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If you are in the market for a new dog, and you are
looking for one that is intelligent, great with
children, good around all types of animals, a dog
that is easily trained, and one that is loyal and
affectionate, you definitely want to consider the
Labrador Retriever. Your first decision when buying
a new dog is whether to purchase a small puppy or an
adult, perhaps one from a rescue organization.
With puppies, we strongly recommend you never buy
one younger than 10 weeks of age. For an adult,
especially one coming out of a rescue organization,
plan on being patient to break old habits or teach
the dog that you are not going to hurt it, simply
give it a good, loving home. Just remember that a
new puppy takes a great deal of time and patience.
During the initial months at home, you will need to
housebreak your puppy, teach it not to chew or dig,
and provide it with tons of love and affection.
Another consideration is whether to buy a female or
male Labrador Retriever. Some people swear there is
no difference but we disagree. For starters,
consider the reason you are purchasing a Lab. As an
example, if you plan to breed your dog, then you
would want a female. However, if you want a hunting
dog, one that will be used for retrieving, the male
is usually a better choice, not due to ability but
because of the female’s heat season.
When it comes to training a Labrador, you would find
little difference between the two genders although
most Lab owners state the female is a little easier
because she is usually just slightly mellower. Just
remember that both a male and female Lab will have
its own wonderful personality so it is important
when shopping around that you connect with the
puppy, regardless. The best option in this case is
to talk to the breeder. Obviously, this person would
have spent ample time observing the different
puppies, being able to point you to one or two that
meet your expectations best.
The next decision has to do with color. For many
people, the color makes no difference but some
people have a definite preference. The Labrador
Retriever comes in black, yellow, and chocolate. As
far as temperament and trainability, color does not
matter. On the other hand, the yellow Lab tends to
be a heavier shedder than the black or chocolate
Lab. Because of this, you should expect to provide
more aggressive grooming.
Finally, you need to determine if American Kennel
Club (AKC) registration and/or pedigree is
important. If you plan to breed or show your new
dog, then these certifications would be invaluable.
However, if you were buying a Labrador puppy for a
companion, then it might not matter as much to you.
Remember, just because a Lab puppy would be eligible
for AKC does not mean you have a first place show
dog or top breeding dog. Therefore, it is important
that you also check the puppy’s bloodline, looking
for Grand National Champions and tight ancestry.
Again, a reputable breeder would be able to provide
you with this information, if it matters to you.
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