Many times when people think “commercial” they think ‘big.” But in the state of PA we are required by law to have a license based on how many dogs go in and out of our kennel during a calendar year (this includes visiting dogs and stud services as well). For about 30 years we were categorized as “private” but a few years back we went (1) dog over the requirement for transferred dogs (in a calendar year—an oversight by us and the dog law office) so our state required us to be ‘commercial’…and also put about $50,000+ into upgrading the …
The very beginning of the “AKC standard for the Labrador Retriever” begins: “About the Labrador Retriever “The sturdy, well-balanced Labrador Retriever can, depending on the sex, stand from 21.5 to 24.5 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 55 to 80 pounds. The dense, hard coat comes in yellow, black, and a luscious chocolate. The head is wide, the eyes glimmer with kindliness, and the thick, tapering “otter tail” seems to be forever signaling the breed’s innate eagerness.” (https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/labrador-retriever/) Basically, the hair on your Lab’s tail should be swirled around itself “wrapping” the hair around the tail. The hair should …
The Labrador vs Dalmatian debate takes a look at two great family dogs. But how similar are they? Both Labradors and Dalmatians are similar sizes. The breeds are both intelligent, confident, and active. So they can both take well to training, and need plenty of exercise. However, these breeds do have some key differences! Let’s …
THE SCARE IS ON! (How should we react, I mean, we vaccinate our dogs for coronavirus, right?) The threat that the virus causing COVID-19 could sicken pets and spread between them and their owners is extremely low, veterinarians say. The type of coronavirus that is carried and sickens our pets is an absolutely different strain.Concerns about pet illness with COVID-19, and spread between owners and their animals emerged on Feb. 28, when Hong Kong health authorities announced that a dog belonging to a woman sick with COVID-19, also tested “weak positive” for the new coronavirus, the virus that causes the …
Coronavirus in dogs usually takes the form of a mild bout of gastroenteritis. However, at the time of writing, a global outbreak of respiratory coronavirus in people is also causing a great deal of fear and worry. These two types of coronavirus are different and separate. This article is all about: the distinction between coronavirus …
Do you have a black Lab with a white chest? A white mark on your black Labrador’s chest is not as unusual as you might think. This pattern actually closely resembles the St John’s Water Dog, an ancestor of the modern Labrador breed. Labradors can have white marks on their chest, feet, and tail. This …
New Disney Plus Dog Documentary Check this out! Disney plus has just released an interesting documentary that dives into why there are so many different kinds of dog breeds and why they look the way that they do. Made by National Geographic, this documentary is called “How Dogs got their Shapes”. There is a great section that focuses on the history of the Labrador Retriever. We hope you enjoy it!
The Labrador breed standard specifies the ideal appearance of a pedigree Labrador Retriever from head to tail. Labrador breed standards are set by national kennel clubs, which means they can vary in small details from country to country. The breed standard is very exacting, so lots of Labradors won’t meet every detail of it perfectly. …
A long haired Lab is a Labrador Retriever with two copies of a recessive gene which causes them to grow a longer, finer, wavier coat than typical Labradors. Long coated Labs are still purebred dogs which can be entered onto breed registries. But their coats disqualify them the show bench. Some breeders believe that since long …
How long does it take to train a dog? With regular practice and commitment, many dog owners are able to teach their dogs reliable basic manners in a year or so. Of course there are a great many variables which mean dog training can take longer. But luckily they can all be planned for, and …
Today’s article on how to stop a dog from digging is by best-selling author Pippa Mattinson. Pippa’s online dog training courses can be found over on the Dogsnet website. Do you need to know how to stop a dog from digging up their yard? Just why do dogs dig holes? And how can we keep …
Training your dog should be fun! But it can also be quite challenging. Especially if your dog is young, bouncy and strong! I’ve selected some helpful tips for you below. And I’ve also set up regular tips by email to answer as many questions, and help as many people, as I can. You can get …
You may have seen the symbol below on our homepage. This shows that we are an AKC Breeder of Merit. You might be thinking… yeah, so what? But, truth be told, this can assist in helping you narrow down your list of breeders… In order to be a Breeder of Merit, a breeder has to meet the following standards taken from the AKC website: ” Requirements Has a history of at least 5 years involvement with AKC events. (we have 18 years of showing, 31 years of breeding) Earned Conformation, Performance or Companion event titles on a minimum of 4 dogs …
