Some common questions about Labrador Retrievers: 

• + What is hip dysplasia and how should it affect my decision to purchase a Labrador Retriever?
• Hip Dysplasia is a genetic disease that affects the hip joints of large breed dogs.  It can manifest as early as three months and often is painfully obvious by two years of age.  Although it is impossible to absolutely guarantee that a puppy will not get Hip Dysplasia, the best precautions to prevent the disease are to breed only orthopedically certified adults and  to go as far back as possible with previous generations to determine whether  there has ever been any sign of this disease in the pups ancestry.  
  To ensure that our pups have the best chance at good healthy bone structure we make sure that any male or female we use for breeding have had their hips Xrayed and certified approved for breeding. This, alone does not mean that a pup cannot have this condition, it means that we are taking our utmost care to try to ensure healthy pups.   It pays to ensure that you buy from a breeder that takes care with matters in regards to health.  Puppies take a lot of time and patience.  By the time your pup is two, you have invested alot more than a few hundred dollars.  It is heartbreaking to then find out that your dog may not live a long, pain free happy life.
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  + What is the best color or does it matter? 
  People often ask this question because rumors have circulated that Blacks are the smartest, followed by Yellows and then Chocolate.   Personally I've never owned a chocolate and though the 3 chocolates that I have known could have easily substantiated this rumor, it must be said that no one can classify "all chocolates" as being dumb or "all blacks" as being smart.  Dogs are all individuals and their breeding plays the major part in whether they will be intelligent or idiotic.  I would have to say that there is no significant difference in regarding intelligence and trainability in the different colors; color preference is probably based more on how the three colors came to be in the Labrador breed. Many breeders and hunters do prefer black over the other colors, but this is largely due to the fact that good quality breeding has been well established in the Black Labs for many years.  

  The yellow color has also become well developed over the last number of years.  The yellow color was introduced into the Lab breed during a period of time in England when a lot of interbreeding took place.
  The internet tells us that  "Yellow was most likely introduced when the Lab was crossed with members of the hound group (Foxhound, etc.). In support of this theory, many of the first yellow labs had very "houndy" appearances; large ears, snippy muzzles, light leg bone, etc.. "  Through the efforts of many breeders dedicated to the Labrador breed, the yellow Lab for several decades has taken its place along side the Black Lab as having a well substantiated "type."
  
  In more recent years the chocolate has been gaining popularity. As was the case of the early yellows, chocolate Labs initially had physical flaws which made them less popular and less attractive to prospective buyers. Again, through efforts of dedicated breeders, the chocolate Labs are gaining popularity and the discerning buyer can now find Chocolates that are in line with the Blacks and the Yellows for conformation and temperament, suitable show, field, obedience and companions.
  
  So what color should you choose?  Choose whichever color you like the best, but make sure that you have researched any prospective pup to ensure that it is bred to be an intelligent, healthy dog.

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