Buying a labrador retriever tips

There are several points to consider before you go making a rush decision when you are thinking of purchasing a Labrador retriever, one of the first decisions is are you buying the puppy as a pet, for show or as a working dog for hunting? If you only want the dog as a companion then you won't be as limited but should still consider where you buy your puppy from.

If you want a puppy for showing in the future then you will have to take into account that it will have to meet certain standards which are laid out for the breed. If buying for show the puppy will usually cost more than one bought as a pet, if you are buying for sport such as hunting then its parents credentials will be essential too as they will pass traits onto to the puppy .

The gun dog

If you are going to be training or have your dog trained for use in hunting then you should make sure you get proof of the puppies background. You should ask to see the field records of the puppies parents and grand parents as these skills are what your puppy will have inherited.

The show dog

If you are thinking of showing the dog when it is old enough then you will need to make sure that the puppy has all the correct papers and registration documents that are needed for entering into a show. Another factor you will have to take into account is, do the puppies parents have credentials in showing, you should never take the breeders word for it, a reputable show breeder will have certificates and cups to back up what they say.

A reputable breeder will also point out which puppy he/she thinks will have what it takes to do well in shows though of course there is no guarantee of them winning. A show puppy will generally cost more than a puppy that while still being a wonderful pet wont have what it takes for winning in shows, so this should be taken into account.

The family pet

If you want nothing more than a reliable companion then your choices are more open, you won't have to rely on the puppies colour being perfect or if it doesn't quite meet the standards of a show dog. However you should still buy from a reputable breeder and ask plenty of questions about the puppies parents and the temperament of the puppy.

You should also get the relevant papers for the breed as most breeders of pedigree dogs will have the dogs registered whether they are for show or not. You will of course want to check that the puppies parents have been tested for hip dysplasia as this is a common problem in Labrador retrievers and one which is hereditary.

taken from http://www.retrieverguide.com/buying-labrador-retriever-tips.htm