Picking the Perfect Puppy Choosing to add a puppy to your home is a huge and rewarding decision. Choosing which breeder to adopt a puppy from is an incredibly important part of this decision (see Chapter 3). And choosing which puppy to take home… Well, if you’ve never adopted a puppy before, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed. I remember a weekend when we had a litter of eight pups meet their new families and go on to their furever homes. There were five girls and three boys in the litter. Watching each person interact with the pups and try to make …
If your dog is experiencing watery stools? (not soft but watery or squirting) You may want to check for these two hidden, very hard to find parasitic protozoa (unlike intestinal worms) lurking in your dog’s GI tract. If you’ve ever been to Mexico and didn’t drink the water—it’s, most times, because these are lurking in their water sources—they sell drugs for it at their pharmacies! I have to admit, I’ve gotten giardia myself while traveling. Our dogs are even more sensitive to water change, no matter what. However, during years when it’s very WET and there have been a lot …
This blog post is probably 33 years too late, and I’m not real sure why I never thought to write about it before. But it’s something so common that we just never saw it as something that needed to be addressed, necessarily, and never gave it another thought and never had any issues with it. Some say it runs in bloodlines, but in 33 years of breeding Labs I can’t say I’ve personally seen that trend. And as I’ve had a few females myself that had them, I’ve lived with several and never had an issue. Always pops out …
I would say almost every puppy pick-up weekend I’ve had, people ask me “How do you let them go? I couldn’t do it, I’d want to keep them all!”, or something along those lines. And my initial response is “It was hard for me at first!”. I’ve been working here with the Stanleys for over 7 years now, and I still remember my first summer sending home puppies. I’d hold the little sweet babes I just watched grow their first 8 weeks, and say to Donna, “Can we just keep them???”. And while puppy snuggles are truly magical and few …
We are super excited to announce that Annie (GCH CH Everso’s Little Sure Shot JH WC) is confirmed pregnant with at least six puppies sired by Nat (CH Nipntuck Hyspire Unforgettable). Puppies are due on September 15.
This adorable girl is available! Cute as a bug and twice as sweet! Date of birth 5-29-19 Sire BISS, BIS GCH Shalimar’s the Animator “Cyrus” Dam CH Everso’s Baby I’m A Star “Koa”
Are you bringing home a new puppy this Summer? Trying to prepare to make the smoothest adjustment possible for you and the pup? Some will find online advice telling them it’s a good idea to take a blanket to the breeder’s house and “rub down mama” with it to take home her scent. They say that the puppy will then find this comforting amidst its transition. To be honest, there’s a couple of reasons why we don’t actually recommend this to new puppy parents, and here’s why… The first is this: First and foremost, we think it’s a better idea …
Inevitably, as I counsel people daily about dogs, and specifically nutrition, they will make mention of a “flakey coat.” Some may describe it as “greasy” even. So what are these little buggers and why do we stress so much about them? BECAUSE ITS WHEN OUR DOG IS STRESSED. I learned this at my first dog show as my dog leapt out of the SUV and immediately started flaking over his entire body. He was excited. He was also slightly stressed at all the noises of dogs and hub bub that a show ground can bring. Then, the next thing I …
If you are a “true” dog person you know EXACTLY what I’m talking about. All those trips out into the yard in the rain or snow to check “the poop.” Many times it gives us an idea if our dogs are getting the nutrients they need, or if they are stressed, and that its not watery or runny. Has he pooped? When? What texture? I mean, its like we are examining baby diapers all the time like a good mother. Right? Or are we all just crazy? LOL Although I predominantly feed a raw diet, my daughter had an experience she …
On April 19 Dolly whelped five healthy boys and one girl. Some of these boys will be available to the right homes. Both Dolly and Oscar are fully health tested and have hips rated as Excellent. The boys should grow up to be about 23″ at the shoulders and weigh about 85#. Please contact us Read More …
Ricky had a great weekend at the Flatirons Kennel Club Show in Longmont, CO. He won Best of Breed both days and topped it all off with a Group One today. A great honor in a fabulous lineup of dogs. Special thanks and congratulations to his handler, Stefanie Perrine and his breeder, Shelah Frey. And Read More …
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