FAQs:

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• We do have pictures of both parents. At this time, we are only breeding Silver labs.
• AKC recognizes 3 colors of Labrador Retrievers: Black, Chocolate and Yellow. Our Silver labs are registered with AKC as Chocolate. 

• We offer Limited and Full Registration. There is different pricing for Full vs Limited Registration.

Full Registration is... if or whenever you decide to breed, your dog's litter (the next generation) will be eligible for registration and official life recognition by AKC. Full registration will allow us and you to carry on the HTXHARDCORElabs bloodline.

Limited Registration is just that... you will able to register your dog with AKC, but if you choose to breed - WILL NOT be able to register the next generation pups for AKC life recognition.

AKC link on Limited Registration

AKC link on Registration Information

• At birth, most puppies eyes are blue. Our Silvers have a light yellowish/light lime green eyes.  
• Most puppies eyes change at 9-16 weeks, but can vary. 

• At birth, puppies will be verified healthy and alive through the "critical" days after the birth of puppies. After litter passes "critical" stage, the NON-refundable deposit will be accepted.
• At this time... Cash (money order/cashiers check) and PayPal are acceptable. 

**Please do not ask for Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, etc. 

• Whenever the mom is pregnant and within the few weeks of the litter being born, we will announce to be on our waiting list of choosing order. We will put the pup's new families in order by intent/first contact (email, text, verbal, etc. of intent to purchase.) Once litter is born and confirmed safe, deposits will be accepted in the list order from first contact. Whenever the deposit is accepted this will solidify your choosing order. Each person will be able to choose within reasonable time frame. If it has been an extended time when it is your turn (beyond 3 days), a message will be sent asking for the puppy of your choice. If you do not choose at that time, it will be considered First Right of Refusal. The next family in line get to choose and you will be notified of remaining puppies available.
• If you choose to pick out your puppy in person - an appointment must be made. You will be able to look at puppies. After confirmed deposit is received, you are able to choose your puppy. You will be able to touch only your puppy. You will not be able to touch any other puppy due to health and safety for pups and mother. We want your puppy to bond as soon as possible and only with their new family.  

• We are limited to the colors available for collars. Most packs of velcro and snap safe colors are in packs of 12. Your puppy will have a color assigned immediately at birth. It has been our experience when the snap colors change from small to medium the color packs the color selection can change. In the event the colors changed from the manufacturer, you will be notified of alternatives available to keep monitoring your pup's progress. 

• Price is determined by fair market value and bloodline. We make the best possible matches for our litter outcome. Lineage with hunting experience, trial runs, AKC titles will effect the price to be higher.
• We do have a kennel base price. Unfortunately, we will not go under our base price.

At HTXHARDCORElabs, we take the utmost pride to produce the best pups possible. It is a ton of work for one or ten puppy litter. We strive for the BEST. 

• This is absolutely to your discretion as the new owner. We believe in and support spaying and neutering. We also support healthy and safe breeding programs.
• Our best advice would be to talk to your Veterinarian, create a plan with what you both feel comfortable with.

AKC link on Spay/Neutering

• Answer from AKC:
"Keep in mind that AKC Rules do not allow, except with special documentation, the registration of a litter out of a dam less than 8 months or more than 12 years of age at the time of mating, or by a sire less than 7 months or more than 12 years of age at the time of mating."

AKC link on Breeding Age

• It is your choice. You're more than welcome to make that decision for your new pup. We will be able to have them chipped before pick up if you'd like.

• Our Veterinary staff recommended at the 6-8 week shots a microchip could be done if you choose.  

• By 6 weeks they should be fully weaned and on dry puppy food. Each day your puppy is growing significantly and burning calories (constant energy). They may be hungrier at different times or eat more or less often. Please monitor them and try to have a consistent routine for food schedule.  

• Q/A:
"My puppy is 6-7 weeks and waking up 2-3 times in the middle of the night. The pup wants to potty and eat each time. When can we sleep through the night?"

We completely understand! At this time, we are keeping one puppy from each litter. This means we're going through the same progress/process stages as you.

• It is important to maintain a consistent routine. Also, they're young and learning. The key is for the owner to be have patience.

Usually my schedule for them is...
Up by 5-6am to feed/potty
830/9am check on them give water
12/1pm food and water
3/4pm water
5/6pm dinner
8/9pm snack and water

They have small bladders and high metabolism growing. They're like a new born baby 6 months old. At six to seven weeks your pup will become more attentive/aware and more and more in the coming days! It is our recommendation starting with moderate play to get them tired (for example: 10 minutes a sesh. and add more time as they grow.) They will have short bursts of energy then want to sleep. They should be eating every 4-6 hours at this point. You can eventually learn how much your puppy needs or does want to eat with their diet or choice based on weight...

Feel free to ask any questions!!! This document is for a new puppy owner (or refresher).

Again, the puppy is just like a newborn baby... the more they grow the easier they'll learn the routine and schedule. They'll be able to eat more and hold their bladders easier as they grow. It may take a few weeks or a few months. It will happen over time.

AKC link on Food and Age/Stage to food

• There are many different ways to feed your puppy. Some eat throughout the day. Some eat really fast and inhale their food...just depends on your puppy's habits and metabolism. Remember they're growing quickly and need the constant nutrients for growth. You may be able to "free feed" with your pup always having food down to eat when they want. You may want to give them a schedule, for example, 6am/6pm. This is your choice that works best for you and your puppy.

AKC link to Puppy Food/Feeding

• We have full time jobs. Our work is normally around the clock. We try to maintain a schedule for all of our lovepups to know. Up by 6am, bed by 10pm. We can let you know the specifics for the litter. Puppies normally do get up throughout the night, have small bladders and eat often. 

