How often/How many times do you breed your dogs?

When it comes to breeding dogs, it's important to prioritize the health and well-being of the animals rather than focusing solely on the number of litters. Like many responsible breeders, we work with a reproductive vet and we choose to limit the total number of litters our dogs has over her lifetime. To ensure overbreeding isn’t a thing, a female should NOT be bred more then 4-6 times. Sometimes less depending on how the female handles motherhood as well. It’s all by a case to case basis and working with a really good vet to ensure the wellbeing of the female and her needs first.

What should I consider before getting a puppy?

Before getting a Labrador puppy, there are several important factors to consider to ensure that you and the puppy will be a good match and that you can provide a loving, stable environment. Here’s a list of considerations:

• Puppies require time for training, socialization, exercise, and companionship. Consider whether you have enough time to dedicate to your new pet, especially during the early months.

• Labradors are energetic dogs that require regular exercise. Make sure your lifestyle (including daily walks, playtime, and outdoor activities) can accommodate this need.

• Puppies can be expensive and you’ll need to budget for vaccinations, several deworming’s, spaying/neutering, microchipping, and other initial veterinary costs.

• Labradors are known for their friendly, outgoing nature. Ensure that this breed’s traits align with your expectations for a pet.

• Be prepared to invest time in training and socializing your puppy to prevent behavioral issues later on.

• Look for local obedience classes and resources that can assist you in raising a well-mannered dog.

How do you ensure the puppy is healthy?

Ensuring a puppy is healthy involves several important aspects of care, including proper nutrition, veterinary check-up, vaccinations, socialization, and lots of care and love. Here are some key steps we take to ensure we are doing top notch care for our puppies.

• ENS from 3-21 days

• Checkup at 6-7 weeks old

• Parvo & Distemper vaccinations at 6-7 weeks old

• Deworming every 10-14 days from 2-3 weeks old

• Ensuring parents have their genetics, hips, and hearts checked before breeding

• Making sure puppies have grip and traction as their body grows

• Daily checks on the puppies from newborns to the day they leave to ensure proper milestones are met

How do I prepare my home for a puppy?

• Set up a designated area with a bed, toys, and food/water bowls.

• Create a schedule for feeding, potty breaks, and playtime. We have established one while your puppy was here. We feed our puppies 3xs a day at 6:30am, 12:30PM, and 5pm. You can slowly change these times as needed. It’s recommended that a puppy is fed 3xs a day until 6 months old for growing periods.

• Use baby gates or barriers to restrict access to certain rooms or areas that may not be safe for a puppy.

• Puppy-proof your home by keeping harmful substances out of reach and securing loose wires.

• Provide a comfortable bed, blankets, and a few age-appropriate toys to give your puppy a sense of belonging.

• Invest in treats, clickers, and training books or apps for effective training.

What supplies do I need before bringing a puppy home?

Basic supplies include:

• Food and water bowls

• Puppy food (appropriate for their age/size)

• Collar and leash

• Crate & bed

• Toys and chews

• Grooming tools

• Puppy shampoo

• Nail Trimmer

What vaccinations does my puppy need?

Puppies require a series of vaccinations to protect them from various infectious diseases. The core vaccinations typically recommended include:

1. Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)

2. Canine Parvovirus (CPV)

3. Canine Adenovirus (CAV)

4. Rabies (usually given around 16 weeks of age)

Vaccination schedules can vary, but puppies typically begin their vaccinations between 6 to 8 weeks of age, with booster shots given every 3 to 4 weeks until about 16 weeks of age. It's essential to consult with your veterinarian to determine the best vaccination plan for your puppy based on their specific needs and potential exposure risks.

How much do your puppies cost?

Our puppies cost between $1,800-$3,500 depending on the litter. It's important to note that the type of dog you choose can vary significantly. This variation is influenced by factors such as the source of the dog. This is particularly relevant when considering Labradors. We have a deep love for animals and we prioritize quality over quantity. We are committed to raising our puppies right. We ensure your puppy comes home with a vet check, 1st shot, and a deworming schedule established. Their parents before breeding will have their genetics tested, hips checked, and hearts checked as well.

With the terms of payment..

