Chocolate Labrador Puppies Reserved
We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of 9 working type chocolate labradors birthed by our own Hazel (KC name: Russbaca Chestnut) and sired by the phenomenal Tenor (KC name: OFTW Flashmount Tenor of Tagabea)
Hazel is a working type lab from good working lines, though she’s always preferred sitting at our feet getting a chest rub than splashing around in muddy rivers after game. She’s learnt some basic gundog training, gets on really well with other dogs and is a very chilled out easy going dog. She is very affectionate and loyal to us.
Her health testing is fantastic, Hip score of 10, elbows 0, BVA eye test Unaffected, and Clear of the 7 DNA tests the Kennel Club recommend (prcd-PRA, CNM, EIC, SD2, HNPK, STGD, and MCD)
Tenor is a fantastic working dog, he’s won numerous field trials, has qualified for the International Gundog League Championship (Where only the best of the best compete, only 2 other chocolate labs have ever qualified for this) He’s only one win away from becoming a Field Trial Champion, another massive achievement. This all proves that he’s highly trainable and obedient. He’s also a lovely natured dog, with a nice dark coat and a strong physique.
His health testing is also excellent, Hip score of 6, elbows 0, BVA Eye Test Unaffected, and clear of the same 7 DNA tests as Hazel, meaning none of these puppies can be affected for those diseases.
Not only do Hazel and Tenor both have good hips and elbow scores, but just as importantly there is a lot of good health testing in their pedigrees also.
Hazel and Tenor have had a litter together previously, and we’re thrilled with how they’ve turned out. They’re big strong dogs, energetic and making good family pets. They’ve all got a nice shiny dark chocolate coat.
Pups will be wormed at 3, 5 and 7 weeks, vet checked, microchipped, had their 1st vaccine and of course be Kennel Club registered.
There are still a few pups available, if interested please get in touch.
Updates on their progress shown below.
Week 1
The pups spent the first week of life alternating between sleeping and eating, growing steadily. We have them on vet fleece as it’s hygienic, easy to wash and provides good traction for their paws.
They all fell asleep during their first nail clip!
Week 2
This week proceeded much like last week, the pups have a routine of sleep, toilet, eat, toilet and sleep again. Their nails have been clipped again and just like last time they didn’t put up any fuss at all.
At the end of this week their eyes began to open a bit, and they’re trying to walk about in a wobbly kind of way, as they’ve not got their balance yet. They’ve outgrown their whelping box, so that’s now out and we’ve doubled the amount of space the pups now have access to. 2/3rds of this space is a toilet area. Over the next couple of weeks the pups will hopefully learn to sleep in the bed area and toilet in the toilet area, and by the time they leave here at 8 weeks they should have the basic understanding of the fundamentals of toilet training.
Week 3
This week the pups had their first taste of proper food. We start weaning them on Natures Menu raw puppy food, this always goes down a treat. The pups eagerly devoured it from the very first meal. After a few days we tried them with kibble, soaked in hot water until it became a mush. this also was quickly eaten. They’ve also had their first session of wormer this week and of course had their nails clipped and filed again.
The pups are quite affectionate, seeking out human company where ever possible. They particularly like sleeping with their heads resting on legs, feet or each others backs.
Week 4
Collars on at the end of this week. Red, Light Green, Dark Green, Dark Blue and Light Blue are the males, Orange, Purple, Light pink and Dark pink are the girls.
They’ve enjoyed visits from a small number of trusted family and friends this week. The pups were all confident and had great fun playing with them and each other.
They’ve tried out sardines this week which they all loved, and wet skinners puppy food hand fed this week. Hand feeding soft foods can help to encourage gentleness and reduce snatching.
The photos below were taken at the start of the week, and the head shots above at the end of the week. They’ve grown so much in just 1 week!
Week 5
At exactly 5 weeks old we had them outside as it was such a lovely day. They were fascinated by the sound of birds, planes and farm machinery. Our senior citizen Coco wandered over to say hello so they had a greeting with her through the baby gate.
On the left you can see that their first introduction to the crate went really well
The pups have had a nibble on some yak chews this week, eaten some dried hairy rabbits ears and they’ve eaten some blueberries. They’ve also had their 2nd round of wormer (Panacur) and the weekly nail trim has been done again. They’ve had several new toys (including a large Tigger) and they’ve met our golden oldie, Sienna.
We’ve had most of the puppy viewings this week and so the pups have met people of various ages. They’ve been enthusiastic to greet everyone and have thoroughly enjoyed nibbling everyone, they’ve all been equally confident and relaxed around the children as well as the adults.
The pups have now been Kennel Club registered, we’ve chosen an Olympic theme as the Paris 2024 Olympics have just started.
Russbaca Retrievers 