I have no puppies available at this time. 
I most likely will not have another litter available until early 2011.

I am happy to refer you to other reputable, conscientious Labrador breeders.
  Please feel free to send an email or I will post below.

Peggy Lands, Nightwind Labradors
Litter by my "Louie" x Nightwinds Painted Lady
Blacks possibly available.

Michael and Nicole Santamaria, Cedarbrook Labradors
Litter by my "Louie" x Cedarbrooks Dear Abbie
Blacks and yellows expected late April.

Susan Brownell, Bittersweet Labradors:  sbrownel@us.ibm.com
All chocolate litter born week of 2/1.  Males and females available.

Ruth Soloman, Seal Cove Labradors:  rasdvm@gmail.com
Black and yellow litter expected mid-April.

What You Need to Know About Purchasing a Nycoma Way Puppy

Philosophy

At Nycoma Way, I strive to produce sound, healthy, good-natured, typical Labradors that conform to the standard, and exemplify the "style" of Labrador I prefer.  I breed only when I desire to keep something for myself, to improve and carry on my lines.  All my puppies are sold on spay/neuter contracts and limited registration.  Only under very special circumstances will I allow a puppy to go home with full registration.  In those circumstances, I remain on the AKC registration papers as co-owner.  Whether for show or companion/pet, I require all puppy homes to sign a contract which outlines my health guarantee and my puppy owner responsibilities.  I provide a complete puppy folder to all new homes including a four-generation pedigree, health clearances on sire and dam and any other known relatives, photos of sire and dam and other relatives, health certificate including shot record, a myriad of training articles and general Labrador information, a six-lb. bag of food, and baby blanket that smells like your puppy's home to help with the transition to his/her new home.

Please note, I do NOT sell puppies for breeding. 

Those puppies that I believe possess the quality I desire to continue my lines remain here in my home, or are placed with other reputable Labrador breeders with whom I have developed a relationship.

My litters are planned well in advance of the breeding, with much research and analysis to try and determine the best dog for my girls.  I try to weigh all of the available information regarding health, temperament, type, trainability and drive, structure, movement, and hereditary problems. With the recognition that there is no clean pedigree, or perfect Labrador, I try to make the best decisions possible.  Breeding dogs is both an art and a science.  There is no guarantee that a puppy will not develop an unfortunate hereditary or health problem, but we can do our best to try and minimize that possibility by weighing all of the available information and making the best informed decisions possible.  I screen our breeding stock for hip, elbow, and eye soundness through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (hips and elbows) and Canine Eye Registration Foundation (eyes) as well as Optigen (eyes).  I also evaluate hocks, shoulders, hearts, thyroid, and other areas as necessary, or deemed prudent given the pedigrees and dogs involved. 

I believe strongly in open communication among breeders to try and improve the health and soundness of our breed.  I do not believe in mud-slinging or bad-mouthing when a breeder acknowledges a potential or known problem in his or her line, or particular dog/bitch.  I respect and commend breeders who share information with others about hereditary problems and/or concerns.  It is only through open and honest communication that we will be able to make informed decisions about our breeding programs and to continue to improve the integrity of our breed.  Information shared openly and honestly is that alone--information and data, not a statement about the individual or the dog in question.

Are You Interested in a Labrador Puppy?  Please Read This First. 

    Purchasing a new puppy is a lifetime commitment and should not be taken lightly.  I encourage interested puppy homes to research carefully the breed they are interested in bringing into their home and family--what are the breed's characteristics?  What was this breed bred to do?  How much care and exercise does this breed require?  What are the genetic and hereditary problems common to this breed?  What type of home and physical environment does this breed do best in?  While Labradors are the most popular breed in the United States today, according to AKC Registration statistics, they are not the breed for everyone.  Please take the time to do your homework to make sure a Labrador is right for you.  There are far too many Labrador puppies and adults in shelters across the country, in Labrador Retriever Rescue, and foster homes.  Tragically, many of these Labradors are euthanized when a home cannot be found.  Not-for-profit rescues and volunteers cannot save them all.  Respected and committed breeders are not out for the "quick buck", and involve much emotion, time, and money into each and every puppy brought into this world.   

