Breeding dogs ethically is a thoughtful and complex process that involves much more than pairing two dogs and hoping for healthy puppies. At LC Hunting Labs, we follow a meticulous approach to ensure every puppy born under our care is healthy, well-socialized, and placed in the right home. Here’s a look at our breeding process, from health screenings to matching puppies with their future families.
Selecting Healthy Breeding Dogs
Everything starts with choosing the right breeding dogs. At LC Hunting Labs, we only breed dogs that meet the highest standards of health and temperament. Since we raise our dogs from puppies, we know their behavior inside and out. This close relationship allows us to evaluate their temperaments, ensuring they have stable, confident personalities that will be passed on to their puppies.
Health Testing
Before breeding, our dogs undergo thorough health screenings for breed-specific genetic conditions. We perform testing for hip and elbow dysplasia, hereditary eye conditions, and other genetic diseases like exercise-induced collapse (EIC). All of our dogs’ results are submitted to the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), and their health clearances are publicly available on our website for full transparency.
Planning the Breeding
Once our dogs have passed their health and temperament tests, we carefully plan the breeding process. Timing is essential, so we work closely with our veterinarian to ensure the breeding happens at the optimal time for a healthy pregnancy. Whether the breeding takes place naturally or through artificial insemination, our priority is ensuring the best outcome for both the mother and her future puppies.
Record Keeping
At LC Hunting Labs, every puppy that goes home comes with a carefully curated "puppy packet" designed to set new owners up for success. This packet includes:
Training Information: Tips and guidelines on how to train your new Labrador puppy effectively, helping build a strong foundation in behavior and obedience.
Puppy ID Cards: Identification cards for your puppy, which can include essential information like microchip number, birthdate, and breed details. A comprehensive record of all vaccinations, deworming, and any health treatments your puppy has received, ensuring that new owners have a full medical history and contact information for their vet care. The puppies are weighed daily for the first two weeks of life, then weekly until they go to their new homes.
AKC Registration: Documentation to officially register your puppy with the American Kennel Club (AKC), affirming its pedigree and lineage.
Information on Parents: Details about the puppy’s parents, including their health certifications, pedigrees, and any other relevant information that gives insight into your puppy’s background.
Dietary and Vitamin Information: Guidelines on the proper diet, including recommended feeding schedules, brands, and specific vitamins that support the puppy’s health and growth.
Personalized Letter: A heartfelt letter from us, welcoming the new owners into the LC Hunting Labs family and providing any additional advice or words of encouragement for the exciting journey ahead.
This puppy packet serves as a valuable resource, giving new owners all the tools they need to raise a happy, healthy, and well-trained Labrador. We want each of our puppies to thrive in their new homes, and this comprehensive information is a step toward ensuring that success.
Pregnancy Care
During the pregnancy, the mother dog receives special care to keep her healthy and stress-free. We provide her with a nutrient-rich diet and monitor her closely with the help of our veterinarian. Regular vet visits, including ultrasounds, help us track the development of the puppies and ensure the mother remains in good health.
Whelping and Postnatal Care
Whelping, or the birth process, is a critical time. We prepare a quiet, comfortable space for the mother to deliver her puppies and monitor the birth closely, ready to assist if needed. After birth, we ensure the puppies begin nursing right away and that the mother is comfortable.
Postnatal Care
Our role doesn’t end when the puppies are born. We provide round-the-clock care, monitoring the puppies’ weight gain and checking for any signs of illness or distress. The mother receives extra nutrition to support her milk production, and both mother and puppies are given regular veterinary checkups to ensure everyone is thriving.
Early Socialization and Development
From the moment our puppies are born, they begin learning about the world. Socialization is a critical part of raising well-adjusted dogs, and we take this responsibility seriously. Our puppies are introduced to different sights, sounds, and experiences in a positive, controlled environment to help them grow into confident adult dogs.
Puppy Socialization
We expose our puppies to household noises, like vacuums and televisions, and they interact with different surfaces and people. This early socialization is crucial for preventing future behavioral issues and preparing them for their future homes.
Basic Training
We also begin some basic training early on. Our puppies are gradually introduced to crate training, potty training, and basic training, helping them build good habits before they leave us.
Screening Potential Homes
Matching our puppies with the right families is one of our top priorities. We don’t sell puppies to just anyone; instead, we carefully screen potential buyers to ensure the puppy will fit well into their new home.
Home Evaluations
We ask potential buyers about their experience with dogs, their home environment, and how they plan to care for and train the puppy. This helps us ensure each puppy goes to a loving, responsible home.
Contracts
All of our puppies are placed with a contract that outlines the new owners’ responsibilities. If the puppy is not intended for breeding, the contract will include a spay/neuter agreement. We also include a clause that requires the puppy to be returned to us if the new owners can no longer care for it at any point in its life.
Long-Term Support
At LC Hunting Labs, our responsibility doesn’t end once the puppies go to their new homes. We provide lifelong support to our puppy buyers, offering guidance on diet, training, and health. We stay in touch with our puppy families and are always available to answer questions or provide advice.
Breeder Responsibility
We are committed to the long-term welfare of every dog we breed. If a buyer can no longer care for their dog, our contract requires the dog to be returned to us rather than being rehomed or taken to a shelter. This ensures that every dog we breed remains in a safe and loving environment for life.
Breeding ethically at LC Hunting Labs is a complex and detailed process, but it’s one we take immense pride in. From thorough health screenings and careful planning to early socialization and lifelong support, we are dedicated to producing well-adjusted, healthy puppies that will become cherished members of their future families.
When you choose a puppy from LC Hunting Labs, you’re not just getting a dog—you’re gaining a partner raised with love, care, and attention to detail. We believe in breeding for quality over quantity, ensuring that every puppy is prepared for a lifetime of companionship and loyalty.
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