Labrador Breeders, How to Find the Good ones!
Photo credit: www.labradorbreedersblog.com
They are a valuable yet elusive group! They very seldom advertise in newspapers and often have hard to find websites.
Although many Labrador breeders have attractive websites, they don’t invest the time to make their websites easy to find through the search engines, like Google or Yahoo!
Their time is spent posting their dog’s latest trophy or title or working with their dogs. It seems you can only find them If you type in their exact website name.
The breeders you find easily are most often the “puppy farm” breeders.
So how do you find those caring professional breeders, the source if your perfect puppy? Well, if you are not active in dog field trials or don’t know someone who is, it can be challenging.
Here is a list of the best advice I have found. If you have good ideas, please post them in the blog response for this article! Thanks! Bob
How do you find Caring Professional Labrador Breeders?
1. Educate Yourself
Check the Library for good info. Read up on how to breed and raise dogs. Know what to expect with your puppies during the early stages. This is fun, easy, and will help prepare you for your interaction with breeders.
2. Make sure you know what you want
Do you want a field trial winner, an English type Labrador working dog, large or small, for indoors or out, as a guide dog, pet, or watchdog.
3. Questions List
Create a list of questions to ask on the phone and when you go visit. We complied our list from several library books.
4. Check List
Create a check list of what a Labrador breeder looks like so you will recognize a good one when you find them. Ex:
• Cares about the puppies
• Provides clean safe housing for the mom and puppies
• Spends time with the dogs, vs. leaving them caged and seldom interacts.
• Asks about your plans with the dog and its future housing and care.
• Wants the dog back if you decide you can’t keep it
• Has the puppies paperwork organized and ready for you
5. Talk to Friends
Ask where they found their puppy and about their experience.
6. Get Referrals
Talk to the long time Veterinarians in your area
Breeders usually find a good vet and sticks with them for years. Just call and ask “I’m looking to buy a great puppy, do you work with any good breeders you would recommend?” They know they may get your new business and that you will be a happier customer by their helping you. Also, ask if they have written recommendations for selecting a puppy.
7. Look on the internet
for AKC field trials and events in your area. Go visit an event or two. Talk to the people there that are observing. Often you can get referrals or even find the breeder you eventually buy from there. Also, you will find happy people that love to talk about their experiences with their animals.
8. Call the Referrals
Call and talk to the Breeders that are referrals. Interview them. Ask questions. Tell them you are new to this and want to make a wise choice. Ask them to make recommendations for your situation. Labrador Breeders are usually passionate about what they do and love to share it with other. After talking with four breeders we visited three and found our “perfect” puppy. In fact we brought home two English type, solid black, 8 week old sister Labrador puppies. They are exactly what we were looking for.
Good Labrador Breeders are worth the extra effort to find!
Sep 09, 2008 | | Labrador Breeders