Important Information
Health & Temperament:
Health and temperament are of the utmost importance to us. To ensure we breed only sound, quality dogs. All of the dogs in my breeding program have genetic testing for EIC, CNM, HPNK, PRA, Dilute and Long coat testing. In addition to genetic testing, X-rays are performed on their hips and elbows and are determined to be free of dysplasia by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). We also perform Echo Dopppler to test for Cardiac abnormalities which is common in our breed, their eyes certified annually to be free of inheritable eye disorders by a board certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist.
Puppy Guarantee:
I require every puppy buyer to have their new puppy examined by their veterinarian within 72 hours from the date of purchase. If it is determined that the puppy is not in good general health, with a written veterinarian statement and the puppies’ return, the entire purchase price will be refunded.
Firewater Puppies have:
All puppies have complete Veterinary exam
All puppies have heart auscultation by Veterinary
Microchip w/ registration for recovery program
Puppy Health Record
First/Current vaccines
De-wormed at 2, 3, 4, and 6, & 8 weeks of age
Socialized with people, children and other dogs
AKC Registration
Copy of Parent's certificates of accomplishments, championships, titles, health clearances etc.
Starter Kit
Food Sample
Support - If you ever have questions or need help, I am always here for you.
Started in house training and basic obedience
30 Day Health Insurance Coverage
Guide to buying a well-bred, healthy Labrador Retriever Puppy or Adult:
Ask yourself some questions. Are you prepared to make a commitment to a dog for the next 10-15 years, even if you have life changes such as moving, new babies, or kids going off to college, unexpected life events? Full responsibility for a dog requires a responsible and committed adult. The commitment is not a small one; training a Labrador Retriever puppy to be a pleasant companion requires considerable time and patience. Labs don't become well-behaved all by themselves! They require substantial attention and exercise throughout their lives; they are active and social animals and don't do well when stuck in the backyard or crate and forgotten or ignored. Labradors live to please their humans.
A Labrador Retriever puppy chewing and digging can be destructive. Do you have an appropriate environment for a puppy and are you willing to live with puppy mistakes? Remember that Labrador Retrievers are not fully mature until around three years of age, so that's a long puppy-hood. Are you willing to spend the money it takes to provide appropriate care, including quality food, supplies, annual vaccines, heartworm/flea/tick preventative and spaying or neutering? Are you willing to wait for the right puppy from the responsible breeder of your choice? Remember, finding the best puppy for you is well worth the wait.
Responsible breeders produce a healthy Labrador Retriever with fun, happy, well-adjusted and trainable temperaments. Don't bargain-hunt and don't buy a puppy from a pet store; often those puppies come from poor breeding, may have been kept in poor conditions with inadequate socialization. More often than not - A LOT more expensive than puppies purchased from a responsible breeder. Responsible breeders do all they can to avoid producing serious problems, such as undesirable temperaments, hereditary health defects. Remember that "AKC papers" are not an indication of quality in the dog. They only mean that the dog's parents were AKC registered.
Is a puppy really the right dog for me?
If you don't have the time or facilities for socializing, housetraining, and obedience training a puppy, it's possible that an older dog would be a better choice. Mature Labradors usually adapt very well to new homes and can form very deep bonds. You can investigate Labrador rescue or find a responsible breeder who may have an older dog to place in a new home.
How do I know a breeder is responsible?
Look for a breeder who:
1. Is knowledgeable about the breed. Most responsible breeders continually test the results of their breeding programs by participating in conformation shows, obedience trials, field trials, or hunting tests. Most reputable breeders are members of clubs/organizations in their area that participate in educating and mentoring breeders.
2. Is knowledgeable about raising puppies. Even puppies with the best hereditary temperaments can exhibit behavioral problems if they are not socialized sufficiently or if they are removed from their dam and littermates before seven weeks of age. Socialization done by the breeder should include ensuring that each pup receives frequent human attention, is handled frequently, and is exposed to a wide variety of noises and experiences. Takes steps to keep the puppies as healthy as possible. Before puppies go to their new homes, they should have been wormed and should have received their first vaccinations.
