Puppy FAQs

Is a Labrador right for me?

There are lots of reasons why labs make great pets—they are friendly, enthusiastic, and make great companions. In fact, a majority of lab owners decide to own nothing else. But lots of labs also end up in the pound when they hit 6 months or so. So before you decide on getting a lab, its important to consider all the reasons why a lab might not be the right dog for you.

LABS NEED A LOT OF EXERCISE...
Labs have almost endless energy, and if they don't get enough exercise, they are quick to become destructive--chewing on everything in site. Be prepared for lots of long walks and games!

LABS NEED A LOT OF ATTENTION...
Labs love people. Your lab is going to want to be with you all the time. Labs are not going to want to be left alone outside, nor will they want to be alone all day while you are at work. When you are home, they will want to be close to you...and they will want to play all the time. If you get a lab, you will be the puppy's whole world.

LABS NEED TRAINING...
Labradors are very intelligent. With the right training, they can be a real joy--their intelligence makes them great guide dogs and detectives. Without training, though, their endless energy is likely to get them into trouble. And remember, labs are big--anywhere from 60-90lbs standard--so what is cute as a puppy may not be so cute when the dog is full grown. Labs are notorious at jumping up and at mouthing, so you'll particularly want training that focuses on these two aspects.

LABS LIKE TO CHEW, CHEW, CHEW...
Labs were bred to hold things in their mouths. They have strong jaws, and they like to use them. All lab puppies are chewers, and bored lab puppies are monster chewers. And furniture, books, papers, electrical cords etc. are all easy targets.

LABS ARE NOT THE BEST WATCH DOGS...
Labs love people. They are great in that they adore meeting new people and new dogs. Everyone is a friend to them. But because they are so friendly, they don't always make the best watch dogs (although most will defend their owners if they sense real danger). Labs are also prone to following any stranger who happens by....so they can be difficult off-leash.

LABS LOVE MUD AND DIRT...
Labs were bred to be water dogs, and most love nothing more than to be in the water--whether its a crystal clear stream or a mucky puddle. Be prepared for wet dog smell! Also, labs adore finding something nice and stinky to roll all over in. Also, although labs are a short haired breed, they are still *big* shedders. Most lab owners report that they need to vacuum almost daily to deal with all the hair!

Back to Questions

What colors/sexes do you have available?

Our most recent litter produced a total of 10 puppies. We do not currently have any available, as they have all been placed with their new homes.
If you're interested in future litters, please contact us for more information.

Jasmine is a yellow lab, who was bred to a chocolate lab. So did we get blacks and chocolates? See a color chart (and additional links) showing how Labrador coat color is determined!

Back to Questions

How much do puppies cost?

Our puppies cost $550 (Blacks) and $600 (Chocolates) which includes a required $100 non-refundable deposit to secure your pup. But as the Puppy Patch is preparing to move, we are offering a special "Pre-Move" discount of $150 off of the original purchase prices (reducing the total purchase prices to $400 for the black pups and $450 for the chocolates. However, as any dog owner knows, the cost of owning a puppy isn't just the initial price you pay when bringing him or her home. There are other costs to consider before you decide to purchase a new family pet...

What else should be considered while shopping for a pup? There is nothing wrong with shopping around for the best buy... but low prices (or high prices for that matter) don't mean the best deal. The worst place to purchase a pet is from a mall pet store, where their health is usually poor and the prices - many times ridiculous. Saying that... the wrong breeders can sometimes be just as bad - when you consider those who undercut prices in order to make a quick sale. Their usual philosophy is quantity rather than quality, and they accomplish this with mass production and cutting important corners. Be sure to choose a breeder that has given careful consideration to the betterment of the breed, and for the love of the animals and the role they play in the homes they go to. At the minimum, make sure their hips have been certified, just to help guard against the physical, emotional (and financial) pain of an effected family pet later on.

Our best suggestion to prospective puppy owners is to study all aspects of a breeder paying particular attention to the dogs that are kept on the premises, the appearance of them (cleanliness, health, disposition), the environment in which they are kept. Of greater importance is the appearance of the dam of the litter (it is normal for the dam to sometimes lose her coat while caring for a litter, but she should not look weak, malnourished, or ill in any other way). Finally, make sure BOTH PARENTS have been checked for hip dysplasia and have been certified by the OFA to protect you and your pet

Why do Puppy Patch Puppies cost more than some others? It's an easy answer really. We put a great deal of investment (both time and money) into every one of our puppies and their parents. Before puppies even arrive, great care is taken in assuring they will be free from health and genetic defects typical of purebred lines. We also go to great lengths in seeking out the perfect sires for our litters, only hiring the services of those who have notable achievements in the hunting or show rings and who have proven to deliver desirable traits to their pups.

