Breeding program

Coldsprings Healing Paws Breeding Program started in 2004. Since then, we have made it our mission to produce Labradors that have health, brains and trainability as their strongest attributes. Our line of dogs has been tailored to being successful in service and therapy work for over a decade now. Our priority is producing dogs that have the history of strong health clearances as well as the demeanor that leads them to be extremely trainable in all situations. Every dog in our program is put through vigorous temperament and health screenings from DNA tests to cardiac evaluations, annual eye exams to radiographs of hips and elbows. This is prior to being added to our breeding program. Our pups are placed with organizations all over the country that train assistance dogs for various disabilities (examples hearing canines, diabetic alert canines, mobility assistance as well as facility therapy dogs) a very small percentage of our pups are available to be wonderful family pets as well. Pups are raised in a home setting handled by children and exposed to many things. They are imprinted, crate trained and temperament tested prior to being matched for their future.

Why breed specifically for service work…well organizations can rely on breeders to donate pups but typically these breeders are offering the last of the litter not the most qualified. Or the breeders are breeding for a specific purpose such as the show world, hunting lines or companion dogs. This doesn’t mean they do not have amazing lines but it means their focus isn’t necessarily aligned with what most organizations are looking for in service pups. they can purchase dogs from a reputable breeder that has done the work to ensure the bloodlines used have a high level of intelligence and a temperament suitable for service work. Even after spending thousands to acquire these dogs, only about 48% of puppies who start their training will complete it and ultimately work for someone in need. 

Or they can visit shelters to rescue dogs to be trained for service work. Studies have shown that for every 100 dogs in a shelter, only 8 of those dogs will show the initial signs that would cause them to think the dog is suitable for service work. Of those 8 dogs that begin training, only one will complete the training and be placed with someone in need. That is only 12.5% success rate! that high failure rate is a huge reason for the long wait time and high cost associated with changing someone’s life with a service dog.  we have done the research have a proven line of Labradors that excel in assistance work. Our goal is to place more pups with organizations that share our passion to change lives one Labrador at a time.