Our Puppy Process

First and foremost, we believe that life is precious and created by God, and we strive to treat all our puppies and dogs as God’s creation. All of our puppies are loved dearly, and we hope that when you welcome them into your home, they continue to be loved as a part of the family!

  • Before Birth

    Mom (and Dad of course) is confirmed bred with expected due date from our trusted vet. We increase her food intake and switch to a large breed puppy chow to ensure she receives all the vitamins and nutrients she needs to produce healthy puppies! Mom is usually brought back into our home to sleep in our bedroom the last few weeks of pregnancy. This helps keep mom extra relaxed and calm before birth. Starting 48 hours before her due date, she will have access to her nesting box and sleep in it nightly until the birth begins!

  • After Birth

    Puppies arrive! We closely monitor mom and babies to ensure everyone is thriving. Puppies stay with mom their full 8 weeks with us. They will begin to eat solids around 3-5 weeks old— every litter progresses differently. We start reaching out to our puppy parents to let them know of the great news!

  • Weaning

    At 7 weeks old, we begin to remove mom at night so that puppies can begin eating on their own and become used to one day leaving their mom. They are fed Purina Puppy Chow!

Puppy Care at Round Hill Retrievers

Click each section below to learn what your puppy will receive here at RHR!

Vaccinations

We administer our own vaccinations upon veterinary guidance. Your pup receives the following while under our care. They will receive vaccinations due until the age that they leave our home:

  • Spectra 5 (6 weeks): Distemper, Adenovirus I & II, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus
  • Spectra KC3 (8 weeks): Bordatella bronchiseptica, Adenovirus II, Parainfluenza
  • Spectra 9 (9 weeks, if still with us): Distemper, Adenovirus I & II, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, Leptospira canicola, Leptospira grippotyphosa, Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae, Leptospira pomona

Please note that boosters are required after puppies leave our home. A vet will schedule these appointments with you.

Deworming

All puppies are dewormed until they leave our home with the schedule below. It is extremely important to attend your required vet visit within 3 days, as they will perform a fecal exam for your specific puppy. Each puppy can pick up various worms while with mom and the litter, so the vet will be able to determine if any worms are left and continue treatment. Deworming is recommended until 12 weeks of age.

  • 2 weeks old: Durvet Liquid Wormer 2x
  • 4 weeks old: Durvet Liquid Wormer 2x
  • 6 weeks old: Safeguard
  • 8 weeks old: Safeguard
  • 10 weeks old (if still with us): Safeguard

It is normal to see worms passed if bringing home a puppy shortly after worm treatment. Worms are not cause for return. The health warranty is void if routine vet care is not followed.

Feed

Our puppies are fed 3 times per day until 6 weeks old, and then 2 times per day after 6 weeks old.

All puppies are fed Purina Puppy Chow and have access to mom’s milk until 8 weeks old.

Our veterinary recommends keeping on this feed for at least six months and then switching to Purina Large Breed Puppy Chow until one year old.

Training

While we are unable to train each individual puppy, our pups receive some basic exposure and training. We have received wonderful reviews on all of our puppies’ dispositions!

  • Basic crate training: Our puppies live with mom until they show signs of eating on their own. We then begin to pull mom away for an hour per day and slowly increase that time. By 7 weeks, mom sleeps in her own crate at night. Puppies will receive time in a crate on their own as well to expose them to crate training.
  • Basic potty training: Using puppy pads and shavings, our puppies begin to use the potty are as early as 4 weeks old. By five weeks old, we begin trips outside on a regular basis.
  • Socialization: Puppies are able to see goats, chickens, ducks, and cows at our property. They also interact with our children and our other dogs. After 4 weeks old, they get to meet everyone of all ages who comes for meet and greets!

AKC Registration

  • Limited Registration

    All dogs are sold with Limited Registration unless Full is requested and approved. Limited Registration still allows for showing and competing of your Labrador Retriever. Benefits include:

    • Official AKC certificate
    • Access to AKCRx online pharmacy with discounts
    • AKC Pet Insurance
    • Free Puppy Training Courses
    • New Puppy Guide
    • Free Vet Office Visit
    • AKC Reunite Lifetime Enrollment
    • AKC Family Dog Magazine
    • AKC Certified Pedigree
    • AKC GoodDog Helpline (24/7 hotline)

  • Full Registration

    Full Registration includes all benefits above including breeding rights. Full Registration is an additional charge, and homes must be fully approved before allowing the rights. If you want to add on Full Registration later on, we will gladly grant you the code for the additional fee.

  • Choosing AKC Breeders

    When you adopt from Round Hill Retrievers, you know that our Labrador Retrievers are purebred and from trusted lineage through the AKC program. For more information on AKC programs and competitions, visit www.akc.org

Responsible Breeders with a Purpose

We love and care for all of our puppies and adult dogs. We are registered with the AKC and believe that responsible purebred dogs are what keep the shelters empty. We breed quality dogs that many families come back for again and again. We do not let just anyone adopt— we are working on an application and currently reserve the right to refuse sale to anyone if we believe there will be issues with responsibility, affordability, housing, or other concerns. If someone can no longer keep their dog due to an extreme life change, they are able to contact us to work on finding a new home that we also approve of.

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