It's all in how we raise them!
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Socialization and enrichment begin the second the puppies are born. For the first three weeks of life, we do early neurological stimulation exercises with each pup every day. Read about the benefits of early neurological stimulation here. They are carefully handled several times per day, and their health is closely monitored. As the weeks go by, they are gradually exposed to age-appropriate situations to encourage them to build confidence, adaptability, and trust in humans.
We are very careful about what products and cleaners are used around the puppies as are they are in their early growth phases. We are firm believers that "a little dirt never hurts" - our puppies get plenty of outdoor exposure from a young age, to allow them to build healthy immune systems. At around 3 weeks old, the puppies begin to use a "potty box" to do their business. We also take them out to the yard for bathroom breaks/"recess" throughout the day. Puppies will receive age-appropriate vaccinations and de-worming while in our care, as well as a thorough veterinary exam between 7-8 weeks old to make sure each puppy is healthy and ready to take on the world! We guarantee each puppy free from any defects that may affect their life as a pet. A detailed veterinary history for each puppy will be included in the packet given at the time of pickup. We also provide official health papers for any puppies that need to fly on a plane or cross state lines.
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Once the pups receive their first round of vaccinations, they are able to begin exploring the outside world. We do a few "outings" during weeks 7 through 9 so the puppies get used to traveling in the car to new places. They get several positive interactions with kids, adults, strangers, and other dogs during their time with us.
At the end of the day, each pup gets a solo session with us and the older dogs, where they are encouraged to hang out away from their litter mates. They grow to love their alone time with the humans, and it's fun to watch them gain confidence out by themselves. As they approach 7-8 weeks, we begin to add in a casual introduction to crate training. All this to hopefully smooth the transition to life with their new families!
At the end of the day, each pup gets a solo session with us and the older dogs, where they are encouraged to hang out away from their litter mates. They grow to love their alone time with the humans, and it's fun to watch them gain confidence out by themselves. As they approach 7-8 weeks, we begin to add in a casual introduction to crate training. All this to hopefully smooth the transition to life with their new families!
If you are on our waiting list, you are welcome to schedule a visit to meet the puppies as soon as they are vaccinated. Please do not show up without an appointment! This is is our home and we try to maintain strict biosecurity measures when we have puppies around.
The Puppy Selection Process
- When the puppies are approximately 2 weeks old, families on the waiting list will be notified if they have been selected to receive a puppy from the litter.
- When the puppies are approximately 8 weeks old, families will be matched with a specific puppy from that litter. Each puppy is an individual, so we carefully place them with people that match their characteristics. Lifestyle, energy level, future plans, and physical preferences are all taken into consideration when we make puppy placements. We also use the Volhard puppy aptitude test to assist in our decision making.
- Puppies will leave for their new homes between 8-9 weeks old. This gives us time to select show prospects and make travel arrangements. Most importantly, the puppies gain valuable social skills by wrestling and interacting with their littermates.
- It is required to meet in person to pick up your puppy. You can come to our farm in western Iowa, or we can meet you at a nearby airport (Omaha, NE) so you can travel with the puppy in-cabin in a carry-on sized crate. If traveling by air, it is the buyer's responsibility to arrange the flight and ensure the puppy falls into the age & weight range allowing them to fly as carry-on with the airline they have chosen. We do not ship puppies via air or ground cargo. We also do not work with "flight nanny" or puppy shipping companies due to our requirement of meeting the prospective puppy owners in person.
Puppy Family Contract
- To prevent irresponsible dog breeding, all of our puppies are sold on AKC Limited Registration. This means that the dog is AKC-registered, but may not be bred at any point in its lifetime. Dogs on Limited Registration can participate in the majority of AKC events such as obedience, rally, hunt tests, agility, nose work, the CGC program, and many more! They are only ineligible for the events intended for breeding stock, such as conformation.
- We strongly encourage families wait to spay/neuter until their pups are fully mature (no sooner than 15-18 months), to prevent health and soundness issues later in life.
- We have a 3-year genetic health guarantee on our puppies. Click here for more information on our Health Guarantee.
- Most importantly, if one of our puppies were to wind up needing to be "re-homed", we are happy to take the dog back into our care at any point in its lifetime, no questions asked.
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Lifetime Support for Pups (& their owners!)More often than not, the families that take our puppies become like family to us, too. I am a general practice veterinarian and I am always willing to answer questions for my puppy families!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are your Labs English or American style?
We proudly raise well-bred, AKC breed standard Labrador Retrievers. In my opinion, "English Lab" has become a backyard breeder term for an overly large, purposeless Lab with a head reminiscent of a Rottweiler. Instead of that, we strive for a beautiful, functional dog who is structurally and temperamentally sound, with those characteristic Labrador features such as the kind eyes, soft expression, strong front and rear, substantial bone and paws, dense water-resistant double coat, and a distinctive otter tail. So long story short, we don't feel our Labs fall into either the "English" or "American" categories.
How big do your Labs get?
Our Labs fall into the AKC Standard for height and weight. Our females tend to weigh between 60-75lbs and stand roughly 21"-22" at the shoulder. Our males will be closer to 70-90lbs and stand 22"-24" at the shoulder. They are generally shorter and stockier than the backyard bred Labs that most people are used to seeing.
What is a fox red Lab?
