Consider whether a Labrador is the right dog for your house, family and lifestyle ;
Think about whether a puppy or an older dog is the right choice for you;
Remember that the initial purchase price is only a fraction of the cost of lifetime care for a Labrador, who may live for up to 14 or 15 years;
Buy from a reputable breeder who has a caring and responsible attitude;
Visit more than one breeder at a time when they do not have puppies, so you feel confident in the breeder and their stock;
See the dam of the pups with them (the sire may live some distance away) so you can assess the temperament;
Check that both parents have clear eye certificates dated within the last year;
Be prepared to ask questions about anything which is unclear or concerns you;
Be prepared to answer numerous questions because the breeder also wants to feel confident about you too; if the breeder is not interested in you they are probably not interested in the puppies either;
Take your time, and be prepared to visit the pups more than once.
Make sure your garden is securely fenced before taking a puppy home – they can get through very small gaps at 8 weeks old!
Consider using a wire crate to help with training – this is not a “cage, more of a puppy’s “bedroom”. They like to have a space they can consider to be their own, and feel secure.
DON’T:
Buy a puppy who is not registered with the Kennel Club, unless a good reason is explained clearly to you;
Choose a puppy because you feel sorry for it;
Rush into any decision about having a puppy; they are not suitable as surprise gifts, however well intentioned;
Take a puppy home without the appropriate paperwork and information about feeding etc;
Expect to take your puppy for walks of more than a few minutes – you can do more harm than good by over-exercising in the first year;
Feed lots of supplements – follow the guidelines from the breeder;
Overfeed your dog – an obese dog is not healthy, and Labradors are notoriously greedy: they will not stop eating just because they feel full!
Be fooled by the word “Registered” – they should be “Kennel Club registered”, and should have appropriate documents, especially if you have any thoughts of showing or competing with your dog.
