If interested in a puppy from a current or future litter please call  218-368-1175.  

The goal of Bird Dog Labs is to produce the “total package” when it comes to a working Labrador Retriever.  What this means, is that we strive to produce pups that are good looking, genetically and structurally sound, intelligent, versatile, easy to train, have strong natural hunting abilities (retrieving drive, marking ability, etc.), the potential to compete in hunt tests and field trials, strong desire to please and maintain the wonderful gentle dispositions that Labradors are known for.  Our program focuses on quality and not quantity. We only breed Labrador Retriever puppies and we pride ourselves in our quality of care. 

We only breed when we can guarantee that every puppy will receive daily individual love, care, and attention. When we have more than one litter at a time we hire special helpers to ensure our level of quality of care is provided. We have an extensive Super Puppy Program that begins immediately. All puppies are born and raised in our home. Between days 3-16 they will receive early neurological stimulation following the military’s Super Dog Program (Biosensor) and Aviddog’s Early Scent Introduction.  They will have dew claws removed, are de-wormed appropriately, have their first round of vaccinations and will be vet checked at 3 days and 6 weeks of age and are microchipped at 7 weeks (started in 2014). At a minimum all puppies are introduced to water (weather permitting), gunfire from a distance, feathers (birds or bird wings), different environmental terrains, obstacle courses (indoor and outdoor), crates, and car rides. We expose all puppies to loud noises daily and begin separation of bathroom areas and play/rest/eating areas starting at 3 weeks of age (intro to potty training). All puppies are thoroughly socialized with adults, children and dogs of various ages. We do the best we can to give each and every pup the best start possible!

It is impossible to state that any given dog will be completely free of a genetic imperfection. Yet we are determined to do everything we can to prevent any Bird Dog Labs puppy from having a known genetic or health issue. We are diligent in our efforts to thoroughly research the backgrounds of all sires and dams, to try to reduce the odds of producing a defective puppy or litter.  All sires and dams of Bird Dog Labs litters have passing OFA hips (excellent,good, fair), OFA elbows normal, EIC and CNM clearances are known, and a passing CAER (formerly CERF). In 2015, we began testing all of the current and upcoming dogs that we own for 15 different genetic diseases that have been found in the Labrador Retriever breed. These genetic diseases include: exercised induced collapse (EIC), centronuclear myopathy (CNM), progressive retinal atrophy-progressive rod-cone degeneration (PRA-pcrd), retinal dysplasia/oculorskeletal dysplasia 1 (RD/OSD), cystinuria, degenerative myelopathy (DM), elliptocytosis, hereditary nasal parakeratosis (HNPK), hyperuricosuria, myotubular myopathy 1 (MTM1), narcolepsy, progressive retinal atrophy- cone-rod dystrophy 4 (PRA-crd4), pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD), skeletal dysplasia 2 – dwarfism (SD2) and progressive retinal atrophy-golden retriever 2 (PRA-GR2). We have also tested all of our current and upcoming dogs for the D Locus to prove that quality bloodlines from reputable breeders do not carry the “d” allele. All of our Bird Dog Labs are Dilute Free. We are truly dedicated to doing whatever we can to ensure that no Bird Dog Labs puppy will be affected by any of these diseases. Only when we are satisfied that the dogs meet our high standards of health will we breed. This is also why all Bird Dog Labs puppies come a 30 month written hip/eye health guarantee and an unmatched lifetime genetic disease guarantee against the 15 different diseases we test for, providing the purchaser complies with the agreement.  

Our puppies are not from cheap backyard-type breedings. Expect to pay $1,500-$3,000 and up for a Bird Dog Labs puppy. We go above and beyond in all aspects and it shows in the puppies we produce and the care they receive. We care deeply about all of our puppies and put a tremendous amount of time, research, love and money into making sure our puppies only receive the best care possible. Our prices reflect that, but still are competitive with today’s market. The prices are dependent on the stud used, the pedigrees and titling of the sire and dam, and any special circumstances that we have to overcome in order to make the litter happen. Please remember that the cheapest part of owning a dog is the price you pay for him or her. Also the puppy is going to be your buddy and hunting partner for the next 10-15 years.

