I would ask if they are show dogs or hunting dogs.. I would want the hunting line only... I would ask if they have any champions out of the kennel in question. If They say yes i would want the names of them and if they can prove my sending you something on it. Perhaps an e-mail with some sort of copy of the info you request.. Alot do shy away from the AKC reg and such. It never bothered me none if they can show the proof I am looking for.. Again as long as the proof is not for show dogs.. If they say they can do both I would seriously put the questions to them. That is not to say that it is impossible for both but it is quite uncommon..

I would be carefull of them trying to push a dog onto you to quickly so that you can have time to check them out better.. The references and also tell you something of the kennel as long as they can provide some numbers and these folks are not related to the owners..

I can not give you the prices for a male black lab as I own Irish Setters and my research was quite intensive to find some good hunting dog in these lines.. The costs for these is quite steep as well.. But the kennel searching is the same when trying to locate a good gun dog. After all you want what you want not what some one wants you to have.. Good Luck in your searching and with your new pup when you get him...