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Labrador Retriever Breeder Recommendations


Kavik
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My sister's husband is keen to get a dog for the family - my sister still needs a little convincing (at least with the timing :laugh: ). I agreed to help them if/when they decide to get one. He is a fairly loud and boisterous personality and they have 3 kids between the ages of 1 and 4 1/2 (who are also quite boisterous! More than my kids!). I managed to steer him away from an Alaskan Malamute ( :eek: ) and towards a Labrador or Golden Retriever, he would prefer a Lab out of those two. He was keen on a chocolate, but I am trying to persuade him out of a colour preference so we have more choice regarding breeders.

If anyone knows a good breeder of Labradors, I would love the recommendation - not being my breed of choice I don't have contacts within the breed. PM is fine if you prefer :)

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They want a puppy (the whole puppy and kids growing up thing, you know how it is). Timing is still under negotiation but he can be persuasive :laugh: I plan on helping them with the training, they will need guidance with Lab puppy ( = destruction on 4 feet often :laugh: ) + 3 young kids!

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My neighbours have a chocolate girl from Lacote (spelling?).

They found them very good to deal with, papers turned up etc etc and the dog is an absolute delight. She is active and a little destructo but not nearly as much as some Lab pups. She is just a really nice chunky little girl who has been very trainable.

My other neighbours got a choc boy at the same time, similar lines but totally different breeder. While the dog is gorgeous getting papers for him was like pulling hens teeth.

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Just because a kennel wins a lot in the show circut certainly doesn't mean they have the best dogs....especially in this day and age....

There are a few Lab breeders here on DOL Op :)

I can also personally recommend Catraz in wooded Victoria.

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There are usually lots of young labs looking for good homes on gumtree. They might not be the baby puppies but generally speaking they seem to be advertised from about 9 months to about 18 months of age. This is still most definitely puppy age in a lab, and although the fact that they are looking for good homes might be a result of destructive behavior, that initial training and looking after a baby puppy will have past. At this age, a lab puppy would be a great kid- sized dog.

Please consider looking at gumtree. I know it's not what you asked for.

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I would also suggest an older dog.

I personally wouldnt think of placing a lab puppy (actually any puppy) in a home with 3 children under 5... :confused:

IF they dO decide on a puppy, be wary of kennels breeding specifically for colour, and advise them to check on after 'sales' follow up service... Having a special interest in rescue I know unfortunately of several of the larger kennels who offer no support/backup once the puppies leave them. Breeding for profit from pet homes only..

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Interesting that this topic has come up.

A young friend rang me yesterday and asked about how to find good Labrador breeders around Sydney. She and her husband are rather keen on a male pup, and preferably the chocolate colour.

I may have had dogs for many years, but I am not very knowledgeable about breedsers, so any breeder recommendations would be appreciated and advice as to what to ask/look for in a breeder. I did suggest to check about hip testing, as I am aware that hip dysplasia is a problem with some Labradors.

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I may have had dogs for many years, but I am not very knowledgeable about breedsers, so any breeder recommendations would be appreciated and advice as to what to ask/look for in a breeder. I did suggest to check about hip testing, as I am aware that hip dysplasia is a problem with some Labradors.

It is mandatory for Labrador breeders to Hip and Elbow score their dogs (you can't get the pups predigree papers if this is not done). The lower the score the better. You will find many breeders will have information about this on their website.

Many breeders today also test for PRA and EIC. This helps with the breeding program as they can ensure the puppies are not not affected by breeding clear to clear or clear to carrier.

There are alot of lab breeders, so my recommendation is to set a few criteria. For example, do you want show lines, do you want working lines, what colour, do you want a breeder that does something with their dogs?

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There are usually lots of young labs looking for good homes on gumtree. They might not be the baby puppies but generally speaking they seem to be advertised from about 9 months to about 18 months of age. This is still most definitely puppy age in a lab, and although the fact that they are looking for good homes might be a result of destructive behavior, that initial training and looking after a baby puppy will have past. At this age, a lab puppy would be a great kid- sized dog.

Please consider looking at gumtree. I know it's not what you asked for.

Ah, no. Look on DOL - not gumtree!

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I may have had dogs for many years, but I am not very knowledgeable about breedsers, so any breeder recommendations would be appreciated and advice as to what to ask/look for in a breeder. I did suggest to check about hip testing, as I am aware that hip dysplasia is a problem with some Labradors.

It is mandatory for Labrador breeders to Hip and Elbow score their dogs (you can't get the pups predigree papers if this is not done). The lower the score the better. You will find many breeders will have information about this on their website.

Many breeders today also test for PRA and EIC. This helps with the breeding program as they can ensure the puppies are not not affected by breeding clear to clear or clear to carrier.

There are alot of lab breeders, so my recommendation is to set a few criteria. For example, do you want show lines, do you want working lines, what colour, do you want a breeder that does something with their dogs?

Thank you buddy1. I guess I will have to google what PRA and EIC actually mean?

All my young friends want is a healthy pup, as a family pet and both come from dog owning families. They don't plan to start a family for a few years, so getting a puppy now is best, given that it will be a mature dog before any babies arrive.

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As I said, I don't really know anything about Labs, other than what I see win in the show ring.

I didn't say that they have the best labs to buy, and honestly it would probably be pretty hard to get one from them anyway.

But as with any dog, find your breeder on DOL, nowhere else.

Make sure they have a prefix, show you proof of health testing - certificates from Specialists - Im pretty sure Hip Displaysia and PRA (an eye condition affecting the retina which can leave the dog blind) are of primary concern.

When you go to buy, ask them to email you a copy of the pups pedigree, or if they haven't recieved that yet a copy of the mum and the dad's - they should be two blue certificates with a brown ANKC stamp in the bottom corner. And of course ask for lots of photos of the pup, and to see the pup before you decide on your purchase. I would also ask for photos of the mum and dad, so you can see what your pup is likely to end up like.

Ask to see the parents, and where the puppies are born, if you can't make it interstate or a long way from home, ask for photos as an absolute minimum.

Remember, if you buy from a breeder who has no prefix, and does not issue a pedigree (main or limited) with the pup, you have bought from a BYB, at best, or a puppy farmer at worst.

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