Your interview with the breeder should give you a good idea of how committed she is to Labradors and how long she has been in the breed. If she's a reputable breeder, she'll be impressed that you've done your homework. Be wary of someone who ignores your questions or is offended by them. Questions you should ask include the following:

• How long have you been involved with Labradors?

• What got you interested in the breed?

• Do you show your dogs or compete with them in field trials?

• What titles have your dogs earned?

• What breed clubs do you belong to?

• What's the goal of your breeding program?

• Do you screen your breeding stock for heritable diseases?

• Can I see the health certifications for this puppy's parents and grandparents?

• How old are the puppy's parents?

• Do you provide a health guarantee?

• Are you willing to take this dog back for any reason?