HEALTH TESTINGS AND DOUBLE CHECKING!
Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC) is a serious genetic condition that affects some dogs, causing them to collapse and lose control of their back legs during exercise. As responsible breeders, we use the EIC Gene test to ensure our puppies will never be affected. At a minimum, we make sure that one parent is EIC Clear, which guarantees that our puppies are free from this devastating condition.

Sadly, we’ve encountered breeders who falsely claim to have all health clearances. Always ask for proof of clearances and verify it. We make it easy for you by linking all of our dogs' health clearances directly to their official OFA pages. The OFA is the authority on health clearances, and if the tests are legitimate, they will be listed there. (Exception, dogs from outside the USA would not be listed on there unless retested in the USA). Here is the link to the OFA website.

Before reaching out, please take a moment to review our puppy placement procedure, FAQ page, and contract/guarantee. We also highly encourage you to look at these resources whether you’re considering a puppy from us or another breeder. Make sure you're choosing a reputable breeder who prioritizes your puppy’s health!

Male vs Female

There are often no major personality differences between male and female Labradors, both are incredibly friendly, affectionate, and make wonderful family companions. However, there are a few subtle differences in behavior and physical traits that may influence your decision. To sum it up:

A female tends to say “Love me,” while a male says “I love you.”

Physical Differences:
Males are typically a bit bigger than females—generally 1 to 2 inches taller and 15-20 lbs heavier. However, size can vary, and there are some males that are smaller and some females that are larger.

Personality Differences:
It’s common for people to believe that females are “sweeter” and make better family pets, but this is not always the case. I’ve personally raised both males and females and have found that both genders make excellent companions. Many people who have gotten puppies from us are happy with either sex as a family pet. The bond you’ll share with your dog depends more on the individual puppy than on gender.

While hormones do affect behavior, neutering or spaying helps lessen the impact. Both male and female Labradors make great hunting partners if trained properly. They love being out in the field, working alongside you!

Female Labradors:
Females tend to be a bit more independent, often more reserved, and can sometimes be more territorial. They do tend to mature faster than males, which can result in faster learning and earlier success in training. However, they may be more prone to urinary tract infections due to their anatomy. Spaying after their first heat cycle can help mitigate this risk.

Male Labradors:
Males tend to be more affectionate and energetic. They’re usually very food-motivated and enjoy being attentive and playful. However, they may show more protective behavior over their belongings, which can be addressed through neutering. Neutering tends to be less expensive and involves a quicker recovery than spaying.

Ultimately, gender isn’t the most important factor. Whether you choose a male or female, it’s about finding the puppy that fits your family. Every Labrador has its own unique personality, and either gender will bring joy, love, and loyalty into your home!

Puppy Litter Difference:

When you’re looking at a litter of puppies, you might notice some will be more outgoing, eager to explore new things, and quick to adapt to new environments. Others may be more reserved, carefully assessing situations before jumping in. For those without breeding experience, it can be hard to identify these traits early on. That’s where the breeder’s expertise comes in—after all, who knows the puppies better than their breeder and their mother?

We spend a great deal of time with each of our dogs, giving them individual attention while also allowing for group playtime. We take the time to understand their personalities, noting things like who’s the first to open their eyes, who’s the first to walk, and who’s most eager to explore. As they grow older, we observe who’s the most adventurous, who might need a little more encouragement, and who feels more comfortable with others around them.

This careful observation, combined with our extensive temperament testing, helps us match the right puppy to your family. We’re passionate about the puppies we raise, and we want to ensure they find the best homes. These pups are our pride and joy, and we’re thrilled to see them become a cherished part of your family. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you make the best choice!

Our puppy placement philosophy:

Every puppy has it's own personality and individual abilities and/or attributes. Some will make fine family companions while others are geared to be active conformation, hunting or competition dogs. For these reasons, we carefully evaluate all the puppies and match up what we think will be the best fit based on what the owner is looking to do with the dog. This makes for a better fit with owner & puppy and leads to a happy home for everyone. Litter pick positions will assure that a puppy will be available to you. All client preferences are given serious consideration before final selections are determined. If you read all of this and would still like to “choose” your own puppy, please call me to discuss this option but it must be in your deposit contract. (920)324-8858.

