Once you've chosen a British Labrador breeder you feel confident in, the next step will be to choose your puppy. Here are some things to consider when choosing a puppy:Determine the temperament that suits you best. While it's hard to determine what a puppy's temperament will be like to an exact degree, you can make some generalizations that will help you in making a good choice. Think about your family and the environment in which the dog will be raised.
A quiet, shy dog may be better suited to an older couple whose kids are grown and moved out. An energetic, bold puppy may be better suited to a boisterous family with young kids. An avid hunter may want a more curious, independent puppy.
Trying to match a puppy's temperament with your family and your home environment should be a top priority. The breeder should be able to help you, as he has been in close contact with the puppies for many weeks and has watched their indiviual personalities develop.
What is the main purpose of the dog? Will your puppy be mostly a family dog? Will he be used for hunting? Do you want to train him to be a therapy dog? Determining now what you'd like to accomplish with the dog in the future will help you in choosing a dog with the right attributes.
Male vs. female. In many breeds, male dogs tend to be more dominant while females dogs tend to be more submissive. This is not the case with British Labradors! The males of this breed just don't seem to have the dominant, aggressive tendencies that males of other breeds display.
As a hunter, I personally favored American female dogs for many years - they were easier to train for the hunting field, less stubborn, and more responsive. That all changed with our introduction to the British Labrador. The British males are as sweet and friendly as the females and show few of the aggressive tendencies typical of American male Labs.
Play with the puppies. Try to visit the puppies once or twice prior to choosing your pup. Your breeder should let you see the puppies as much as possible after they are four weeks old, although you may be asked to keep handling to a minimum at the early stages. Observe the puppies both individually and as a group.
Start by observing the puppies as a group. Throw a ball and see who goes after it, and who brings it back to you. Walk around and see which puppies follow you. Observe how the puppies interact with each other - which ones seem dominant and which ones seem more submissive.
When you've narrowed your selection , spend some one-on-one time with each pup you're considering. Sit on the ground with the puppy and get his attention by calling him, snapping your fingers, patting the ground, etc. Does he come to you quickly? If so, maybe he's already formed a strong bond with people. Does he stop to explore new sights and sounds on the way? He may have a curious or independent streak. Overall, the puppy should be responsive and eager to investigate and play with his new friend. If a number of the puppies seem afraid of you, or bark or growl at you, find another breeder.
Take your time. Your puppy will become a member of your family and will be with you for many years. Spend as much time as is necessary to make your decision. Don't let a breeder rush you to make a choice or pressure you to choose a particular puppy.
