Breeding

Breeding & Buying

BREEDING

Socialising is very important

We breed all three colours of Labrador although only one or two litters per year. If we don't have any puppies at a time when someone wants one then we can put them in touch with other reputable breeders. We believe though, that anyone breeding puppies has a responsibility to ensure sound, healthy puppies, typical of their breed. All our breeding stock are hip scored at twelve months old, along with annual eye certificates and since 2001 are also elbow scored. Only permanent, loving homes, which fulfil our criteria are considered for our puppies or older dogs. It is also a requirement that if at any time a dog has to be parted with, it has to come back to us for re-homing. As mentioned earlier, all our dogs live in so our bitches whelp in the living room and there they stay to ensure that the puppies are all well socialised with things like the TV, vacuum cleaner, children, people coming and going. Once a puppy has gone to it's new home we ask that the new owners stay in touch with us….we are always available for help and advice.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Mum making sure all is well

Hips: At 12 months of age a dog is taken to the vet for X-ray's taking of it's hips. The plates are then submitted to a joint BVA/KC hip scoring panel where each hip is scored from 0 - 53. When the scores are combined, 0 being perfect hips (which is not common in Labradors) and 106 being chronic hip dysplacia. The breed average for this year is 16.9 so look for a score of 20 or lower for each parent. It is quite unrealistic to expect all Labradors to score lower than 10. It cannot be justified, mating one dog to another simply because they both happen to have really low hip scores, so many other things have to be taken into account. This is a once and for all score and puppies cannot be done.
Eyes: To be issued with an eye certificate a dog is taken to an eye 'panellist' where the eyes are examined and a certificate is issued to say that the eyes are clear at that time. This is an annual certificate so you should expect a 'current, clear eye certificate' for each parent.
Elbows: Again at 12 months of age, usually at the same time as the hips are done, X-rays are taken of the elbows but unlike the hips, each elbow is scored form 0 - 3. Only the score from whichever elbow is the highest is used. So for example, if one elbow scored 1 and the other scored 2, the elbow score would be said to be 2. Only consider a puppy whose parents have an elbow score of 0 or 1. (0 being clear and 3 being severely affected) * Please do not be deterred if the parents have not been elbow scored - it is a relatively new scheme and it will take time for everyone to get 'on board'.


Our first litter back in 1995	Puppies weaning - these are 4 weeks old	A litter taking a 'well earned' rest!

You are quite entitled to request a copy of each of these certificates when you collect your new puppy.

Always ensure that the puppy is registered with the Kennel Club.
You should expect to see the puppy with its mother and in the conditions that it is kept in along with its littermates. It probably won't be possible to see the sire of the puppy as the dog may live 200 miles away - reputable breeders don't just use the dog next door.
If you request a puppy list from the Kennel Club beware - there are reputable breeders on there but as long as a 'breeder' has paid their money, they are entitled to be listed and that unfortunately includes puppy farmers.
If your 'gut instinct' tells you that something isn't right - it probably isn't!