All our dogs are hip and elbow scored and eye tested.

We provide the new puppy owner with a comprehensive folder containing some history of the breed and details of good puppy management.

I encourage folks who have bought a puppy from me to leave an item of clothing or an old towel or something with that persons individual smell,it is tossed in with the pups at about 7 weeks of age and the little darlings stomp all over it and play tug of war etc and generally mess about with all the different things. When they go to there new homes they take with them the smell of their mum and litter mates. It is a big thing for a pup to leave home and we have found that with most of them it helps them settle down better for the first few nights.

Never change a puppies diet when you first take him home even if your Vet and "friends" suggest it. A puppies tummy is very sensitive to change so if a change of diet is what you want it should be down the track quite a few weeks and gradually. Most Breeders put in quite a lot of time on working out the best diet ( in their opinion ) for their dogs and pups so I would suggest it makes sense to follow their advice.

Pups at our house have been sort of dragging each other around at times by the coloured ribbons around their necks. This ribbon idea is useful in two ways it not only identifies the pup someone chose but also helps when it comes to using a collar and lead with puppy. The feel of something around the neck is not completely foreign.

Pups of 8weeks are very ready willing and able to learn all sorts of things, they have to be taught what you expect of them. The best way to do this is with kindness and food reward. Never growl at your dog or shout at him, remember his hearing is a lot better and more sensitive than ours. If you don't teach him, he will decide for himself what to do and that will most likely not make you very happy.

Puppy pre-school is a good idea and is conducted by most good Vets. The pups learn to socialize with other people and other dogs and your little Labrador finds not all dogs look like him. They are taught a few basic commands that are most necessary and a pre-requisite for dog obedience classes that usually commence around 4months of age. We prefer a material lead as opposed to chain for training a young puppy. The time spent teaching a puppy is just so worth while. You will both reap the benefit from it for the rest of your life together.

A WARNING SWIMMING POOLS CAN KILL:- I have heard of so many puppies being drowned in the family pool. Lab puppies have a natural love of the water and are quite fearless. They need your

attention and guidance just as you would your children. Please be with them all the time, show them where to get in to the pool and where to get out, and make sure they can not get into the pool area

while you are away from the house.

I am an advocate for Raw food for our dogs and puppies and encourage as many folks as I can to follow that path. There are many different and interesting ways of doing things and preparing their food. My thoughts I pass on to my own puppy buyers. We have two well known Veterinarian here in Australia one is Dr Ian Billinghurst and the other Dr Bruce Syme. I have found their ideas most helpful and would suggest those who are interested to look them up and read their books and search their sites;

Dr Ian Billinghurst and Dr Bruce Syme's, Vet's All Natural. Most important of all enjoy your Labbie

A large off the ground trampolene is recommended for sleeping and naps, not a rug on a concrete or tiled floor. Slippery floors of all descriptions can cause joint and muscle damage in the legs, because the nails in the dogs paws cannot grip the surface and this puts an enormous strain on the joints.Dogs are built to run on surfaces that the nails can grip. A carpet hall runner is beneficial in this part of the house.

Jumping in and out of cars of any height should be avoided, together with excess weight remember.they are only joyful and zestful babies

The Labrador Retriever is not a skeletal breed like a greyhound for instance, they should be nicely rounded, free from boredom. with plenty of fun, games and free running, makes you both happy and healthy

Your Council can advise you on the location of beaches, parks, free running areas, and Dog Clubs to socialise your dog

PLEASE DO NOT DESEX YOUR DOG

It is most likely that your Vet will suggest that you have your dog or bitch desexed, with words like, it will settle them down and make them easier to manage. Rubbish, this is a long way from the truth, in my experience of over 40 years anyway!

Please do not desex your lovely animals, if you do they will not grow and develop as they should, both Males and Females will remain as puppies (in the head) all their lives. Why would you not want to see them develop and mature both physically and phychologically as they should, they can't if you interfere with their hormones especially too young Desexing could also cause a weight problem for your dog or bitch.