All of our breeding stock have OFA and/or Penn Hip and CERF clearances
Welcome to Startop Labs We are a small hobby kennel (not a commercial facility) located in the beautiful Adirondack Region of NY State. We are about 2 hours from the NY/NJ border
We raise and show quality English Labrador Retrievers. I am very proud of how far we have come in our 15 years of involvement in this breed. We strive to produce correct temperament, health and conformation. by carefully selecting and breeding only dogs that fit into the Labrador standard as set forth by the National Labrador Retriever Club. We breed each litter with the intent to keep a puppy for ourselves to show, and with the goal of improving the breed, and our lines.
Puppies are raised inside our home. They are born upstairs in a bedroom
where they remain until about 3-4 weeks of age. Then the pups are moved into
a larger area downstairs in our dining room. There they get maximum
exposure to daily activities and socialization. We are very proud of how
well socialized our puppies are when they go their new families at 8 weeks
of age. All puppies will have received their first shots, have been wormed
at least 3 times, and will have been seen by our veterinarian for a health
exam prior to going to their new homes. Startop Labradors provides a written
guarantee for health and temperament to all adopting families so you are
assured of a happy, healthy addition to your family. We obtain health
clearances for all of our breeding stock including but not limited to hips, elbows
& eyes. All breeding dogs are certified clear of radiographic evidence of
dysplasia through the
*OFA or
*Penn
Hip
programs. Eyes
are certified free of genetic defect though
*CERF
program. We provide copies of the parents clearances in addition to a
4-generation pedigree to adopting families for their records.
What Happens
Now?
Non-refundable deposits are accepted from approved homes on litters once they are born.
Selection of your puppy will be made by me based on the information
you provide me with. I have spent 8 weeks
with them and will be able to make the best match to suite your
lifestyle, goals and interests; See
"Puppy
Selection Process".
This is why it is important for all applicants to fill out our "Puppy
Questionnaire" as thoroughly as possible so that we can get
to you know better.
If anyone ever comes on pick up day and feels that this is not the right puppy for their family, or they are dissatisfied with the puppy in any way, I will gladly refund their deposit with no further obligation. I will not place any of my puppies into a home where they are not totally wanted and adored.
Puppy visits are welcome only after the age of 6 weeks. That is when the litter will have received the first set of their vaccinations. It would not be responsible for me to allow strangers into our home and possibly expose young, unvaccinated puppies to numerous potentially deadly diseases. Anyone could unwittingly walk in carrying on their shoes a virus or parasite that could end up causing our pups illness or even death. So I hope it is understandable why I do not allow visitors until pups are vaccinated.
Visits with our adult dogs are always welcomed!!
Startop places pups in pre-approved adoptive homes on non-breeding
contracts that may only be removed with proof of OFA and CERF
clearances. I will consider doing this provided they have obtained their Championship (or
Championship points) in at least one of the conformation / hunting /
obedience titles and I, as the Breeder, feel that the Labrador
community would benefit from the assets this dog has to contribute to
the breed. It must be shown that adequate knowledge and facilities
exist to breed and raise a litter. We must ensure said dogs are sound
in conformation and temperament and are suitable for breeding in order to protect the integrity of the
breed. The discretion and final decision is ours.
Startop will replace any pup or dog sold by us which is certified by the OFA to have lifestyle altering Hip or Elbow Dysplasia (with Bi-Lateral DJD) stemming from genetic, not environmental cause for up to 26 months of age, or who develops *PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) before the age of 26 months. This guarantee is valid providing your dog has not been altered (spayed or neutered) prior to reaching 9 months of age.
Another question that often comes up is "Do we remove dew claws?" Our answer is "No, we do not". We feel that this practice is both cruel and unnecessary, therefore we will not take part in it. There is veterinarian documented evidence that removing dew claws can cause undo strain on carpal joints resulting in early arthritic changes. Please see this link...
A Word About "Show Breeders" vs. "Backyard Breeders"
The majority of our puppies are sold on *AKC Limited Registration to approved pet homes only. Show prospect puppies are generally kept here but if sold, go on a co-ownership agreement unless otherwise agreed upon.
Often perspective adopters specify that they "are only looking for a pet". So I thought I'd share my thoughts on this subject to help in understanding what a "show breeder" is all about.
There seems to be common misconception among pet buyers that "show breeders" produce only "show dogs" and so they may move on in their search for a puppy thinking that a "show bred puppy" will be too expensive or have additional requirements they are not interested in full filling. This is really not the case. Truthfully, a "show breeder" considers themselves very lucky when one or two pups in any given litter shows potential as a show prospect. Generally, we will keep these pups for ourselves - as that is most likely what our intention was when breeding the litter. The remainder of the litter will then be placed into approved pet homes on a spay/neuter contract. The prices are very compatible with the "backyard breeders" (who often charge more or the same for less quality!).
Do not be fooled by breeders who tout their dogs to have "show pedigrees" or "champion pedigrees" but have never themselves been active in the show ring. These breeders are trying to make money from someone else's hard earned accomplishments without putting any time, effort, money or knowledge into it themselves. Anyone can breed a dog, not everyone can breed a quality dog. To us, showing our dogs is our way of proving the quality of our breeding program.
Buying a puppy from a breeder who shows generally means that you are getting a high quality, sound, correct Labrador, who looks like it should according to the breed standard. A breeder who shows their dogs is putting their stock up to be evaluated by experts. A breeder who shows is a breeder who is trying to produce the best specimen possible so that they can be competitive in their sport. They know their pedigrees and the pedigrees of other quality dogs because they are acquainted with other "show breeders" who are trying to do the same thing.
It is impossible for a "backyard breeder" to acquire the knowledge it takes to breed correct, sound stock if they are not are putting it up against others for evaluation and meeting others in their breed that may be able to share specific knowledge with them that they never would have known about otherwise.
Word to the wise: Beware of the breeder who does not participate in some sort of competition with their dogs. They are most likely not very educated about what they are breeding and are more than likely doing it for the money. These types of breeders are the ones most likely to produce health problems time and time again for lack of knowledge about what they are working with. They also, more than likely, did not start out with good quality stock because a reputable breeder is less than anxious to allow their pedigrees to end up in a backyard breeders kennel.
It is our duty to breed responsibly, and this means....
* using high quality breeding stock that have been temperament tested,
are loving, and beautiful specimens, certified free of dysplasia and
other common genetic abnormalities.
* placing puppies with families that have been approved only after being
interviewed at length, and have demonstrated a willingness and ability
to raise a member of this noble breed in a healthy, nurturing
environment.
*
offering complete follow-up and lifelong support for all puppies
produced
* implementing non-breeding agreements to pet-homes (limited
registration) including in our contract the stipulation that the dog
will be spayed or neutered and not be used for breeding.
* assisting families that are interested in pursuing events especially
designed for retrievers by recommendations for training and classes,
clubs and associations as well as guidance to get started.
Helpful Steps to take when reviewing breeding programs in
search of a new companion ...
As in any profession, there are those in purebred dog breeding that act
with integrity and those that simply conduct themselves in a manner
unbecoming. *Be extremely wary of the information you obtain. Much of
what you read is opinion, and often not informed opinion. Some is even
blatantly incorrect. In the highly competitive landscape that is
purebred dog breeding/showing/trialing etc. do your homework for best
results. *The best breeders are well thought of in a circle of their
peers and are exhibitors in their breed and members in good standing in
one or more dog clubs. Get in contact
with the club most reputable breeders belong to in their area and ask
for a professional referral. *Research a variety of breeds to find the
one that best suits your family and lifestyle. *Talk to people you know
or meet that own the sort of dog you admire. Find out where they
acquired him or her, and how happy they are with their pet and breeder.
*Visit websites, club affiliations, attend shows and trials, see the
dogs, read and hear testimonials and get info from a variety of sources
before committing. Judge for yourself to avoid disappointment.
Good Luck!
Member National Labrador Retriever Club
American Kennel Club Inspected
NY State Licensed and Inspected
# PD00619
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