• On the 5th week they're starting limited amounts of time on the grass and outside. For safety reasons, we want them to walk around to potty then rejoin the pack. At our property we do not have infections or health concerns like Parvo. We will not take any risks for your puppy to have any health risk exposures.

• Just our suggestion - as often as possible! Get the pup used to the commands. "Potty", "pee", "poop" repetitiously will help your pup learn the task with the verbal command. 

• As soon as they wake up. Within 30 minutes of eating and drinking usually. Again, please guide  your pup to the proper potty area and watch their cues when they need to go.  

• At 6 weeks old, the puppies will have an appointment with our vet. Each puppy will be examined and given their first set of shots.  

• The next set of shots will be at 8 weeks. 

**New owner is responsible for 8 week shots/any medical treatment forward.  

• Our Veterinary staff has recommended waiting until the 8 week age. At the 2nd set of shots, you should be able to choose what products best works for your puppy.  

• Yes, they will have them removed by our Veterinary Clinic at or before 4 days old. 

• It is our goal to have every Dam and Sire cleared of any genetic issues.  We use Embark.
**Genetics testing results will be available upon request for each litter.

• We do not offer a health guarantee. We are in constant contact with our Veterinary staff throughout the whole process. At your desired pick up appointment, your puppy will have an exam at 6 weeks old when they receive the shots. Each puppy will be healthy and verified at exam there are zero health issues.  

• At this time, we are not offering a health contract.  

• Our opinion is 6 to 8 weeks. The choice is your personal preference. At 3 weeks old, your appointment for pick up will be scheduled. With bigger litters the mother will naturally wean at 3-4 weeks due to puppies growing their candy cane itchy teeth. Weaning time will be verified with our Veterinary staff before puppy food is introduced. From our experience, it is best for your puppy to go home the earlier the better if they're fully weaned. Bonding to you and your family is extremely important. The longer you wait for your puppy, the more difficult to bond.

AKC link for whenever your puppy can go home

 • Get your puppy in to your routine. Teach and talk to the puppy/dog. They do understand once y'all have your own language. They're like a toddler. The pups need to learn with repetition. They need understand what you mean and the boundaries that are acceptable or not. Love on your pup and be patient.

AKC link for Bonding with Puppy

• Crate training can take a little time. The puppy needs to learn a crate is not for punishment. The crate is their home and safe space. As they grow they need to know it's ok to be inside, calm, quiet and minding their own business. We call our crates "apartment" and they know to go sit inside their home when we need to separate them for their safety.

AKC link for 9 steps to Create Train your Puppy

 • the puppy started humping...
Don't worry, it's natural and common.

AKC link for Humping

• the puppy started to suckle my other dog...
It's natural. The puppy is being introduced to new larger, existing dog you have at home. The puppy is learning the established dog is not the mom, but is used nursing on a bigger dog. The established dog smells like their new home and the puppy is getting used the new environment.  

• At this time we are breeding American labs. 

• At this time we are not flying puppies due to Covid restrictions. You're welcome to fly down to Houston, pick up your pup and take it home. If you choose to hire a transport company, you will be responsible for all heath certification costs, 2nd set of shots for 8 week progress marker and transport expenses. We will meet your transport company, at the time of hand off from HTXHARDCORElabs to your chosen company - your dog will be healthy and have zero problems.

**We have had new owners use Premium Pet Transport. David was a great transporter for our labs! It is fantastic to have 24/7 GPS, picture and text updates along the journey home. 

• At 3 weeks, an appointment will be scheduled for your puppy. We want to have plenty of time to coordinate. Within reasonable distance/time - we will meet. If you are in close proximity, pick up in person at HTXHARDCORElabs is acceptable.
 

We live life and love our labs! It's a common saying we use "to go hardcore" and by that our meaning is: to put your all into it. We believe our hardcore is to be obsessed and focused with your path. We're serious and meticulous with our processes for our labs. We breed quality pups.

At HTXHARDCORElabs we want the best for our dogs and yours! Our breeding program was created because we want to, not because we have to. Each Sire/Dam is chosen for best litter outcome. We do not churn out puppies just to produce litters. We want to produce beautiful and healthy puppies.  

• Yes! Please feel free to ask for the contact information. Your pup will be visiting our vet and groomer several times before they'll allowed to go home. 

**We have the right to refuse service.
At HTXHARDCORElabs we're serious about our labs and the homes they go to. Please don't waste our time and we won't waste yours. 

Yes! We live lab life. Quite a few products have been tried for particular issues. We've had some great success and great failures. Just because it did or didn't work for us - it is up to you and the lab to make the decision. Our preference is use natural products and to use the most affordable for the quality of product. 

The results have been successful with keeping pristine coats. You're welcome what you'd like to use. This is what we choose.

Purina Pet Pro Puppy

Diamond Naturals

We have used soft crates and solid plastic crates. Depending on the brand usually the XL crate is the most comfortable for them. Size specifications will be on each product. 

Soft and easy for transport. Large is sufficient for you full grown lab, XL in this crate is like a lab apartment.:

Canvas Crate 

This is an example of what we use:

Plastic Crate

These are a few of our favorites!

Natural Dog Company

Legit Pet Natural Salmon oil

Our labs love the Coolaroo Elevated bed! It keeps them off of the floor and hard surfaces. It's super easy to put together. We order the Large size.

These are few of our favorites!

Chuckit! balls

Neon collar (bright, like a light sabor!)

Sunglasses 

HTXHARDCORElabs can be reached at htxhardcore@gmail.com

and (409) 292-8000.

Also, we have a HTXHARDCORElabs Facebook public page and separate Owner's page to keep in touch with family/siblings over time.