Firehouse Labs

01/07/2024

Love all of the fellow breeders, peers, and especially mentors and breeders from whom I have bought or bred to over the last 30 yrs!!!

30/06/2024

June 29th-- or what I like to call, the start of firework acclimation for the puppies and young dogs. We do not light any on the property, but we have an "affluent" housing development near the farm that buys and shoot off several thousand dollars worth of fireworks every night now until the July 5th.
Several of the older dogs like to jump up onto their outdoor benches and lounge Sphinx style and watch the display. And the younger ones learn to ignore the noise by watching those dogs and noticing that there isn't anything to get excited or worried about.
Honestly these fireworks are the perfect distance and loudness for desensitizing our dogs so I really don't mind. Just like a don't care if my other close neighbors target shoot on their property about every other weekend.

27/06/2024

Puppy number 4 arrived at 11:04 a.m. unfortunately he was non-responsive little black male with white markings. No pictures taken.

22/06/2024

In this day and age- There is absolutely no reason for your pet to not be microchipped and those that are for your information not be be up to date!!!

Breeders should be chipping every puppy/kitten that they produce before they leave - preferably prepaid with new owners information already sent in.

Vets should be hard selling chipping all new clients if not previously done- and should be routinely checking every pet to make sure that the chip has no migrated (if so it's location should be noted in chart!) and is still working at EACH visit!

Trainers should insist on chipping the dog and registering the chip either BEFORE taking on the dog as a client, OR chipping the dog and registering the chip in the owners name and the trainers info as a back up if in training for longer than a month. The trainers name can be removed from the dog's info once no longer relevant.

Buyers of older pups/dogs should insist that all current chip information is given to them at time of sale and the chip updated immediately.

Dogs that are taken to new places such as boarding facilities, dog sitters, training facilities, or taken on vacation are at an increased likelihood of getting stressed or running off due to strange people/locations. Dogs in training for competition or showing and thus "on the road" often, are more likely to get loose, run off, or even be stolen.

***** I chip every puppy that I breed, and I register each chip/puppy with AKC ReUnite under the new owners name. It is CHEAP insurance!!!
I paid for the initial 25 chips. After registering those chips with AKC ReUnite I get 25 free (pay $10 for shipping) and when those are used/registered I get another 25 free...and so on.
I pay $12 to register the chip at the same time that I complete the AKC prepaid registration.
As the "buyer" of the chips, I am automatically and permanently listed as a backup.

14/06/2024

Coming soon.............

02/06/2024

28/05/2024

Want a love like this in your life? DM me about how we can make this happen :)

27/05/2024

07/05/2024

So- I did a thing (well, technically tomorrow or Wednesday) :)

Online Labrador retriever pedigree database

26/04/2024

FUN FACT FRIDAY:

What's the easiest way to drop $1800 in 10 minutes during your work lunch break?
Have a litter of puppies!

Stud Fee paid- $750 + $22.50 PayPal fee
AKC litter and prepaid individual AKC registration (with a $10 off coupon!) - $177
4 x Canine Health Check + AKC DNA profile tests- $560
1 AKC DNA profile test for stud dog- $50
Set appointment for tail docking and dew claw removal for 8:00AM tomorrow- $240 + - some change.

And that folks is why even though I would love to "drink", I can't afford to! :)

I will be making the litters appointments for their shots while at the vet tomorrow, and their ACVO eye vet appointment on Monday, along with ordering dog food to be delivered.

26/04/2024

The Noir x Jack puppies arrived early this morning! More information to follow!

23/04/2024

The voting has begun! You can vote every day! Momma "Noir" needs some doggy treats and owner wouldn't mind some "treats" of her own!

Prove that your pooch is the cutest! Enter a photo of your dog with a Lucky Dog Loteria Scratch ticket online from 4/17-4/22, then vote for your favorite from 4/23-4/29! You could win a pack of Lucky Dog Loteria Scratch tickets and a $100 Chewy gift card!

18/04/2024

Planned Litter: SHY IS IN HEAT AS OF 4/18/24
Sire: Prairiewind Levi "Levi"
Medium sized build, 16 1/2 in. 34lbs. Levi is a well bred UK FT pedigree dog. He has a great temperament and his pups have his loving personality.
OFA hips Excellent
OFA elbows Normal
OFA patellas Normal
OFA eyes Normal
Genetic testing:
PRA-cd Clear
FN Clear
AMS Clear
Dam: Fenloch Acacia "Shy"
Shy is a nice, square built dog. 16 in and 28lbs. Nice thick coat. This is Shy's last litter and she will be spayed as she has a retirement home waiting for her. Shy is great in the house, and loves her birds! Very watery dog and loves retrieving. She is from our SHR Fenloch Black Widow x FTCH Broadmeafarm Charlie litter.
OFA elbows Normal
OFA eyes Normal
Genetic testing:
PRA-cd Clear
FN Clear
AMS Clear

Expect puppies in medium build in the 30lb range and 16in height. Great noses, natural retrieve, love water, and good off switch but med/fast speed in the field. Pups will be exposed to various cover, water, noise, crate rides, people, other dogs, wings, frozen birds, interactive toys, and obstacles.

