Our Litters are Carefully Planned

Breeding Labradors is an art and a science. We must carefully choose sires and dams that will produce the best possible expression of the breed standard. Our Labradors undergo OFA hip and elbow X-rays prior to breeding. An eight-disease genetic test is also done on all brood bitches to decrease the risk of producing puppies with those preventable genetically transmitted diseases. Stud dogs are chosen accordingly to complement the bitches, taking into consideration temperament, physical characteristics, and health testing. We are always breeding with the intent of keeping a puppy and improving our lines. We rarely breed our girls more than twice.

Puppies are raised in our home, allowing us to handle them daily and expose them to the sights and sounds of a typical household environment. We create a peaceful environment for the dam while providing necessary stimulation and handling for the pups. We start taking notes about puppies’ personalities and traits once they open their eyes and interact more with their litter mates and the world around them.

Once they are old enough, typically around 6 weeks, we take them for excursions outside. At that time, we also move them to our climate-controlled kennel with their mother so they can be exposed to other dogs and can start training for going to the bathroom outside. This makes housebreaking much easier once the pups get to their new homes.

At 7 weeks of age, we conduct temperament testing on all our puppies using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test. The puppy aptitude test is a way to test behavioral tendencies and predict what a puppy will be like as an adult. It also helps us observe and note behavioral traits that may be beneficial for a specific purpose. For example, a Labrador who is going to work as a therapy dog needs to have a high threshold for sight, sound, and touch sensitivity. We select puppies for new owners, taking into consideration their preferences and needs and taking into account the results of the puppy aptitude testing.

If you would like to be considered for one of our currently available puppies or added to our waitlist for a future puppy, please get in touch with us to tell us about yourself.

Visits are by appointment for those seriously interested.