Questions To Ask A 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 questions that will tell you the most about any Labrador Retriever breeder will be what kind of contract do you require, when can I visit the kennels and are there any health warrantees. If your potential breeder refuses to let you visit the kennel, say goodbye and move on. They may have something to hide. If your breeder doesn’t do contracts, also move on, because they definitely have something to hide.

You can tell a lot by what a Labrador Retriever breeder is like when you visit their home and kennel. Are they messy? Did they even remember you were coming? And does the place stink of dog poop? The place should be reasonably clean, smell okay and the dogs should appear clean, happy and friendly. It is normal to see some living outside most of the time in covered kennels. If you don’t like what you see and smell, move on.

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.

There should be a contract for you made up by any reputable Labrador Retriever breeders. It should clearly spell out what the breeder is responsible for and what you are responsible for. Ask if you could take a copy home with you to look over more thoroughly before you sign.

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.

A contract also can help eliminate a lot of future headaches. It should list what the breed is responsible to provide and what they are not. They might even have clauses such as you having to go to them first if you are no longer able to keep the adult dog.

You won’t get your money back, but at least your dog will have a good home. Assume nothing. Great Labrador Retriever breeders will bring all of this up if you forget to ask.