It's very important that the right puppy be matched up with the right family. This is, we hope, a 12-14 year commitment for pup and new family, it is critical that we do our best to assure a good start! As the breeders and "first family" of the pups, we carefully observe and monitor the pups' behavior within their litter and with their mothers. We test our puppies’ personalities using an Extensive Temperment Test Structure. This means the pups are tested on many different levels as well as on their core response to many things. Pups are introduced to birds, wings, distant shot and water. Puppies leave for their new homes at 8 weeks of age and will have had their first shot (if needed based on dam's titer test) and been dewormed. They are active and well socialized by the time they leave us.

We ask you what you are looking for in a pup -- the more you share about your lifestyle and wants, the better we can do to make the right match. Our pups are adopted into their new families according to what you tell us you want them for and what your expectations are.

All Neverest Labradors pet puppies are sold with an AKC Limited Registration. This is just one way that the AKC and good breeders can fight against overpopulation and irresponsible breeding.

Once you've completed your homework on the Labrador Retriever and decided that it's the right breed for you and that you desire one from Neverest Labradors, reservations are advised as deposits are often placed well in advance. You may reserve a pup from a specific litter by sending a non-refundable deposit. Note: Neverest Labradors does reserve the right to refuse the placement of a puppy into any home that they feel, for any reason, is not a good fit for that puppy. In the case that a puppy placement is refused, any deposit would be refunded at the time this decision was made.

Having had years of experience with Labrador Retrievers, we feel very confident in our selection process. An experienced and knowledgeable breeder should be able to go over a litter of puppies at 7-8 weeks of age and easily see the differences among the puppies and pick them out accordingly. We use colored collars to help us in the sorting process.

When searching for a breeder to buy from, always ask if the litter parents have had hips and elbows certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and eyes certified by Purdue Universities, Canine Eye Research Foundation (CERF). Ask about the parents and the purpose of the breeding.

We also reserve the right on any breeding that hasn’t yet taken place to change stud dogs if necessary. We will make every effort to make contact with you to discuss this change before hand but reserve the right to if necessary to change the stud. You agree to trust our judgement. Deposits will not be refundable but could be transferred to a new litter if you were not okay with the new stud dog. We also reserve the right to keep first pick of each color and sex for the future of our breeding program.

Choosing Your Perfect Puppy: What You Need to Know

This page is designed to guide you in your search for the right puppy, whether from us or another breeder. One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a puppy is its pedigree and health clearances. While many breeders may advertise “Champion Bloodlines,” it’s crucial to understand what that really means and why it’s important for you as a future puppy owner. Here’s our explanation:

Conformation Titles:

1. Am Ch (American Champion)
   Awarded by the AKC (American Kennel Club). A dog needs 15 points, with at least 6 being "majors" (requiring a certain number of dogs to be beaten). Only one male and one female get points per show, so being the best in the class is key.

2. Can Ch (Canadian Champion)
   Awarded by the CKC (Canadian Kennel Club). Similar to the AKC title but typically involves fewer dogs in the competition.

3. U Ch (United Champion)
   Awarded by the UKC (United Kennel Club). This title requires one dog of each sex to be competing. Once earned, the dog can compete for the GRCH (Grand United Champion), which requires more dogs to be beaten.

4. International Titles (UK CH, FINCH, SUCH)
   These titles come from different countries and may require the dog to show both conformation and working ability (e.g., retrieving birds).

Working Titles:

1. WC (Working Certificate)
   Awarded by a club for a dog that successfully retrieves a duck on land and water twice. This tests the dog’s working ability.

2. WCX or AWC (Advanced Working Certificate)
   A more challenging version of the WC, requiring a double retrieve or back-to-back retrieves with better discipline and manners.

3. JH, SH, MH (Junior Hunter, Senior Hunter, Master Hunter)
   These are progressive hunt test titles awarded by the AKC, with MH being the highest and most challenging. Only a few dogs have earned both Champion and Master Hunter titles.

4. FC, AFC (Field Champion, Amateur Field Champion)
   These are titles earned in field trials (by the AKC) and assess a dog’s drive and focus, often requiring more competition and agility than regular hunting tests.

Obedience Titles:

1. CD, CDX (Companion Dog, Companion Dog Excellent)
   These obedience titles are earned by completing specific exercises, with OTCH (Obedience Trial Champion) being the highest title.

2. Rally Titles (RN, RA, RE, RAE)
   Rally is a blend of obedience and agility, and these titles are earned based on performance in rally courses. RAE is the highest rally title.

Agility Titles:

1. NA, OA, AX, MX (Novice Agility, Open Agility, Agility Excellent, Master Agility)
   Agility titles earned by completing obstacle courses. MACH (Master Agility Champion) is the highest agility title, requiring significant time and effort to achieve.