3. Takes steps to prevent occurrence of hereditary defects in the puppies. Both parents should have hip and elbow clearances from at least one of the following registries: OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), PennHip, Wind-Morgan, or a foreign joint registry. Both parents should also both have current eye clearances. Be sure to ask about health clearances; responsible breeders will be happy to tell you about them and will honestly discuss problems that might occur in the parents' lines. Avoid breeders that tell you their dogs don't need health clearances because they've never had a problem, or those who tell you that their "vet said the dog was ok." Remember that clearances on the parents don't guarantee that the puppies will be free of problems, but your chances of buying a healthy puppy are greatly improved if the parents have been cleared. Once again – health clearances are extremely expensive, time consuming and will eliminate stock from the breeding program. A reputable breeder will ensure they are preformed prior to breeding.
4. Does not breed bitches her entire reproductive life span. This is extremely hard on the bitch and may indicate that profit is the breeder's primary motive.
5. Chooses breedings carefully. Ask why the particular sire was chosen. The answer should be thoughtful and knowledgeable. Answers such as "because he lived close to me" or "because he's such a cute dog" generally don't indicate a breeding that is being done to produce puppies that are better than their parents (the goal of every responsible breeder). One indication of a quality breeding is if the majority of dogs in the first few generations are titled (CH, OTCH, FC, CD, JH, WC and so on, before or after the dogs' names). If the titles only appear generations back or if there are only a few in the entire pedigree, they don't mean much.
6. Lets you meet the parents of the puppies. Bitches may be sent long-distance to stud dogs, but the breeder should be able to show you photographs of the sire and answer questions about him. Evaluates puppy temperaments and helps you choose the puppy that is best suited to your lifestyle. A very active puppy won't do well in a sedate environment, and a quiet puppy may be overwhelmed in an active household with noisy children. Remember that most breedings are done so the breeder can choose a puppy to carry on his or her own lines, so you may have to wait until this choice is made when the pups are 6-10 weeks old. After that, the breeder can help you decide which pup would be most suitable for you. The breeder has spent extensive time with the litter and know the puppies best, so their advice is important.
7. Will be willing to take the dog back at any time if you cannot keep it. Responsible breeders do NOT want their puppies to end up in an animal shelter or in a less-than-ideal home.
8. You may not be an expert on Labradors, but you do know about people. Use your intuition. The breeder should be available for the life of the dog to answer questions, so this could be a long-term relationship. If you don't trust the person, don't buy a dog from them!!
9. Will provide appropriate documentation with the puppy, including registration papers, pedigree, parent’s health clearances and a health record.
10. Is concerned about your future plans for the puppy, particularly whether you're thinking of breeding the dog. Many responsible breeders sell pet-quality animals with mandatory spay/neuter contracts and/or Limited Registration (meaning that offspring of the dog cannot be registered). This is a good indication that the breeder cares enough about the breed to ensure that only the very best representatives are bred. Some breeders may be willing to change the Limited Registration to a Full Registration if you present the dog to them after maturity, having had all its health clearances. Then, if the breeder thinks the dog is of good quality and temperament, they may change the registration and help you with the selection of a good stud dog. Only the dog's breeder can make this change.
How do I find a responsible breeder?
First, educate yourself. Read books on the breed. Attend dog shows, hunting tests, field trials, or obedience trials, and talk to the Labrador exhibitors. Look at local Labrador Club websites. Talk to breeders. Most responsible breeders will have a waiting list of puppy buyers before they do a breeding and usually don't have to advertise.
Please remember that the great majority of Labrador breeders are hobby breeders. They are not "in business," breeding is not their profession, and very few of them make money on their dogs. It's a labor of love for the breed.
Pricing information:
We sell AKC Registered puppies at family companion prices, not breeding/show prices. We do NOT sell our Labs for breeding purposes. All puppies are sold on Limited Registration. Researching prices in your area you will find that a well-bred Labrador (where BOTH parents have ALL their breeding health clearances) will usually cost $3500 to $6500. A puppy you find for less will most likely come from a backyard breeder. Most of the people who breed their pets together are not in the sport of purebred dogs and do not research the health and genetics behind their breed. Many do NOT do the necessary hip, elbow, Heart echo Doppler, genetic and eye clearances (on both Dam and Sire). Although x-rays and testing can get pricey, doing these tests gives breeders a higher chance that their puppies will live long and healthy lives free of expensive and painful hereditary diseases that affect so many Labradors worldwide. You should NEVER pay the this expensive price for a dog unless all the health testing has been performed (both Dam and Sire). This is the benefit of paying for a well bred puppy. You pay a little more costs upfront for health and quality, so that 2 years down the road you are not spending a fortune on hip/elbow surgeries.
Doing research BEFORE you purchase your new puppy. This could save you thousands of dollars in vets bills and years of heartache. The average cost of 1 Hip surgery is $10,000.00.
