Buying Labrador puppies from a pet shop are never a good idea and can lead to a lot of heartbreak later. Just like other breed dogs there are certain diseases that the Labrador is more prone to. It is only when you buy from a responsible breeder that you can minimize the chances of buying Labrador puppies that will develop health problems later on.
The upside is that you can get a puppy easily and it may not be as expensive as some other breed dogs. The advantages stop there however, because unscrupulous breeders often produce neurotic Labradors that do not have the typical easygoing nature expected of Labradors. You need to be careful about how to choose the right Labrador puppy. You may have to pay more but this is better in the long run. Paying the extra money means getting a good puppy that will have the typical breed characteristics that you want.
There are some tell tale signs of an irresponsible breeder, first of all they will probably not be raising Labrador puppies in their home. Ask how many litters they have and how many a year they have. Put this question to them in a way that suggests you are not sure if you want to buy a puppy now, you might want one in a few months time. If the answer is that they have plenty of puppies then you should stay away.
Always inspect the place that your Labrador puppies are being raised. Another warning sign is that the breeder is reluctant or does not want you to see the puppies. You should be able to see both the puppies and their parents.
You are also not able to observe the puppy in its natural environment, with its mother and brothers and sisters. A good breeder will be able to provide you with all the certificates you ask for without hesitation. This may seem like a lot of trouble to go to, but you want a puppy that will grow into a healthy dog. Otherwise you could have a puppy that grows up to have hip problems, eye problems and other health problems.
You might think that because you are buying Labrador puppies as pets that you don't need certification or impressive bloodlines. While it's true that these things are only necessary if you want to show your dogs, these factors will help you get a better dog. Dogs that have a good bloodline have been responsibly bred to produce dogs that are free from genetic diseases. Care has been taken to ensure that there is no harmful inbreeding.
Additionally you should check that your puppy comes with certification from OFA. This is to make sure that there is no history of hip problems in your pup's bloodline. The history should go back at least three or four generations.
Just because your puppies' parents don't have hip problems doesn't mean that there is no possibility of your puppy having hip problems. It can be extremely sad to watch your puppy grow into an adult that has hip problems. It will not be able to run and play the way it used to.
Nowadays, Labrador Retriever puppies have become so popular. It seems like everyone is breeding and selling Labrador Retriever puppies all around the world. Maybe because these puppies are cute and easy to love, but it just doesn't stop there, you have to know everything there is to know when providing proper care for your Labrador Retriever puppies. Labrador's are adaptable to any kind of task you may want the dog to be capable of. They are such a versatile and well-adjusted breed that they make great family pets. They are so gentle that they can even hold an egg in their mouth and not break it. Because Labradors were raised to retrieve game fowl, their mouths have a very nice feel to it. If they hold your hand in their mouths, it won't hurt a bit. However if you're a couch potato choosing a lab for a pet won't suit you. Labrador Retrievers need and love vigorous exercise to prevent health problems and hyperactivity. So, if you're not up to playing catch or running around with a Frisbee, then you and your dog will definitely have a problem with each other. It is best to buy Labrador Retriever puppies than those that are already mature. If you want to really form a bond with your Lab then purchase one that's still relatively young. Not only will the time you spend rearing him be good for your bond, but you will also have more time getting to know each other's personality and quirks. Labrador Retriever puppies can be a bit active. Do not mistake this for hyperactivity, its just puppyish energy and excitement and like with all breeds of puppies this is normal. It is important to train your Labrador Retriever while still young. Be patient in training them as they have the tendency to reflect some of their owner's personality. Puppies love to chew, especially Labradors, so keep those shoes of yours out of sight and out of reach. You can broaden your Labrador Retriever's knowledge and learning as it grows up. They are not hard to train, as they are very intelligent and attentive. To ensure that a Labrador's fun loving won't get out of hand, train them early. Female Labrador Retriever puppies can grow up to be more independent than their male counterparts. Excellent care and training should be given if you see that your Labrador is a bit too aggressive than she should be. Labrador Retriever puppies that come from puppy mills can have a wide variety of problems. They can have illnesses like mange, bronchial problems, flea infestations and even genetic abnormalities. These problems can cause you thousand of dollars in medical bills. In fact, due to the Labrador's popularity most puppy mills raise them, and Labrador's bred in these place often have a lot of attitude problems that the breed is not supposed to have. So be careful in buying Labrador Retriever puppies. Aside from buying, you also have to be a responsible owner. Make sure that you are ready to take care of Labrador Retriever puppies. Having a puppy is just like taking care of a kid.
Brooke Sunderland has sinced written about articles on various topics from Puppies Dogs, Pets and Pets. Brooke Sunderland is a passionate lover of the Labrador and owns a popular website that can teach you how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved