Recommend a responsible breeder for labs

[Anonymous]

I'm fed up with trying to adopt a dog from a rescue. Everyone has a different excuse (you have a kid who is 8, you just moved into your house less than a year ago, you don't work from home full time, etc.). We've owned a dog before and understand what is required. We're looking for a lab. What are some responsible breeders that we could look into?

[Anonymous]

We just adopted from Boynton’s Labs and have been really happy!

[Anonymous]

Brookhaven Labs in King George, VA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just adopted from Boynton’s Labs and have been really happy!

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Belquest in Mount Airy, MD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm fed up with trying to adopt a dog from a rescue. Everyone has a different excuse (you have a kid who is 8, you just moved into your house less than a year ago, you don't work from home full time, etc.). We've owned a dog before and understand what is required. We're looking for a lab. What are some responsible breeders that we could look into?

Dont have a suggestion but totally understand your pain. Our husky passed 7 months ago. The breed rescues are impossible. We work from home, no kids, have 12 years experience with the breed-our fence isn't high enough. SMH!

[Anonymous]

We got ours from Cedar Hill Farm Labradors in VA.

[Anonymous]

not sure if she retired or not but Chilbrooke is amazing.

[Anonymous]

I have to admit that while we just adopted through a rescue, and had two labs prior to this, the rescue process is intense and off-putting. I get the reasons, but they do themselves no favors. Still, I'd go with the rescue given the inhumane oversupply.

[Anonymous]

We got our last Lab from a rescue in 2013 b after she died we applied again. We lived in the same townhouse with a fenced yard but now the rescue wouldn’t allow many dogs to go to townhomes. They had no problem giving us a dog in 2013 but not now. Very frustrating.

[Anonymous]

A rescue. Go to a rescue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A rescue. Go to a rescue.

DID YOU READ THE OP? Like many, the OP is having trouble getting a lab from a rescue since so many are becoming super high maintenance in terms of what they want from potential adopters. OP started with the rescue route and is now seeking a reputable breeder because rescue isn't working out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A rescue. Go to a rescue.

they want a lab, not a pit bull mix

[Anonymous]

I have to agree about rescues. I would have really loved to adopt an adult dog from a rescue, but I have been turned down numerous times. I would give a dog in need a wonderful home. I already have an adult Golden Retriever, but I've turned down because my 7yo was too young, and because I have an invisible fence. I've been turned down for the latter reason about 5 times. So frustrating. I understand they want the best possibly situation for these poor animals, but they're really missing some wonderful opportunities. I got exhausted with the process and stopped looking.

[Anonymous]

I would recommend our breeder (Whispering Pines Labradors) but I think they retired, unfortunately. You could check anyway. If I could get another puppy, I'd try to get one from Red Barn Ranch labs:

https://rbrandl.com/

Please do your homework and look into some of the recommended breeders from this page (or any other breeder you might find out there). AKC-registered pedigrees are just the beginning. You need to find a breeder who has OFA/CHIC certification information and other genetic testing for their breeding lines on both sides:

https://ofa.org/chic-programs/browse-by-breed/?breed=LR

Labs are quite overbred and there's such a huge demand for them that there's a lot of bad breeding out there. Getting the genetic clearance information not only helps (but doesn't guarantee) avoid some of the major health issues due to overbreeding but also is a signal of a responsible breeder.

Be prepared to sign up on a waiting list and often go through an interview process with a breeder as well (it's not just rescues that require jumping through hoops). It's hard to find a quality breeder with a bunch of puppies available immediately -- many of these engage in shady breeding practices. You also need to be able to visit the litter and see what conditions they're being raised in. I wouldn't get a puppy that's been whelped/reared in a kennel.

Also read Google and Yelp reviews -- don't just trust the websites because they look snazzy and have lots of cute pictures of Labs and kids gamboling on green pastures.

Good luck, it's a challenging process!