Health and temperament are of the utmost importance to us. To ensure we breed only sound, quality dogs. All of the dogs in my breeding program have genetic testing for EIC, CNM, HPNK, PRA, Dilute and Long coat testing. In addition to genetic testing, X-rays are performed on their hips and elbows and are determined to be free of dysplasia by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). We also perform Echo Dopppler to test for Cardiac abnormalities which is common in our breed, their eyes certified annually to be free of inheritable eye disorders by a board certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist.
Puppy Guarantee:
I require every puppy buyer to have their new puppy examined by their veterinarian within 72 hours from the date of purchase. If it is determined that the puppy is not in good general health, with a written veterinarian statement and the puppies’ return, the entire purchase price will be refunded.
Firewater Puppies have:
All puppies have complete Veterinary exam
All puppies have heart auscultation by Veterinary
Microchip w/ registration for recovery program
Puppy Health Record
First/Current vaccines
De-wormed at 2, 3, 4, and 6, & 8 weeks of age
Socialized with people, children and other dogs
AKC Registration
Copy of Parent's certificates of accomplishments, championships, titles, health clearances etc.
Starter Kit
Food Sample
Support - If you ever have questions or need help, I am always here for you.
Started in house training and basic obedience
30 Day Health Insurance Coverage
Guide to buying a well-bred, healthy Labrador Retriever Puppy or Adult:
Ask yourself some questions. Are you prepared to make a commitment to a dog for the next 10-15 years, even if you have life changes such as moving, new babies, or kids going off to college, unexpected life events? Full responsibility for a dog requires a responsible and committed adult. The commitment is not a small one; training a Labrador Retriever puppy to be a pleasant companion requires considerable time and patience. Labs don't become well-behaved all by themselves! They require substantial attention and exercise throughout their lives; they are active and social animals and don't do well when stuck in the backyard or crate and forgotten or ignored. Labradors live to please their humans.
A Labrador Retriever puppy chewing and digging can be destructive. Do you have an appropriate environment for a puppy and are you willing to live with puppy mistakes? Remember that Labrador Retrievers are not fully mature until around three years of age, so that's a long puppy-hood. Are you willing to spend the money it takes to provide appropriate care, including quality food, supplies, annual vaccines, heartworm/flea/tick preventative and spaying or neutering? Are you willing to wait for the right puppy from the responsible breeder of your choice? Remember, finding the best puppy for you is well worth the wait.
Responsible breeders produce a healthy Labrador Retriever with fun, happy, well-adjusted and trainable temperaments. Don't bargain-hunt and don't buy a puppy from a pet store; often those puppies come from poor breeding, may have been kept in poor conditions with inadequate socialization. More often than not - A LOT more expensive than puppies purchased from a responsible breeder. Responsible breeders do all they can to avoid producing serious problems, such as undesirable temperaments, hereditary health defects. Remember that "AKC papers" are not an indication of quality in the dog. They only mean that the dog's parents were AKC registered.
Is a puppy really the right dog for me?
If you don't have the time or facilities for socializing, housetraining, and obedience training a puppy, it's possible that an older dog would be a better choice. Mature Labradors usually adapt very well to new homes and can form very deep bonds. You can investigate Labrador rescue or find a responsible breeder who may have an older dog to place in a new home.
How do I know a breeder is responsible?
Look for a breeder who:
1. Is knowledgeable about the breed. Most responsible breeders continually test the results of their breeding programs by participating in conformation shows, obedience trials, field trials, or hunting tests. Most reputable breeders are members of clubs/organizations in their area that participate in educating and mentoring breeders.
2. Is knowledgeable about raising puppies. Even puppies with the best hereditary temperaments can exhibit behavioral problems if they are not socialized sufficiently or if they are removed from their dam and littermates before seven weeks of age. Socialization done by the breeder should include ensuring that each pup receives frequent human attention, is handled frequently, and is exposed to a wide variety of noises and experiences. Takes steps to keep the puppies as healthy as possible. Before puppies go to their new homes, they should have been wormed and should have received their first vaccinations.
3. Takes steps to prevent occurrence of hereditary defects in the puppies. Both parents should have hip and elbow clearances from at least one of the following registries: OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), PennHip, Wind-Morgan, or a foreign joint registry. Both parents should also both have current eye clearances. Be sure to ask about health clearances; responsible breeders will be happy to tell you about them and will honestly discuss problems that might occur in the parents' lines. Avoid breeders that tell you their dogs don't need health clearances because they've never had a problem, or those who tell you that their "vet said the dog was ok." Remember that clearances on the parents don't guarantee that the puppies will be free of problems, but your chances of buying a healthy puppy are greatly improved if the parents have been cleared. Once again – health clearances are extremely expensive, time consuming and will eliminate stock from the breeding program. A reputable breeder will ensure they are preformed prior to breeding.
