Rescue a (usually older) Lab or buy a puppy?
When you buy a puppy from a quality, reputable breeder, you get a puppy with somewhat predictable size, looks, behavorial traits, and personality. If the breeder and you socialize the puppy properly, you have a "clean slate" for training and raising a well-behaved, happy companion. The American Kennel Club provides information about buying a puppy and recognizing a reputable breeder.
Puppies bought from "a neighbor" or pet store have less predictable genetic makeup so, for example, those puppies might grow to be larger than the buyer expected, and, without knowing the lineage, might have temperaments not typical of the breed.
Rescue Labs are usually older than puppies, so there is less guesswork about their temperament, size, and energy level. You see what you are getting. Also, people surrendering a Lab to LRR fill out an information sheet about the Lab that goes to the adopting home.
When you rescue a Lab, you have to recognize that the dog has had life experiences you don't know about, perhaps an unpleasant encounter with a cat or an acquired taste for paper. Rescuing a Lab can be an enormously rewarding experience: from the satisfaction of saving a living creature to the fun of discovering that your Rescue Lab responds to words you hadn't taught him.
What age Lab is best for you?
When choosing the age of the Rescue Lab appropriate to your lifestyle, consider the following:
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The average life span of a Lab is 12-14 years.
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Puppies are rarely available in our adoption program.
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Young Rescue Labs are usually energetic and require lots of exercise and attention.
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Mature Labs, 4-7 years old, are over the active stage and are in the prime of life.
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Senior Labs are usually calm, gentle, and affectionate.
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Mature and Senior Labs usually settle into new homes quite readily.