Frequently Asked Questions

You’ll find that you aren’t just buying a puppy from us, but a whole service and experience! We strive to make it the best experience possible! Here’s how we do it:

We raise these puppies inside our home, handle them daily, expose them to household sounds (dishwasher, vacuum, etc.), and normal house experiences (like stairs, going outside, other dogs, etc.). We start them on potty training in the grass outside and train them with potty bells. We start them on crate training to ease the transition to your home. We raise these puppies to be ready to be loving, indoor, family pets! Many breeders raise their puppies in kennels and they never see the inside of a house or are able to potty on the grass until they arrive at your house. Then you’re left with an uphill battle to teach them all the house rules! 

We also provide nearly daily photos and videos of the puppies since they day they are born. You’ll get to watch them grow up from the very beginning! You’ll see all their “firsts” – the first time they open their eyes, play with toys, eat puppy food, go outside, and many more! We also offer on-demand FaceTime calls – so anytime you want to see your puppy just send us a message and we will call you! Not only is it fun to watch them grow and learn, but you’ll also get to see their personalities develop in real time. Many families who get a puppy from us also have children and its really hard for them to wait 8 weeks for a puppy – but our near daily updates and video calls gives kids the ability to watch their puppy grow and help them be patient while waiting on their new best friend! Many breeders only provide infrequent photos and you don’t get to experience the first 8 weeks of their lives in the same in-depth way. 

Lastly, but maybe most importantly, we properly test our parent dogs to ensure we are only breeding the healthiest puppies possible. We complete full genetic DNA health panels on every parent dog, as well as hip and elbow certifications from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (we are happy to provide our dogs’ results to you upon request). By testing our parent dogs and only breeding from those that pass these health tests helps to greatly reduce the chances of our puppies developing an inheritable condition. Many breeders do not perform health testing at all, or stop at only genetic testing (they may not complete the hip and elbow certifications as they are very expensive tests – but some of the most important tests because a lab with hip dysplasia will be an expensive dog to its owner and have a poor quality of life). 

The bottom line is – buying a puppy from a breeder is much more than just picking a cute puppy, but considering all the ways the breeder cares for the puppy during the first few weeks of their lives, as this sets the foundation your puppy will grow from. We dedicate our lives 24/7 to our puppies and pour endless hours into their care and development. We are happy to answer any questions you have or provide references from past puppy families, so feel free to reach out! 

Silver, Charcoal, and Champagne Labs are simply standard colored Labs that have a special “dilute” gene that makes them express these colors.

Silver Labs are Chocolate Labs with a dilute gene. 

Charcoal Labs are Black Labs with a dilute gene. 

Champagne Labs are Yellow Labs with a dilute gene.  

All “dilute” labs are registered with the AKC as their standard color (i.e.: Chocolate, Black, or Yellow). They have the same temperaments and characteristics typical of any lab. 

Dilute color puppies (silver, charcoal, and champagne) are $2,700 for limited (pet) registration. This includes a $500 deposit and then $2,200 due on or before pickup.

Standard color puppies (Black, Yellow, and Chocolate) are $2,200 for limited (pet) registration. This includes a $500 deposit and then $1,700 due on or before pickup.

Our pricing includes extensive genetic health testing and hip/elbow OFA certifications that have been completed on the parents. Parents are also titled in obedience and/or manners. Additionally, puppies will be given early neurological stimulation (super dog training), started on potty training, started on crate training, and introduced to basic commands. Lastly, you will get to watch your puppy grow up from day 1 with frequent video and photo updates and on demand FaceTime availability. 

An AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T. breeder makes an on-going commitment to the health and well-being of purebred dogs by committing to these program requirements:

• HEALTH: Certifying that their breeding stock is health tested in accordance with the recommendations of their breed’s AKC Breed Parent Club. 
• EDUCATION: Promising that they will pursue AKC-provided or AKC-approved continuing breeder education so that they stay educated on the best breeding practices, including advances in canine health.
• ACCOUNTABILITY: Agreeing to comply with the AKC Care and Conditions Policy, including inspections by the AKC, and promising to share health testing and continuing education documentation with AKC.
• RESPONSIBILITY: Accepting responsibility for the health and well-being of the puppies they produce and for complying with all laws regarding the ownership and maintenance of dogs.
• TRADITION: Upholding the AKC’s tradition of breeding purebred dogs that are happy and healthy.

To become a bred with H.E.A.R.T. breeder we must meet the minimum health testing standards set forth by the AKC for the specified breed. 

For Labrador retrievers, the minimum AKC health testing standards are as follows:

• Hip Evaluation
• EIC DNA Test
• Elbow Evaluation
• Ophthalmologist Evaluation

All of our parent dogs have not only met these minimum standards but have had several additional health tests to exceed the AKC’s minimum standards.

Please refer to the “females/males” pages to see the health testing information for each of our breeding dogs. 

All puppies will be dewormed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. 

