Choosing a Labrador Puppy

The Labrador Retriever has been consistently ranked by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as the most popular dog breed in America, so it's no surprise that so many families are choosing to bring new Labrador puppies into their homes. And while bringing home a new puppy can be a frightening and exciting experience in your life, it can be one of the most rewarding as well. Keep in mind a few things about Labradors, and your new puppy will turn into a happy, valued member of your family.

Decide where you'll get your puppy. If your heart is set on a purebred Labrador, you'll want to go to a breeder. Choose a responsible breeder; the AKC has a list of resources on its site to help you find breeders. In the case of the Labrador Retriever, the Labrador Retriever Club Inc. is the AKC affiliate for the Labrador Retriever (see Resources). The Labrador Retriever Club also provides resources for local rescue groups, in case you decide to rescue a dog rather than buying from a breeder. Puppies are less common in rescues, but not impossible to find. If you have an objection to puppy mills, do not buy a dog from a pet store. The ASPCA notes that most puppy mill puppies are sold to pet stores, and not only recommends not buying puppies from pet stores, but not buying from any place that doesn't allow you to see the entire facility and meet the mother dog. Purchasing dogs produced by puppy mills only perpetuates their existence.

Choose a color that appeals to you. Labrador Retrievers come in three standard colors recognized by the AKC: Black, chocolate and yellow. While some people claim that the color makes a difference in temperament, this is not true according to national Lab associations. Midwest Labrador Retriever Rescue states, "There is no difference in these dogs other than physical appearance." Puget Sound Labrador Retriever Association states "Coat color in normally colored Labs is determined by two genes unrelated to anything else about the dog. It is perfectly possible to get all three colors in the same litter, therefore the notion that there is a color based difference in temperament and/or ability is absurd."

If you are getting a Labrador puppy from a breeder, you should be able to meet the parents as well. Spend some time with them, and get a feel for their behavior. Temperament is often an inherited quality. Also, the ability to meet the parents helps ensure you are buying from a reputable breeder and not a puppy mill.

When choosing a Labrador puppy from a breeder, you'll likely get to see the entire litter and make a choice. Let the actions of the entire litter help you decide. If the litter exhibits undesirable traits, such as excessive reticence or hyperactivity, it's probably best to pass, as these are likely traits that have been passed on from the parents and will stick with the dog.

Evaluate the personality of the individual puppies. No two puppies in a litter will be the same, of course. Puppies should be curious and trusting, but not overly aggressive. See how each puppy interacts with his littermates, and ask yourself if that's how you want a puppy in your home to interact with you and your family. All puppies should play, nip and yap--but the one who's bullying all of his brothers and sisters or barking incessantly might not be the one you want to bring home.

Look for signs that the puppy is healthy. A healthy Labrador puppy will have clear eyes, a shiny coat and a little healthy "puppy fat." Look for signs of fleas or ticks. Examining the puppy's environment can tell you a lot about its state of health as well. Look for excessive fecal matter in the area. If you have a chance to examine the puppy's stool, look for worms. These are not necessarily deal breakers. What's most important is to talk to the breeder or owner about the puppy's health history--what shots has it had, has it been dewormed, and if so, what type of medication was used. Knowing what has already been done to ensure your puppy's well-being can let you know a lot about its possibilities for a healthy, happy future.