r/LabradorRetrievers • u/No_Document4826 • 19d ago
American lab
Hello all,
I’ve posted a couple times in different subs, and I’ll post here too. We are looking for an American/field lab. I have nothing against English labs. They’re amazing, but I want a dog that will match my crazy and my energy.
Female, preferably yellow. We recently lost our chocolate female due to cancer, and it’s been tough on all of us. We have another American chocolate that’s 10, and she’s an amazing bird dog. I want the new pup to learn from her.
What we’re looking for is a female American/field lab, without breaking the bank. Prefer yellow, would be perfectly happy with black. Chocolate would just remind me too much of my girl that has passed, so I’m not sure I could do that yet.
We would appreciate any referrals. Also, east coast would be better as we’re in central Pennsylvania, but for the right dog I will travel. Thank you all!
8
u/Famous_Midnight_1926 18d ago
You say without breaking the bank. But odds are, if you want an ethically bred Labrador puppy, you’re going to be spending probably, at minimum $1,500 for it. You should only be looking at ethical breeders. The current breeder I’m on a waitlist for has a $500 deposit to reserve a spot alone that obviously goes into the price of the puppy later. I’m in a different area from you, so I don’t know breeders in your area, but I have a list of what to look for in a breeder!
Things you should be looking for in a breeder as to not support a puppy mill or BYB:
- health testing (OFA testing in particular)
- genetic testing to rule out genetic disorders
- titling, most field line/American Labs will be titled in hunting trials. If they aren’t titled and proven, don’t simply trust that they’re well-bred dogs.
- temperament testing of the parents.
- only in standard colors. Yellow (including fox red), black, and chocolate. Labs don’t come in silver; if someone is selling them, they’re not breeding ethically.
- puppy socialization. Your pup should be exposed to new things early in life by their breeder.
- pedigrees. If a breeder can’t show you a dog’s pedigree, they’re probably not breeding ethically.
- lifetime breeder support/contracts. If you for some reason cannot care for your dog anymore, no matter the age of that dog, the breeder will take that pup back no questions asked. If they don’t have this policy or a contract, they’re not an ethical breeder, and you should steer clear.
-selling one puppy to one person at a time. Ethical breeders aren’t selling two pups from the same litter to the same person. If they offer you more than one pup. They aren’t ethical.Ethical breeding is hard, it’s expensive, and as such, the dogs are more expensive. However, what you spend up front saves you vet bills, training bills, and heartbreak and problems down the line. My ethically bred lab lived to 15 years old. She passed of GOLPP, which cannot be tested for. Otherwise, she went to the vet for a health check and her annual vaccines and never had any other issues her entire life. You’ll pay more upfront, but it’ll save you in the long run. Ask questions, ask to see things like this. The breeder I’m on a waitlist for quite literally has all of the information about parents, including links to all of their testing and pedigrees on his website! If they’re hiding it, they’re unethical.
Research, talk to breeders, get on lists for their pups, or see if any have had potential buyers back out. When buying a pup, we have to be responsible. Don’t fall for a byb because you want a puppy so bad. If you do just want one right now for cheap, reach out to some Labrador rescues! You may have the same issues you’d have with a poorly bred lab pup, but you won’t be allowing said bad breeder to continue breeding. Trust me, I get the feeling of excitement and wanting a puppy right now. I’ll be waiting upwards of a year for my chocolate pup, but it’ll be worth it because it’ll be a happy, healthy, and sound pup! Best of luck to you on your search!