 As important as researching the breed that is right for you, I highly recommend you interview the breeder you are interested in purchasing a puppy from.  You should expect a concerned and committed breeder to do the same of you.  You should be concerned about compatibility--do I get a "good" feeling about this person?   Is it a good fit?  Would I feel comfortable coming back to this person over the course of my dog's life to ask questions or obtain advice? Is he or she committed to the welfare of this breed, or is he or she just concerned about profit?  Why is s/he breeding this particular litter?  Are they planning to keep a puppy from the litter for themselves?  What are the breeders' goals for this particular breeding? Why this particular stud dog? 

What is the breeder's home like?  Is it clean?  Does the breeder allow you to just pick out whatever puppy you want, or does s/he carefully temperament test and match a puppy based upon the best "fit" with your lifestyle, goals, and expectations for your future companion?  Where are the puppies born and raised?  Are they raised in the home?   Are the puppies and other dogs clean and healthy? Will the breeder provide references from his or her veterinarian or other puppy homes?  Purchasing a Labrador puppy is a 12-15 year commitment, on average.  Concerned breeders will feel responsible for that puppy for its entire 12-15 years.  Has the breeder stated that he or she will take back or re-home a puppy or adult, regardless of age, if you can no longer care for it?  What does the breeder's contract state?  What are your protections?  What are the breeder's protections?

At Nycoma Way, I spend considerable time interviewing, getting to know, and visiting with each and every prospective puppy home.  I am very selective in the choice of homes for my puppies.  I can do this because I do not have many puppies available.  I typically breed only one, occasionally two, litters a year.  As a result, most of my puppies are reserved before the puppies are even born.  I do not sell puppies over the Internet, and prefer to meet each family in person before committing to selling a puppy.  If an in-person visit is not possible due to distance, a more in-depth and lengthy interview process is initiated.  I typically develop on-going relationships with my puppy homes, enjoying holiday pictures and cards, emails, notes, and visits.  I am committed to the life of each puppy that leaves my home, and do all that I can to make sure that a Nycoma Way puppy goes to the best home possible. 

    Please feel free to contact me with any questions about upcoming litters or my Labradors in general.  I will happily send my puppy questionnaire and puppy packet to interested parties upon request.

Educational Resources for Potential Puppy Homes

Labrador Retriever Breed FAQs
A very good overview of the Labrador Retriever breed

Kelrobin/Woodhaven Labradors Articles
This is a great link to articles on Labradors, purchasing a puppy, canine health, and other articles of interest

My Favorite Books
You may purchase at Amazon.com at great discounted prices or
through Dogwise.com, a great website for dog books.

Click on the book to be taken directly to a website to purchase.

	THE ART OF RAISING A PUPPY The Monks of New Skete
	LABRADOR RETRIEVERS TODAY Carole Coode
	LABRADOR RETRIEVER: THE DOG THAT DOES IT ALL Lisa Weiss & Emily Biegel
	MOTHER KNOWS BEST Carol Benjamin
	GOOD OWNERS, GREAT DOGS Brian Kilcommons & Sarah Wilson
	SURVIVING YOUR DOG'S ADOLESCENCE Carol Benjamin
	CHILD-PROOFING YOUR DOG Brian Kilcommons
	MY DOG PULLS. WHAT DO I DO? by Turid Rugaas
	DOG OWNER'S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK, 3RD ED James Carlson & Liisa Giffin
	A DOG FOR LIFE Claire Bessant, Peter Neville, Bradley Viner
	TRAINING RETRIEVERS TO HANDLE D.L. & Ann Walters
	TRAINING RETRIEVERS FOR MARSHES & MEADOWS James Spencer
	PUREBRED RESCUE DOG ADOPTION: REWARDS AND REALITIES Liz Palika
	FOR THE LOVE OF A DOG - UNDERSTANDING EMOTION IN YOU AND YOUR BEST FRIEND Patricia McConnell
	ON TALKING TERMS WITH DOGS: CALMING SIGNALS 2ND. ED. Turid Rugaas