Fox red is a term for a shade of very dark yellow Lab. Yellow Labs come in a range of colors from dark red to almost white, all of which have the same basic color genotype. Believe it or not, fox red is actually quite close to the original "shade" of yellow Lab. This darker shade became more rare when the "white" shade of yellow became a fad. A few great breeders preserved the fox red shade in their lines here in the USA such as Dr. Pam Doubek (Penara Labs), Judy McCormick (Keepsake Labradors), and Sally Kelly (Kelleygreen Labradors). All of the fox red Labradors of today trace back to a select few dogs. Read more about fox red history here: penara.com/fox-red-history.html
Is there a difference in temperament or trainability between males & females?
In this breed, there should be no difference in temperament or trainability between the males and females. Structural differences are the main things you will notice (males tend to get bigger & blockier, and females tend to be a little bit smaller and more feminine). Contrary to popular belief, both sexes will hump things (especially if left intact), but this behavior is easily mitigated with proper training and socialization.
Do you remove dew claws?
Nope. There is evidence that removal of dewclaws in puppies is associated with carpal arthritis later in life. Furthermore, dogs use their dewclaws for gripping and climbing (watch this video if you don't believe me!). Dewclaw removal has become a thing of the past among many show and field breeders. As long as the dewclaws are routinely trimmed along with the other claws, they are no more likely to be injured than the four other claws on a dog's paw. So we leave them how God intended!
Many Flair Creek Labs have a little white spot on their chest. Does this mean they are not purebred?
Contrary to what some uneducated folks will say, a white spot/patch on the chest is completely normal and acceptable in the breed. Long story short: the Labrador Retriever was developed in the 1800s by crossing a few different breeds; a major contributor being the St. John's Water Dog (now extinct) which often had a white patch on the chest and white "bolo marks" on the paws. Those genes live on today in the modern Labrador, with small white markings popping up quite frequently in some bloodlines. White chest and paw markings are absolutely acceptable according to the AKC. In fact, any white patch under 4" or so is permissible in the show ring! Obviously we try not to perpetuate too much white in our lines, but I won't overlook a nice puppy just because they have a small white marking. If a pup is born with a white patch on the chest, it will often become less noticeable with age, but usually won't completely go away. It's another cute thing that makes each pup unique!
We proudly raise well-bred, AKC breed standard Labrador Retrievers. In my opinion, "English Lab" has become a backyard breeder term for an overly large, purposeless Lab with a head reminiscent of a Rottweiler. Instead of that, we strive for a beautiful, functional dog who is structurally and temperamentally sound, with those characteristic Labrador features such as the kind eyes, soft expression, strong front and rear, substantial bone and paws, dense water-resistant double coat, and a distinctive otter tail. So long story short, we don't feel our Labs fall into either the "English" or "American" categories.
How big do your Labs get?
Our Labs fall into the AKC Standard for height and weight. Our females tend to weigh between 60-75lbs and stand roughly 21"-22" at the shoulder. Our males will be closer to 70-90lbs and stand 22"-24" at the shoulder. They are generally shorter and stockier than the backyard bred Labs that most people are used to seeing.
What is a fox red Lab?
Fox red is a term for a shade of very dark yellow Lab. Yellow Labs come in a range of colors from dark red to almost white, all of which have the same basic color genotype. Believe it or not, fox red is actually quite close to the original "shade" of yellow Lab. This darker shade became more rare when the "white" shade of yellow became a fad. A few great breeders preserved the fox red shade in their lines here in the USA such as Dr. Pam Doubek (Penara Labs), Judy McCormick (Keepsake Labradors), and Sally Kelly (Kelleygreen Labradors). All of the fox red Labradors of today trace back to a select few dogs. Read more about fox red history here: penara.com/fox-red-history.html
Is there a difference in temperament or trainability between males & females?
In this breed, there should be no difference in temperament or trainability between the males and females. Structural differences are the main things you will notice (males tend to get bigger & blockier, and females tend to be a little bit smaller and more feminine). Contrary to popular belief, both sexes will hump things (especially if left intact), but this behavior is easily mitigated with proper training and socialization.
Do you remove dew claws?
Nope. There is evidence that removal of dewclaws in puppies is associated with carpal arthritis later in life. Furthermore, dogs use their dewclaws for gripping and climbing (watch this video if you don't believe me!). Dewclaw removal has become a thing of the past among many show and field breeders. As long as the dewclaws are routinely trimmed along with the other claws, they are no more likely to be injured than the four other claws on a dog's paw. So we leave them how God intended!
Many Flair Creek Labs have a little white spot on their chest. Does this mean they are not purebred?
Contrary to what some uneducated folks will say, a white spot/patch on the chest is completely normal and acceptable in the breed. Long story short: the Labrador Retriever was developed in the 1800s by crossing a few different breeds; a major contributor being the St. John's Water Dog (now extinct) which often had a white patch on the chest and white "bolo marks" on the paws. Those genes live on today in the modern Labrador, with small white markings popping up quite frequently in some bloodlines. White chest and paw markings are absolutely acceptable according to the AKC. In fact, any white patch under 4" or so is permissible in the show ring! Obviously we try not to perpetuate too much white in our lines, but I won't overlook a nice puppy just because they have a small white marking. If a pup is born with a white patch on the chest, it will often become less noticeable with age, but usually won't completely go away. It's another cute thing that makes each pup unique!
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Above: Purdy at 8 weeks & 18 months. Notice the white chest got significantly smaller compared to body size. This is what tends to happen as they grow.
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