Welcome to The Labrador Club

Choosing A Puppy

Choosing A Labrador Puppy

Your choice of a Labrador is an excellent one because Labradors are wise, kindly, intelligent dogs. They are big enough to scare away intruders and yet compact enough to fit into most people’s lifestyles. One of the functions of The Labrador Club is to assist potential owners in their choice of a puppy. Attending a Labrador Club show is a good way of meeting Labrador owners and their dogs.


Labradors may be black, yellow or chocolate, never silver, and your choice of colour is entirely a matter of personal preference. Colour makes no different to temperament, personality, or intelligence.

Male or Female


A typical good-natured, well-trained Labrador, whether male or female, is a delight to live with. There are Lab enthusiasts who would always have an honest, loyal male, and others who love the slight independence and clever ways of a female. It is a personal choice. The males do tend to be bigger (see standard) and have larger heads. Bitches come into season twice a year, dogs can be more prone to wandering. Desexing helps to cope with these problems. Good fencing and training are always recommended.


A dog or bitch in a domestic situation, regards their owner as the head of the pack. The owner provides food, makes the rules, drives the car and so on. Many people believe that dogs tend to be more questioning of the owner’s right to lead whereas bitches are believed to be more accepting of the order of things. However, as with humans, a wide variety of personality types exist and there are no clear-cut rules as to how males or females will act.

Visiting Breeders


Good breeders have reputations to uphold, and prospective buyers will have no difficulty in assessing the appearance and friendliness of the dogs. Consider the standard of cleanliness and hygiene, and the overall atmosphere of the kennels when looking for a puppy. Breeders are busy people and an appointment should always be made before visiting a kennel to view a litter of puppies. There are many points which should be considered when selecting a puppy and the Standard of the Labrador should be studied. (The standard is an official description of the correct attributes -see intro section in this website.) However, no amount of reading will enable an untutored eye to select the best puppy. It is far better to put yourself into the hands of the breeder or an experienced person and let him select a puppy best suited to your requirements and the type of life he will lead with you.


A reputable breeder will supply you with a puppy from a litter which has been registered with The New Zealand Kennel Club. (Dogs New Zealand) 


A puppy which is registered on the main register with DNZ ensures that both parents have passed stringent health tests aimed at reducing the possibility of inherited diseases.

Benefits of buying a NZKC Registered Puppy

Buying a puppy through The Labrador Club offers safeguards that a newspaper or internet advertisement does not. Currently to be on the TLC litter list, both parents of the pups must meet the requirements of the Litter Limitation Registration for Labradors. This mandates that both parents have been hip and elbow x-rayed and scored by an approved panel. They must also hold a current eye certificate. One or both parents must be DNA clear of several genetic disorders. Your puppy will be sent home with the details of these tests. The breeder will also be a member of The Labrador Club and the puppies will be registered with the New Zealand Kennel Club. However, nature can be fickle, and this is not a guarantee that the pups will be trouble free, but it is certainly the best start.

You should receive from your breeder:


  • A diet plan.
  • Details of worming treatments.
  • A record of any vaccinations which the puppy has already received.
  • A three-generation pedigree.
  • If there is an endorsement, you will be required to sign the Transfer of Ownership form which the breeder will forward to the New Zealand Kennel Club. You will then receive a registration certificate for the puppy, in your name.

Taking on an Older Labrador

This chapter has been devoted, mainly, to advising a new owner how to begin living with a Labrador puppy but not every new owner buys a puppy. Sometimes, it is an older dog which goes to a new home. The reasons for an older dog being placed in a new home are many and varied but, as in the case of puppies, it is a traumatic time for your new companion. Kindness, patience, and firmness will be required in teaching him what you expect of him. Do not be afraid to have rules and to expect them to be obeyed but enforce them kindly and your dog will soon feel secure and happy in his new home.