Hello and welcome to Cedar Ranch Labradors! We raised our first litter of Labradors in 2003, and with each passing year we love what we get to do more and more. Please enjoy browsing our site and meeting our wonderful animals.
Our breeding program: We are dedicated to the development of the all-purpose Labrador Retriever that adheres closely to the AKC Breed Standard.
Genetics: Clean, healthy bloodlines reflecting show and service dog pedigrees. Health clearances on sire, dam, and many generations of grandparents include OFA Hips and Elbows x-rayed certified clear of dysplasia, Cardiac and Patellas clear, Eyes certified yearly by a veterinary ophthalmologist, and DNA clearances for a host of other genetic disorders that can occur in Labradors. We truly strive to create puppies that are as healthy as humanly possible with the knowledge and testing that we have available to us today.
Whelping/Rearing Environment: When puppies are born, we monitor them 24/7 for the first 14-21 days. We have a climate controlled, comfortable, safe, sanitary whelping room and rearing kennel that is attached to a covered outdoor enriched play environment, all of which has a camera system. We do multiple daily cleanups and daily sanitation. Additionally we take the pups on adventure walks around the ranch, allow them to play with safe older dogs, or move them to a play area on the lawn as weather permits.
Socialization/Training: We begin with Early Neurological Stimulation and Early Scent Introduction in the pups' neonatal period of birth to 3 weeks. We then progress to Sounds Conditioning and Tactile Conditioning and utilize a litter training method to help keep pups clean and sanitary during the pups' transitional period from 3-5 weeks and beyond. Lastly, we begin crate training, sit training, and have an enrichment program for the 5-9 week old pups. We plan as much socialization with humans of every size and description as well as other dogs and farm animals, and of course, good old fashioned loving on them from birth until they go to new homes at 8-9 weeks. There are new innovations all the time in early puppy rearing and we try and stay on the cutting edge by being a member of Avidog Breeder College, and constantly attend classes to hone our skills as puppy raisers.
Nutrition: For pregnant and nursing mothers we use a high protein and fat kibble as well as a variety of supplements scientifically proven to positively impact pups' brain development and weight gain. For puppies we introduce moistened all life stages kibble at 3-4 weeks of age to achieve a steady growth rate as well as probiotics and salmon oil for brain development. Our youngsters and non pregnant/lactating adult dogs also are on a Performance dog kibble along with multiple supplements for optimum health.
Medical Care: Preventative Care for puppies including vaccine nomographs, vaccination, deworming, microchipping and a veterinarian exam prior to sending pups off to new homes. Our adult dogs, while extremely healthy, have wonderful veterinarians for when they need them, including a primary care vet, reproductive vet, veterinary ophthalmologist for yearly eye clearance, veterinary cardiologist for required heart echo clearance, and specialty vet for our dogs' hip and elbow clearances. Oh and don't forget our amazing horse vet! We are very blessed to have such amazing partners in our animals' care.
