Labrador Retrievers of Wolfecreek Kennels

06/01/2024

Blue Ridge Beef recall

Blue Ridge Beef issues recall expansion of Blue Ridge Beef Puppy Mix due to Salmonella and Listeria Monocytogenes contamination

15/12/2023

Photos from pumpkin season.

26/11/2023

Truth, sadly some just cannot grasp this reality or they let themselves be brainwashed by animal rights/activists groups which they confuse with animal welfare groups.

Not sure who said it... would love to give credit-

23/11/2023

A reminder not to waste those Turkey organs today! Happy Thanksgiving 🦃 ❤️

Facebook Supporters and NHP Community members you have early access to 12% off everything at https://drjudymorgan.com! 💰 make sure to use your specific code so you get your free gift!

For the rest of ya, STARTING TONIGHT ⏰ get 12% off the entire store at https://drjudymorgan.com using code DRJUDY2023

All available courses at https://www.drjudyu.com are 40% off also using code DRJUDY2023

All deals valid until 11:59pm 11/28.

A portion of all sales through 11/28 will be donated to both Laps and Naps Home for Senior Cats 🐱 and The Grey Muzzle Organization 🐶. You can also add an additional donation at checkout ❤️

20/10/2023

Who knew!

Brussels Sprouts for Pets? It’s a YES! 💯💚

Aside from sulforaphane, your pet can get an abundance of nutrients from Brussels sprouts, such as vitamins C, K and A, as well as lutein and zeaxanthin. ⭐ These nutrients may help boost immune response, maintain good eyesight and lower the risk of excessive bleeding in pets. ✅

📌 You can feed your pet raw or gently cooked/steamed Brussels sprouts, sliced into bite-sized pieces.

Learn more about Brussels sprouts for pets here: https://bit.ly/3ZR8E7z

13/10/2023

Worth listening; not very long.

Have you been giving rice to your dog? Odds are if it's every now and then your dog will be just fine, but there are some concerning studies out there that m...

09/10/2023

https://youtu.be/f6vsg183Xa0?si=F2IzWYvc-Xz5Nad_

Enjoy your FREE Cheatsheet ♡↓Dogs: https://pawsofprey.com/dogs/Cats: https://pawsofprey.com/cats/Ferrets: https://pawsofprey.com/ferrets/-------------------...

05/08/2023

Please stop using these poisons / chemicals...Cytopoint and Apoquel

https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/cytopoint-for-dogs-not-safe/?fbclid=IwAR1IgaTCQP1dV8ALSLPgjN1SPq2mvWG_-lmN4MzG4w3XmRf_fM-51HrPfXg

Cytopoint for dogs is the new wonder drug for allergies. But is it really safe? Here's a vet's explanation of why you shouldn't give Cytopoint to your dog ...

25/05/2023

Joan earned her CGC, TKN, & ATT while kennel mates Charm, Louise, Crested Anthony and AHT Martha earned the ATT title!

01/05/2023

Important information!

More reasons to be concerned about popular flea and tick products for dogs and cats. https://hemopet.org/more-concerning-news-regarding-flea-and-tick-products-for-companion-dogs-and-cats/

19/03/2023

A good read when considering whether to keep or remove dew claws.

Dewclaw removal is a common practice for many North American dog breeders and owners but questions are raised over the appropriateness of removal. Amongst our European counterparts' removal of...

25/12/2022

Merry Christmas to all Wolfecreek fans from the whole Wolfecreek pack!
(pictured are Lab Joan & CC Mona with Muddy Claus)

Carolina Mudcats Baseball Club
Muddy the Mudcat

15/10/2022

It’s pumpkin season!

07/10/2022

26/08/2022

Celebrating National Dog Day.

11/07/2022

Truth, but so many are fooled.

07/05/2022

Very good info for anyone interested in a quality dog!

Not my words but very accurate depiction of what it costs to do what we do here.

I have recently seen a few discussions on the cost of different purebred puppies. A common theme amongst these discussions is people being surprised at the cost of a well bred purebred dog. There are typically two kinds of responses to hearing these higher costs:
1. They are astounded by the price and think it is a scam or ridiculous.
2. They think you are insulting their $300 purebred by saying it is not worth as much.

No one is saying that your dog is worth less as a companion based on what you paid, but well bred dogs cost what they cost for very good reasons. A well bred dog can be thought of as an investment, you pay more up front to ensure a higher likelihood of paying less over the dog’s lifetime for health and behavioral issues.

The cost of a well bred dog varies heavily amongst breed and more slightly across different regions, but the averages for each breed can be roughly estimated. For example, a well bred miniature poodle is likely to cost you between $2,000-3,000 for just a non breeding registration pretty much anywhere in the Canada. So, if I see someone selling a poodle for $1,000 or less that tells me that massive corners are being cut in regard to health testing, veterinary care, or titling. Reputable breeders so rarely even break even, so they certainly could not afford to take a hit like that, so this would tell me that most likely those puppies are not well bred.

