Where in Northern, IL are we located?

North of Rockford, IL.

I'm sure through all your research of American and English style Labradors and by looking at my dogs you should be able to tell they are 100% English style... I will never have the American style for I don't prefer their temperaments.

• The height at the withers for a dog is 22½ to 24½ inches; for a bitch is 21½ to 23½ inches. Any variance greater than ½ inch above or below these heights is a disqualification. Approximate weight of dogs and bitches in working condition: dogs 65 to 80 pounds; bitches 55 to 70 pounds.

IF we have any older/retired dogs available it WILL be on this page or on our Facebook page Empress Labradors Homestead...my older/retired dogs are $4,000.00 and will be spayed or neutered before leaving my kennel.  On occasion we have older puppies that we kept from previous litters and have decided to part with them for reasons only breeders would understand. Of course there is nothing wrong with them for a pet home.

• We do still accept checks mailed - however, for a quicker transaction and to get your name on the waiting list quicker we accept Zelle, Venmo, or Chase Quick Pay. If mailing a check please make out: Dawn Nacey.

  Zelle look for DawnNacey
  
  Venmo look for @Dawn-Nacey (myself with a Yellow Labrador)
  
  
  Once in Zelle or Venmo there is a NOTE section.

  Please physically type in the section the following:

          1.) Your email address & phone number with area code.

          2.) First choice color/sex and second choice color/sex.

          3.) Lastly, that you understand that this deposit is NON-refundable

• *** After you have refused 3 puppy offerings your deposit is forfeited.

•   The answer is basically NO! I don’t have a crystal ball and can’t see into the future. Until the litter is born with different colors and sexes is the ONLY time I will know any info.

•   Spay and neutering is very important to do however, we don't recommend getting this done until your dog is 15 - 18 months of age. **Please note that veterinarians more than likely will not agree with this recommendation. We feel that our bloodlines need the growth hormones to grow properly with hopefully less issues later.  Any questions about it please ask me.  This dog will be on a limited AKC registration.

Please keep in mind that we as breeders have no control of what color or sex is born, so please be willing to accept a different color and or sex. With our litters, the breeder will always have first and second pick to choose puppies that will continue our breeding lines.

How you get to pick your puppy is determined by when your deposit has been received.  ie: Senerio #1  If you are 3rd on my waiting list for a yellow male and only 2 yellow males are born then either your second choice sex or color comes into consideration, and IF you don't have a second option then your deposit gets carried over to the next litter whenever that will be.  Senerio #2 If you are 3rd on the waiting list for yellow males and there are 5 yellow males born then on pick up day the two families that have deposits before you get to pick their puppy before you.

Having a second choice of color and/or sex which of course could increase your chances of getting a puppy from a particular litter.  Please keep in mind that most of my puppies are sold BEFORE they are born and just because I have your deposit does not mean that I can order what color and/or sex that I have deposits for.

Another recommendation is please do not discuss the first stages of puppy buying with your children until about a week before first visitation which is at 5 weeks old.  Anything can happen during birth and the first couple weeks, and I would hate to cause any heartbreak.

• After your puppy has his or her first shot administered which is usually given at 5 weeks old I will send out an invite typically on Facebook to let everyone know the date and time.   No visitations before then sorry.

Gestation for dogs is 63 days and your puppy will be able to go home around 8 weeks old.  Pull out a calendar and review to make sure that your schedule works with puppy pick-up dates.  Anyone who needs a puppy to stay here over 8 weeks will be charged a $ 10.00 a day boarding fee.

NuVet is required with every Empress Puppy, Older Puppy, or Dog that goes home. Please order prior to puppy pick up day so there is no digestive upset once you puppy gets home.

As a breeder, puppy health is my top priority. That’s why NuVet Plus immune system builder is required as part of your Health Guarantee. Simply put, it is the best nutritional supplement available today.

To assure your puppy gets off to the right start, they have been enjoying NuVet Plus every day as a treat (they love the taste). Continuing this daily regimen is the easiest and best way to keep your pup on the path to perfect health!

Hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats are using NuVet to support their immune system and provide optimal health. A strong immune system will protect them from environmental and food toxins such as back yard pesticides, hormones, germs from public places, and even toxic formaldehyde in furniture and carpeting. NuVet Plus will not only protect but also help them maintain a beautiful skin and coat.

This is not just a vitamin. It’s an immune system builder with a precise balance of vitamins, minerals, omega fatty acids, amino acids and high-potency antioxidants. That’s why it works so well through all three stages of a dog’s life.

For puppies - Fills the immunity gap all puppies experience. Shortly after birth maternal antibody effectiveness is greatly reduced. By 8 weeks your puppy’s immune system is at a vulnerable point. Once in their new home, the immune system is weakened by the stress of adoption and exposure to novel bacteria and viruses in their environment. This is also when the vaccine series is started. Vaccines are most effective if the immune system can respond properly. Starting NuVet Plus now is important to helping your puppy grow into a healthy adult.

For dogs in their prime - Improves the luster of their skin and coat while providing the necessary antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, mineral and more to sustain their body’s peak performance during the prime of their lives.

For older dogs – Helps provide the nutritional requirements to help them live long, happy, and productive lives in their senior years. NuVet also offers cardiovascular support, can improve energy and overall quality of life.

NuVet is not available in stores, and is only available to the general public with an order code from an authorized pet professional.

For your convenience, you may order directly from the manufacturer by calling 800-474-7044 and using Order Code: 19387, or ordering online at www.nuvet.com/19387

You can also save an additional 15% and assure you never run out of NuVet by choosing the “AutoShip” option at check out which can be edited, changed, or stopped at any time.

I get a notification when this is ordered by family so it needs to be done before puppy pick up day.
 

Yes !

• Yes we do... there are many health screen test that we do such as OFA Hips, OFA Elbows, OFA Cardiac Color Doppler Echo, CAER Eye Exam, PRA, EIC, HNPK, D Locus, CM, CMS, Copper, DM, RD, SD, MCD, and Stargardt, these are needed before any Labrador at our place is bred.

Please consider Labrador puppies grow up to close to 2 years old.... try to limited high jumping up (ie: for a toy/frisbee) jumping down (ie: out of vehicle/couch/bed) and running (ie: beside you/golf cart/bicycle)  Once all their growth plates have closed and they are physically mature (usually around age 2) and once they are conditioned enough for heavy exercise like jogging with you, etc.... it's a process just like you starting to run... they will need to build up to it and it will not happen over night.

There are not many companies that have "true" research on the needs of a growing puppy other than Royal Canin Large Breed Puppy.  Why is this important ? Would you feed your baby adult food ?  NO for baby food is designed for a growing baby and is the exact reason why I recommend Royal Canin Large Breed Puppy food until at least a year old.  Your puppy will go home on Royal Canin Large Breed Puppy Food. After you are halfway through that bag, you can slowly switch over to Royal Canin Large Breed Puppy Food.

After a year old there are many great foods on the market, just please stay away from foods such as Pedigree, Iams, Ol Roy, Dog Chow, etc.