FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
AKC means the puppy is top quality and healthy, correct?
No. Being AKC registered does NOT guarantee quality or health. It is up to the individual breeder to produce a quality Labrador Retriever that looks and acts like it should. This is why you see such a variation in styles, quality and health. Technically, an AKC registered Labrador could look like a Poodle and act like a Rottweiler. As long as the AKC has a pedigree in their database verifying its lineage, it could be registered as a Labrador.
How do you know how a Labrador should look at act?
Each breed has an AKC Parent Club. This Parent Club that has a breed standard, or guideline, that breeders should follow concerning how their breed should look and act. It is up to the individual breeder to continue to uphold that standard if they care about the preservation of their breed.
I am not interested in a show dog, just a family companion, so why does the standard matter?
If you have spent time selecting a breed according to their personality, grooming needs, attitude and so on; Isn’t it worth it to make sure you select a breeder that produces dogs that ARE what you are looking for? Selecting a breeder that follows the standard, and proves that they do, is the only way to ensure you are getting what you want. Remember, AKC registration does not mean a quality puppy.
Are all of your puppies show quality?
No most of them are family companions. On average, for every 8 puppies we produce, we keep one for our program as a show prospect. The rest are offered as family companions.
What differences would make a puppy a family companion?
The difference between a show quality puppy and a family companion puppy are so slight that the untrained eye usually can’t detect. Ears that are set slightly too high, a tail that is carried a bit high or a rear that needs a little more angulation. Those are all very mild differences between a family companion or a show prospect.
What if I decide I want to breed my dog or participate in AKC competitions?
I only sell my puppies as family companions on a limited AKC registration. This means they cannot be bred to produce litters or participate in conformation shows (like Westminster). They can participate in Fast Cat, Dock Diving, Agility, Obedience, Rally and at other events. They can also earn a Companion Dog title, be certified as a Therapy Dog or an Emotional Support Dog. I only provide FULL registration with select puppies, at a larger fee and to homes that are already competing in events.
How much are your puppies?
Currently, family companions on a limited AKC registration, are normally $2500 regardless of sex or color. Competition prospects are $4000 on an outright sale. I do not offer co-ownership.
Do you accept payment plans?
We accept payments in advance, but all puppies must be paid for in full before being released to their new family.
How much money do you win at dog shows?
Absolutely NO MONEY is won by showing dogs. Only points are gained. We spend $12000-$18000, on average, for each dog to gain its Championship title, and another $4500-$6500 to gain a Grand Championship.
If you don’t make money showing dogs, why do you show them?
For two reasons. First it is a really enjoyable way to spend time with my dogs, family and friends. Next it is because we are firm believers that a breeder should prove the quality of their dogs by accomplishing something. Not breed for monetary greed.
What health clearances do you do?
We do a Pawprint DNA panel which includes PRA, EIC, Copper Toxicosis and other breed related hereditary issues. Also OFA/BVA positioned hip and elbow and/or PennHip films, Echocardiogram heart exam and yearly eye exams by a board certified ophthalmologist. If you would like to discuss the health issues or tests, please feel free to ask me. It is quite a long bit of information to post here and I do have my own personal opinions about specific testing.
What colors do you produce?
We only produce the colors Black, Chocolate and Yellow. These are the only colors that are acceptable to AKC.
How frequently do you have litters?
Though we prefer to have puppies ready to join families in the spring and fall, litters can be born anytime throughout the year depending on the mothers schedule. Female dogs only come into season (are ready for breeding) only once every 6-8 months, and normally there is a span of just a few days where they are able to get pregnant.
How many people care for all of your dogs?
Besides myself and my husband Keith we also have a staff to ensure that all of our dogs are well cared for and have plenty of attention. This usually includes a kennel worker, one part time puppy caretaker, a professional handler and a professional trainer.
How many litters do your mothers have?
Our mothers are never overbred and her health and happiness is a priority. If a mother can only handle having and raising one litter, then that is all she will have. Typically, we allow or females to have 2-4 litters before retiring and being placed as a family companion. Though we can provide her with the love and care she needs here, we realize that a family can sometimes provide an even better life for our girls upon retirement.
Are your puppies home raised?
Yes. All of our babies are born and raised in the living room of our home. Once they are about 3 weeks old, and need more space, I move them into playpens in the larger "puppy room" of the house. At 6 weeks of age they can take trips outside, weather permitting, for walks. They are regularly handled, groomed and of course loved. We even introduce them to our cats and begin crate and house training at 7 weeks.
Are your puppies dewormed and vaccinated?
Yes. All of our puppies are regularly dewormed and given Neopar for early parvo protection before visiting our veterinarian. At 7-8 weeks they visit the vet for their official exams, are given full parasite checks, dewormed again and given their first official combination vaccine. All of our puppies are microchipped and by law they must pass their exams to be issued a health certificate, proving they are in good health, before joining their new families.
Do you allow visitors?
For the safety of our babies, we do not allow visitors to interact with puppies until they are fully vaccinated and ready to go to their new homes. Cross contamination to younger litters can, and has been, devastating in the past. We can provide photos in advance and possibly schedule a Zoom meeting. Once you see the litter (or puppies) if you choose not to bring one home to your family your deposit can easily be moved to another puppy or litter. You are welcome to visit to view our adults and any older puppies that are vaccinated.
Do you select our puppy for us, or do we select our own puppy?
