Labrador Puppy FAQs
What will my puppy look like when they are born and when they are older?
You can see pictures of parents here and pictures of parents past litter here and at 1 year here.
What is the puppy adoption fee?
Adoption fees vary based on the AKC registration and gender type. You can see our fees on the reservation page.
Reservation Deposit
To get on the waiting list we require a deposit of $100. We accept Venmo, Cashapp, Zelle or Cash. (details provided via email).
Puppy Selection
Once your deposit is received - you will be added in order, to the waiting list. To pick your puppy - you can come to our home in person, or view the puppies via zoom / skype / messenger video. If the litter comes the week anticipated - they will be ready for pickup 7-8 weeks later.
Puppy Health Information
Puppies are checked at birth and every day until they are adopted. As soon as our litter arrives - our puppies are handled and socialized on birth day. We make sure they are given attention and even basic commands like "leave it", "drop it" as we are playing with them. Before you pickup your puppy - we ensure it has received proper social, medical and nutritional attention. The mother typically "weans" the puppies at around 5 weeks where we start to introduce solid foods. We feed them IAMS Smart Puppy Large Breed puppy food. We suggest you keep the food the same for a while to allow their digestive system to strengthen.
At 6 weeks we take the puppies to the Vet for their first checkup and vaccinations. They receive DA2PPC. This is a combination vaccine that protects canines against distemper, hepatitis, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus, and coronavirus. They will also be dewormed at this time with the Strongid dewormer.
We weigh in the puppies every week to make sure they growing and are receiving proper nutrition.
Do You Remove Dew Claws?
No. This is why we don't remove dew claws. However upon request we can have it done for you at actual vet charge which runs $30-40. When you should remove dew claws.
Puppy Development
Puppies nurse from their mother within hours of birth. Puppies eyes open at two weeks, they start to stand and sit at 3 weeks and start weaning at around 5 weeks and start eating solids at around 6 weeks.
Puppy Pickup Information
You can pickup your puppy starting at week 7. Most veterinarians and breeders agree that 7-to-8 weeks of age is the prime time for a puppy to meet its new family. "The first behavioral fear period in puppies also occurs during this time at around 7-8 weeks, and sending a puppy home during this time helps it to build resiliency to new experiences, Dr. Sally Foote" (AKC website)
We will notify you in advance when your puppy is born and when they can be picked up. We will work with you to accommodate as much as possible to fit your travel and work time.
If you are unable to pick up your puppy on the specified date, we charge a boarding fee of $250 per week.
Will My Puppy Be Able to do Tricks or Hunt?
These puppies come from champion bloodlines and they and heir parents are very intelligent. In our opinion - you will likely see this in much of this "smart" behavior from day one. You will be able to train them or hire a trainer to condition your puppy to respond to different commands. You can establish this in your puppy with positive reinforcement. Puppies like to be "rewarded" with treats and they will learn quickly when they hear a command, then exhibit the proper behavior - they are rewarded. As they get older they can be "corrected" but never "punished". There are many great videos on YouTube on this positive reinforcement conditioning. The puppy parents love to retrieve, do tricks and even catch a freesbie!