hi im hoping to get a chocolate labrador bitch puppy in july. ive owned dogs since i was 13 but ive all ways had mongrels so this will be the first pedigree dog ive owned. my question is what do i look for when i go see the pups will they all look the same, the perents are hip scored and eye tested, hip score for male is 5/3 hip score for female is 6/8 both have clear eyes is this ok, i had x labs before and they where so laid back and gentle are pure breeds the same , ive all so been told that chocolates are the worst colour to have as there slower than the goldens and the blacks and they can be more agressive ( thought ive never met an agressive lab). the breeder says they vet new owners im a bit worried about this as i dont no what they'll ask and will they want to come and see where i live. can anyone recommend a good book on labradors. i think thats it for now but im sure i'll be back Ann x

Hi Anne
don't know about the differences between the different colour labs but I'm sure someone will reply..
As for being vetted it just shows you've chosen a responsible breeder who wants the best for their babies.When I was 'vetted' it was just a case of speaking in depth to the breeder about my experience with dogs,why I wanted one of the pups,what my home life was like(kids/work etc..)etc.This is your opotunity to ask any questios you have too.
Well done for doing your 'homework' and getting a pup from health checked parents.When you go to look at the pups it depends on what you want to do in the future.If you want to show or breed be led by the breeders advice.If you want a pet then I would go for a pup which wasn't too 'in your face' but wasn't hiding in the corner either.Watch them play and you can usually see which will be more headstrong and dominant than others.
Good luck,Archer

Hi Ann.
Chocolate are generally recognised as slower to mature than Black and Yellow (Never Golden! The Labrador was deliberately called Yellow to avoid confusion with Golden Retrievers!) There are Labradors with iffy temperaments but my experience is that there is no more in chocs than any other colour.

The average hip score in Labs is 16 so both are well inside this figure. The only comment I would make about the eye test results is to check that they are up to date. Because not all eye problems are visible from birth they need testing each year. (Hips of course is a once in a lifetime test)

A responsible breeder would always vet the prospective puppy buyer to try to make sure their puppy is going to go to a good home and will be well looked after so this is very munch normal.

As to books, there are hundreds of dog books covering just about every facet of dogs from health, pet training, show training, working training and breed specific books. As a simple breed specific book I would recommend "The Ultimate Labrador Retriever" by Heather Wiles-Fone. It is not what I would call the definitive book on any particular aspect but gives general cover of most things.

Regards, John

Hi Anne
we have just bought a black bitch puppy we had 3 to pick from we looked at the three playing and it was obvious to both of us the one we didnt like it had a very narrow head that left two which we played with and it realy is heads or tails i have had Labradors as working dogs for the last twenty years so thier is no hidden formula one just seams to appeal. being vetted by the breeder means you have picked a good breeder who wants good homes for the puppies , the chocolate Labs i have come across in the shooting field which isnt many do seam to mature a little slower

David

Hi I've got a 4 month old chocolate lab.

I cant comment on her maturity because obvioulsy hse's still a baby. and the other ;abs I've had (black) where from young adults so I have nothing to compare her with

I can tell you though that she's an asolute joy and you've made a good choice.

They are a handful though!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Good Luck

Ann,

Have a look at Labrador Retriever Club Website it has a lot of information on buying a puppy.

I have had four now three Chocolate Lab bitches and yes John is right about them being slightly slower to mature in a lot of cases !

My first bitch Mars was an absolute joy to own and her pup Min also(still waiting for her to grow up !! :D). They were both very easy to train and have been two of the most well behaved girls I have ever known ! ( it is amazing what time will do to dim the memory of when they were pups !!)

My other two are different matters and have been alot of work but being relatively experienced with labs has helped us.

I would be prepeared for a lot of hard work and commitment but with that you should end up with a well balanced loving Lab.

Be prepared if anybody is looking for Chocolate Labs at the moment that they are bred for the right reasons and not for commercial gain by the breeder as often the temperament etc is forgotten when breeding as the £ or $ signs are flashing in front of their eyes as they are so much in demand. This is evident by the ever increasing numbers of chocolate Labs appearing in rescue. Get prepared and do your research before ever entertaining owning a Lab or any other dog for that matter as it is a lifetime commitment.

Best of luck to you.

Lucy

hi thanks to everbody for there advice and comments, i think ive found a good breeder and ive got my name on her waiting list she even said i could go and vist mum if i wanted so ive just got to wait now as the pups are not born till the end of may. just one more thing whos best to ask advice on labradors on these boards Ann x

John is the Labrador master although he'll almost certainly deny it :) There are a lot of lab owners on this board but the ones that spring to mind are Glenys (Mattie) who runs a labrador rescue and John who works his dog and has had labs for many years.

I've probably insulted most of the other lab owners on here by not mentioning them :D :D :D

Fiona
x x x

I definitely deny it Fiona, I've never owned a Labrador, they own me!!! :)