What To Ask Your Prospective Labrador Retriever Breeder

You need to ask your prospective Labrador Retriever breeder a lot more questions other than how much they cost. Because Labs are the most popular breed in North America, there are (sadly) many people who breed Labs for quantity rather than quality. With a pre-written list of questions for your Labrador breeder, you can help avoid those breeders that shouldn't be within a mile of a puppy.

The most important questions when can I come look at the kennel, what kind of contract do you require and what do you look for in a new puppy owner. If you don’t have time to ask a lot of questions (say, if you are at a dog show), then at least try to slip in those three. The answers you get will tell you most of what you need to know about what kind of breeder your future Lab puppy will be like. You should always be able to visit the kennel or home of the Labrador Retriever breeder you have in mind before putting any money down. Some breeders will have outside kennels – some will not. All good Labrador Retriever breeders will be extremely proud to show off their dogs to you, especially the mother and father of your potential puppy. You are visiting a home, so some places will normally be off limits to visitors.

Take a good sniff when you are at the kennels. It should smell okay, perhaps be a bit musty, but should not smell overpoweringly like decaying meat or like dog poop. Labrador Retrievers need exercise and so should not be kept in crates all day – especially stacked crates. It is okay if they live in outdoor kennels with runs. You need to see how the dogs react and if they are clean and perky. This is a good indication that your puppy will be raised in a good environment. Paperwork for Lab puppies does not mean the newspaper you use for paper training. You need to ask about health certificates of both parents of the Labrador puppy as well as a contract. Yes, there definitely has to be a contract made up by the breeder about what the breeder is responsible for (especially in terms of your puppy's health) and what you are responsible for. A contract is a deal breaker. No contract – no deal.

Great Labrador Retriever breeders will give you all the paperwork before you even ask for it. They will also start quizzing you about what you expect in a dog and your store of Labrador Retriever information. Good breeders will always give preference to those with Lab experience. Expect to have to provide a letter of character reference from your veterinarian and to have your home checked out. The breeder should love his or her puppies more than money.

Brooke Sunderland has published hundreds of articles about dogs, including several on Labrador Retriever breeders. Not all breeders are good Labrador breeders. Labrador information can be found at any sanctioned dog show.