Canterbury Labrador Retriever Club
Puppies
How to Find a Labrador Pup
It is an important decision you
are about to make in finding a companion for you and/or your family. This
decision will be with you for 12-15 years - do not make it in a hurry. All
Labrador puppies look cute, but some may grow up with traits you can't live
with.
Who Should I Buy a Puppy From?
A responsible breeder will invest a
great deal of time learning about the breed. The goals of a responsible
breeder are to improve the breed, facilitate proper socialisation of the
puppies, and careful selection of a suitable home for them.
A responsible breeder never breeds a Labrador without having undertaken tests to determine if their dog is affected by any of the genetic problems found in a Labrador. While clearance of the parents does not guarantee that the dog does not carry the genetic trait for a problem, it greatly assists in reducing the chances that a specific problem will be passed on to a puppy.
A responsible breeder will ask lots of questions as to why you want a Labrador, and will try and suggest pups he/she thinks suitable for what you have indicated you plan to do with the dog. Listen to the breeder, they know the litter best.
Puppies from a responsible breeder will be wormed, vaccinated and released to their new owners 7-8 weeks of age. They will be registered with the New Zealand Kennel Club and have documentation of parents hip, elbow and eye certificates. Some breeders will limit the registration to 'Pet Only', or state conditions that must be met before pups can be breed from. These may be Standard New Zealand Kennel Club endorsements.
Puppies Vary in Price
A 'bargain' puppy may end up costing you
more in the long run from vet. bills than a healthy, well-bred puppy from a
reputable breeder. A back yard breeder is a private person, who most likely
bought a puppy from someone, and now wants to breed that dog for a variety or
reasons.. usually the wrong ones. "I want another just like her", "We
bred her so the children can experience the delight of puppies", "We paid
so much for her we wanted to get our money back" "Our friends want one".
When buying from a 'back yard breeder' one runs a higher risk of their puppy developing one or more of the problems that can be found in the breed: hip and elbow dysplasia, temperament, eye problems, or epilepsy. These puppies may be slightly cheaper, often for a faster turnover, others may charge more than the going rate because some people gauge the worth of the puppy by the price tag. This is a current trend in chocolate Labradors. This sort of breeder will have little advice for you should you have any problems with your puppy, although they may have been a very good salesperson at the time of sale. They may still be a member of the New Zealand Kennel Club. It is against New Zealand Kennel Club rules to offer a puppy for sale at 'X' dollars with papers and a lower price without papers. If a puppy is registered with the kennel club the papers must be transferred to the new owner.
There is a trend for pet shops to sell "pure breed" puppies or puppies with "lineage papers available", in general these have come from back yard breeders and do not have any New Zealand Kennel Club documentation. Often pet shop puppies are more expensive than purchasing a pedigree puppy direct from a breeder.
There are responsible breeders within the Club who occasionally have puppies or older dogs available for sale.
For further assistance and help you are welcome to contact the club: canterburylabrador@gmail.com.