Versatile Companion Dog Titles (VCD):

These are multi-disciplinary titles earned by excelling in multiple fields:

1. VCD1 – CD + TD + NA + NAJ

2. VCD2 – CDX + TD + OA + OAJ

3. VCD3 – UD + TDX + AX + AXJ

4. VCD4 – UDX + VST + MX + MXJ

Tracking Titles:

1. TD (Tracking Dog)
   Awarded for completing a scent-tracking test.

2. TDX (Tracking Dog Excellent)
   A more advanced tracking title.

Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and Related Titles:

1. CGC (Canine Good Citizen)
   Awarded to dogs that pass a series of behavioral tests to demonstrate good manners.

2. CGCA (Canine Good Citizen Advanced)
   A more advanced version of the CGC.

3. CGCU (Canine Good Citizen Urban)
   Focuses on urban environments, assessing a dog’s ability to handle city life.

4. TDI (Therapy Dog International)
   Certifies dogs as therapy dogs for hospital or nursing home visits.

Additional Titles:

1. TKN, TKI, TKA (Trick Dog Novice, Intermediate, Advanced)
   Awarded to dogs that can perform specific tricks, with TKA being the highest.

2. BCAT (Beginner Coursing Ability Title)
   A title earned in the sport of lure coursing.

3. FDC (Farm Dog Certified)
   Awarded for demonstrating skills useful on a farm, such as herding or assisting with other tasks.

4. Fit Dog Titles (FITB, FITS, FITG)
   These titles are for dogs that achieve certain fitness benchmarks, with FITG (Gold) being the highest.

5. Fetch Titles (FTN, FTI, FTA, FTR)
   Titles for dogs participating in fetch games with increasing difficulty, from Novice to Advanced levels.

These titles represent a wide variety of skills and achievements that showcase the versatility of dogs in different disciplines. From conformation titles assessing a dog’s physical structure to working and performance titles measuring their abilities in the field, obedience, and sports, these accomplishments highlight a dog's training, intelligence, and temperament.

Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

1. Importance of Show Titles:

   • The show titles indicate that the puppy's parents and grandparents conform to the breed standard for structure (i.e., physical appearance) and temperament. This means that the dog looks like a proper Labrador and behaves like one.

   • Show titles give a sense of reliability that the dog will have the right qualities and attributes to be considered a "true" Labrador.

2. Working Titles:

   • The working titles (like WC, JH, SH, etc.) are important because they show that the dog’s ancestors have proven abilities in the field, especially related to retrieving, hunting, and other practical skills. You don't necessarily need to see the dog in action yourself—these titles provide evidence of the dog’s working potential.

3. Obedience and Training Titles:

   • Titles like obedience, agility, and tracking show that the dog in the pedigree is trainable and intelligent. Dogs with these titles demonstrate they can be trained to follow commands, perform tricks, and excel in various types of exercises.

4. Proximity of Titles in the Pedigree:

   • It's crucial that these titles appear close to the top of the pedigree, specifically with the parents and grandparents. If titles are far back in the lineage, they are less relevant to your puppy’s genetics and abilities.

   • Some breeders may claim a champion pedigree, but if those champions are generations away, it’s not as valuable as having titled dogs close up in the line.

5. Health Clearances:

   • Health clearances are crucial for ensuring that your puppy’s parents are healthy, as genetic health issues can pass down to the puppies. The message emphasizes these key tests:

     • OFA Hip and Elbow Clearances: To check for joint issues like hip and elbow dysplasia.

     • CERF (Canine Eye Registry Foundation): To ensure that the parents don’t have hereditary eye problems.

     • Other Health Clearances: These might include tests for things like Cardiac (for heart issues), Optigen (for Progressive Retinal Atrophy), EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse), and CNM (Centronuclear Myopathy).

   • The breeder should be able to provide proof of these clearances, and you should verify them online using the dog’s name or registration number. If you find anything suspicious, always ask the breeder for clarification.

Summary:

When looking for a Labrador puppy, it’s essential to ensure the pedigree includes dogs with show titles, working titles, and demonstrated trainability. Equally important is the health of the parents, verified by health clearances for issues like hip, elbow, eye, and genetic conditions. By prioritizing both titles and health, you're more likely to get a well-rounded and healthy dog that fits the ideal Labrador standard.

It’s always a good idea to reach out to the breeder for clarification on any doubts or concerns, as they should be open to helping you understand their breeding program and the lineage of their puppies.