Any Minute!

Noli is getting big and getting ready for puppies. She doesn’t seem uncomfortable and is taking it all in stride, enjoying a little extra pampering (and extra food portions).

Our count is an estimate but according to our figuring we will probably puppies on the ground by tomorrow. Yayyyy, puppies!

Not Just A Dog

Puppies are cute and cuddly and make for great photo ops. But of course we all know, they grow into so much more.

Savvy is Ben’s best pal and also goes to work with Rich as a therapy dog for the students he works with, when she is not busy with puppies.

She also makes a great hiking partner and farm dog, enjoying the exertion, sticking close when she can be off-leash.

Our dogs are also hunt retrievers who enjoy retrieving upland game and waterfowl. They don’t mind the cold when retrieveing dozens of ducks and geese.

They like to run free on the farm but also stick close during outdoor projects.

Miles got his first taste of a pheasant hunt last winter. He did a great job on some tricky retrieves and was steady in between.

A Lab can be a best friend, a hunting retriever, AND a therapy dog, because attentiveness, intelligence, and eagerness to please are the underlying foundation of all three.

In addition, our dogs, and Labs in general are great with kids.

If its time to find a new best friend (or hunting partner, therapy dog, emotional support animal, or hiking partner), let us know! We still have a few available.

Merry, Merry

The puppies are loving having the run of the family room for playtime! Exploring, running, and discovering their new toys.

Like any animal (or person) developing healthy attachment, they explore from the safe base of the people they trust. That means they come check in in a lap or some kisses and ear scratches before going out exploring again.

If you have a reservation, stay tuned for an email from us soon. If you are considering a puppy and have any questions, get in touch with us!

Eyes Open!

Savvy’s puppies will be 3 weeks old on Tuesday. Their eyes have been gradually opening this week. Now the changes begin to happen quickly. They are trying out their legs, walking and toppling. Their ears have opened so now they are begining to react to sounds.

Their ears will start to catch up in size and they will begin to play with each other. Already, they are starting to lick rather than just root around for their mama, testing out their world, much like a baby putting everything in their mouth. And now they will be easier to photograph.

Meanwhile, Miles (dad) does not know he is a Father now, and is every bit the happy-go-lucky pup who plays with sticks, chases falling leaves, and finds warm sunny spots for taking naps.

In our world, everyone has final exams and papers and projects this week, and once we get past that, we will have time for more cute puppy pictures!

Fat Little Sweeties

Look at those sweet pawprints! You can see the pigments coming in starting in the foot pads.

This may not be her most flattering angle, but at 5 days old sleepy and fat is exactly where little Pavlova is supposed to be. (By the way, have you seen the animated children’s show Bluey? This litter is named after a Bluey theme.)

Its crazy how much these puppies are going to change in the next two weeks. Right now sleep, eat, grow is the only agenda. Sleep, eat, grow, be adorable.

Counting our 11 little blessings over here at Red River Retrievers! Contact us if you have questions or would like to reserve one!

Welcome to the World, Babies!

We are excited to announce the arrival of Savvy and Miles’ puppies! ELEVEN puppies were born between 5 pm and midnight last night. All appear strong and healthy, and Savvy is doing well. With a litter that large, we will be supplementing with bottle feedings, so the puppies will be handled and bond with humans even more than usual, if that is possible!

The litter consisted of 4 males and 7 females. All yellow, of course. Their black pigments will come in in a few weeks. For now everyone is resting and eating.

If you have a deposit, please check in and confirm that you are commiting to this litter. If you have questions or would like to make a reservation, please contact us. More photos soon!

Any Day Now….

Savvy could go into labor any day now, sometime before next Tuesday, by our count!

She is enjoying extra nourishing treats, and her private whelping room is all ready. She doesn’t seem too hindered by her size.

Meanwhile Papa Miles has found a dry spot to relax in the sun after the rain yesterday. He keeps us in stitches with his antics.

Stay tuned for puppy news sometime soon. If you are interested in a yellow lab puppy, we have some deposits but there should be plenty puppies still available. They will go home in January.

Surprise!

Thought you had to wait until spring for a puppy? Guess what- Savvy had other ideas! 

We’re excited to announce that Savvy and Miles are expecting a litter the week of November 14th – which means Christmas puppies! They’ll be ready to go home the first week of January. We’re expecting most of the puppies to be yellow, but you never know!

If you have filled out a contract and made a deposit that means you are on our waiting list! Please reach out and let us know if you would like to be in line for this litter or would like to defer to a future litter. 

If you are not yet on our waiting list and would like to be, please send us an email at redriverretrievers03@gmail.com or message us on Instagram.