Being an Accredited Obedience instructor, we use widely accepted behavioral and medical methods from before and after birth until puppies leave for new homes to help insure sound health and temperaments. With that in mind, we attempt to breed dogs with the following basic qualities:

• CONFORMATION Land O' Lake's (a.k.a. Land Aus Der See in Germany) German Shepherd puppies are bred to the SV breed standard in Germany, and we are members of United Schutzhund Club of America, and German Shepherd Dog Club of America (GSDCA), and our puppies are AKC registered. We have top imported German bloodlines, preferring to acquire our dogs from Germany.

  
  Our Golden Retrievers are all Champions and our puppies are bred to the breed standard approved by the AKC and the Golden Retriever Dog Club of America, and, are AKC registered. Our Golden Retriever bloodlines are imported from Canada. As such, both breeds will be excellent representative examples of their breeds.

  
  

• HEALTH It is never a joy to own a dog that has chronic health problems. Our Puppies come from quality stock and combined with the proper care, nutrition, and veterinary attention will provide a healthy, happy companion for years to come.

• INTELLIGENCE Our puppies are bred from stock that has demonstrated their intelligence through competition in conformation and performance events. We are proud to have our German Shepherds participating in Search & Rescue, Police work, sheepherding, & tracking, and as family companions/guardians; and our Golden Retrievers performing in obedience competitions, hunting, winning at dog shows, and as wonderful family companions.

• TEMPERAMENT Our puppies are bred to be confident, loyal, and trusted companions. Our dogs are easily trained, and can be taught to do a wide variety of tasks.

Throughout their young lives here at Land O' Lake's our puppies are carefully evaluated to determine which home is the most suitable match. Pet, Schutzhund/Show/Breeding prospects are determined. Personality as well as physical traits are carefully noted and these observations of temperament not only help us place each puppy in the 'right' home, but serve as a basis for puppy training. This program includes socializing with children, leash training, basic obedience, and grooming procedures.

When they leave for their new homes, the puppies are on their way to learning to sit, lay down, walk on leash, and come when called. Each puppy is also introduced to crate training before leaving which greatly simplifies housetraining for the new owner. Since puppies learn to love their crate for the security and comfort it provides, new owners are encouraged to continue the use of a crate to help prevent accidents in the home and curb unwanted chewing. Crates also prepare your dog for stays at your veterinarian (for neutering) and act as a 'seat belt' to protect your dog in a car. And as you travel with your dog, most motels will accept dogs that are crate trained.

New owners are expected to continue with established practices of housetraining and obedience training until the puppy becomes a reliable and pleasant companion. We try to raise puppies who are well equipped for their busy life ahead whether it be a schutzhund or show prospect, or a couch potato, and we continue that process after the puppy is sold through advice to the new owner.

Our procedure of placing puppies is to keep you well informed as you wait for planned parenthood:

1. We send pictures of the parents-to-be, and this written information, and accept $200.00 deposits(please make your check payable to Patricia & Gary Dobson) on the sex of puppy you would like to reserve. Deposits are refundable, while our dog is pregnant, but once the puppies are born, and we have reserved a puppy just for you, then the deposit is non-refundable. If a litter is born, and there are not enough puppies of the sex you want, then you may transfer your deposit to our next litter, or we will refund your deposit. Your choice.

2. We call or email a few days after the birth and let you know how many puppies were born and their sexes. We send weekly pictures while the pups are growing. We have Quality Pet puppies (not to be used for breeding), Breeding, Show, & Schutzhund prospects. Please email or phone us regarding available pups and pricing. Pet puppies, of either breed, are sold with non-breeding AKC registration. All the puppies will be exemplary examples of their breeds and are fully guaranteed for three years.

3. At 5 weeks of age, when the puppies are weaned, we invite you to schedule a visit to meet all our dogs and see the puppies. At this point, the puppies have not had their shots yet, so you will wear disposable gloves that we provide, so that you can pet and handle our puppies. Choosing your puppy will be at 8 weeks, and will be in order of deposits.

4. At 5-6 weeks of age our puppies are tattooed to permanently identify them.

5. At 7 weeks the puppies are given a complete physical by our veterinarian. At this age, each puppy is also Temperament/Aptitude Tested, and we will have evaluated each puppy and determined which will go to pet, or show/breeding homes and their exact cost.

6. At 8 weeks, we would schedule an appointment, in order of deposits, and together with your family, we will select the best puppy to complement your lifestyle and needs.

Upon the sale of a Land O' Lake's puppy, we provide the following:

1. Shot/worming record.

2. Veterinarian’s physical report.

3. On Our German Shepherds~on both parents, copies of the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals (OFA) certificates on both their hips and elbows, or a copy of the FCI "A Normal" Stamps on dogs from Germany.

4. On Our Golden Retrievers~on both parents, copies of the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals (OFA) certificates on both hips and elbows, copies of CERF Eye Clearances by a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist, copies of Heart Clearances by a board certified veterinary cardiologist, copies of Thyroid Clearances by a board certified veterinary endocrinologist, and copies of their Championship certificates.

5. AKC registration application.

6. Tattoo Registration certificate.

7. Pedigree.

8. Sales contract, with a written 3 year health guarantee.

9. Feeding schedule.

10. Training rebate schedule.

11. List of suggested books to learn more about nutrition and training.

12. Health issues and training tips.

Thank you for your inquiry about a Land O' Lake's puppy. If you wish to pursue purchasing a puppy from us, you may contact us at 301-904-8962 or 301-373-3305, or email us at gandpdobson@starpower.net.

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