Interview with Stormy C Labradors

How did you first get involved in Labrador Retrievers?

I have had a Labrador since I was 6 months old. As a teenager we had a Labrador who was purchased from a BYB. She was diagnosed with kidney disease and the breeder would not guarantee her or help us. She died at 2 years old after 2 month of dialysis. Our next Labrador was purchased also from a BYB, and she is VERY dog aggressive and now at age 9 she is crippled by severe hip dysplasia. When I graduated from college I decided that I wanted to show and breed Labradors who are healthy, have the proper Labrador temperament and meet the standard of what a Labrador should look like.

What was the most appealing part of Labs?

Their unconditional love, their willingness to please and their goofy fun-loving personality

What were the drawbacks to Labs?

They shed, they require moderate exercise, they are over 60 pounds, they do have risks even with the best researched breedings of having HD, ED, epilepsy, EIC etc

Would you recommend Labs to the novice dog owner?

Yes, BUT proper education and training is required for any novice.

What are the known problems in the breed?

HD, ED, PRA, EIC, TVD, epilepsy, and occasional temperament issues when care is not taken in breedings such as hyperactivity or dog aggressive. Allergies (ear, skin) can also be an issue in labs.

What are you (and other breeders) doing to help with those problems?

We do health clearances BEFORE dogs are bred ie OFA, Penn hip, Optigen, cardiac clearances, EIC testing. As far as temperament, I start researching breedings 1 year in advance to pick the VERY BEST stud for my bitch.

Sadly there are pet stores/backyard breeders nearly everywhere now, you do you get people to understand about the quality of your dogs compared to those?

I explain first off the poor conditions that these dogs are raised in. I talk about the health clearances that I perform and the activities we do with our dogs. I explain my goal is not to "produce puppies" but with every breeding we have a mission to keep at least one puppy to continue our hobby in showing and to continue our bloodlines. BYB and PM breed for money. I have yet to make a dime off my hobby of breeding and showing Labradors

What added problems are seen in the backyard bred/pet store dogs that are not in well bred dogs?

PM/BYB dogs tend to be hyperactive, higher incidence of parasites, disease, and genetic disorders such as HD. These dogs tend to fear people as they were not raised in the proper environment. They typically look nothing of what the Labrador standard states a Labrador should look like.

Do you recommend Labs to people with children of all ages?

It depends on the Labrador. I have placed wonderful retired adults with families with very small children because I knew the dog. I tend not to recommend a small lab puppy for people with children under the age of 5 because small puppies can be rough with small children, especially if the parents do not supervise.

What type of excercise schedule to you recommend for Labs?

As small puppies, over exercise can be a huge risk to their joints. NEVER force a small puppy to take a mile walk. they should be able to free play in the back yard, and will self limit themselves. An older dog should go on walks daily, as labs tend to become over weight

What type of feeding do you recommend for Labs?

I recommend high quality kibble such as Proplan, I recommend feeding puppies 3 times a day, adults twice a day.

When selling a puppy, how do you decide on the sale price?

I factor in the expenses it has taken me to clear the dog to be bred (health clearances are very expensive), I consider the stud fee, and what the market is like in my area compared to other ethical breeders.

What is your greatest expense with your dogs?

The health clearances and reproductive/post whelp care. I do not hold back in spoiling my puppies!

Would you recommend Labs to people with other animals?

Yes but only under supervision.

Would you recommend Labs to someone without a fenced in yard?

I prefer and request families to have a fenced in yard and if not, they need to explain to me what their plan is to properly exercise their dog.

What is the best way to keep your Labs coat looking great ?

HEALTHY FOOD. Labs are pretty easy!

When your dogs have finished with their show career and are no longer being bred, what do you do with them ?

They retire and either are placed in a pet home or stay here as our family member.

What measures do you take to screen potential puppy buyers?

First I do a questionnaire, THEN I invite the people to my home and I conduct a informal interview so the family can be comfortable in their choice in us as a breeder and vise versa.