Black, yellow or chocolate
, it doesn't matter which
color you choose. You can't go wrong with the versatile Labrador
Retriever, which originated in Newfoundland in the 1800's. The
breed makes an excellent pet, they are extremely loyal and are
at ease in the dove field or a duck blind. There was a famous
one named Buddy hanging around at the Whitehouse for a while,
when Monica was an intern there. Labs are not very aggressive,
they are gentle around children and senior citizens, plus they
make great watch dogs. Young Labs tend to be a little on the
hyper side, but they usually mellow out as they mature.
The dogs love water, and retrieving is a natural instinct. My
black Lab, "Minnie Pearl", ambles around the yard with
a knobby throwing dummy in her mouth an |
ticipating someone to toss for her to fetch
up and bring to hand, at all times. When I rattle my keys, she's
ready to load up on the truck and surf down the road on the tool
box.
Most Labs are "working dogs" and love to please their
master. Occupations for the canines include seeing eye dogs for
the blind and also sniffing out illegal drugs and explosives.
I even had a guy that owned a pest control business, purchase
a pup out of Pearl's last litter, to train for finding termites.
When selecting a puppy, make sure you are dealing with a reputable
breeder with a well established track record. It is a good practice
to have the sire and the dam on the premises for the potential
new puppy owner to know what to expect when the dog is full-grown.
I also recommend purchasing a pup from |
litter whose ancestors have a proven hunting
bloodline, unless you are strictly purchasing the dog for a pet.
I would also make sure the breeding dogs have papers on them
and are registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC).
The breeder should have a certified pedigree showing the lineage
of the sire and the dam on hand for the new owners to examine
when they come to look at the litter. If the paperwork is not
readily available, you should search elsewhere for a new hunting
companion. Also make sure the pup has been wormed, vet checked
and up to date on all shots and vaccinations. Most states require
vet records before the animal can be offered for sale.  Hip dysplasia is another common concern associated
with Labs that should be discussed before the purchase. A vet
can check for this problem also. A ball park figure on the price
of a registered Labrador puppy is between $300.00 and $600.00.
Proven field trial champion bloodlines are considerably more
expensive.
Now you have made the big decision, purchased the pup and transported
it to your home. What's next? If you plan on keeping the new
family member outdoors, you should have a suitable pen or kennel. |
