Question 1

What makes you a Responsible Breeder?

Accepted Answer

Our objective is to breed exceptional Labrador Retrievers that thrive in any setting. At Dukes Retrievers, we prioritize health and temperament, ensuring that our dogs are not only excellent companions but also healthy and well-adjusted. We aim to provide families with outstanding, friendly, and balanced pets for a lifetime. To achieve this, we focus on the qualities of our breeding dogs, ensuring that all our breeders are in optimal health. Our beautiful Labs are carefully selected for their joyful demeanor, strong drive, remarkable working abilities, and excellent trainability. Most importantly, we emphasize their overall health and genetics, allowing us to produce puppies that inherit the same desirable traits, characteristics, and vitality as their parents.

Question 2

Are your labs health tested?

Accepted Answer

As responsible and caring breeders of labrador retrievers, we ensure that all our dogs are certified by the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) and/or PennHIP. This commitment guarantees that our breeding dogs are in excellent health prior to any breeding activities, allowing us to responsibly produce the healthiest and happiest puppies, free from diseases.

X-ray examinations and screenings are conducted when our Labs reach the appropriate age—typically around 2 years for OFA and as early as 4 to 5 months for PennHIP. Additionally, we perform genetic testing on our labs, usually when they are puppies, although some may be cleared through parentage, negating the need for testing, and at other times it may coincide with their OFA or PennHIP evaluations.

While no method is infallible, conducting these tests significantly reduces uncertainty and ensures that we are fulfilling our responsibility as breeders. This approach not only helps us improve the breed but also allows us to share the joy of owning wonderful and happy golden retrievers with others.

Question 3

Do you have your puppies checked by a license board-certified Veterinarian?

Accepted Answer

YES!! We go to Dr. Adams (Best In Show), board-certified reproductive specialist, located in Cumming,Ga for any of our vet needs including 
regular vet check ups for our adult goldens
Whelping needs
Post-partum Monitoring & Neonatal Care.
Breeding needs such as AI, TCI or Surgical
Regular health checks for our puppies while with us 
A-Z Health Check before all puppies go home, making sure they are clear of any health problems before they leave us. 
Vet checks can happen as early as 4-5 weeks but usually around 8-9 weeks and most times we go multiple times from age 4 or 5 till they leave us to monitor their health making sure they are 100% healthy. At each vet check they are looking for early signs for hip or elbow dysplasia, heart murmurs, underbite or overbite, undescended testicles, worms, ear health and more. We will do their last check at least 3 days before your puppy is due to be picked up by you. Our vet clears them to go home at this time as well so that you know your are only getting a happy, healthy goldens.

Question 4

Are the puppies required to get spayed/neutered?

Accepted Answer

Here at Dukes we highly recommend all of our labs to get spayed or neutered once they are old enough. It is not healthy to have our pups altered until the dog is at the very least 18 months of age and since health is our top priority we ask and expect all of our new puppy owners to refrain from this until then. We do highly recommend waiting until the age of 2yrs; once pup's skeleton structire has full formed. The longer you can hold off the better. That of course means while your pup continues to grow you must practice common sense puppy/dog ownership and never allow your bitch in heat to get out or your intact male left along around in season bitches. Not only can this result in an unwanted and unplanned pregnancy it also can be potentially dangerous. Breeding is not  something to be taken lightly. It really can jeopardize the safety and health of your pup.

Question 5

Are your puppies up to date on vaccines?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our Retriever puppies are completely up-to-date on vaccinations, and include vaccination records. We follow Dr. Jean Dodds – Dog Vaccine Protocol.

Question 6

Is there any faults or issues that can arise in our breeding program?

Accepted Answer

I have been asked this question repeatedly over the years, and my response is always a resounding YES! It can happen to even the most experienced breeders. When we encounter any issues with our puppies, we do not simply ignore them; instead, we view them as valuable learning experiences. Our goal is to improve with each subsequent mating until we achieve the best possible outcome, as breeders are always striving for excellence. This sometimes means deciding against mating a particular pair again. Despite our years of experience, we continue to learn about the breed, their genetics, pedigrees, and traits, as well as what it truly takes to breed for perfection. Any breeder who claims to know everything due to their experience is likely not being truthful with you or themselves. I would advise caution with such individuals, as even the most knowledgeable breeders are still on a learning journey, which is a positive aspect. For you as a prospective puppy buyer, this means that your breeder is committed to ensuring that the puppy you receive is the best possible match for you, and you can trust that your puppy will be as healthy as possible.

