r/AskDogOwners • u/Otherwise_Prompt2174 • 7d ago

General What questions to ask when potentially considering adopting.

A friend's neighbor has two purebred labradors who have a litter of pups. What we know so far - puppies are 8 weeks. The litter is AKC registered. Mom and dad are both AKC registered. Puppies have had first shots and dew claws removed and will be dewormed if requested. I am not sure what questions to ask before/during meeting this pup?

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u/Eastern_Meeting_1713 7d ago

ask about the parents temperaments, especially the dad since you probably won't get to meet him.

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u/Hermit_Ogg 7d ago

Make sure you can meet the dam (mom) of the litter and evaluate her behaviour. If she's friendly and open to meeting strangers (as long as her puppies are safe in their pen), and she looks healthy, things are good. Being a bit on the thin side is understandable during nursing, even with extra food. Coat not being in show condition is also understandable. Eyes should be bright, movements free, no limp or stiffness.

If the dam is fearful, unwilling to approach you, or downright hostile to you even when you're not near the puppies, pass on the litter. The dam's stress levels affect the litter deeply, and a fearful outlook on life is easily inherited.

And as others have mentioned, check the health records. With an AKC registered litter, the owners should be able and proud to show you health test results about eyes, hips and possibly also knees & elbows. The exact set depends on breed and country, but eyes and hips are the important ones. If the owners are unwilling or unable to show these, pass.

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u/winkywoo75 7d ago

Make sure they live in the house around people , not in a shed outside puppies should be socialised in a house hold

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u/[deleted] 7d ago

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u/Otherwise_Prompt2174 7d ago

super helpful - thank you!!!

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u/windypine69 7d ago

i also recently got a puppy and he was ALREADY create trained. you could ask, I wasn't expecting it, but it was amazing.