For The Love Of A Labrador

Pet overpopulation, genetics, politics and economics, who knew getting a puppy from a pet store, can be so complicated. You probably thought those big brown puppy eyes are the only thing that matters but as with everything in the world today. Things are not as easy as that.

Despite what you’ve been raised to believe, the world is made up of actions and corresponding reactions. Something as simple as buying puppies can be tainted by these events, may it be negative or positive. To some people dogs are not just pets they are livestock. Although they may not be anything wrong with that notion, it is the conditions in which commercial Labrador breeders keep their dogs that are raising eyebrows.

The Labrador is the most well liked, and popular breed of dog anywhere in the world. They have absolutely amazing countenance. Labrador’s are intelligent, highly adaptable and even-tempered. Sadly, the things that make Labradors such wonderful pets also open them up to human atrocities due to the potential of economic opportunities.

A puppy mill usually denotes negative connotation because they are very well known for breeding dogs like Labradors on a large scale and under poor conditions. During the World War II age, there was a surge of demand for puppies, so the puppy mill era was born at the same moment that pet stores became popular business establishments.

Labrador breeders on the other hand are pretty different, because they are artists in the dog world. They breed dogs not necessarily for income but in the quest for the perfect Labrador in looks, temperament and intelligence. Labrador breeders don’t just sell puppies to anyone they make you prove that you deserve their priced doggies before even considering of letting you own one.

Like Hollywood, the pet store industry has been plagued with scandals since time immemorial. The incalculable bulk of Labradors sold at pet stores are bred from puppy mills. Pet shops are very well known to be financing and keeping the puppy mill industry alive.

Not only that but dogs produced by commercial Labrador breeders have a tendency to be ill or genetically defective. The illnesses start with the mothers, and are passed on to the puppies. Common illnesses are fleas, ear infections, mange and bronchial illnesses. Genetics also plays a part because some puppies are a product of in breeding.

Some diseases or defects may have arisen from the way these puppies traveled from the puppy mills to the pet shops. These defects are, hip deformities, sprains and bone problems. Still others are afflicted by bad vision, hearing problems and epilepsy.

Although there are pet shops that do get their puppies from responsible commercial dog breeders, Labrador breeders, and private owners, the likely hood is that there are only a few of them that do. The lure of higher profits is sometimes hard to resist for some people. So be the responsible one and don’t patronize the pet stores who are merciless to animals.

Brooke Sunderland is a veterinarian, who specializes on the Labrador breed. Reliable Labrador breeders will help in educating you on how to properly raise your Labrador puppy. Labrador information is available online.