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The Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed in the United States. Adding a dog to your family is a serious commitment; read on to learn how to buy a purebred Labrador Retriever.
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Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc
Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc. (LRRI) places dogs in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. A rescue dig can be a great option for finding a purebred Labrador Retriever. Most of the labs that Labrador Retriever Rescue place come from shelters, dog officers, veterinarians and family homes. The dogs waiting for adoption live in foster homes, not kennels.
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Introduction
- The first recorded birth of a Labrador Retriever was in 1899. Since then, this dog has gained popularity as a sporting dog, an assistance animal, and a loyal family pet. If you're looking to adopt a Labrador, you'll need to find a breeder, select your puppy, and have him checked out by a veterinarian.
Consider a Rescue Dog
- Sometimes people take a dog into their home, and find that they can no longer care for it. An owner's death, a child's allergy, or a forced relocation are some of the reasons that Labrador Retrievers may be turned over to rescue groups.
- Rescue groups usually do not have puppies.
- Although purebreds, the dogs may not have had AKC papers filed.
- You can locate a rescue group near to you, on Purina's Adopt-a-Pet site.
Step 1: Find a Breeder
- In order to get a healthy dog, you'll want to find a reputable breeder.
- Ask your veterinarian for referrals. If you don't already have a relationship with a vet, any local vet should be happy to help you find a breeder.
- Contact your local Lab Rescue group to see if they can recommend someone.
- Talk to friends and family.
- If you find a breeder online or through the newspaper, you'll want to check their references.
- Ask for their veterinarian's phone number, as well as references from previous customers.
- Although you may find a breeder online, do not purchase a pet online. If the breeder is too far away for you to drive to check them out personally, find another breeder.
Step 2: Select Your Pup
- Some breeders match their dogs to owners, so you'll need to fill out a questionnaire and be interviewed about you, your family, your lifestyle, and your expectations. The breeder will then use their experience and knowledge to make a match between you and one of their puppies. If your breeder does not do this, however, you'll need to make the assessment on your own.
- Dogs have different personalties. Before going to select a puppy, decide what type of dog you're looking for.
- There are tools, such as the Puppy Aptitude Test that can help you make an assessment of what type of dog the puppy will grow to be.
Step 3: Visit the Vet
- After selecting your pup, drive immediately to the vet. Your agreement with the breeder should be conditional on the dog's passing a physical exam. In addition to a general health screening, your vet will be looking for evidence of certain problems that Labrador Retrievers are genetically predisposed to:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Unless its particularly bad, this generally will not be picked up on an initial exam, as the first signs don't become evident until 4 or 5 months. You should ensure that both parent's of the puppy have been checked and have clear hip certificates.
- Labs are also susceptible to a number of eye problems, including progressive retinal atropy, retinal dysplasia, and eyelid disorders.
- While progressive retinal atrophy is a genetic trait, it doesn't appear until adulthood, so the only precaution you can take is to ensure that both parents had clear eyes.
- Retinal dysplasia will become apparent by 6-8weeks, so your vet will be able to pick it up on an initial exam.
- Entropion and ectropion, where the eyelid curves in or out can cause irritation to the cornea, can be treated. If detected, you'll need to decide if you would prefer to return the puppy, or ask the breeder to pay for the surgery.
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