finding a reputable dog breeder....

[gemmummy]

i'm just a bit dubious about buying a puppy from the classifieds.....how do i go about this. after a lab pup by the way (changed my mind from bulldog after some good advice on here) and want to make sure I'm doing this the right way. Ta!

Contact Kennel club, they should have a list of breeders also lab rescue centres and talk to your local vets as they should know if anyones dogs are breeding.

Agree re Kennel Club, also Champdogs is a good website.

If you're getting a lab make sure the parents have been hip and elbow scored.

Best of luck.

there are several ways, the 2 I would reccommend , in this order are;

1. contact your nearest breed club..eg northwest labrador club of GB..they can usually be found on the net.The club secretary will be able to reccommend good breeders in your area and may even tell you what questions to ask

or 2.contact the Kennel club, they have a part of their site on which members of their "good breeders" scheme can advertise but it is not as closely monitored as the local club method so some bad 'uns can slip through the net

I hope you find the perfect pup for you.

I would recommend asking the local breed club, or you could ask your vets, they might know of good local breeders, and any friends with labs. Research the breed as much as you can so you know what to look for when you ask about hip scores and other health screening relevant to the breed. Theres probably a labrador forum on the web which can give you some good advice too.

Please spend some more time researching breeds, visiting adult dogs, talking to breeders etc. A lab will need far more walking than you can give (I think you said 1/2hour a day).

Ask local (amd reputable) dog trainers or behaviourists for recommendations (and tips on ones to avoid).

A friend of mine who is a fantastic dog trainer will go with people to look at puppies and breeders to advise on whether they are good'uns or not.

For a lab pup you might want to have a look at www.labradorforums.co.uk which has a mammoth amount of information from owners and breeders of - you guessed it - labradors!

It's been invaluable for me during a number of catastrophes involving my beautiful, gorgeous black girl.