Aquiring A Labrador Retriever
*This page is intended as a helpful guide to anyone thinking about adding a Labrador Retriever to their home.*
Adding a Labrador Retriever to your family is undeniably a very big decision. This is a living creature that will depend on you for everything...food, water, training, healthcare, and love. In return you will gain a confidant and friend who loves you unconditionally.
After you've thought about all that owning a dog entails and feel you're ready to make the committment, where do look for your Labrador? There are many different ways to aquire your future friend. You could adopt from breed rescue or the local humane society, buy from a breeder (and there is more than one type of breeder) or buy from a pet shop. Hopefully, the Labrador you choose will become a member of your family for the next 10 - 12 years. You owe it to yourself, your family, and the dog to take the time to educate yourself on the different sources, as well as the Labrador breed, so that you can make an informed decision.
Now, let's take a look at each source individually.
Rescue
Getting your Labrador Retriever through breed rescue can be one of the most rewarding things you could do. These are Labradors, that for one reason or another, are in need of a loving home.
These dogs come into the Rescue organization through a variety of ways:
Some are owner turn-ins, some have been rescued from abusive situations, some have been seized in puppy mill raids, and still others have been rescued from local shelters and humane societies.
These dogs come in all ages and all types of backgrounds. Many have never had a loving environment in which they could thrive. Occassionally, these dogs have health problems (some of which are corrected by the rescue organization before the dog is placed in a new home), some need obedience training, and most just need a kind human with a loving heart to show them how wonderful life can be. These dogs have so much to offer and with the right owner, they thrive and become great pets and members of the family.
Please take the time to visit the following website and read the heart wrenching story of 82 Labrador Retrievers who were rescued from horrible conditions in Texas.
http://www.source-m.com/labrescue.htm
If you are interested in more information on Labrador Retrievers available through rescue, visit:
Georgia Lab Rescue
Or phone the Greater Atlanta Labrador Retriever Club, Inc. hotline at 770-745-6256. Leave a message and a club member who will be able to tell you about available rescues will return your call.
Other Labrador Rescue resources outside the Atlanta area:
Labrador Retriever Rescue of East Tennessee, Inc.
Central California Labrador Retriever Rescue
LRC of the Potomac Rescue-Serving the Washington D.C. area including VA & MD
Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue-Phoenix, AZ
Midwest Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc.
Buying From A Breeder
Okay, let's say you've decided what you really want is a nice Labrador puppy...one you can raise and love, that will be a member of the family for years to come. You're looking for that puppy who will grow into a happy, loving companion and friend, or maybe a hunting buddy, or an obedience, agility or conformation dog and you've decided to look for a breeder.
According to the AKC, anyone who breeds a litter is technically considered a breeder. Not all breeders are the same, however, and its up to you, the puppy purchaser to do some research and educate yourself in order to make the best possible decision. So what types of breeders are there?
Responsible Hobby Breeders - This group of breeders is breeding with a goal of improving the Labrador breed and producing dogs that are sound in both body and mind. Responsible breeders do everything in their power to ensure the puppies they produce have the best possible chance of growing up healthy, happy and well-adjusted. This means the adults used in a breeding program have appropriate health clearances, kind temperaments, and are good representatives of what the breeder is trying to produce, whether its their next show, obedience, agility, hunt test or field trial competitor. These breeders spend innumerable hours pouring over pedigrees, pictures and breed information, as well as attending breed related events in order to increase their knowledge of the breed and bloodlines. The decision to breed is not one that is made lightly and they go to great lengths to find the right stud dog for their girl, even if its out of state or across the country. The dam and her puppies are given the best of care. Responsible breeders realize the importance of stimulization and socialization during those first few weeks of life. These breeders have lengthy conversations with potential puppy buyers and are able to answer your questions about temperament, health issues, etc. They are also genuinely interested in what kind of life their puppy will have with you. Companion pet puppies are sold on AKC limited registration because the breeder wants to do everything within their power to ensure a good life for the puppy and protect their bloodlines. When it comes time for the puppies to go to new homes, they leave with extensive information on their care and these breeders are always happy to answer your questions during the lifetime of the puppy.
Backyard Breeders - This group of breeders doesn't always realize what they are doing isn't in the best interests of the breed. These are breeders who breed their Labrador for reasons such as, "so the children can see the miracle of birth", "because our dog is so sweet", "to make back some of the money it has taken to buy and raise our dog", "our girl needed to have at least one litter to be well-adjusted", etc. The dogs that are bred are sometimes poor examples of the breed and come from pedigrees full of other backyard bred dogs. When choosing a stud dog, its often one of convenience. They choose a male owned by a neighbor, relative or friend or they own a male themselves who is used with their female(s) again and again. These breeders generally don't do health clearances and some don't even know about them. A few have a clearance here and there, but they aren't consistant. Puppies are sold on AKC full registration to anyone with the money to purchase the puppy. These breeders are not involved with local or regional breed clubs, or any other aspect of the breed, other than breeding.
Puppy Mills - This is by far the worst type of breeder. These are breeders who breed for one reason, and one reason only...to make money. They often have many different breeds and puppies are available year round. The poor females are bred every heat cycle until they are no longer able to produce, at which time they are disposed of. There are no health clearances and most of the time, animals are kept in unsanitary, cramped conditions, poorly fed, receive very little or no veterinary and health care, and never know the love and compassion of humans. These breeders have no regard for the well being of the animals and their offspring and will sell their puppies anyone, anywhere, anytime. These are also the breeders who supply pet shops.
The following are links to sites dealing specifically with Puppy Mills and their victims. Although what you read and see may be heartbreaking, you owe it to yourself to be be educated on these practices.
Prisoners For Profit: The Shame of Puppy Mills
Just What Is A Puppy Mill?
PuppyMills.com
NoPuppyMills.com
Pet Shops
No reputable breeder would ever, ever allow their puppies to be sold in a pet shop. Where do you suppose they come from? Most, if not all, come from puppy mills and commercial breeders. How many times have you walked into or by a pet shop only to see puppies of all different breeds stacked in small cages? Its a heartbreaking sight for any animal lover. So many times, your first thought is to buy the puppy and save it from this existance. But think about it...while you may be saving this one, you are condeming its mother and others like her. As long as people continue to buy those puppies in the window, puppy mills will continue to breed incessantly to produce a never ending supply. Remember, every time you make a purchase at a pet store that sells puppies and kittens, you're helping to keep them in business. Support pet supply stores that don't sell babies!!
Visit the links below for more information on Pet Stores and the disgrace of where their puppies and kittens come from.
Don't Buy That Doggie In The Window!
Brassbrigade Labradors
© 1997 - 2005 Tina Kirkland and Tonya Stroud-Snair
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