Puppy Packet

Labrador Retrievers Inc. Today the Labrador is the second most popular breed in the United States. AN INTRODUCTION TO THE You may be interested in the Labrador LABRADOR RETRIEVER Retriever for many reasons – a family pet, a hunting companion, a field trial competitor, Introduction obedience training, or a show dog. Whatever your intentions, the dog requires the same It is against the policy of the Labrador conformation and physical condition. Retriever Club Inc. to recommend specific Whatever your objective, only you – the breeders, stud dogs or kennels. Accordingly, owner – through affection, care and training the club records do not contain information can enable the Labrador to fulfill its potential. regarding members providing stud services, or having puppies for sale. Choosing a Reputable Breeder Because of your interest, we have prepared this brochure to better acquaint you The first step in acquiring a Labrador with the characteristics of the breed, and to Retriever puppy is selecting a reputable assist you in the selection of a puppy or breeder. Buying a dog is much akin to breeder, or stud service. purchasing a diamond; if you are not yourself It is our sincere wish that the following an expert, you must rely upon the knowledge information will prove helpful. and integrity of the seller. The options open to you as a buyer are as follows: History 1. Pet Shop or Animal Dealer: In our The Labrador Retriever first made its opinion, this is the worst possible place to appearance at English maritime towns that buy a dog. Hardly a week goes by that we do were engaged in the fishing industry with not hear “horror stories” from unsuspecting Newfoundland. Early in the nineteenth purchasers of Labrador puppies bought at pet century, the first Labradors (or Lesser shops. Most are sold at exorbitant prices far Newfoundland or St. Johns Dogs as they out of line for the quality of the puppy. Many were called) were imported into England by are sickly, resulting in high veterinary bills, or Lord Malmsbury. He was greatly attracted to even worse – death within days or weeks the dog and he and Colonel Peter Hawker from the date of purchase. In other cases purchased several dogs from fisherman that AKC registration papers are not always brought them over from Newfoundland. provided and certified pedigrees are seldom Colonel Hawker in his book “Instructions to available. Remember, all puppies are cute – Young Sportsman”, written in 1814, describes how they mature is dependent upon the the Labrador “as by the far the best for every breeder and the breeding. Many dogs sold kind of shooting”. by pet shops as Labrador Retrievers grow up From this early beginning the dog was with little resemblance to the breed. developed into the Labrador of today – one 2. “Backyard” Breeders: This is frequently a that excels as a gun dog, is a loyal person that owns a Labrador female and companion and has the conformation and sees the opportunity to make easy money. quality to hold its own with all breeds at dog Usually, this type of breeder knows nothing shows. about conformation and the dam is often not Because the Labrador was a dual- worthy of breeding. Lack of knowledge of the purpose dog, not one from which the working breed also results in the selection of an and show types are entirely different as in so equally unworthy sire, frequently a dog many other sporting dogs, the breed soon owned by a friend or neighbor. In almost attracted the attention of sportsmen in this every case, the breeder is not experienced in country. However, it was not until after World the proper care and feeding of a pregnant War II that the breed obtained popularity. dam or the puppies after they arrive. This type of breeder may not have the sire x-rayed 2) The breeder should provide evidence for hip dysplasia or checked by a veterinarian of their involvement in the breed and for eye disease or other congenital problems. be able to provide proof of the number Unfortunately, many do not even care. Their of titled dogs they have owned or bred. only objective is to sell puppies and make a Since the Labrador is a dual-purpose profit. dog, the breeder should prove involvement in hunting or fieldwork. 