The Labrador retriever is one of the most popular companion breeds in America, admired for their loyalty and energy, along with other traits that make them great family pets. So, since you're looking for a canine companion, it's no wonder that you've chosen to search for white lab puppies for sale in your area.
But you don't want anything less than a healthy, happy pet. Too many families adopt a dog without knowing what the conditions from where they come and how that can affect the overall well-being of their new pet throughout his life. So if you are looking to contact a breeder, you should ask some questions before committing to an adoption. Let me give you some valuable information to help you through the process.
The condition of the parents is one of the primary indicators of the future health of your pup. If possible, try to meet the parents before the birth in order to see if they are kept in a clean, comfortable environment. Feel their coats, too--softness of coat is a good indicator of proper nutrition.
Ask to see veterinary documentation that both parents are free and clear of any genetic diseases that they could pass on to their pups. This includes carrying genes that could affect their pups, even if the parents aren't sick themselves.
Find out about the breeders' plans for socializing their puppies. Labrador retrievers have naturally friendly dispositions, so it's best for them to be introduced to children, other dogs, and cats from the get-go. Before putting their white lab puppies for sale, does the breeder intend to expose each pup to other critters and kids?
Of course, the litter critters and their mum need a bit of privacy, especially in their earliest days. If the puppies haven't been born yet, then talk to your potential breeder about a whelping plan and the surroundings in which the pups will be placed until they're ready to start exploring.
A safe whelping plan would mean that a vet is on call if anything goes wrong, and the experienced breeder is there to ensure each pup is clean, cut, and whole during the process. Just like a human birth, whelping a litter is generally a completely natural and instinctive process, but a number of things could potentially go amiss which require outside help to smooth over to keep everyone involved alive and healthy.
Be aware that for a proper breeding practice to function, it needs to charge a higher price for each pup. Don't look to adopt "on the cheap," as your new dog could end up suffering for it in the long run.