When looking to buy Labrador puppies, you need to know certain things about the breed. This will help you choose the right Labrador puppy and will also help you decide if this is the dog for you. The first important thing is to investigate the appearance of the dog, how it should look and how it should behave. These are important to keep in mind when selecting your puppy.

The typical breed characteristics of kindness and loving devotion are true for many Labrador retrievers, but not all. Some Labs can be aggressive and dominant, it all comes down to how they were raised and socialized. Choosing the right breeder is just as important as choosing the right Labrador puppies. Otherwise, you may have a puppy that will grow up with a temperament you didn’t expect and health problems that will burn a big hole in your pocket.

When you shop at a pet store, you won’t be able to see the parents of Labrador puppies for sale. This is already an obstacle in choosing the right Labrador puppy. Puppies in pet stores are often not properly socialized because they are taken from their mothers when they are too young. Pet stores can’t answer everything about puppies’ ancestry, for example, were there hip problems three or four generations ago?

You also cannot observe the pup in its natural environment, with its mother and brothers and sisters. A good breeder will be able to provide you with all the certificates you request without hesitation. This may seem like a big deal, but you want a puppy that will grow up to be a healthy dog. Otherwise, you could have a puppy that grows up to have hip problems, eye problems, and other health issues.

X-rays are not proof of the Labrador puppy’s hip health or the health of its parents. OFA certificates are. You should know that sometimes breeders who are not certified will use x-rays to check the health of their dogs. Beware of these breeders, they are likely to have too many litters in a year or at any one time. Ideally, a breeder should only have one litter at a time to better focus on the puppies.

If the breeder tells you that he makes a lot of money selling puppies, be aware that he may have a puppy mill on his hands. Labrador puppies should grow into healthy, active Labradors who love to be outdoors and participate in many activities. If your pup is quiet or inactive then he knows something is wrong, Labradors are more playful and energetic as puppies. The extra money and time you spend choosing the right Labrador puppies could save you a lot of money in the future.