To demonstrate why well bred dogs cost what they do, let’s dive into the details of what all goes into producing the litter. To make it simpler, we’ll continue our example using the poodle and I will be giving averages based on estimates from clinics in my area and from breeders I have spoken to regarding this. Individual costs for each breeder will obviously be different based on location and how long it takes to title the dog.


𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: $3,000 - $5,000

𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗛 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: $10,000-$15,000
This includes entry fees, travel costs such as gas, hotels, meals, etc, grooming supplies. Breeders often have to travel very far out of province (Canada)for shows, so these costs will vary. This cost can also be significantly higher if a professional handler is used, and poodles are an expensive breed to finish with a handler.

𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 (𝗥𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗲𝘁𝗰): $5,000-$10,000 per sport
This includes entry fees and travel costs.

These are important steps because they prove through an unbiased third party that the dog has proven itself worthy of being bred. Conformation is meant to serve as judgement of breeding stock, which means that the judges are comparing the dog to its breed standard to see how well it represents it. Titling in sports proves the dog has the drive and trainability to excel in these activities that will hopefully be passed on.

Health testing is one of the most important parts of breeding responsibly. The goal is to produce an overall healthier next generation, so doing all breed appropriate health tests and only breeding those who will pass on better genes is of the utmost importance. For poodles to receive a CHIC number, which is a certification given when the dog has been screened for every disease recommended by the parent club for that breed and those results are publicly made available, there are four required tests:

𝗛𝗶𝗽 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 >𝟮𝟰 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 (we also do elbows so x2):
Radiographs: $150-$250
Sedation if necessary: $100
OFA submission: $35

Patellar Luxation 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 >12-24 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀:
Veterinary: $100-200
OFA submission: $35

𝗘𝘆𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆:
Exam: $55-$60
OFA submission: $12 new, $8 resubmission thereafter

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Blood draw or cheek swab: $100- $200
OFA submission: $35

In addition to these tests, many breeders will often do DNA testing to screen for common heritable issues in their breed. For example, PRA and OCD, VWd, are commonly screened for in poodles.
𝗗𝗡𝗔 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: $250 through Pawprint (For their poodle label) or $80 per test through other companies. There are many other tests that can and often should be done, these are just an example.

Costs associated with breeding or a pregnant bitch:

𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱 𝗳𝗲𝗲: $1,000-3,000
There could also be extra costs associated with shipping the stud or costs associated with artificial insemination.
𝗕𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁: $50
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀: $100/each
𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝘀/𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀: $150/each
𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲, 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘁, 𝗲𝘁𝗰: $200
This is assuming the bitch has an easy pregnancy and birth as an emergency C-section could easily cost $5,000.
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗻: $250
𝗩𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 (𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗸 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗿, 𝗲𝘁𝗰): $300
𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: $300-500
𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗱: $50/week
𝗩𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: $100/puppy

Taking all of the low end estimates and assuming immediate conception and a flawlessly simple pregnancy and delivery of an average sized litter already breaks $20,000, and none of these figures factor in the time and expertise of the breeder which cannot be quantified. They often take days off work to travel for shows and sport trials or during the first week or so after the puppies have been born. They spend years studying the breed, studying pedigrees, and carefully choosing their pairings. They spend at minimum 8 weeks with the litter once born following puppy raising protocols that ensure the puppies will be as socialized as possible by the time they get to you. They examine the puppies closely looking at structure and personality to decide which puppy is the best fit for you and your lifestyle. After all of this, they also provide a lifetime of support to you and your new dog.

I know that I too was a little shell shocked the first time I learned what a well bred dog costs, but the more that you learn about all that is involved and how important each of those steps are, the more you understand how incredibly worth the investment a well bred dog is.

(L-R: CH Elvira, GCH Barbie & CH Betty)

15/04/2022

Impersonating the Easter Bunny … Happy Easter everyone!
The Labradors wouldn’t do an impersonation for me😂

08/04/2022

26/03/2022

Learning FastCat. I think she’s going to like this sport.

22/12/2021

Thanks so much to Fischer, Millie & Bodie’s parents for such a thoughtful Christmas present. I’m going to have fun with this!

02/12/2021

Permission to share if full credit is included.

But I Don’t Need a Show Labrador!
(Originally Written about Newfoundland Dogs by Terri Lewin Gilbert)
Adapted for the Labrador Retriever by Margaret Wilson.
Many thanks to Terri for allowing me to adapt her wonderful article.

Why do people recommend choosing a breeder who shows and titles their dogs to folks who are just looking for a pet and have no interest in showing? Why should breeding to breed standard be important to a pet home? Does it seem excessive, or “snobby”?

It’s not, and here’s why.

Dog shows are a means of evaluating dogs against the breed standard, to evaluate soundness, movement/gait, type, and temperament.

Soundness: The state of physical and mental health when all organs and faculties are functioning properly, each in its rightful relation to each other.

Type: Breed type encompasses appearance, character, condition, bone structure, temperament, and movement; "breed type is all these things." Breed type also includes a character specific to each breed, a combination of behaviour, temperament and carriage that demonstrate an essence of the breed.

