The big question when looking at puppies is where to buy a dog. Is it a good idea to buy a puppy from a pet store or not, and if not, why not? Where is the best place to find Labrador puppies for sale and how do you know if you are dealing with a happy and healthy puppy that will make a great addition to your family?
Puppies are not a commitment to be taken lightly, especially when you consider the number of unwanted adult dogs that end up in animal welfare shelters desperately trying to find a new forever home. However, there are many reasons why starting with a puppy is a good idea. Just be sure to do some research and make a smart decision when deciding where to buy your puppy.
Labradors remain one of the most popular dog choices. They are a delightful size, have excellent temperaments and make wonderful family pets, being quick learners and very friendly and affectionate. However, for the dog’s sake, you want to make sure it’s a puppy that has been responsibly raised by reputable breeders, and unfortunately buying from a pet store makes it much more difficult to verify where the dog came from.
A pet store is fine for small animals like mice, rabbits, and birds, but for any animal larger than that, from cats on up, you really want to see where the animal came from, and for dogs this is really important. A reputable breeder will not allow a pet store to sell his dogs for them, and he will not really need to consider this, since virtually all of his puppies will be sold before they are born. Waiting lists for the best breeders for a puppy can go on for years, as they don’t overwork their bitches and will only allow you to have one litter a year.
Labrador puppies for sale at a pet store should immediately set off alarm bells, as this is unfortunately another way for puppy thieves to make money. Stealing them from one area and transporting them somewhere else and trying to sell them for a good price, they usually pose as a breeder with just one pup who for what seems like a legitimate reason they can’t have any more. Unfortunately, some small pet stores will see this as an opportunity too good to miss and won’t see the downside before it’s too late. A puppy may also appear to be a pure breed when born, but sadly it could be a cross breed that they are trying to quickly get rid of before it is noticed. By buying from a pet store, you have forfeited all rights and have very little in return if your so-called Labrador ends up looking more like a collie. Unfortunately, the pet store won’t want to know, as they ended their responsibility when you left the store with your new pup.