Free Labrador Retriever Puppies Near Me
Finding Free Labrador Retriever Puppies in the United States may seem almost impossible. However, it isn’t. Dog enthusiasts looking to get a puppy without breaking the bank can still get free puppies if they know where to look, and this article will show you a few tried and tested options. Remember that you are taking a risk when looking for a free Labrador Retriever.
Therefore, you must be vigilant to weed out legitimate sources from scammers. One way to ensure you get a genuine dog is to visit the premise of whoever is giving away the puppy to see the puppy before you take it home. If you live far away, arrange a video call, as pictures and videos can be doctored
You could also arrange to have the puppy checked by a vet before you take it home if the owner permits. You could also ask the owner if you could do a trial period of a few weeks before committing to taking the puppy home. The most important thing to remember is that you need to be 100% comfortable before bringing the puppy home.
Before Beginning Your Search For Free Labrador Retriever Puppies
Labrador Retriever Breed Appearance
A Labrador Retriever dog has a dense, short-to medium-length coat, with a wide head. As a consummate water dog, a lab’s webbed toes help them move through the wet stuff, and their rudder-like otter tail is great for swimming (and knocking things off your coffee table). Their foot webbing also helps them stay comfortable in colder climates, forming a “snowshoe” that keeps snow and ice from getting stuck between their toes.
Labrador Retrievers are born with a variety of colorings, such as the yellow Lab, chocolate Lab, and black Lab. The silver Labrador Retriever has a rarer grayish coloring with striking blue eyes. Although it sounds like it, a “golden Lab” is not a coloring of Labrador Retriever and is instead a crossbreeding of the Golden Retriever and a true Lab.
Within the Lab breed, there are two distinct body types. The field or working variety (also referred to as the “American” type) tends to have lighter bones, a longer and less dense coat, a narrower head, and a longer muzzle. They also tend to have more energy and be higher strung. This is no accident, as these Labs are built to work.
The “English” or show variety of Labrador Retriever tends to have shorter legs, a denser coat, and a broad head. This variety is better suited to be a family pet.
As far as grooming goes, a Labrador Retriever dog will usually shed twice a year, or year-round in temperate climates. Much like other dogs with a double coat, weekly brushing (or daily during shedding months) should be enough to prevent that dreaded blowout of the undercoat.
Labrador Retriever Personality
The Labrador Retriever was bred to be friendly, both toward humans and other dogs. To complement that gentle nature, their working history gives them a high-energy, fearless, enthusiastic personality.
Labs are curious and intelligent, which means they do well as service dogs, but this can mean that your single-minded lab is more likely to escape or suddenly disappear, most likely having followed something interesting (squirrel?). This is why many owners of Labrador Retriever dogs choose to microchip their pets.
Ideal Environment for a Labrador Retriever
A Labrador Retriever dog will need plenty of exercise and outdoor time. And, as their name implies, they love to retrieve. The best home for a lab will be one with a big backyard or space nearby for a long game of fetch. With their sweet personalities and love of play, these dogs are a popular breed for an active family.
Ideal Human for a Labrador Retriever
The ideal human companion for a Labrador Retriever likes to play just as much as their dog. This can mean long walks and runs, swimming, or tossing a ball around.
However, the Lab’s history as a working dog also means that daily walks for exercise aren’t enough. Trick training, puzzle toys, and other mentally challenging games like hide and seek will help keep your Lab happy.
Lab Obedience Training
With consistent positive reinforcement, a lab will excel with basic obedience training and soon be ready to move on to more complicated skills. You may still consider a professional dog training for the early days though. Labs are known to be a little distractible. This can also be managed with plenty of mental and physical exercise, including teaching your lab new tricks in quiet environments where they can focus.
With their talent for learning and easygoing nature, Labrador Retrievers make excellent service dogs. Labs serve as companions to people with illnesses or vulnerabilities and are able to do complex tasks like rolling a person into the recovery position or activating an emergency communication device.
According to Guide Dogs for the Blind, Labs are the most successful guide dogs. This champion smeller can even work in search and rescue and is especially suited to more challenging work, such as water rescue. Labrador Retrievers are true heroes of the dog world.
Labrador Retriever Grooming
Most Labrador Retriever parents will find grooming relatively easy. Labs have a thick double coat, and shed their undercoat during spring and fall (or year-round in temperate climates). During the seasonal shedding periods, you can brush them daily to help remove fur. The rest of the year, brushing once a week as maintenance should be enough. Occasional baths may be necessary to keep your Labrador Retriever clean, especially if your Labrador likes to find smelly things to roll in. Like most dogs, Labrador Retrievers’ nails should be trimmed regularly, and their teeth brushed to maintain dental health.
Labrador Retriever Health
Labrador Retriever dogs tend to be a healthy breed with very few health problems. Some Labs may develop elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia, but less so than other dog breeds. Labrador Retrievers can also tend toward knee problems and eye problems, such as progressive retinal atrophy. Ask your vet for more information on prevention or treatment of potential health issues. Many pet owners opt for pet health insurance, just in case.
A note on that endless game of fetch: some labs will work until they collapse. Be sure to take regular rest and water breaks when you’re getting your play on.
Labrador Retriever History
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the first Labrador retrievers were bred in England, from a unique and water-loving ancestor, the St. John’s water dog. St. John’s water dogs originally came from Newfoundland, where they assisted fishermen with retrieving nets and other equipment, and even diving for dropped fish.
Working mainly as gun dogs specializing in retrieving waterfowl, Labrador Retrievers later became accomplished sporting dogs, joined the show ring, and eventually stepped into the role of the fun-loving family companion we know today. Across the world, but especially in the United States, England, and Canada, the Labrador Retriever remains one of the most popular dog breeds to date.
Labrador Retriever Lifespan
Labrador Retrievers live about 10-14 years.
How Much Does a Labrador Retriever Cost?
You can adopt an Labrador Retriever at a much lower cost than buying one from a breeder. The cost to adopt a Labrador Retriever is around $350 in order to cover the expenses of caring for the dog before adoption. In contrast, buying Labrador Retrievers from breeders can be prohibitively expensive. Some breeds go up to $20,000, but depending on their breeding, they usually cost anywhere from $800-$2,000.
Find Free Labrador Retriever Puppies Near Me
Let us look at some places you can start your search.
Final Thoughts
When you need a pet but you are short on cash you can easily adopt a Labrador puppy for free from one of the many dog adoption centers in your area. If you live in the North West, you should be aware that the American Kennel Club has designated this breed as a “No Call Animal”. Because these dogs are known to be loving, loyal, and intelligent they are often given a chance to prove themselves in the safest surroundings. If you adopt a Labrador puppy for free from a center that gives pets to those who cannot afford them, there is no reason why you shouldn’t do so also. Just imagine the happiness and joy you would find by adopting a Labrador puppy of your very own.
When you adopt a Labrador puppy for free, you are giving yourself that opportunity to become familiar with this amazing breed. By meeting the breed you will quickly understand why they have become so popular. You will also be able to appreciate just how different a purebred Labrador puppy really is from a mixed breed which is usually bred for profit.