Deposits can be made with venmo and payments can be made in cash upon pick up. If you wish to pay by credit card we accept that as well via good dog. Note this adds a VERY hefty transaction fee of over 6.5%.

What is the difference between AKC LIMITED & AKC FULL?

The American Kennel Club (AKC) offers two types of registration for purebred dogs: AKC Limited Registration and AKC Full Registration.

AKC Limited - This registration option is typically used by breeders who want to place breeding restrictions on a dog. It allows the owner to participate in AKC events, such as dog shows and obedience competitions, but it does not allow the dog to be bred. This option is often offered to pet owners who purchase dogs intended as companions rather than breeding dogs, ensuring that they do not unintentionally breed their pets.

AKC Full - This registration option allows the owner to breed the dog and register the offspring with the AKC.

We only sell our puppies with AKC Limited typically. We sometimes do offer AKC Full to the right home for an extra fee.

What should I know about potty training?

Your puppy will be introduced to grass and the outside grounds before going home. They however will NOT be fully potty trained. Its important to know that begins as they go home and grow older. What I recommend is - Establishing a consistent routine for bathroom breaks, using cues to signal potty time. Praise and reward your puppy for going outside. Be patient and expect accidents during the learning process. It takes time and a lot of love and patience.

Can we meet the parents? Can we come to your home?

In the past, we welcomed visitors to meet our dogs, but we've come to realize that there are many risks involved, including potential diseases that could affect even adult dogs. Furthermore, we’ve noticed that some visitors haven’t adhered to our rules about visiting other breeders beforehand, which can compromise the safety of our dogs and our breeding program. It’s frustrating when we put in our best effort, only to encounter individuals who don’t respect our protocols. To put it frankly, we wouldn’t show up at your home without following your wishes, and we believe in the same courtesy for our own space.

Given these concerns, particularly after a recent tragic incident involving a breeder who is now resting after a tragic incident and his dogs were stolen, we've decided to update our policy. Moving forward, all puppy pick-ups will take place in public areas such as wawa, police stations, etc where we feel safe. We truly appreciate the wonderful families we've collaborated with, and we’re happy to share videos and set up phone calls or provide references as needed. Thank you for your understanding.

Have the parent dogs had health problems?

We have not encountered any issues with our dogs besides an ear infection or two! If any issues arise that would be genetic with our parent dogs we will notify our puppy owners asap. We believe in communication and honesty is the best policy.

Have the puppies been socialized?

Our puppies will be held and socialized from day one. Socialization is important for puppies to develop into well-adjusted adult dogs. It typically involves exposing them to a variety of people, environments, sounds, and other animals in a positive and controlled way.

Have the puppies been dewormed?

Almost all puppies are born with worms and routine deworming is recommended and started with us. This often begins as early as 2-3 weeks of age and should be continued every 10-14 days until at least 16 weeks then every month until 6 months old then every 3 months afterwards for the lifetime.

What is your guarantee?

We provide a one-year genetic guarantee for all of our puppies until they turn one years old. A genetic health guarantee for a puppy is a commitment made by a breeder that assures the puppy is free from severe life threatening hereditary health issues. This guarantee usually encompasses genetic disorders or conditions that are recognized as inheritable and will severely impact the puppy’s well-being and they will not have a long - happy quality of life.

What are your goals for breeding?

My breeding goals focus on producing healthy puppies by thoroughly screening breeding stock for genetic conditions. I also take into account the intended purpose of the puppies when selecting breeding pairs. I have a passion for working Labradors that not only make excellent family companions but also possess the physical abilities to enjoy activities such as hiking and other outdoor adventures with their families without tiring out due to their size.

What is a "carrier" of a genetic disease?

Some dogs are labeled as "EIC Carrier," "HNPK Carrier," etc., meaning they carry one copy of a genetic disease but do not show symptoms or suffer from it or get diagnosed with that disease. Ethical breeders test for these inheritable diseases to ensure they breed dogs that are clear of the conditions when one is a carrier. Maintaining a diverse gene pool in Labrador Retrievers is vital to prevent a genetic bottleneck, which could eliminate many quality dogs from breeding. A puppy being a carrier does not affect its role as a companion or such; this information is essential only for informed breeding decisions.