We believe in socializing our puppies. The stimulation of proper human touch helps their
neurological development. We carefully monitor their weight and growth with detailed growth charts for the new owner.
Puppies begin in the whelping box for about 3 weeks and then are moved into a 8' x 12' penned enclosure where they have a 'poddy area'
to which they learn quickly to use. We introduce the crate in this environment. Since they are in the home, they
become accustomed to the sounds of human voices, TV's, vacuum cleaners, pots & pans, older dogs barking, etc.
Puppies are introduced to a wing about the 4th week and eventually to birds (if possible live pigeons) by age 5 1/2 weeks. Simple
retrieving games and trailing are part of the daily exercise routine.
Introduction to regular food
is made in a careful manner to avoid intestinal troubles. A favorite of the pups is known as a 'Puppy Smoothie'.
For the puppy evaluations (Volhard's Puppy Aptitude Test), we ask 3 other breeder/gun dog owners to visit and score the pups
on separate occassions. We feel this gives a more accurate assessment of each puppy.