We do evaluations on each of our puppies at 5 and 7 weeks of age and provide this information as a tool during the selection process. Though I provide my recommendations, the family would make the final decision about which puppy they would bring home.
How are puppies selected and what is the process?
After a deposit is paid, we will do our best to keep you updated about litters (or puppies) that may be a good match for your family according to your requests. We offer photos, give each puppy a full evaluation for energy level, trainability and many other factors at five and seven weeks. Once puppies are evaluated families are begin making their selections at 7 weeks by photos, and possibly video (we have horrible internet service). They can also be selected at 8 weeks or later in person. Please note that we can not allow anyone to take possession of their puppy before they are 8 weeks of age. This is the law.
Are males or females better as family pets?
That all depends on who you ask. People form opinions over experiences, so some people have had the best experience with females and other with males. I think it really depends on the individual dog and its personality much more than if it is male or female. I tend to prefer males while others close to me prefer females. Training is about the same between the sexes and this is a generalization.
I live in an apartment. Is that OK to raise a Labrador?
First, I would say to be sure you check with your apartment complex to be sure that they allow large dogs. If they do, be sure a Labrador will fit under any weight limit they may have. If the dog will be a support or therapy dog, the guidelines may be completely different. It is best that you have instant access to the outdoors through a ground floor apartment, or initially plan on using a terrace litter box or potty place. House training a puppy in an apartment that is a distance away from the potty place is almost impossible. Also, most people do not realize that they have neighbors that will not appreciate a puppy crying all night long while in the process of crate training. Though we have successfully placed puppies to families that do live in an apartment we do so very carefully and I make the family aware of the issues that may be a concern. Before placing any of our puppies with apartment dwellers, we do require a statement from the apartment complex verifying their weight and breed limits, if any, as well as some photos of where the puppy will be going to play and potty.
Could I purchase two puppies at once for my family?
I have had several families purchase two puppies at once for their family but as a general rule I tell people that it is like having two 2-year-old children together at once. They can keep each other company and it can be less work in some ways but in others it is much harder. Normally I tell families to completely potty train one puppy and then introduce the other. Again… it really depends on the situation and how much time and experience the family has. So two puppies can be purchased at the same time, but only after I know the family understands the situation.
Could I purchase a puppy as a surprise for my family member?
We do not allow the purchase of a puppy to "surprise" another adult. All responsible and care giving adults in the household must know, and agree, that a puppy will be coming to join their family. The individual that is receiving the puppy must know that the puppy is coming and understand our health guarantee and purchase agreement.
What age do you recommend spaying and neutering the puppy?
I do not recommend neutering either sex until they are at least 12 months old, and in my opinion, that is still too early. Neutering a 12-month-old puppy is like neutering a 7-year-old human child. There are significant health benefits for keeping your male or female dog intact for as long as possible. Studies by UC Davis have proven this. I provide a great article about this topic to new homes.
But if I get a male, won’t he be aggressive and want to lift his leg on everything?
No, I have intact male dogs that are fully house trained and never lift their leg or are aggressive. I also have intact dogs that WILL lift their leg inside my house IF I do not watch them but that is only because there is known breeding competition. The average family companion won’t start marking his house after he is house trained unless there are females in season nearby, he has already started breeding AND there are other dogs in his home that are competition. As a matter of fact, my intact females mark more than my males and that is even very rare.
But I was told that neutering will decrease the chance of cancer. This isn’t true?
Technically there is no evidence showing that is true in well bred dogs. There is evidence showing that early neutering can cause more aggressive forms of cancer, and other issues such as liver, kidney and autoimmune problems later on. I can only say that in over 35 years of being a breeder, and talking with hundreds of others, I have only heard of one male that required a testicle to be removed due to cancer. I have heard of no females that have had any ovarian or mammary cancers. Breeders of well-bred dogs are not going to propagate any cancers or genetic issues knowingly. It doesn’t make sense from a competition or guarantee standpoint. We want to produce healthy dogs for us and you.
Are Labradors, as a breed, healthy?
Yes they are, but they are also a large breed. Larger breeds are more susceptible to some health issues. Though there can be genetic or general health issues in any dog, well bred Labradors are healthy. Review my Labrador Health Concerns page for more information.
Do your Labradors have genetic health issues?
That is a VERY good question! If you ask a breeder if they have any genetic issues in their dogs and they say they do not they are either being dishonest, have not bothered to track the puppies they have sold or have not been breeding long enough to realize they do have them. I provide a list of all genetic health issues on my Labrador Health Concerns page with the risk factor. I highly recommend that you look that information over.
How much do Labradors shed?
The climate where you live and the food you feed plays a very large part in how much the dog will shed, but on average, Labradors are heavy and seasonal shedders. They do shed heavily in the spring and they do require regular grooming during this time.
How often should my Labrador be groomed?
I tell people it is always a good idea to do a puppy’s nails and give them a bath a puppy a couple times a month just to get them used to it. There is nothing worse than having to fight an adult dog to get it in the bathtub. I recommend grooming in the early spring when you see that they are beginning to shed and then once again two weeks later. It is best to take them to a professional groomer and request a “high velocity blow out”. This will dislodge any remaining hair at the time and quicken the seasonal shedding process. If you go to the dog park and your Labrador gets muddy, just mix up 50% water and 50% gold Listerine in a spray bottle. Carry that with you, spritz them down with the mixture then towel them off and they are good to go! This mixture fights hot spots, yeast and gives them a nice fresh scent!