We may possibly be getting a lab puppy at some point, but certainly not before end of September at the earliest. But I have no idea where to start. I've been doing lot's of research (actually if I'm honest just looking at puppies for sale on various websites). I have no idea how to tell the difference between a good reputable genuine breeder and a byb/puppy farm - is there a difference between the two?

Should we be looking for a puppy whose parents have had health tests? I've done a bit of reading up on the hip/elbow score tests and I think if I understand correctly it's the lower the score the better; is that right?

We haven't ruled out rescue yet and keeping an eye on sites but with a cat and 2 young children (6 and almost 4) we wonder if a puppy will be a better option (I'm under no illusion how difficult and hard work puppies are).

So if anyone has any advice on finding a reputable breeder and what I should be looking for that would be great.

Also I know nothing about the difference between show and working dogs, apart from the obvious, but is there a particular one we should be looking at as a family pet?

Sorry for all the q's. Just want to get this all right before we make any decisions

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Yes you most certainly should be looking for a breeder that has health tested their bitch, and used a health tested dog. If this was me I would be looking for a breeder that has bred the litter for a 'purpose' not just to supply a pet market (although thats a personal choice, I guess!)
If you are looking for a pet, I certainly wouldnt be looking to go to working lines.

You should visit the breeder, and meet all there dogs. You want some one that breeds for health, tempermant and conformation.

I am sure some of the lab folk will be along shortly.

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You've come to the right place, there's so me lovely lab owners and breeders on here all in the know

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The dog who saved my life
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Hopefully Rocco or sleepinglion will be along to help you shortly

Unless you want to show, I'd look for a puppy from working stock, They may not always be as 'pretty' but I believe they have less health issues. Just my opinion and I'm sure lots of people are going to disagree with me. Good luck in your hunt.

try going onto the kennel club website to find a reputable breeder

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I found Florence's breeder through the champdogs website. It's a good website and lots of breeders list their planned or expected litters on there.

not the case at all.. ANY dog bred by a show/working or pet breeder has the ability to suffer the same BREED related health issues, unless testing is done..
Also working line bred dogs, are more challanging for a 'pet' owner, their bred to do a job, their not going to be as laid back as a show bred dog and will need more stuff to keep it busy.

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The first thing I want to say is PLEASE do as much research into a breeder as you can before going to view any pups. Buying a puppy from a "bad" breeder just funds and encourages cruelty and irresponsible practices... but it is so hard to walk away from a litter of cute pups. Make life easier on yourself and vet the breeder by phone / email / researching them online etc before going to visit.

There is NO excuse these days for breeding from unhealth tested dogs, so that would be the first thing I would look for.
I believe labs should be tested for hip and elbow displasia, and eye tested, although I couldn't give you more detail than that.

As to where to start... the Kennel Club website lists Accredited breeders, who should in theory be responsible breeders (still check them out yourself though!)
Champdogs is also a good one - specify in the search health tested only.
You can also contact the breed club to get help and breeder contacts from them.

Personally, I feel with most breeds that working lines can be a bit much for the average pet owner, especially if new to dogs. A show bred dog is likely to be a bit less "intense". That is just my personal opinion though - I'm sure someone with far more lab knowledge than me can advise better on this.

Other than that its the usual advice... don't buy a pup from anywhere except the place it was born and raised (avoid people who offer to deliver etc). Make sure you see the pup with its mum and littermates in their normal environment - no excuses. Make sure all look healthy, happy and well cared for and that the place is clean. Personally, for a family pet, I would be looking for a pup raised in the home rather than in a kennel. Check the paperwork - you want to see KC registration, pedigrees, health test results, etc. Ask if the breeder will take the dog back if you can't keep it, and if they give after sales advice.

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If you're buying a lab, you should seriously go for health tested parents.

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