Purebred does not necessarily = well bred. Has the breeder done all the clearances on both parents? Health (and temeperament)is more important than colour.
Clearances for Labs
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Purebred does not necessarily = well bred. Has the breeder done all the clearances on both parents? Health (and temeperament)is more important than colour.
Clearances for Labs
The short answer is:
NO.
Most of the time silver breeders are only looking to product the color. No attention is being paid to temperament. The temperament of a lab is part of the standard.
Just because the dog has AKC papers doesn't make it purebred unfortunately. There are no methods in place to assure that Dog A was really bred to Dog B. I could breed my female lab to the male Brittany next door and when it's time to register the litter with AKC, I could put down that the sire is one of my males, making it a purebred chocolate lab litter. Which is what was done when the first joker found out that a male weim caught his chocolate bitch and produced off-color puppies.
Here is my thoughts, Silver lab, not really to standard, it is because it is a diluted gene. Hence it has a genetic defect. This is a big warning sign, since a breeder is willing to breed a lab with a genetic defect then you have to wonder what other health defects there are that you may not know about. There could be many.
Since you know this, and if you still would like the dog, then the dog should be offered at a reduced price. You will be paying much more in the long run in health and medical bills probably. It comes down to if you like the dog or not. If you are just buying him because he is silver, then well there are other silver dogs. If you are buying him because you have met him, love his personality then by all means give him a good home. I just wouldn't pay a premium for him because of a genetic defect. That's basically what it boils down to. You are never going to show him with that color, he will never be a champion, and he should never be bred because of the genetic defects. But does he deserve a good home with a family that will love him no matter what, sure he does. Lots of people have mixed breeds that are wonderful dogs. I just wouldn't pay more for one.
already been covered very well by others but I will add: color issue aside, there are some minimums a breeder needs to do. minimums YOU should require a breeder to do before you consider a puppy from them. And even if a dog is "pure bred" that doesn't mean ANYTHING when it comes to health, temperament and "labbyness" these are all things a breeder strives and works for.
Labs are prone to MANY really bad health issues that impact life and longevity. And even if you want "just a pet" you want a health pet! Luckily there are tests breeders can do on the parents prior to deciding to breed them - to ensure if they breed the odds of any puppy have issues are much lower (or in some cases, eliminated). These tests are called clearances. They are seperate tests not done at a "wellness check" with a vet and stuff you can't just say the dog is "clear of cuz he looks healthy". For labs these are at mimum clearances for hips, elbows, eyes, heart, eic and cmn. for info/details see here: Clearances For Labs
Also you really want to find out more about the temperment of the parents and grandparents. Again a lab is NOT a lab no matter what just because they are "purebred". there are people breeding nasty labs out there with little to none of the "labrador temperment" the breed is known for.
I generally recommend finding a breeder that does SOMETHING with their dogs but i'll lave that aside for now as many people don't care. Also, note that "silver labs" are prone to some extra health issues like allergies so you may want to look into that as well if you are going that route.
If you looking for a Silver dog it would be better to go with a well bred Weimaraner. I agree with all the above I would stay far clear of anyone calling a Lab silver.
Major yikes. Thanks for checking with us and doing your due diligence.
Agreed with everyone else. Silver labs are not labs. They're weim mixes.
If you post your general location, members here can PM you recommendations of legit lab breeders in your area that do everything they're supposed to do :)
Who is Stihl? You don't have the puppy yet, it sounds, but you are Stihl'sDad. I know Stihl makes chain saws, OH has one. Do you have another dog named for a chain saw? :)
I'll just add that some of these dilute breeders will do a panel of DNA tests to make it appear they do health clearances but skimp on the really important ones, such as hearts or FINAL hips and elbows. Ask for the parents' registered names so that you can look them up and verify on Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
One more thing I wanted to add. For health issues alone I would consider a mix from the pound. You likely to get a healthier dog at a fraction of the cost and headaches.
I hope you come back to read the answers to your question and take them all at face value.