Labrador retrievers are friendly, friendly dogs and want to please people. They are known as drink-carrying dogs but are also often used as service, guide and search and rescue dogs. This smart and athletic Labrador retriever can also be trained for almost any type of task and is a wonderful pet for active families.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Adopt a Labrador Retriever Pup from a Shelter
Step 1. Read the information about the Labrador
Labrador is very energetic and quite large when fully grown. There are books on the market that provide guidance to help you make your choice of race or temperament. For example, the book The Perfect Puppy: How to Choose Your Dog by Its Behavior, by Doctors Benjamin and Lynette Hart. This book may be of use to you. In addition, you can also consult the book The Right Dog for You by Daniel Tortora, as another resource to help you make a decision.
- Another way to learn about the Labrador is to read the history and standards of the breed.
- Educate yourself by studying temperament tests for dogs and puppies, to help you choose a dog that fits your family and lifestyle. There are many resources out there on the subject.
- A very active puppy may be right for an active family who can take him to exercise, but he may also be too active for other types of family. Puppies who are very shy may become timid later in life and should be given extra socialization effort to prevent serious behavior problems.
Step 2. Consider timing when you bring home a new puppy
Would you like to introduce a puppy into your home and properly socialize it? Were you on vacation when you first bought the puppy and then had to get back to work and leave him alone the next day? Be prepared and educate yourself so that the process of introducing the puppy to your home environment is a success.
Step 3. Find a Labrador special rescue group
Contact dog rescue groups in your area. You may be able to get contact information for your local animal rescue organization from your local humanitarian community, dog trainers, vet offices, or other pet-related businesses. If you live in the United States, you can visit the American Kennel Club (AKC) website for contact information for rescue groups for specific dog breeds in your area.
Step 4. Fill in the rescue group application form that you like
Many of these groups will require you to go through an extensive placement process. They may ask you to apply, attend interviews, and allow home visits so they can ensure the adoption process is a success. Some groups may even ask to meet with your veterinarian to learn information about yourself and your pets beforehand.
- If you don't have a home of your own, be prepared to provide a letter from your host stating that you are allowed to have dogs. While this may seem overwhelming to some, rescue groups want to place the dog with a family in a home that is prepared and can cope with the new responsibilities. This group doesn't want to add to the plight of dogs with unsuccessful placement attempts.
- If you already have another dog, it should also be evaluated to make sure your old and new dog will match.
Step 5. Make sure you deal with an official rescue group and meet your potential pup
All puppies arriving from rescue groups should be thoroughly examined by a veterinarian for possible underlying health problems, parasites, and vaccinations prior to adoption. In most cases, your puppy will have an injection before moving into a new home, or you'll need to sign a contract to do so at a later date. Be wary of any rescue groups who skip these steps.
Step 6. Adopt the puppy
Make sure you understand the amount of effort a puppy will need, as well as the extra activities a puppy who has had a difficult previous life may need in order for him to be trained or socialized. Also be prepared to receive the extra love he will give!
Method 2 of 3: Buying Labrador Puppies from Breeders
Step 1. Meet the Labrador in person
Although there is only one breed of Labrador, the gene variation is wide and there will be major differences between dogs that were bred for a particular purpose.
- By attending a dog show, you'll be able to encounter Labrador bred for contests and their breeders. These Labradors get special attention in terms of their physical appearance.
- If you want to meet a Labrador specially selected for hunting and work purposes, visit a hunting or field test. These dogs were chosen for their intelligence, ease of training, athletic ability and natural hunting skills.
- You can find labradors of various types of speed, compliance, and physical test results (as well as from various other competitions). Contact labrador retriever clubs for details and listings of Labrador show events. The American Kennel Club (AKC) also has a list of breeders and exhibits on their website, in addition to breed standards.
Step 2. Prepare your budget
Buying a puppy should not be done in a hurry. This is a long term commitment with additional costs. Consider the costs of buying a puppy from a breeder, veterinary care (including vaccinations, flea and heartworm prevention, and neutering). Food, maintenance and training costs require budgeting from your side.
- Accommodation for holidays and travel, as well as fencing and housing should also be planned.
- Are you ready for an emergency medical problem? There are many veterinary insurance companies that offer affordable insurance plans, but require you to pay monthly.
- Do you want to show off your dog? If so, these activities will also incur certain costs.
Step 3. Locate trusted Labrador breeders so you can buy purebred Labrador
Visit dog shows, obedience competitions, or test hunts in your area where Labradors and their owners hang out. Decide on a dog you like and ask for information about the breeder.
Visit the AKC website for recommendations from Labrador breeders across the country
Step 4. Meet the breeder in person
Visit a few local breeders before deciding who you want to buy your puppy from. Don't buy puppies from the first breeder you visit.
You may be able to expand your search beyond your local area to find the best breeders and puppies to suit your needs
Step 5. Ask potential breeders about Labrador breeds
Find out what they know about the care and breeding of Labrador puppies. This is important so that you can measure their level of knowledge.
- You should also determine if the breeder will provide additional assistance if you need it, and whether he or she will accept the dog back if you are no longer able to care for him.
- Unfortunately, buying a puppy from a breeder, even when the paperwork and parental pedigree is complete, does not guarantee that your puppy will be healthy. However, buying puppies bred in irresponsible practices is likely to result in puppies with health problems, which you and he will likely have to deal with in the future.
Step 6. Meet your potential puppy in person
Get to know her personality a little before you commit to paying the adoption fees. If the breeder doesn't want you to see the dog before you commit to buying it, this should be a warning that something is wrong.
