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.
