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Breeding Program We selectively breed Labrador and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. Puppies are available from our Lab litter whelped October 23. As professional trainers, we work with a variety of dogs. Occasionally we get one that makes us feel that we wish everyone could own a dog like this. That is the kind of dog we strive to produce: dogs of great willingness, quick learning, all of the traits needed to be top retrievers (desire, marking, memory, courage, watergoing, vision, nose, trainability, etc.), and no "holes" or quirks. Our goal is a dog that is a delight to know, own, and train, as well as an ace retriever. Our strategy for producing good dogs lies in our selection of sires and dams. We raise approximately ten well-bred bitch puppies for each one we consider good enough to breed. Our dams must be strong in all of the essential working traits and of good breed temperament, as well as meeting OFA and CERF standards. Females we have given away or sold as not meeting our standards include successful hunting dogs and Master Hunters-they have been good dogs, but not of the quality we require for breeding. Our experience training and competing with retrievers is an asset in choice of sires. Dogs may have titles but not produce the kind of puppies we want. By seeing dogs work, talking with their trainers, and getting to know their offspring in training, however, we learn what their traits are and what qualities they tend to throw. Thanks to our history in the retriever sport, we know most of the dogs in their pedigrees, their traits and trainability and production records, as well. All of this information helps us select sires that are likely to produce the kind of puppies we want. By carefully selecting for the traits we want in sires and dams, in limited breeding we have whelped ten Field Champions as well as many successful pets, gundogs, and hunt test participants. We rear and socialize puppies so as to give them the best possible start. All puppies get plenty of attention and handling by adults and children of both sexes. They are introduced to retrieving, to birds, gunfire, and (weather permitting) to water. We introduce them to crates, and take them for truck rides and walks over a variety of terrain and flooring materials. We remove dewclaws, give puppies their first shots at six weeks, and worm them according to our veterinarian's instructions. We provide support, advice, and mentoring, if desired, for the life of the dog, and will assist in placing him/her, or if necessary take him/her back, should the owner be unable to keep the dog. We have black Labrador puppies now! email or call us at (910) 245-2603 if you would like to consider an Oak Hill puppy.