Injustice to Labradors From Pet Stores

By Brooke Sunderland

Pet overpopulation, genetics, politics and economics, who knew getting a puppy from a pet store, can be so complicated. You probably thought those big brown puppy eyes are the only thing that matters but as with everything in the world today. Things are not as easy as that.

Despite what you've been raised to believe, the world is made up of actions and corresponding reactions. Something as simple as buying puppies can be tainted by these events, may it be negative or positive. To some people dogs are not just pets they are livestock. Although they may not be anything wrong with that notion, it is the conditions in which commercial Labrador breeders keep their dogs that are raising eyebrows.

The Labrador is the most well liked, and popular breed of dog anywhere in the world. They have absolutely amazing countenance. Labrador's are intelligent, highly adaptable and even-tempered. Sadly, the things that make Labradors such wonderful pets also open them up to human atrocities due to the potential of economic opportunities.

Puppy mills are common knowledge; we accept the fact that some people need a source of living. Labrador puppies are very popular in the market and it is ok to breed them. But it is the essence of the Labrador breeders' procedure that is coming into question. People seem to forget that their source of living should be treated nicely.

Female dogs are made to breed at a very young age, and they do so until they are incapable of producing a decent number of litters. What's more, they are kept in cramped cages, devoid of any human or animal contact. Their paws are swollen because of the hardwire flooring. Most of the dogs are afflicted with flea infestations, genetic disorders and other illnesses.

So you ask, what's the connection to pet stores, and that poor Labrador in the puppy mill? Well, you see ninety percent of Labrador puppies sold at pet stores come from commercial Labrador breeders or puppy mills.

Not only that but dogs produced by commercial Labrador breeders have a tendency to be ill or genetically defective. The illnesses start with the mothers, and are passed on to the puppies. Common illnesses are fleas, ear infections, mange and bronchial illnesses. Genetics also plays a part because some puppies are a product of in breeding.

Some diseases or defects may have arisen from the way these puppies traveled from the puppy mills to the pet shops. These defects are, hip deformities, sprains and bone problems. Still others are afflicted by bad vision, hearing problems and epilepsy.

Although there are pet shops that do get their puppies from responsible commercial dog breeders, Labrador breeders, and private owners, the likely hood is that there are only a few of them that do. The lure of higher profits is sometimes hard to resist for some people. So be the responsible one and don't patronize the pet stores who are merciless to animals.

Brooke Sunderland is a veterinarian, who specializes on the Labrador breed. Reliable Labrador breeders will help in educating you on how to properly raise your Labrador puppy. Labrador information is readily available in your local kennel club.