4. Does not breed bitches her entire reproductive life span. This is extremely hard on the bitch and may indicate that profit is the breeder's primary motive.
5. Chooses breedings carefully. Ask why the particular sire was chosen. The answer should be thoughtful and knowledgeable. Answers such as "because he lived close to me" or "because he's such a cute dog" generally don't indicate a breeding that is being done to produce puppies that are better than their parents (the goal of every responsible breeder). One indication of a quality breeding is if the majority of dogs in the first few generations are titled (CH, OTCH, FC, CD, JH, WC and so on, before or after the dogs' names). If the titles only appear generations back or if there are only a few in the entire pedigree, they don't mean much.
6. Lets you meet the parents of the puppies. Bitches may be sent long-distance to stud dogs, but the breeder should be able to show you photographs of the sire and answer questions about him. Evaluates puppy temperaments and helps you choose the puppy that is best suited to your lifestyle. A very active puppy won't do well in a sedate environment, and a quiet puppy may be overwhelmed in an active household with noisy children. Remember that most breedings are done so the breeder can choose a puppy to carry on his or her own lines, so you may have to wait until this choice is made when the pups are 6-10 weeks old. After that, the breeder can help you decide which pup would be most suitable for you. The breeder has spent extensive time with the litter and know the puppies best, so their advice is important.
7. Will be willing to take the dog back at any time if you cannot keep it. Responsible breeders do NOT want their puppies to end up in an animal shelter or in a less-than-ideal home.
8. You may not be an expert on Labradors, but you do know about people. Use your intuition. The breeder should be available for the life of the dog to answer questions, so this could be a long-term relationship. If you don't trust the person, don't buy a dog from them!!
9. Will provide appropriate documentation with the puppy, including registration papers, pedigree, parent’s health clearances and a health record.
10. Is concerned about your future plans for the puppy, particularly whether you're thinking of breeding the dog. Many responsible breeders sell pet-quality animals with mandatory spay/neuter contracts and/or Limited Registration (meaning that offspring of the dog cannot be registered). This is a good indication that the breeder cares enough about the breed to ensure that only the very best representatives are bred. Some breeders may be willing to change the Limited Registration to a Full Registration if you present the dog to them after maturity, having had all its health clearances. Then, if the breeder thinks the dog is of good quality and temperament, they may change the registration and help you with the selection of a good stud dog. Only the dog's breeder can make this change.
How do I find a responsible breeder?
First, educate yourself. Read books on the breed. Attend dog shows, hunting tests, field trials, or obedience trials, and talk to the Labrador exhibitors. Look at local Labrador Club websites. Talk to breeders. Most responsible breeders will have a waiting list of puppy buyers before they do a breeding and usually don't have to advertise.
Please remember that the great majority of Labrador breeders are hobby breeders. They are not "in business," breeding is not their profession, and very few of them make money on their dogs. It's a labor of love for the breed.
Pricing information:
We sell AKC Registered puppies at family companion prices, not breeding/show prices. We do NOT sell our Labs for breeding purposes. All puppies are sold on Limited Registration. Researching prices in your area you will find that a well-bred Labrador (where BOTH parents have ALL their breeding health clearances) will usually cost $3500 to $6500. A puppy you find for less will most likely come from a backyard breeder. Most of the people who breed their pets together are not in the sport of purebred dogs and do not research the health and genetics behind their breed. Many do NOT do the necessary hip, elbow, Heart echo Doppler, genetic and eye clearances (on both Dam and Sire). Although x-rays and testing can get pricey, doing these tests gives breeders a higher chance that their puppies will live long and healthy lives free of expensive and painful hereditary diseases that affect so many Labradors worldwide. You should NEVER pay the this expensive price for a dog unless all the health testing has been performed (both Dam and Sire). This is the benefit of paying for a well bred puppy. You pay a little more costs upfront for health and quality, so that 2 years down the road you are not spending a fortune on hip/elbow surgeries.
Doing research BEFORE you purchase your new puppy. This could save you thousands of dollars in vets bills and years of heartache. The average cost of 1 Hip surgery is $10,000.00.
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