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Cape Fear Labradors is not a large kennel and we are proud of the care that each of our females and their litters are given. Our studs are treated well at our kennel too. They get to run several miles a day, some hunt during hunting season, and they hang out with their canine buddies in a nice indoor-outdoor area with plenty of shelter from the elements. Some take turns being “free” around our house, as well, so they can protect our summer garden from deer and ground squirrels or just be loved on by our family and our many visitors.
Cape Fear Labradors has a whelping kennel facility to care for litters of pups and their doting mama dogs. The kennel was designed to allow us to house our new litters in a safe, clean, and stimulating environment. Finally, we believe that the socialization process is crucial to a healthy puppy and his/her future family. Fortunately, we have our own kids, neighbor kids, nieces and nephews, and puppy-loving friends who always seem to be stopping by to play with pups. No lack of socialization here! It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it!
If you are looking for a quality Lab, or know someone who is, call and make your reservations soon. Our litters generally go quickly. Females usually go the quickest–mainly because they’re looking for the smallest Lab possible to fit into smaller homes and cars. What color is in the highest demand? That’s a strange one. It’s generally chocolates and fox reds, but color demand trends and cycles. One month everyone will want a black Lab, another month we get dozens of calls for yellow Labs. You just never know what to expect.
When puppies are between 7 and 8 weeks old we mark them with colored collars and put them through a puppy profile test. This allows us to rank each pup in relation to its littermates in a variety of different traits, including boldness, responsiveness to being called, scent drive and search intent, etc. It also gives us an idea of which puppy will be best suited to which family, since some puppies might be better placed in a hunting family and others might fit better into a non-hunting family. Puppies are ideally adopted out between eight and nine weeks of age.
We understand that about 70 percent of you contact us because you have lost a long-time, faithful friend and member of your family. We know that you’re still grieving and that it has taken courage to begin a search for a new puppy. I like what Cesar Milan says about coping with a dog’s death and the importance of taking time to mourn and build up your emotional stamina to the point that you can become the pack leader–the boss–for your new dog. The good news is that you are familiar with the time, patience and commitment necessary for owning a dog. You’ve been there, you’ve counted the cost, and you’re ready to take that next step. Many people call us to share stories of their lost canine companions. Many get choked up. We want you to know that you’re in the majority and you should not be embarrassed. We understand the tears.
Dogs are amazingly personable creatures. They sense your emotions. They’re full of such life and each one is unique in temperament. They also love their humans unconditionally. They need us and we’re not ashamed to admit that we need them too. A new puppy will not help you forget your loss, but he or she will enhance the happy memories you already have and add many new and special ones to enrich your life even more.
