[Kimba]

I need some help. I am having a hard time putting into words how I can explain to my sister why she should only get a purebred lab with papers if she considers buying one, rather then getting a cheap lab from some family who's dog just happen to have pups.
Does anyone have a link to an article or short summary so I can send it to her bc I am bad at explaining nad I want her to have all teh FACTS.

 

[Sally Harrell]

If she's not that concerned about it having papers, has she thought about lab rescue?

 

[Kimba]

I think she is dead set on having the dog as a pup...but she was going to look at rescuing from shelter. I am worried if she rescues a "lab" from a shelter it may not be a lab or it may have problems due to incorrect breeding.

 

[Trickster]

I'm sure someone like labby on this site can provide you with a few links on why you should use a reputable breeder.

Without going into masses of detail, when you buy from a reputable breeder you know what you are getting in terms of temperament and looks. The breeding stock will all be health tested and proven in some way through show, work, competition, etc. etc. You can pick a dog that fits into your lifestyle. A field type dog, for example, would do better in an active home.

With pet bred dogs it is a real mixed bag. The parents are not worked/proven and generally have had no health tests done. Temperament can also be suspect. Pet bred dogs are NOT bred to better the breed. They are bred purely for the sake of breeding. No thought or effort is involved.

 

[JacksAndLabs]

http://woodhavenlabs.com/checklist.html
http://woodhavenlabs.com/breeding/breeder.html
http://woodhavenlabs.com/paying.html

 

[Tagen]

I am worried if she rescues a "lab" from a shelter it may not be a lab or it may have problems due to incorrect breeding

I think many people on here who have rescued labs will tell you that this isn't usually the case.  If it were, I don't believe so many members on this board and other boards would have rescues.   Health-wise, yes, there is the potential of getting a pup w/ HD or ED or other genetic disorders, but you can have those same chances by going a BYB who doesn't do health clearances on breeding stock.  Same with temperment issues.

But here are just a few good articles that will hopefully change her opinion
http://woodhavenlabs.com/paying.html
http://woodhavenlabs.com/breeding/breeder.html
http://woodhavenlabs.com/clearances.html

Heck!  Just send her to woodhavenlabs.com  

 

[labby]

http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/breeding.html#buying

 

[TobysTrix]

Just remember (as has been pointed out on multiple threads on this board and others): having papers and being AKC registered is not the same as coming from a reputable breeder. There is no implicit or explicit quality guarantee that comes with the papers, they just mean that parents, grandparents, and ancestors were all registered with the AKC and were all labs. Remember, the AKC makes money off registrations, and registration is only a matter of tracing lineage, it has nothing to do with health, temperament, etc. (Before anyone jumps all over me about that statement, the AKC has to make money in order to support a lot of really wonderful programs, I am not saying they are a bad organization at all!)

There is nothing magic about registration and it is NOT a guarantee of health, nearly all BYB labs are "papered", very few have any clearances or health guarantees. So it's a matter of what she wants. If she doesn't care about papers, adopt from a shelter, those dogs are in desperate need of homes and make great pets. There are a lot of 100% labs in shelters. If she cares that her dog is guaranteed "pure" lab, buy a pup from a reputable breeder and do lots of research. But don't buy from a BYB and never from a pet store that sells puppies (puppy mills are far worse that BYBs).

Apologies if I misunderstood the original post, but I wanted to clarify the point about registration vs. quality breeders. They are different things.

 

[deneen]

I am worried if she rescues a "lab" from a shelter it may not be a lab or it may have problems due to incorrect breeding.

I would stress these points. If she buys a puppy from a byb, friend, not so experienced breeder this is what she may encounter.

You don't necessarily need to to a shelter. There are many labrador retriever breed rescues. I've had labs WITH their papers, people will turn papers over right along with their dogs. A breed rescue may never be 100% sure but I would put a large sum of money that some of my foster have been nothing but purebred. Dogs are also in foster homes so you have a good idea of their temperment already. Puppies are also availble.

Good luck, at leat she has you looking out for her. She should really be the one doing all the research.

 

[imported_zoezoe]

Many lab rescues have puppies. Especially this time of year ... My best dog is a rescue (I have 5 lab rescues).

 

[CoCosMom]

Yep, friends of ours are getting a chocolate lab puppy from a lab rescue. The probability of breeding issues is probably the same as with a BYB, but at least this way its a rescue and not revenue for some dumb-a$$!

 

[deneen]

not revenue for some dumb-a$$!

Well said Jo! ;D LOL

 

[Katy]

Lots of rescues place their dogs with foster homes for a period to time. That gives the rescue time to know about the dog, its needs and what kind of family it will fit best with. If you go with a rescue that uses foster families you will have some background on the dog and its personality.

 

[rottnlabs]

Murray is a rescue.  He was picked up as a stray.  He looks like a pure Lab to me. 

Papers don't mean anything to me because I don't intend to breed my dogs. I'm able to compete with Murray because I got an ILP on him from AKC.

While papers don't mean anything to me, health does. I took a chance adopting Murray without knowing where he came from but that was a risk I willingly assumed. Buying from a reputable breeder stacks the deck in favor of good health for the dog but it does not guarantee it. Papers have nothing to do with either situation.

 

[kaisdad]

Yep, friends of ours are getting a chocolate lab puppy from a lab rescue.  The probability of breeding issues is probably the same as with a BYB, but at least this way its a rescue and not revenue for some dumb-a$$!   

Well said! I got Kai from a reputable breeder and, once I found out about all the good work rescues do, I decided that all of my dogs will from now on come from rescues. Samm came from a rescue and is an amazing dog. He doesn't have papers or a health guarantee, but at the end of the day that doesn't really matter. What matters is the love he has in my home and the love and companionship he returns a million times over. Rescues often have pups available, so I would certainly urge your friend to explore this option.

 

[curly]

Our next dog (probably 1 to 2 years) will most likely be a rescue. I would like to have a "buddy" for Zakk to hang out with ;D.

 

[Dani]

AKC means not much.

Have your friend research kennels and rescues. There are good ones and bad ones in the bunch. But you can get puppies too from rescues. I've had 5 litters and only 1 of those was a mix. The rest were all purebred.