Chocolate Labradors?

Although there is officially one AKC standard for Labrador Retrievers, they are sometimes known as having two different "types" most commonly referred to as English and American or Bench and Field. The traits you mentioned that you are looking for (block head, etc) are most commonly found in the Bench lines, meaning the Show Dogs. (Sometimes incorrectly termed as English Labs) Their heads are often larger and blockier and they are shorter and fuller, whereas the Field Labs (Hunting) are commonly taller and leaner with smaller heads.

Your best bet would be to search for AKC Registered Kennels for Labrador Retrievers on the main Labrador Retriever club website.

http://www.thelabradorclub.com/breeders/

This will allow you to search for Breeders by State or by a certain mile radius of your zip code in order to find a breeder close to you. However, many reputable breeders will ship to you, so if you find a breeder you like that is not in a desirable driving distance of you, Shipping is also sometimes an option.

The most important thing you want to look for when searching for a breeder is that the parents of the litter BOTH have health clearences. The hereditary problems Labrador Retrievers most commonly have are Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, and Eye Problems. (Thyroid is often tested too) Reputable breeders will clear their dogs for these problems through Orthopedic Foundation For Animals (Hips/Elbows/Thyroid) and Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) Alot of times, breeders will provide a llink on their kennel website in order to show that they do these clearences, however not all do. You can check this yourself by going to OFFA's website and doing a search of the Sire or Dam's registered name or just the Kennel name of the breeder.

www.offa.org

You will want to see that their dogs have at least a "Normal" rating, but "Good" or "Excellent" ratings are the best. If the breeder has also done eye clearances on their dogs, that information can also be found on OFFA's website as they are partnered with CERF and allow CERF results to be viewed along with the OFFA results. Make sure that not only the parents of the puppy have been cleared but also other dogs further back in the pedigree (Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, etc) There is no 100% guarantee that all puppies will be free of these types of hereditary problems, but having a pedigree that has been cleared for these problems lessens the chances quite a bit.

The link I provided you above to the Labrador Retriever Club's Breeder Referral list will be a good start. Most of the breeders have websites and you will be able to look at their dogs. Once you have found a couple breeders that you are interested in, make sure that their dogs have clearences. Most breeders also include any upcoming breeding information or available puppies/upcoming litters on their websites.

However, I do hate to report that getting a puppy from a good, reputable breeder ASAP is going to be a long-stretch. Most good breeders have a waiting list for their puppies. I myself had to wait several months for my Labrador Retriever (yellow male, "bench type") because there was already a waiting list before the breeding of the Sire and Dam had taken place- this is common among reputable breeders. However, the wait is worth it. Often times, an owner has to back out of purchasing a puppy for a variety of reasons and in those cases, sometimes you may be able to get a puppy sooner. Your best bet would be to select a few breeders that you really like and make some phone calls. Generally, good breeders would rather speak with you on the phone reguarding any questions that you have rather than just e-mail. This is good as you can get to know the breeder and feel them out a little more to know whether or not you want to deal with them.

Another website I would suggest is

www.lab-retriever.net/board

This is a website for Lab owners or prospective owners and some breeders as well. There are alot of people there that are willing to help you in your search- they can help you decide which breeders look reputable and which ones don't. They can also give recommendations for breeders and also help with what questions YOU should be asking the breeder.

Good luck finding your Chocolate Labrador Puppy- they have such great temperments- I am in love with the breed. =)

Do a google search for the breed clubs in each of those states by typing "Wisconsin Labrador Club" or "Minnesota Labrador Club" into the search field. The breed club website oftentimes lists breeders or upcoming litters or at least provides contact info. so you can call them to get those things. I don't know how much prices vary by state, but can tell you to get a Lab such as you describe from a reputable conformation breeder, with proper clearances in pedigree, etc. in the Northeast currently costs between $1,500-2,000 depending on the breeder and the quality of the dog. Field line dogs from reputable field line breeders (do not confuse with backyard breeders) can cost less, however often do not exhibit blocky head although some do. In MD I have seen prices of up to $3,000 for conformation line Labs. You can get a breeder return which is often a dog 8 months to 2 years of age that was returned to the breeder for $1,000 in the Northeast... I have seen that.

Some people (like Stephanie) just don't understand that when someone has their heart set on a certain dog, they're gonna get that certain dog. Go get your kickass Lab!

I recommend searching far and wide with Google. Yahoo Answers is where the idiots converge to say what they have to say. Case and point: I'm still typing.

It won't be easy, but I wish you the best of luck looking for your next dog.

Look for a good breeder who shows there dogs int he ring or in a sport and titles them. Who does OFA tests for hips espeacially but also other tests such as eyes elbows ect.

DONT buy from a paper.

Stephanie papers do matter. Only if the breed is a good breeder their dogs will be papered that way they can show the dog and prove it god bloodlines. (Yes bad breeders also just have AKC or CKC dogs and dont do proper testing. Make sure these dogs have proper tests)

It should not matter if you dog has papers or not. What matters is the personality of the dog. In the end that peice of paper is not your dog.

I understand that you want a lab. They are a great breed. But labs are not the only good breeds. Again, it is the personality of hte dog, not the papers and not what he looks like.

The rescue canine(s) could be my selection. I rescue and foster cats. they are the main particular pets i've got come for the duration of. in case you get them from a shield they could desire to already be spayed/neutered, a minimum of ours in SJ are. the value to undertake would be under in case you purchase from a breeder besides. think of approximately this--how could you pick to spend it sluggish in a three'x4' enclosure and purely get exterior whilst a volunteer walks you. all human beings loves doggies yet each and every so often the "older" canine make greater powerful pets and ultimate acquaintances!

On the website listed below.Just select your breed and look through the listings.I got my dog from them.You can use paypal as payment and a majority of the dogs are guaranteed.

This is an add for a choc lab puppy in IL http://www.puppyfind.com/view_listing/?list_id=f16...

Check the classified section of your newspaper and call the breeders on there for more information.

http://www.puppyfind.com/breed/?breed_id=70

http://www.steelelabradors.com/

http://www.dog-pictures.org/dog_pictures_by_breed....

http://www.nextdaypets.com/directory/breeds/110016...

http://www.qualitydogs.com/Labrador_Retriever/pupp...

I hope this will help! Good luck!