I had an eye opening experience adopting a lab that had been a stud with a supposed high end breeder in CA. I was alarmed at how the dog was treated from his physical condition and lack of socialization. When I got Kona, who the breeder had sold at 4 years old to an older couple unable to care for him, he had clear signs of being neglected and spending a lot of time alone on concrete surfaces. Hair missing from joints he laid on, teeth ground down from chewing on abrasive materials, poor overall teeth health, the list went on. When I took him to the vet after we got him, she was going to turn me into the SPCA locally until I explained his history. He even had a pellet embedded in his back after we had to have him x-rayed for something else. He ended up being a great dog after we got him settled but it's a good thing I never met the breeder.
If you go down this road, please only use studs that are clearly treated well as pets. With all of the animals clogging up shelters, I wouldn't choose this path and I love labs. I've had 3 chocolates. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.
The dog on the left was Kona. Hooch on the right we got as a pup. I miss these two dorks. Kona lived to be just shy of 13, Hooch to over 16.
