Questions for Breeder?

[BaconAndAvocado]

Me and DH are going to visit the breeders on Friday where we'll hopefully be getting our Labrador puppy from, some time time next year.

What sort of questions should we be asking?

I'd want to know all sorts of things.
Are these show or working line dogs - if workers, are they proven in the field? If show, has somebody who knows what they are doing at minimum checked for sound conformation? If you're not experienced with dogs, be aware that working-line are likely to be more active and generally demanding.
What health tests have they done? ( Check the Kennel Club website for what is advised for Labs.)
Are the hip scores for sire and dam at or below breed average? (The lower the better.)
What is the co-efficient of inbreeding (COI) of the mating? Ideally, you want under 5%. A low COI doesn't guarantee a healthy dog, but it reduces your chances of issues like cancer and immune problems.)
How many dogs do they own? How many litters do they breed each year? I'd be leery of anyone producing more than two or three litters a year, or owning more than about a dozen dogs (I know a couple of people who own 10 or 12 working dogs, who are fit and well cared for, well trained and exercised and loved.)
How did they decide on that mating? Owning both stud and dam isn't a good enough answer. Using your friend's dog is fine provided you used it for the right reasons - that it 'complimented the bitch' i.e. counteracted her faults - she's a bit chunky but this stud brings a bit more leg and finer bones.
Will the pups be KC registered? If not, why not? If either sire or dam were endorsed not for breeding, why have the endorsements not been lifted?

As much as anything, watch how breeder and dogs interact.

Oh, and check that they've not just started breeding for the Covid ££££.

Good luck - checking out the breeder gets you off to a very good start. I'm not going to second guess you on breed because if you're thoughtful enough to be meeting and quizzing the breeder, you're thoughtful enough to have gone through breed in detail.

Thanks Grumpy that's really helpful.

I've got lots of questions to ask now!

They're a well-established breeder and I have a friend who has bought a puppy from them in the past and commented on how helpful and knowledgable the breeders are.

We've been told it could take up, to 18 months to get our puppy which is a good sign I think.

There's some good advice online about finding a puppy. Joining a breed FB page might also be helpful if you haven't done so already.

Current routine so you can stick to it, food and how often

All went well today at the breeders. The puppies we saw were gorgeous and well looked after but all spoken for!

The breeder has put us on the list and said it will,probably be around Easter time.

Vey very excited 😊