Try playing with the puppy and see how it reacts to you. Your puppy should have a good temper. Puppies with a good temperament should not be overly aggressive or shy
Step 7. Adopt your puppy
Pay the breeder and bring your new puppy home! Remember to be gentle and calm with him. Puppies are likely to be a little nervous and scared when they leave the breeder's house.
Make sure the breeder provides all the files he has regarding your dog
Method 3 of 3: Avoiding Bad Breeding Situations
Step 1. Ask to see dog parental health certificates for all puppies you are considering
Don't accept any excuses. You deserve a healthy puppy and this requires knowledge and planning on the part of the breeder.
Check the breed files to see if there are a large number of title-winning dogs in the first and second generations. If a puppy's ancestor had a title, such as FC, JH, CH, CD, OTCH, or WC, this title would be written before or after his name. Although most genealogical records show three to five generations, the first two generations are the most important. Degrees at these pedigree levels indicate that a dog is capable of meeting minimal standards of appearance and is likely to be an easy-going and sociable dog. Higher-level degrees also indicate excessive intelligence, teamwork skills, and ease of training. This means the offspring are more likely to be smart and easy to train dogs
Step 2. Review your prospective dog's health record, including a history of all immunizations, medications, and other warranties
If you purchased a dog from a breeder, ask to see the male and female parent files.
Verify to make sure both mother dogs are at least 2 years old. A formal hip examination cannot be done at an easier dog age. Even if the dog has gone through this examination before, he may still have other problems that will prevent the certification process by the time he reaches 2 years of age. If you live in the US, check the parent dog's files to make sure they both have a hip certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, as well as being registered with the Canine Eye Registry Foundation or another official annual eye examination body, which is staffed by a veterinarian who specializes in eye examinations
Step 3. Find out how the puppy will be raised before you adopt it
Will your puppy be well cared for? Will he be often noticed and socialized from an early age? What experiences will he have? At what age will he be allowed to move into a new house? Puppies should not move into a new home, at least until they are 8 weeks old. In some states in the US, such as California, this is an official law.
It is recommended that you watch the puppies when they are with their mother and siblings. That way, you know that the puppy was not born on an irresponsible farm, and that the breeder really takes care of the dog
Step 4. Avoid buying puppies from pet stores
Pet stores often sell cross-breeding dogs or poor quality Labrador puppies. Often, pet stores get puppies from irresponsible farms, which breed dogs with no regard for their health or quality. Both parents, especially the male parent, are often kept in bad environments and the puppies are rarely socialized.
- Some states in the US are fighting irresponsible breeders and pet shops buying from them, but this practice is still common. Be aware that buying from a pet store means you are supporting irresponsible breeders, and increases the likelihood of future problems.
- Some pet shops do provide a special place to sell animals rescued by animal-loving groups. This should be considered a completely different situation and you should support it.
- Again, you are better off seeing the puppy while he is still with his mother and siblings. This way, you'll know if the dog was bred responsibly and isn't in a bad state.
Step 5. Don't buy from an online breeder without visiting the location
In fact, some local breeders won't let you visit and want to meet you at the parking lot, or elsewhere. If this happens, you should be alert and stay away from the breeder.
Think before sending your dog to a faraway place. Puppies usually get stressed and sick when you drop them off and pick them up at the airport. A medical guarantee won't really guarantee your pup is risk-free, and if he or she is sick when you get one, what can you do if the breeder is thousands of miles from your location?
Step 6. Do not adopt or buy a dog that is sickly
A healthy dog will look clean, well fed, energetic, and have clear eyes, nose and ears. These puppies must also be well-groomed, without lumps or dirt. The nails should also be trimmed. At first their appetite may decrease, but he must still want to eat and drink. He should not be vomiting and diarrhea.
Step 7. Avoid dealing with dog brokers who are not transparent about their breeders
There are people who don't breed dogs themselves, but act as brokers for puppies. They make money by taking dogs from various sources and advertising and selling them to naive people. Again, make sure you visit the breeder's location if you want to make a deal with a broker. If this is not possible, keep looking.
Step 8. Avoid buying dogs from specialized local ads
The Labrador advertised here is often bred and sold without a file. This is indeed an easy way to find inexpensive puppies, but be aware that you will have to spend a lot of money on their medical care in the future.
Similarly, don't adopt puppies sold in front of shop windows. Impulse buying is a bad thing. Remember, if you buy a puppy that looks sad or sick, this doesn't mean you're saving him, but you're also supporting irresponsible breeding practices. Do not allow you to support unethical breeding practices
Tips
- To help your puppy transition to his new home, the breeder or dog rescue should at least tell him what kind of food his dog usually eats, or a bag of sample foods. The same foods will minimize the chances of digestive problems and support a familiar diet in a new location. If you want to change his diet at a later date, do so with the help of a veterinarian and implement gradually (over a week or two).
- Adopt a Labrador from a local animal lover's group if you want to find a good companion in a dog. Although not all rescued dogs are purebred/registered/have a healthy parent certificate, these dogs can still make good pets. He may have a certain behavioral or health history, but the animal group that rescued him should be able to tell you about it.
Warning
- Don't buy puppies for other people. This is a very personal and serious matter, and should not be taken lightly. Choosing a puppy is part of the introduction process.
- All mother dogs should have their eyes checked by an ophthalmologist before they give birth. Be aware that not all breeders run pre-breeding tests, and make sure you choose a breeder that does it all and is willing to show the results. If you live in the US, test results can also be viewed online at [www.offa.org]
- Labrador is susceptible to several hereditary diseases, which can be prevented or reduced with proper investigation. Labrador should be tested for hip, elbow dysplasia, fatigue, centronuclear myopathy, progressive retinal atrophy and retinal dysplasia before mating.