THE PICK PROCESS: We do our absolute best to try to make sure it is a good fit for both the puppy and the new family. Before accepting a deposit, we prefer to have a conversation with prospective new owners to learn more about what they are looking for and planning for the puppy. When it comes to the selection process, we use the order deposits are received in determining pick order. But it is not as simplified as that. We pay very close attention to our puppies as they develop and we do our best to learn their baseline personalities and/or traits. It is important to understand that these personality traits can and often do change as they grow. Puppies are just like humans in regard to how their experiences and environment plays a role in who they become as adults. When it comes to the pick process, we use the baseline traits to help distinguish the pups as individuals from their litter mates. We always keep in mind what each family is looking for and have an idea of what puppies we feel would do best in each home no matter the pick order. We work with each family during the process. It is ultimately the new owner’s decision how they want to make their selection. It can be based on conversations, in person (if the puppies have had their vaccinations), based on videos and pictures, reaching in blind or we can make the selection for you. Our puppies are ready to go at 8 weeks of age and we require that the pick process is complete or very close to complete by the time the puppies are 7 weeks of age. This means that when the puppies are close to 6 weeks of age, if the selection process has not started, we will be contacting the families in the order deposits were received to get the ball rolling.

WE DO OUR BEST TO ACCOMMODATE TRAVEL & SHIPPING NEEDS

We want all BDL puppies to get to their new homes as safely and stress free as possible.

Our first choice and preference is for all families to come to our home to pick up their puppy directly.

If other shipping options are not possible, it is your responsibility to find a way to pick up your puppy.


Flying Options:  DUE TO COVID-19 CARGO SHIPPING IS NOT AVAILABLE! FLYING IN CABIN WITH YOU IS THE ONLY FLIGHT OPTION.

NOT CURRENTLY AN OPTION. –Shipping Cargo from Bemidji  We can fly puppies out of Delta of Bemidji depending on location/flight options. Cost is  $450. This includes crate, veterinary health certificate, and cargo fee. We reserve the right to refuse to fly a puppy if it will require the puppy to have an overnight stay in the airport.

NOT CURRENTLY AN OPTION. – Shipping Cargo from Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport
Delta has changed their pet program and as a result we may need to drive the puppies to Minneapolis to fly out directly. This is a 5 to 6 hour drive for us one way and as a result we require an additional $250 to cover travel expenses and time of the driver/helper. So if the puppy has to fly out of Minneapolis it will cost approximately $700. This includes the required travel health certificate, crate, cargo fee and transport to Minneapolis fee.  We reserve the right to refuse to fly a puppy if it will require the puppy to have an overnight stay in the airport.

 3-– Bring puppy to the MSP Airport OR Fargo Airport to fly in-cabin with you. 
We have started bringing puppies to the MSP or Fargo airports, so they can fly home with their new owners in cabin. This requires special arrangements on our end. We either have to have someone come in and care for our dogs so we can bring the puppy, or we ask a special person we trust to bring the puppy to you. We charge a flat $250 fee to bring a puppy to either of these airports.

Ground Shipping Options
 
1–BDL Ground Transportation
Occasionally we are able to offer delivery routes for pups from our own litters.

Rates are dependent on location and number of puppies traveling. If we can offer a delivery route, we try to stay comparable to what it would cost to fly a puppy cargo ($450-750). This way it covers our expenses for the trip (gas, food, car rental, hotel, etc) and allows us to pay a helper to care for our own dogs, while we are on the delivery trip. Or we pay the trusted driver for their time.
~If looking at doing a shipping route for a single puppy, we will charge a flat $1/mile or a minimum fee of $250.

2–Ground Transporters
We have had clients use ground shippers. Cost is variable and dependent on shipper and mileage. Clients work with ground shipper directly to determine cost.