What to Look for in a Good Lab Puppy

Purchasing a puppy is a big decision. If you have a family, look for a family friendly pet. The Labrador retriever, colloquially called a "Lab" is a kind, smart, genial dog perfect for a family (see References 1). These dogs come in three different colors: yellow, black, and chocolate (see References 1). Labradors are active dogs, so be prepared to give the dog plenty of room to exercise (see References 1). Labs make great pets; millions of Americans own a Labrador (see References 1).

  1. Examine Your Prospective Lab's Head

    • When selecting a Labrador puppy, look for what the American Kennel Club calls the "Breed Standard" (see References 1). First, examine the heads of the prospective pups: healthy Labrador puppies have large heads with a brow that "is slightly pronounced so that the skull is not absolutely in a straight line with the nose" (see References 1). Next, take a look at your puppy's ears. Labrador puppy ears should rest close to the head, but away from the face (see References 2). Check the ears for light pink skin on the inside; further check for signs of injury (scabbing) or disease (foul odor or spots) (see References 2). Look at your Lab's nose; it should be free of mucous and the nostrils should be easily set apart (see References 2).

      Next, take a look at the mouth of the puppy. Labrador jaws are strong and their teeth should be white and form a "perfect scissor bite" (see References 2). The scissor bite means that the lower teeth fall just behind the upper teach and touch the inner side of the upper incisors (see References 1).

    Examining the Lab's Body

    • Labrador's have a well-developed, strong chest (see References 2). When examining your puppy, look for a neck that rises from the shoulders with a slight arch (see References 1). The overall look of your puppy should be proportionate and balanced (see References 2). When the puppy walks, it will probably be awkward; this is natural (see References 2). What you want to look for is whether the puppy is favoring one leg over the other; this could be a sign of defect (see References 2). Instead, the puppy should be carefree as it walks (see References 2).

      Next, look at the puppy's coat. Make sure there are no bald patches and that the coat does not wave, curl, or feel overly soft when you touch it (the topcoat of Labradors is slightly rough) (see References 2).

      If possible, take a look at the puppy's parents. Submit the parents to the same examinations set forth above and you will have a good idea about whether or not the puppy is a "good" lab puppy. Aside from that, follow your heart; just because a dog does not match up to the "breed standard" does not mean it will make a bad pet. Look to see how the puppy interacts with you and the other dogs. Get a feel for its character and personality. Go with the puppy that just "feels" right.