Here at Three Rivers Kennel, we have developed a different way for you to choose your puppy.  When the pups are born, I 'label' them A, B, C, etc. in order of their arrival.  They we attach a name to the letter, i.e. 'A' becomes 'Amy' and so on.  As the puppies grow, I learn who they are.  I get to know them on a level that a visiting prospective parent can't.  Then, when you place your deposit, send me an email detailing what exactly you are looking for in a dog.  Try to think hard about traits you want in your full-grown Chocolate Lab.  What are you going to do with him?  Is he going to go hunting or ice fishing with you?  Do you hunt ducks, geese or pheasant?  Is he going to be a pet and family dog?  Do you want to compete in the field trials or the athletic trials (i.e. jumping off the dock, etc.)?  Is your family active or sedentary?  Do you have or plan to have small children?  Will your dog be alone alot during the day?  How big is your yard?  Is it fully fenced?  Will she live outside or inside?  The VERY LAST THING to consider is how you want him to look, i.e. size, color, big head, long legs, etc.  Generally I have found that once I match the traits desired, the look of the dog falls into place, i.e., form really does follow function.

Once you have compiled a list detailing the sort of dog you want, let me know.  I will get to know these puppies, their habits, their traits, (are they lazy or hyper?  interested in the ball or the rope? social or shy? needy or independent? etc.) and match them up with what the depositers tell me they want.  In the rare case where two depositers end up matching with the exact same dog, then I resort to 'first-come-first served' meaning the person who got their deposit in first gets first choice of the dog that matches their requirements and I find an alternate for the second depositer.  I have never missed with matching puppies and what they are likely to become with new owners and what they want/need.

 Of course, prospective parents are always welcome here at Three Rivers Kennel to meet mom and dad.  I restrict access to young pups because of incidents in the past where visitors have introduced parasites and other undesirables into the whelping pens.  Puppies are not accessible until they have reached 6 weeks of age and have had their first shots, wormer and flea preventative.  Of course, I will take all the pictures you want until then!!!