Our female, Jasmine, is the offspring of a very accomplished Labrador who is taking the show ring by storm! (Read more about her background on Mom's Page). Our sire for this litter has also taken many top honors including a the 2006 Championship win at the Illinois Upland Flusher's Top Gun Division. (Read more about his background on Dad's Page). Both our female and the sire have been checked and certified against hip and elbow dysplasia - a NECESSARY for anyone looking to purchase a Labrador. Both were evaluated as "Excellent" - the highest of the seven grades given by the Orthopedic Foundation of Animals (OFA). Additionally, we have checked against hereditary blood diseases and Jasmine will soon receive her Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) evaluation to ensure against heritable eye diseases.

On top of all of this attention to detail, there is still so much more that goes into raising each and every puppy that graces our home. Our puppies and their owners are seen as an extension of our family - and even have received special surprises to remind them how much we care! For more information, contact us to set up a visit and see the difference!

Why should you stress health and quality over price? An average Labrador's life span is 10-11 years and you can be sure that skimping on quality in the beginning may only cost you more down the road, both financially and emotionally. Considering general good health, here is a preliminary estimate of general puppy costs of a pet (not intended for breeding) over the first year or two...

Basic Veterinary Costs (an estimate) :

Age

Procedure

Cost

5 weeks

Parvo Vaccine

Courtesy of Breeder

6 weeks

Puppy Shot- DA2PP+CVK/wormer/Heartworm preventive

Courtesy of Breeder

7 weeks

Kennel Cough Vaccine-Intra Trac II/ Eye examination

Courtesy of Breeder

8 weeks

Puppy Shot/wormer

Courtesy of Breeder

8 weeks -
6 months old

Various vaccinations and boosters (Distemper, Parvo, Hepatitis, Rabies, Bordetella, Lyme, Leptospirosis, etc.)

$100 - $200 total

6 months

Rabies vaccine, spaying/neutering

$130.00

Yearly

Rabies Booster (at 18 months then every 1, 2 or 3 yrs depending on vaccine used)

$30.00

Rabies license with local animal authority

$15.00-30.00

Heartworm testing, Heartworm preventative medication

$78.00

* This list includes the average veterinarian examination fees and indicates the average costs for suggested preventive immunizations. Some are required, while others are not. These are only estimates based on the average vaccination schedule. See your vet for specific recommendations, costs and appropriate timeline.

DON'T FORGET... Other Miscellaneous Costs:

	Yearly food costs (at $20 month) total $240.00
	Supplies (crate, leashes, dishes, flea/tick preventives, grooming, etc.) $150.00 plus.
	Occasional kenneling during travel or vacation $15-25 per day avg.

Back to Questions

When can I take my new puppy home?

Our puppies are ready to go home with you when they reach 8 weeks old. If vacation or travel plans conflict, we would be happy to keep your pup a few days extra to make it an easier transition and to keep your pup safe. We would hate to see any puppies left behind!

Our current litter will be available to go to their new homes around weekend of July 11-13th.

Back to Questions

What should I have when I bring it home?

There are many things that will help ease the transition with a new puppy. We recommend having the following items handy:

	Crate with Comfy Pad in it
	Puppy Food (find out what the breeder is feeding the pups, and get the same...you can slowly transition the puppy to a new food if desired, but should start on the same food)
	Food and Water Dishes (preferably ones that are not easy to tip over or chew!)
	Treats (or use food as treats)
	Veterinarian (make sure you have identified a vet, and make an appointment to bring the puppy in for a check-up within the first few days)
	Emergency Treatment Center Information (your vet's office may not be open 24hrs. Be sure you have the number of a 24-hour treatment center for emergencies)
	Brush and/or Comb for Grooming
	Puppy Shampoo/Soap
	Toothpaste
	Toenail Clipper
	Collar, leash, and ID Tag
	Toys (we especially recommend durable toys that stand up to tough chewers)
	Bitter Apple — a spray for keeping dogs from chewing on objects
	Poop bags for cleanup
	Cleaning supplies for toilet training accidents
	Seat Belt, Harness, or Crate for car-safe travel