Question 7

Are your litters registered with a recognized kennel club like AKC?

Accepted Answer

All of our Labrador Retrievers are registered with the AKC -American Kennel Club- which is the registration of choice for many well bred canines and used by all responsibly breeders, however some if not most of our labs are also dual registered with other amazing kennel clubs like FCI or UKC as well. This is due to a number of reasons, such as being imported and or competing in other club events like conformation or field work in UKC.  Which means all of our litters are able to be registered with the kennel clubs their parents are registered to.

Question 8

Do the puppies come potty-trained?

Accepted Answer

While our puppies do not come fully potty-trained, they start their training at a very young age to use litter pans, doggie doors and to use the restroom outdoors . Most of our new owners say that the transition to their new environment is easy and the training they did have went a long way and most have had only a few accidents if any.  We give each and every one of our pups the very best start in life which in turns makes transitioning to their new homes much much more easier and pleasant for all involved.

Question 9

How can I reserve a dog?

Accepted Answer

Before you can reserve a DR puppy you first have to go through our "Approval Process" Before anyone can add a DR puppy to their family you have to submit your puppy questionnaire and get approved.

Question 10

How does the Approval process work?

Accepted Answer

If you are looking for a Labrador, have done all your research and decided to get one from DR, your next step is completing the puppy questionnaire to start the process to become an "approved home"

Once your questionnaire has been received and reviewed we will reach back out to you to set up an phone interview with you.

We interview all of our applicants to ensure our puppies will be going to great homes! Of course want to ensure the new puppy and family are a good fit, but we must also make sure breeder and potential DR families are also a good fit. During the phone call we’ll get to know each other, ask you questions, and then answer any questions you may have for us! The approval decision will be made usually at the end of the call but sometimes if we have a lot of interviews we may need to take a day or 2 before we are able to let you know. Once you're approved if there is room you will have the ability to get onto our current list or possibly our waitlist. We can’t wait to get in contact with you!

Question 11

What is your Waitlist and how do I get on it?

Accepted Answer

This is only applies to those that have already gone through our "Approval Process" if you have not done so first please do it now.

We are pleased to offer our waiting lists as a way to reserve your spot in choosing your next DR pup when we do not have him/her already here for you. We can only offer this to a few people/families as we have no way of knowing how many puppies we will have out of each breeding or if we have any at all. To be place on our waiting list, a $500 non-refundable fee is required to hold your spot. Everyone on this list will have first choice in any upcoming litters before we open to the public and if you choose at that time to get a current pup being offered your waiting list fee goes towards the the "Holding Fee" require to hold your puppy "pick" on our "current available list"; of course all monies collected goes towards the purchase price of pup. Contact us to reserve your spot.

Question 12

When can I take my puppy home?

Accepted Answer

The earliest any pup can go home is 8weeks and that's Georgia Law. However here at DR our Puppies are typically available between to go home around 9-10 weeks sometimes longer if we feel they need to stay.

Question 13

I've seen very destructive puppies, will that happen to me?

Accepted Answer

We all must understand that until your pup is about 2yrs old they are like babies and require us to be consistent and some needing a more active family than other or you may see this built up energy being released in other ways like tearing up a house, ripping up the yard, and bolting out the door. This is why we test our labs and then matching them to their families lifestyle, of course this is not full proof but its a great tool we use to guide us in helping you all make this decision with the goal to keep this from ever happening.

Puppies are not toys and they do require you to put in the work needed to make this cute, loving balls of fur into the obedient, well-mannered, and well-behaved labs we are all looking for in our four legged companion. Yes, here atDR we do start training early and lay a great foundation for you to build off of but you still need to put in the work and make sure your puppy continues with the proper training, and gets the right amount of exercise (both mind and body) that will keep them out of trouble when in your home. Always remember training a dog is forever so consistency will be your key at a well-behaved lab. Good thing for you is that goldens are super eager to please their humans and want to make them happy which means a less stressful training sessions and quick learners.

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