Size – The height at the withers for a dog is 22-1/2 to 24-1/2 inches; for a bitch is 21-1/2 to 23-1/2 inches. Any variance greater than 1/2 inch above or below these heights is a disqualification. Approximate weight of dogs and bi***es in working condition: dogs 65 to 80 pounds; bi***es 55 to 70 pounds.

Proportion – Short-coupled; length from the point of the shoulder to the point of the rump is equal to or slightly longer than the distance from the withers to the ground. Distance from the elbow to the ground should be equal to one half of the height at the withers. The brisket should extend to the elbows, but not perceptibly deeper. The body must be of sufficient length to permit a straight, free and efficient stride; but the dog should never appear low and long or tall and leggy in outline.

Substance – Substance and bone proportionate to the overall dog. Light,”weedy” individuals are definitely incorrect; equally objectionable are cloddy lumbering specimens.

Gait: The gait of a dog is its quality of movement. You want to see ease of movement, unimpaired by illness or poor structure.

Temperament: The general attitude a dog has towards other animals and people. From the AKC Labrador Retriever Breed Standard: “True Labrador Retriever temperament is as much a hallmark of the breed as the “otter” tail. The ideal disposition is one of a kindly, outgoing, tractable nature; eager to please and non-aggressive towards man or animal. The Labrador has much that appeals to people; his gentle ways, intelligence and adaptability make him an ideal dog. Aggressiveness towards humans or other animals, or any evidence of shyness in an adult should be severely penalized.”

Color: The Labrador Retriever coat colors are black, yellow and chocolate. Any other color or a combination of colors is a disqualification. A small white spot on the chest is permissible, but not desirable. White hairs from aging or scarring are not to be misinterpreted as brindling. Dilute colors are a breed disqualification

Black – Blacks are all black. A black with brindle markings or a black with tan markings is a disqualification.
Yellow – Yellows may range in color from fox-red to light cream, with variations in shading on the ears, back, and underparts of the dog.
Chocolate – Chocolates can vary in shade from light to dark chocolate. Chocolate with brindle or tan markings is a disqualification.

So. That’s a very basic intro to what goes on at a show... why does this matter? You want a pet, a companion, not a show dog, right? Well, you chose Labradors for a reason. You’ve done your research, and have read that they’re great with kids and other animals, they’re gentle, biddable, stable, and not aggressive, they make excellent companions and love spending time with their people. That their good and kind nature predisposes many Labradors to be excellent therapy and service dogs. That they are a strongly built dog of medium-size, short-coupled, possessing a sound, athletic, and well-balanced conformation, with the character and quality to win in the show ring; and the temperament to be a family companion which makes them admirably suited to a variety of lifestyles and occupations, and which has made them the world’s most popular breed for good reason.
Ethical, responsible breeders seek to preserve and protect these definitive and positive characteristics and not deliberately breed for disqualifying conditions which are alien and detrimental to the breed.

An aggressive dog is no joke, and an oversized, powerful aggressive dog even less so. Aggression can run in lines. Wouldn’t it be difficult to show an aggressive, reactive, fearful, or excessively shy Labrador? Do you want to take the gamble and trust someone about their dog’s history, or would you rather buy from someone who has taken their dogs into the ring and had the dog’s temperament proven over and over, consistently?

What about type and structure? How the dog is put together, able to move freely and comfortably? Would you rather buy from someone who has proven publicly, over time, that the dog they’re breeding can move well, free of limp, or a structural problem? Or just trust someone who has no interest in proving their dogs? It’s your puppy’s quality of life and comfort (as well as your wallet) that’s at stake.

Not every dog in a well-bred litter is going to be show quality- there will ALWAYS be pet-quality puppies. Well-bred, but maybe with a slight imperfection, and those are the puppies placed in pet homes. You don’t have to want a show-quality puppy to get a well-bred puppy!

Show quality litters are bred by people who actually show their dogs, and these breeders are the ones who are most qualified to determine what is, and what is not a show quality puppy. Having some titled ancestors in a pedigree, even two generations back, is no indication of being show quality.

Here’s the bottom line.... every day, Lab rescue is seeing more poorly bred aggressive Labradors and Lab mixes. Labradors in pain because they were poorly bred. Labs requiring extensive vet care, expensive surgery, and serious behavior modification. People having to remand their dogs to breed rescue because they can’t manage the dog, fear the dog, or found out the dog needs costly vet care they can’t afford.

This is not about being snobby, being elitist, thinking that one dog is “better” than another, it’s about ensuring you get a puppy that acts and looks like the breed you fell in love with. It’s about ensuring that all Lab puppies have the best start in life, and will grow into a loving family member. It’s about loving our breed enough to want to see everything that’s good about them preserved for future generations to enjoy. If you want a healthy dog, with a properly sweet temperament, choose your breeder wisely.

05/11/2021

26/08/2021

Congratulations Tom & Myrtle on the first leg of your CDX!
Wolfecreeks Myrtle The Turtle CGC CGCA TKN TDI BN CD

13/08/2021

For every 1 cat or dog PETA adopted out in 2020, it killed 52.