How to Pick out the Best Lab Puppy

If you’re looking for a new furry companion, you may be interested in adopting a Labrador retriever. Labs are loyal companions, good hunters, and avid swimmers who love the water. They’re great with children and tend to adjust easily to new surroundings. In order to pick out the best Lab puppy, you’ll need to know what to look for in a breeder, how to spot the symptoms of illness, and how to judge whether the Lab puppy has a good temperament.

Things You'll Need

• Copies of the parents' health records
• Copy of the puppy's shot records

Instructions

1. Choose a reputable breeder with good references and keen knowledge about Labs. Reputable breeders run clean kennels, specialize in only one or two dog breeds, and are able to produce accurate health records for each dog and puppy in their facility. A good breeder should be able to answer any questions you may have about Lab puppies and he or she should be able to give you several references from previous clients.

2. Ask to see the dame and sire, their vet records, and their certificates of health. You can learn a lot about the temperament of a puppy and any genetic disorders he or she may be prone to by carefully inspecting the parents. Some breeders are able to secure certificates of health that prove that a dog’s ancestry is free from genetic abnormalities and other debilitating hereditary traits. Ask to see copies of these certificates for the dame and sire to help you pick out the best Lab puppy for your family. If the breeder is unable to produce health certificates, insist that you see the parents’ health records to ensure that they have received their shots and that there aren’t any obvious indicators of health problems that may not be apparent just by looking at the dogs. If you notice things like Hip Dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, or Epilepsy on a dog’s health record; go elsewhere to adopt a Lab puppy. Conditions such as these are hereditary and the dog’s offspring will stand a good chance of developing these conditions as they age.

3. Inspect each puppy for signs of illness. A healthy Lab puppy will have clear eyes, a wet nose and clean, soft fur. There should be no discharge coming from his ears, eyes, mouth, or nose. Carefully lift each puppy’s lips and inspect the gums. Pale pink or white gums indicate that the puppy may have intestinal worms. Inspect each puppy’s fur for signs of ringworm and fleas. Ringworm in a bacterial infection that is easily transmitted to humans and other pets. A puppy may have ringworm if his fur is patchy or if his skin feels crusty or extremely dry.

4. View each puppy’s shot records. By the age of six weeks old, a puppy should have had at least one round of shots. If the breeder is unable to produce shot records, choose a Labrador retriever puppy from another breeder.

5. Choose a playful, outgoing puppy and spend some time getting to know him or her before you make your selection. To pick out the best Lab puppy for your family, you’ll need to select a dog with a good temperament. While it can be difficult to gauge a puppy’s temperament when he’s young, there are some things you can look for that may give you a good indication of whether the dog is well socialized. If a puppy runs from you when you try to pick him up or if he hides to avoid contact with you, he is not a well-socialized dog and you should move on. A puppy should feel comfortable when a human picks him up. He shouldn’t whine, whimper or growl when touched.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit several breeders to pick out the best Lab puppy.

• Don’t choose a puppy just because he is the cutest of the litter.

• Take your new Labrador retriever puppy for a veterinary checkup within the first few weeks.

• To learn more about Labrador retrievers, see the Resources.

Resources

• Labrador retriever information
• The Dog Owner's Guide To Labs