Our stud service
We offer English Labrador stud service at our home in Archer Lodge, near Clayton and just east of Raleigh. Our available studs include Victor, Moose, Sir Knox and Nolan Jacob, and pedigrees are available on request. You can learn about each on our stud service page.
We offer stud service to approved females with AKC registration and completed genetic testing. Here's why, and how to get ready.
Step one: registration
Your female should be AKC registered with full registration, so her puppies can be registered. If she's on limited registration, talk to her breeder first. Only they can lift the limitation. Our guide to limited vs. full AKC registration explains the difference.
Step two: health testing
Every breeding should start with health testing. We ask that your female has completed a genetic panel. Hip and elbow evaluations through the OFA are strongly recommended.
Testing lets us pair her with a stud who complements her results. For example, if she carries a condition, we'll choose a stud who's clear, so no puppies can be affected. See our guide to Labrador health testing for what the tests cover.
Step three: a vet check
Before breeding, schedule a wellness exam with your vet. Make sure your female is:
- Healthy and at a good weight
- Current on vaccines and parasite prevention
- Mature enough to breed, based on your vet's advice
- Free of any infection or condition that could affect pregnancy
Many breeders also run a brucellosis test on both dogs before breeding. Ask your vet about it.
Step four: choosing the right stud
Think about what you want to improve or keep in your lines:
- Type: head, coat, bone and overall structure
- Temperament: calm, confident, trainable
- Color: what colors each dog carries
- Health: complementary genetic results
Send us your female's registration, pedigree and testing, and we'll talk honestly about which of our boys would be a good match, or if none of them are.
Step five: timing
Timing is the most important part of a successful breeding. Females are typically fertile for a short window during their heat cycle.
- Let us know as soon as her heat begins.
- Many breeders use progesterone testing through their vet to pinpoint ovulation.
- We'll plan breeding days around those results.
The more precise the timing, the better the chance of a healthy litter.
What to bring
- Your female's AKC registration and pedigree
- Health testing results
- Recent vet records
- Her food, leash and any comfort items if she'll be staying
After the breeding
Your vet can confirm pregnancy by ultrasound a few weeks after breeding. Labrador pregnancies last about 63 days. Talk to your vet about nutrition, exercise and preparing a whelping area well before the due date.
Registering the litter
Once the puppies arrive, you'll register the litter with the AKC. We'll provide what you need from the stud's side. Pedigrees for each of our studs are available on request.
Preparing for the visit
Breeding day goes smoothest when your female is relaxed. Keep her routine normal in the days before, avoid big changes in diet, and bring familiar bedding if she'll be staying with us. Tell us about her personality, too. Some girls are confident with new dogs, while others need a little more time to settle. We'll plan introductions calmly and at her pace. If you're traveling a distance, build in extra time so she isn't stressed from the drive, and have a plan for returning home once breeding is complete.
Why we're selective
Being selective protects the breed and every puppy that results. We want each litter to have the best possible start: healthy parents, thoughtful pairings and breeders who care. Asking for registration and testing isn't about gatekeeping. It's about doing right by the dogs.
Co-breeding
We're also open to talking about co-breeding arrangements. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll talk it through.
Common questions
Do you offer stud service to American-type Labs? Tell us about your female and your goals. We'll give you an honest recommendation.
What does stud service cost? Call or text for current terms. It depends on the stud.
Can I meet the stud first? Yes, by appointment.
Every litter we help create reflects on our program, so we take each one as seriously as our own.
Book a conversation
Ready to plan your litter? Call or text (919) 899-8917 with your female's registration and testing details, or send us a note. You can also see our boys on the stud service page and our girls on the Our Dogs page.