Re: Looking for my next Dog - Tips to watch out for on Bread
Eva_ChangeN said:
Ask for PennHip, OFA, TVD and CERF health testing on parents and grandparents, since recessive genetics can skip a generation. Any kind of show results, whether it be obedience, trailing, therapy, show ring/conformation, service dog, agility or (rare for Labs) schutzhund/protection as this can help gauge the "train-ability" and easy of training and socializing of the litter. Make sure they have at least 2 sets of shots and not leave the mother until around 8 weeks of age. Ask for vet and owner references. Ask for a copy of a contract/puppy agreement AHEAD of time so you can review the legalities. People can say what ever they want on paper, but IF you get a puppy that ends up having genetic issues and the breeder "says" they guarantee, and there is no legal standing, your stuck with a lemon pup. BTW- most states have an actual "Lemon Puppy Law" where you can have a pup vet checked within 72 hours and if it is deemed "poor quality/health" other than what was stated on you "paperwork" then you can return the pup to the breeder for a refund or 2nd pick. Also, most good breeders will accept a pup/dog back ANYTIME in its life if anything happens where you can't keep the dog, so as to prevent their pups ending up in shelters. If you need any more info or have questions, let me know. I have been training,showing,rescuing, and occasionally breeding dogs of different breeds since I was 16 (so about 12 years)
^ This is great advice!
I've worked in the animal field for 5 years, and I have been a Veterinary Technician for 2 of those. If I were you, I would contact your future veterinarian prior to finding a breeder. You should schedule a consultation before adopting a puppy to discuss all of your options. During this consultation, you should be able to ask the staff at the animal hospital to contact their clients who own labs for references to trusted breeders. Also, don't be afraid to ask your veterinarian what questions you should be asking the breeder. They are there to help you find the healthiest puppy to adopt.
A great breeder will cover the cost of 4 sets of vaccinations (6, 8, 12, & 16 weeks old), deworming, flea & tick preventative (at least for one month), fecal testing to check for intestinal parasites, and the full cost of spay or neuter (at least they do in Texas & Florida). A great breeder will allow you to bring the puppy into the Veterinarian the day of the adoption to confirm that it is healthy. You should be able to bring the puppy back to the breeder if it is not healthy in any way (Eva said something about this - check with your Vet about laws in your area). They shouldn't have anything to hide, and if they avoid this step... Don't do business with that breeder!
A good breeder will take a puppy into the vet immediately if they have any of the issues that I state below as these are common signs to bigger problems in puppies. Also, they would not adopt it out during treatment of any illnesses. So, do
not adopt the puppy if it has any of the following (probably common sense to you, but I want to cover everything):
- Heart murmur (a patient of mine was adopted with a heart murmur only to have heart surgery, and died on the table of the operating room. They can correct themselves over months, but why take the risk with a new pup?)
- Nasal & Eye Discharge (sign of upper resp inf, distemper, etc)
- Wheezing / Coughing (sign of kennel cough, distemper, pneumonia, etc.)
- Any kind of weird twitching or signs of seizures (sign of distemper, neurological disorders, rabies (rare), etc.)
- Diarrhea, vomiting, & anorexia (sign of worms, malnutrition, parvo virus, etc.)
If you're feeling uneasy, you can run a blood work panel during the puppies first visit ($75-$150 depending on the clinic) to check for signs of infection, anemia, dehydration, malnutrition, etc. Basically, you're seeing how the puppies organs are functioning. The results will most likely be no significant findings, but it will be great to have before the puppy is spayed / neutered as their Pre-Op bloodwork. Our panels would be good for 3 months before any surgery.
As I am sure you know, labs are prone to obesity. You increase the risk of hip dysplasia if they are overweight. This is something you will have to monitor throughout their life!! So, talk with your veterinarian about a food that is appropriate for breeds who tend to get fat, and watch how much you feed your lab especially after it's neutered (metabolism slows down after neuter). Also, increase activity after your dog is neutered (walks, dog park, run, etc.). Slowly switch your puppy to an adult food around 8 months old as puppy food is very fatty.
Talk to their doctor about Glucosamine & Chondroitin for your lab. Ask them when it'll be best to start administering this medication to help prevent orthopedic problems. Usually we'd have our clients start once they were a year old. A lot of large breed puppy foods have Glucosamine in them.
http://www.vetinfo.com/effects-glucosamine-dogs.html
Sometimes we'd do radiographs on larger breeds like labs around a year old to have a baseline photo of their hips / pelvis / knees. This will most likely run you anywhere from $120-$175 depending on the clinic. The vet I worked for would advise the owner to take them throughout the years to monitor the dog for hip dysplasia. This is very important when your dog reaches his/her senior years (7+ years). This might be a good option for you and your dog if you're really concerned about hip dysplasia.
Well... damn... I wrote you a book. >.< Don't be afraid to ask me anything if you have any questions. I still have a good relationship with my previous boss and can ask them any animal related questions if you need help. :dance: I hope I didn't bore you too much...