Health: Pups will have tails docked to field length, dew claws removed, 1st vaccations, wormed x 3. They will be microchipped and have 1st ACVO OFA eye certification. They will also be genetically Clear by parentage for PRA-cd, FN, AMS, EIC, PFK.

Other: Pups will come with pre-paid and completed AKC registration, AKC ReUnite chip registry pre-paid, listed on both OFA (eye certification) and the cockerspanieldatabase.info. Health records, collar, eye exam information.

Located right outside of Grand Island, Nebraska with easy access to Interstate I-80. Can also recommend several transporters that are reliable, bonded, insured, even those that can deliver to Canada or via Pet Nanny services for flying in cabin of plane out of Lincoln or Omaha, or even Grand Island or Kearney.

21/03/2024

Did you know it's Pet Poison Prevention Month? A reminder of common toxins to keep away from your cats and dogs!

30/12/2023

Never has there ever been a PUREBRED LABRADOR in the dilute colors (or carrying the dilute colors) of Charcoal, Silver, or Champagne.

28/12/2023

23/11/2023

Is breed was designed to perform a certain task/job. If you do not want a dog that herds and nips at your heels, don't buy a herding dog. If you don't want a dog that bays and barks at squirrels, birds, cats, rabbits, that it sees in the yard, don't buy a hound breed. If you don't want a dog that chases bunnies, cats, squirrels, fluffy dogs, deer, then do not buy a sight hound. If you do not want a dog that NEEDS a JOB...Don't buy a working breed!!!
If you want a pet- there are specific breeds that were actually designed to be pets!

Just because a TV dog or pup in a dog show appears to be the perfect pet doesn't mean they'll fit well in your home. Here's what you need to consider.

19/11/2023

So this pops up....as we are getting a fall rain...

November 18, 1948: One of the worst winters in Nebraska history began as a rainstorm. As the day progressed, the wind carried heavy wet snow that just kept piling up and up.

And it seemed to never end...https://history.nebraska.gov/the-blizzard-of-1948-49/

27/10/2023

Always crate your pet!!! Make sure you are putting them in as safe of a crate (sturdy) as you can afford. Better to spend the money once for the lifetime (or several lifetimes for future pets!) then to cheap out and buy one of those wire containment crates that are for the home--NOT the highway!!

27/10/2023

Check the entire dog but pay special attention to the nooks and crannies!!

Have I mentioned the importance of checking the eyes after EVERY field? Quick first spin for Boomer and both eyes loaded.

05/08/2023

A honest look at how far "WE" have deviated from the original form of the Labrador retriever, to the detriment of the breed in that it has lost it's iconic look, ability to perform the tasks for which it was created, and in some cases has created health issues.

"The world we have lost."
Richard Edward's, England.

13/07/2023

Harnesses are for pulling sleds...and people!
A low set collar is often too loose and dogs can easily pull/duck out of them, they also promote and do nothing to prevent pulling.
A high set, just behind the ears slip lead or prong collar gives quick and easy corrections and dogs learn quickly that pulling is not only allowed, but uncomfortable so they stop attempting it.

LET’S TALK TOOLS

Red Arrow: Harness that fits around the dog’s body and when connected to a clip leash, creates a pulling reaction from the dog. This pulling reaction triggers the shoulders and chest muscles to be used which then influences the dog to use strength to get where they need to. If you have properly trained your dog to walk right next to you on a harness, you will not experience the pulling. Congratulations, I have yet to see this. 😂

Orange Arrow: Flat collar, usually used to connect a clip leash to and often times sits on the bottom of the neck due to gravity and the dog’s head being higher than the shoulders. This then triggers the dog’s shoulder muscles and the pulling starts. Again, this teaches the dog that strength needs to be used to get where they need to. If you have properly trained your dog to walk next to you on a flat collar, you will not experience the pulling. The majority of dogs I see are pulling during this setup.

Blue Arrow: Slip Leash is very high on the neck where it is placed behind the ears, behind the jaw bone, and it allows us to influence the dog’s head and brain. Shoulders and chest muscles are not triggered and physical strength is not used during the walk. When used correctly, little to no pressure is on the leash and physical strength is used by the dog to get from point A to point B. If you have properly trained your dog to walk next to you on a slip leash, you will not experience any pulling.

Out of the 3 tools shown, the slip leash is one of the most productive tools to create a structured walk, a calm mind, and a solid relationship.

Ever watch anyone walk a horse by the saddle?

Yeah, me either.

That’s because when you walk a 1000lb animal, you need to influence the brain and not the body.

Let’s start influencing our dog’s mentally and not physically.

03/07/2023

Studies of companion dogs, in particular, provide valuable information in our quest for understanding. Now more than ever, thanks to loving owners who seek specialized veterinary care when their pet is diagnosed with cancer, we have incredible opportunities to learn. Through companion animal clinical trials, we’re finding better and less costly treatments, improved diagnostic tools, and even preventative interventions, which can benefit all cancer patients.