Are the pets in big name pet stores purebred dogs?

I was wanting a real lab for my kids, but the few breeders in OK that I have been to ( for a dog for someone else) looked very unprofessional and I doubt their true blood. ( if they were mixed somewhere down the line) Even if you are given papers, how do you really know? Is it safer to buy in petstores?

Are the pets in big name pet stores purebred dogs?
Pet Stores typically sell from Puppy Mill breeders (and I use the term "breeders" very loosely!).





As for the ones that you've been too, or even ones that you go to in the future... ask lots of questions. Ask if they are AKC registered. Ask about specific test that are done on Labs for genetic disorders and if the parents passed those test. Ask for referrals.





I got my BT from an awesome breeder in OK. Serenity K9 Ranch. If you're interested in a BT, look her up.
Reply:If the dog is AKC registered you can be sure that it's purebred. Don't buy from petstores (I'll wait for everyone else to jump down your throat.) Go to the AKC website to find a good breeder in your area.





edit: sjmdutch, I know what I'm talking about. The AKC is the oldest, largest, and most respected breed registry in the US. They don't just register anything. They require that the parents be purebred and maintain a pedigree for every registered dog to ensure that they are indeed purebred. AKC registration is the only guarantee that a dog is purebred.





edit 2: The AKC admits that registration is not a guarantee of "quality." This means health, appearance, temperament, etc. Poorly bred dogs are still eligible as long as they are purebred. AKC registration is still the only way to be certain a dog is purebred.
Reply:Pet stores are the last place you want to purchase an animal. Often, papers are not real or they are registered by the CKC (continental kennel club, not the canadian kennel club). The ContinentalKC will register a SHOE if you pay the fee.





I've got a bonafide pure bred pair of Sketchers as proof.





Pet stores often have dogs from puppy mills and, well, I don't think I have to tell you how bad that is.





Labs are one of the most populated dog out there. You can just as easily find a good lab in your local rescues and shelters. Adopt a black one! You can join your local Black Dog Club and have a ton of fun play dates!
Reply:If they are labeled as purebred and have legitimate papers (American Kennel Club, Canadian Kennel Club) they may very well be purebred; however, their quality is probably poor as most puppies from pet stores come from breeders or puppy millers who are breeding solely for money and not the betterment of the breed. You may consider adopting a Lab from a shelter, Labs (particularly the black variety) are extremely common in shelters, and finding one of even puppy age may not be difficult (to find one in your area check out a website called 'Pet Finder'). Unless you get the dog from a reputable breeder (who will have a waiting list before the pups are even born, will do at the least OFA testing on the parents, will only sell registered dogs, will only breed with reputable registries such as the Canadian and American Kennel Club, and will compete with their dogs in some way), you will have no way of completely knowing for sure if the dog is purebred or not.
Reply:Just say no to petstores. That's where the puppies that the unreputable breeders you're meeting will wind up sending the pups if they can't sell them.





The best way to find a good lab breeder is to go to an event. An AKC dogshow or field trial that will have labs there. You can meet a lot of breeders, you can often see the parent dogs being shown and you can see how these dogs behave in an environment with a lot of people, dogs, activity ... You can also talk to people showing their dogs and if you see one you really like, ask where they got it.





But honestly, if you want a lab for the kids - the best place to find one would be through a breed rescue. Not all labs are created equal and getting an adult dog through a rescue means getting a dog that you already know will be the dog you want it to be. Puppies have to be trained to poo outside, walk nice on a leash and fetch things. Getting one through a rescue would mean knowing the if the dog knows these things before hand or not.





And ask yourself this ... do you think your kids would rather have a puppy that needs house training or a dog that's ready to go play ball right now? Most kids would answer puppy because they're cute and all, but a day or two after you get them, they really want that pup to be grown up enough to play ball or whatever.





So, it's a win/win for you and a dog to adopt a rescue. And yes, you can get a pure and even papered lab through a rescue. Though I don't know why you'd really want one unless you were going to show.
Reply:if they have AKC registration then they are purebred anything other than that is not certain like ACA. I would not buy from pet stores because they are from puppy mills, they are the not the best of the breed, possibly have poor health, and are so difficult to housebreak because they have no other choice really but to poop and pee where they sleep and eat, plus you are supporting horrible condition for dogs to be bred not to mention how overpriced they are since the pet store is the middle man.
Reply:I wouldn't buy a puppy from a petstore if i were you





they would most likely be purebred


but they would also come from a puppymill





incase you don't know


a puppymill is a place where they treat dogs very badly


and keep them in tiny cages


just for breeding and selling





keep looking


i'm sure you could find a legitimate breeder





you could also go to a local veterinarian office





they could recommend you to breeders





just so you know though


a dog is a dog





i would be more concerned with it's temperament rather than it's bloodline


unless you want a showdog


your kids will be happy eitherway








i believe adopting is better





petfinder.com is a good website





but if you have your heart set on a purebred


keep looking


don't buy from a petstore






Reply:NO! Pet stores are definitely not better. Most come from puppy mills. Besides, most dogs in pet stores here are "designer dogs" (read: mutts).





However, you are right. Not all "breeders" are to be trusted either. I'd go with your gut and stay away from the breeders you've looked into. But do not cave and go in to a pet store!





Check out shelters in your area. There are usually more big dogs there, and there's a very good chance that you could find a purebred Lab. (are papers really important?) Or a great Lab mix. Or maybe there will be a total mutt there that you will fall in love with!
Reply:Cornelius and Manda are on drugs. AKC papers are not proof that a dog is pure. They are proof that someone sent in 2 registration numbers and a check....or credit card. DO NOT buy from a pet store.





Go here:


http://working-retriever.com/sponsor_par...





OOPS...forgot to mention my source...for you "Thumbs Down" fools. The source would be AKC. They are well aware, and openly admit that they can't witness all breedings. What they fail to mention, is that they don't witness ANY.
Reply:it is definitely NOT safe to buy from pet stores. No matter what they tell you, all pet store puppies come from places worse than the ones you saw. They get their puppies from puppymills and BYBs.





Contact the Labrador Retriever Club of America and ask for a list of member breeders in your area.
Reply:DO NOT BUY FROM PETSTORES.





http://www.psychopup.com/tb/dontbuy.html





They are all from puppy mills, and you're getting scammed.





http://www.stoppuppymills.org








If you're looking for a *good* breeder, look at the AKC website. They have some amazing breeders that list on there.
Reply:A real lab?





Do you plan to show the dog? Then what importance does having a registered, papered lab make?





If the breeder offers AKC registration papers, the dog is purebred.


Pet shops RARELY if EVER will sell a registered dog.
Reply:NEVER buy from a pet store. Doesn't matter how big the store is.


Try petfinder.com. Or local Lab rescue group. Or keep searching for a legitmate breeder. Visit them all.
Reply:Too many petstore dogs come from "puppy mills"


Why don't you adopt instead?


http://www.lrr.org/wiki/page/LRR/Welcome
Reply:petstore puppies are most likely from puppymills or back yard breeders





please adopt





petfinder.com





spca





--%26gt; breeders --- google labrador retrievers breeders, oklahoma \





or how about rescues?
Reply:Most pet stores get there dogs from puppy mills so if I were you go to a recuse place and adopt 1
Reply:Yes they are pure breed but please dont get one from there they come from puppy mills and they moms are usally abused :(