Finding a dog breed that suits your personality and your family dynamic can be a challenge. Some dog breeds continue to be very popular and labs are a good example of this. Because they are so popular, finding a Labrador retriever breeder isn't difficult but you do need to be careful to get a healthy dog that suits your family dynamic. Here is what you need to know.
Labs were originally hunting dogs although now the majority of dogs tend to be family companions. Retrievers were expected to jump into water or other conditions and bring back game that a hunter had shot with a gun or bow. Because of this, they have specific physical characteristics that have been bred into them over generations.
One thing to consider is what you want your dog for. Some breeders tend to focus more on producing hunting dogs while others tend to focus more on creating happy companions for families. Part of finding the right breeder for your needs is to find out what kinds of dogs they are producing.
It is important to ask about the health of these dogs before agreeing to bring home a particular puppy. Like other large breeds, these dogs can be prone to certain health issues. Some of these can be quite serious. Hip dysplasia is common in these dogs and a reputable breeder will be careful to minimize the chances of their dogs developing this medical condition.
Some individuals will let puppies go when they are younger while others want to let the young dogs stay with their mothers as long as possible. A dog that stays with its mother and its litter mates will learn a lot even in a few short weeks.
You may be surprised to learn that breeders do not always have puppies available all of the time. This is usually because they want their bitches to rest between litters. Bearing a litter of puppies takes a lot out of a dog and if she is bred repeatedly it can mean that her puppies become weak or sickly. You may find that you are further ahead to go with a breeder who rests their dogs between litters.
Meeting the puppies may seem unnecessary but it is actually very important. Finding a litter close enough that you can meet them is a bonus. Some will have personalities that you do not like or may be too dominant or submissive for you. If you cannot get to meet the pups in person, you might want to watch videos of them in order to see how they interact with their litter mates or with the humans they come in contact with.
You can find breeders in a number of different ways. You can always look on kennel club websites to find names or speak to individuals in your area that have labs you like. That way you can get a good idea of how a particular kennel's dogs will turn out when they grow up. Then you can enjoy your new furry companion and be confident they will be a good fit for your family.
Labs were originally hunting dogs although now the majority of dogs tend to be family companions. Retrievers were expected to jump into water or other conditions and bring back game that a hunter had shot with a gun or bow. Because of this, they have specific physical characteristics that have been bred into them over generations.
One thing to consider is what you want your dog for. Some breeders tend to focus more on producing hunting dogs while others tend to focus more on creating happy companions for families. Part of finding the right breeder for your needs is to find out what kinds of dogs they are producing.
It is important to ask about the health of these dogs before agreeing to bring home a particular puppy. Like other large breeds, these dogs can be prone to certain health issues. Some of these can be quite serious. Hip dysplasia is common in these dogs and a reputable breeder will be careful to minimize the chances of their dogs developing this medical condition.
Some individuals will let puppies go when they are younger while others want to let the young dogs stay with their mothers as long as possible. A dog that stays with its mother and its litter mates will learn a lot even in a few short weeks.
You may be surprised to learn that breeders do not always have puppies available all of the time. This is usually because they want their bitches to rest between litters. Bearing a litter of puppies takes a lot out of a dog and if she is bred repeatedly it can mean that her puppies become weak or sickly. You may find that you are further ahead to go with a breeder who rests their dogs between litters.
Meeting the puppies may seem unnecessary but it is actually very important. Finding a litter close enough that you can meet them is a bonus. Some will have personalities that you do not like or may be too dominant or submissive for you. If you cannot get to meet the pups in person, you might want to watch videos of them in order to see how they interact with their litter mates or with the humans they come in contact with.
You can find breeders in a number of different ways. You can always look on kennel club websites to find names or speak to individuals in your area that have labs you like. That way you can get a good idea of how a particular kennel's dogs will turn out when they grow up. Then you can enjoy your new furry companion and be confident they will be a good fit for your family.
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You can get a detailed list of the things to keep in mind when selecting a Labrador Retriever breeder at http://bouldercrestranch.com right now.
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