Where can I get a Labrador puppy near me? The answer to this question can be a bit complicated. There are so many factors that must be considered when deciding if you can get a Lab puppy from a breeder near you.
Is this a reputable breeder? Are they a member of a canine breeder’s association? What is your family situation? (Do you have children? If so, do you have a fenced-in yard for the puppy to play in?)
Where Can I Find a Labrador Puppy?
The American Kennel Club’s Labrador Retriever puppy finder is an excellent tool for finding a quality puppy from a quality breeder.
You may also look through your local classifieds for unregistered litters, although we do not recommend it.
Even though Labradors are a generally healthy breed, it is important that both parents get screened for any health issues prior to breeding.
Adopting unregistered litters will also significantly increase your chances of encountering a puppy mill.
No matter where you adopt from, it is essential that you meet both parents and access a history of good health for each parent before adopting a puppy from the facility.
The amount of maternal care a pup receives prior to adoption influences the adult temperament of your Labrador.
If you want to adopt a Labrador puppy, it is important that you transact with a breeder who understands quality maternal care is essential to your puppy’s development.
A responsible breeder will not remove your puppy from its mother before it is ready.
A study at the Kyoto University found that a Labrador Retriever’s adult temperament relates to the temperament of its owner.
In the study, Labs belonging to extroverted owners had better social skills than those belonging to introverted owners.
As a Lab owner, you will need to commit to daily exercise and frequent socialization to maintain your pet’s health.
How Can I Have A Labrador Puppy?
Labrador Retrievers are famous for being friendly and companionable to both humans and other dogs.
This makes the Labrador an ideal breed to keep as a family dog.
There are factors, however, which need to be considered before choosing a Labrador puppy.
Where Can I Find A Labrador Retriever For Adoption?
The easiest way to adopt a Labrador Retriever would be through a rescue that specializes in Labrador Retrievers. A great place to start would be by starting a breed search on Adopt-a-Pet.com. The search will show you all the available Labrador Retrievers in your area.
Shelters and Rescues of Labrador Retriever
There are animal shelters and rescues that focus specifically on finding great homes for Labrador Retriever puppies. Browse the list of Labrador Retriever rescues and shelters near you, below.
Purchasing From a Breeder
The best place to find registered breeders online if you are in the USA is through the American Kennel Club.
In other parts of the world, use the puppy search tool on the website of your regional kennel club or equivalent authority.
You may also ask a local veterinarian for a reference to a quality breeder.
Another option is to keep an eye out for someone with a purebred Labrador and request information on where they adopted from.
The pros of buying from a breeder are that your puppy’s parents will have been screened for any existing health problems prior to breeding, alleviating the risk of your puppy encountering health issues down the road.
Registered breeders use only top-of-the-line animals as parents.
Puppies from responsible and registered breeders are given the appropriate amount of maternal care and not released to a new home until they are physically and mentally mature enough to do so.
This lays the foundation for an affectionate and even temperament in adulthood.
The cons of adopting from a breeder are higher costs and often long wait times.
Responsible breeders require a pre-adoption home check to ensure that their puppies are appropriately homed.
You may also need to travel some distance to find the right breeder.
Registered breeders usually breed a maximum of only twice per year.
This maintains parental health and allows sufficient time for the puppies to progress.
These breeders often have waitlists for upcoming litters before they are born, sometimes before the parents are even bred.
While these practices maintain value, they also mean the puppies will cost a little more and take longer to bring home.
Ads by Individuals
Private ads for puppies can be found in online classifieds or in your local newspaper.
You may also spot them on the bulletin boards of various local businesses.
The benefits of sourcing a puppy from a private ad are that the breeder is likely to be located nearby, and the puppies will be available relatively quickly, if not immediately.
The cons of taking this route are that you do not have pedigree parents to your puppy, and the risk of health complications down the road is much higher.
Puppy farms will often advertise through private ads.
For these reasons, we do not recommend sourcing a puppy through a private ad.
Pet Stores
We do not endorse purchasing puppies from pet shops, because the credentials of both parents and breeder cannot be provided.
Parents of pet shop puppies may have been overbred, mistreated, or in less than optimal health.
It is impossible to know without verified records.
The puppies themselves could have experienced conditions and trauma that will negatively impact their behavior in adulthood, such as being separated from their mothers too soon or physical abuse.
Choosing Your Puppy
Labrador Retrievers are friendly by nature and tend to get along well with other dogs.
This breed very rarely shows aggression and must be provoked to do so.
When it comes to children and other pets, a Labrador puppy would be a valuable family addition.
Labs are companionable and socialize well.
The Labrador Retriever is a high-energy breed and will need enough time and space each day to receive sufficient exercise.
These exercise needs will continue to grow as your puppy matures.
A Labrador is not designed to be an inside-only dog.
This breed needs lots of activity to stay mentally and physically fit.
Consider that your fully grown Lab will be between 21.5 and 24.5 inches in height and weigh between 55 and 80 pounds.
We recommend that you take your Lab out for daily outdoor activities such as swimming and fetch.
A Labrador that does not receive enough exercise time may rebel by engaging in destructive behaviors within the household.
What Is The Cost Of Having A Labrador?
According to Pets4Homes, the UK’s most popular classifieds website for various kinds of pets, the average cost for a Kennel Club registered Labrador is £780, with a non-registered Labrador costing an average of £597.
This is just the purchase price, of course, there are also ongoing costs. These include equipment such as a collar, lead, toys, bedding, and a dog guard or car harness.
You should also budget for the cost of food, pet insurance, and regular vaccinations, flea and worming treatments. There may also be additional costs, such as training classes.
Conclusion: The decision to purchase a Labrador should be based on your lifestyle.
When making the decision to own any kind of dog or puppy, it is important to give real consideration to whether or not they are suitable for your lifestyle.
Labradors have an abundance of energy and require plenty of exercises, hence the frequently asked question, ‘At what age do Labradors calm down?’
If you have the time, space, and energy for a large and lively breed and enjoy walking, then a Labrador may just be the dog to fit in with your lifestyle.
However, it is natural to worry about what will happen if you have to leave your new best friend to go away on holiday, for work, or for a non-dog-friendly occasion such as a family wedding.
Barking Mad Dog Care offers the perfect solution for dog owners who don’t wish to place their canine companions in kennels.