Puppies will receive their first set of vaccines, will be checked by a licensed veterinarian, and provided with a Florida Health Certificate (it is required by Florida State Law).

Free 30 days of Pet Insurance through the AKC.

Puppies will come with a “puppy take-home bag” which will include:

• AKC registration paperwork
• FL Health Certificate (includes shot record)
• Tips/information sheets
• Toy
• Scent item (typically a blanket) that smells like mom/littermates to make the separation easier. 

Puppies will be handled daily, given “super dog” training, introduced to children, introduced to household sounds (vacuum, dishwasher, television, etc.), given baths, weekly nail trims, introduced to potty training, and introduced to crate training. 

The U.S. Military in their canine program developed a method in an effort to improve the performance of dogs used for military purposes, a program called “Bio Sensor” was developed. Later, it became known to the public as the “Super Dog” Program. Based on years of research, the military learned that early neurological stimulation exercises could have important and lasting effects. 

“Super Dog” training is also known as Early Neurological Stimulation. Essentially, this is a series of exercises done with the puppies from days 3-16 which will produce neurological stimulations, none of which naturally occur during this early period of life. These exercises impact the neurological system by kicking it into action earlier than would be normally expected. The result being an increased capacity that later will help to make the difference in its performance.

Benefits of Stimulation

Five benefits have been observed in canines that were exposed to the Bio Sensor stimulation exercises.

The benefits noted were:

1. Improved cardio vascular performance (heart rate)

2. Stronger heart beats

3. Stronger adrenal glands

4. More tolerance to stress

5. Greater resistance to disease

In tests of learning, stimulated pups were found to be more active and were more exploratory than their non- stimulated littermates over which they were dominant in competitive situations.

Secondary effects were also noted regarding test performance. In simple problem solving tests using detours in a maze, the non-stimulated pups became extremely aroused, whined a great deal, and made many errors. Their stimulated littermates were less disturbed or upset by test conditions and when comparisons were made, the stimulated littermates were more calm in the test area, made fewer errors and gave only an occasional distress when stressed.

All of our parent dogs have been genetically health tested and OFA certified.

Please refer to the “our females” and “our males” pages for individual health test information and results. 

Each of our dogs have either earned various AKC titles or are currently in progress for earning titles.

Please refer to “our females” and “our males” pages for each dog’s individual titles earned. 

Even if you have no plans to title your puppy or to use the puppy for hunting purposes, these titles serve to show that puppies come from great genes. The parents are all well-tempered, intelligent, and easily trained, as evidenced by their achievements. The puppies are likely to inherit these great qualities. 

Limited registration is often referred to as “pet” or “companion” registration, as that is the purpose the puppy/dog is being sold for. The puppy/dog you are getting is purebred and AKC registered. However, the puppy/dog is not being sold with breeding rights and shall not be bred at any time. If the dog is bred, the pups produced will not be eligible for AKC registration.

Additionally, the puppy/dog is not eligible for exhibiting in Conformation (“show dogs”) (although dilute colors: silver, charcoal, and champagne, are not eligible to compete in Conformation anyway because they are not standard color regardless of limited or full registration status) but they may compete in other performance events, including: Obedience, Rally, Agility, Tracking, Field Trials, Hunting Tests, Herding, Lure Coursing, Earthdog, Fast Cat, CAT, Scentwork, Junior Showmanship, Trick Dog and CGC.

Full registration (breeding rights) is considered on a limited, case-by-case basis, and for an additional fee.  Full registration will require compliance with genetic health testing and OFA certification.

Yes; however, we have strict rules for visitation (see below) and by appointment only.

Puppies have very little immunity so they are easily susceptible to many illnesses which could be fatal; therefore, we strive to limit visitations which will greatly reduce their risk of catching something. That said, we prefer video visits; we offer FaceTime calls on-demand and live videos posted on Facebook often. We post photos and video on Facebook every few days, you will be able to see and watch your puppy grow in real time. We are happy to provide personal calls, photos, and live videos whenever you reach out. You will feel very connected to the puppies and know what is going on with them every step of the way. 

We know that some people just need to see their puppy in person. When visiting before 6 weeks of age, you may come see the puppies, see their environment, and meet mom, but you will not be allowed to touch the puppies. At and after 6 weeks we allow one play visit where you can touch and hold your puppy (only your puppy or the puppies you are choosing between). 

For either type of visit, the visitation rules must be adhered to.

Visitation Rules:

1. You may not visit a dog park, veterinary office, pet store, or any other public animal area for 3 days prior to visiting our puppies. 
2. We ask that you wear clean, freshly laundered clothing (as some dog specific illnesses can be carried on clothing).
3. Upon arriving you may be asked to step into a bleach wash solution to sanitize the soles of your shoes.
4. You will be asked to remove your shoes.
5. You will be asked to wash your hands up to elbows for 20 seconds upon entering.
6. Please do not wear any colognes, perfumes, or heavily scented lotions.
7. Please do not visit if you are ill/showing any symptoms of illness.