3. Professional Dog Breeders: This 3) If requested, the breeder should category represents those breeders provide references either from former maintaining a commercial enterprise. purchasers, their veterinarian or their Frequently they are breeders of more than contemporaries. one breed of dog, often are also operating a 4) The breeder must be able to provide boarding kennel, and sometimes are also proof that both the sire and dam are engaged as dog trainers or professional free from hereditary eye defects, hip handlers. While some maintain excellent dysplasia and other congenital breeding stock and have excellent defects. In addition, a record of dates reputations, many operate what is called and types of vaccinations given to the “puppy factories” and are interested only in puppies, together with written making profits. As a general rule, their prices instructions on feeding, training are significantly higher than the “hobby (including house breaking) and care breeder”. One should exercise extreme care should be provided. in purchasing a puppy from this type of 5) Reputable breeders provide a breeder and seek references form former pedigree, together with a “blue slip” to clients. apply for registration of the puppy with 4. Dedicated Hobby Breeders: These the AKC – both pedigree and breeders can be identified by their attitude, registration should be provided at no the condition of their dogs, and the overall extra charge. environment of their residence and dog 6) It is the policy of reputable breeders to facilities. Their dogs receive periodic eye insist that you have the puppy examination by a board certified examined by your veterinarian to Ophthalmologist, both sire and dam of the insure the inoculations are continued litter have been certified by the OFA and the puppy is sound and healthy. (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), they provide a litter registration form from the AKC If a breeder fails to meet any of the (American Kennel Club) and a three or more foregoing requirements, you should probably generation pedigree with each puppy. look elsewhere for your puppy. Remember, Additionally, each puppy sold is guaranteed all puppies are cute, including those available sound and free from congenital defects. at the local do pound; you are not purchasing Moreover, their puppies cost no more (and just another puppy, you are adopting a often less) than those sold by a pet shop, a Labrador Retriever into your family, you puppy factory or a black yard breeder. Some should be assured that he/she will develop guidelines for identifying an acceptable into the wonderful dog that is our breed. breeder of Labrador Retrievers are presented below: Labrador Retrievers Inc. 1) They should be members of the SELECTING A PUPPY Labrador Retriever Club and/or area Labrador Club, or Retriever Field Trial A long time ago, a respected breeder Club. Membership in these stated that if he could pick show or field trail organizations indicated length and prospects at six or eight weeks of age, he depth of involvement in the breed. would quit work and make a fortune traveling around the country selecting puppies for a have become familiar with the individual traits few. The truth is, reputable breeders follow and characteristics. Reputable breeders will the policy of “breeding the best to the best do their best to assure you are completely and hope for the best”. Also, as a general satisfied. rule, the puppy will be better (not worse) than the parents. Accordingly, when selecting a Things you should look for in selecting a puppy, you should only buy from a reputable puppy breeder and be satisfied that both sire and dam are sound, have good dispositions and (Written by Nick Mickelson, Ann L. Huntington, DVM, & represent what you expect the puppy to look Sylvia Cracchiolo – Labrador Retrievres Club, Inc.) like when it is full-grown. Be wary of 1) Does the puppy appear healthy? A breeders that tell you a six or eight week old good healthy puppy will have clear, puppy is a future champion or field champion. shiny eyes that are free from It is also good to take your time when discharge. Its coat will be glossy with buying a puppy. You may have to wait weeks a minimum of flaking skin. It should be or even months for a suitable puppy. Some alert and playful. How about its well-known, reputable breeders have waiting littermates and the dam? Look around lists for their puppies, accordingly you may be at others in the litter – all should asked to place a deposit to reserve a puppy appear healthy and well-fed. It is also in the litter of your choice. Unlike other wise to consider the cleanliness of the retrievers, Labradors are available in three puppy’s surroundings. Look around colors – black, yellow and chocolate. There for any fecal matter that may not have is absolutely no relationship between color been removed yet. Is the stool well- and ability, disposition or other traits. The formed or sloppy? A clean color you choose is just that, a matter of environment and robust family of dogs esthetic preference. Frequently there may be are very good signs! puppies of different color in the same litter and often there may be yellow puppies in 2) How is the mother’s temperament? If litters where both sire and dam are black. the sire and dam are present, how do This is merely an indication that the parents they behave? A surprising amount of carry a recessive yellow gene.

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