How do you find the best breeders for labs?

[mummyineedyounow]

Hi, we want to get a labrador and I'm not really too sure how we go about it. We've looked at the kennel club which shows breeders who have pups now. We're not in a desperate hurry so don't mind waiting to find the right breeder/mum & dad/pup. Please could anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks

See if theres a local branch of the labrador club near you, they'll be able to give you some info. Chat to people with nice looking healthy labs and see where they came from. I expect theres a labrador forum which might help. You could also ask your local vet.
Find out about hip scores and any other labrador specific health tests (eye or hearing tests possibly - not sure about labs).
And do you want one from a working or showing line? Around here (Somerset) the showing ones are much more heavily built than the working ones, but the working ones are obviously brighter and more energetic.
Lovely dogs, its great to crate train them though as they do like to chew!

Remember to avoid line-breeders AT ALL COSTS (basically the equivalent of incest).

They are basically in it for the money and not the welfare of the dog because it causes many many issues in the breed (any breed)

Remember to factor in at least £100 for training when the pup is 12 weeks old; that £100 should get you a decent course of obediance training so you can get on top of it before anything major happens!

Thanks very much LittleB and LFIOAD. Thats very useful.

Without sounding too stupid, how do I know if someone is a line breeder (so that I can avoid them)?

Ask if the mum and dad are related...

If they are, walk away.

If they bring in a stud to breed from, or have a dog from another family - that's fine and is worth your research

If they are line breeders would they be likely to tell me that the mum and dad are related?

I think the cost of puppy training depends where you are, my puppys course is 8weeks long and costs £45, the trainer is very good, and is sponsored by James Wellbeloved so we get some freebies too!
Theres also a nearby training club where they charge £5 membership then £2 per class, £100+ seems alot, but I'm in Somerset, I know the South East is more expensive.
My older dog came from a breeder who runs a training school, and we get free sessions for life - only their open friday evening session, but its led by a qualified trainer, which is very handy!
They couldn't lie to you about the parents being related because you'll be able to see the evidence in the KC family tree.

labs hould be hip and eye tested and some are now elbow tested too.
You want a dog that is hip and eye certified at least.

The best breeders often have long waiting lists. Consider whether you want one from show stock or working stock.

The best dog we ever had was a relative of the queens dogs! He was amazingly healthy, had a beautiful shape and lived the longest so far, so much have been some good breeding in there.

Do you know anyone with a lovely, healthy lab they got locally? Ask at the local vets. Pups should be K.C. registered and you should see at least mum's pedigree. ALWAYS see the pups with their mum and walk away if you can not meet the mum.

Ask how old mum is and how many litters she has had. There is a lot of helpful information on getting a puppy on the internet from respectable sources like the P.D.S.A.

Have fun. My 7 month old lab is a darling.

Thanks very much. Some really useful info to get me started .

Find out who your local gamekeeper is ,and ring them and ask if they know anyone local who will be having pups ,both my parents labs were from working stock and if i got one thats where i would go first ,they are bred for health and tempramnet not how pretty they look !