to keep in mind when selecting a Labrador Retriever breeder at http://bouldercrestranch.com right now.
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