We currently have puppies available!!
Full AKC Registration is available to approved homes only
Please take the time to read our important update:
Hello and thank you for visiting Mountain Side Labradors!
I wanted to take some time to explain some changes we have made.
Prior to the covid outbreak in March of 2020 we had families out when the litter they were inquiring on was 2 weeks of age, at this time we went over all the paperwork, showed families the puppies as well as their parents and collected deposits to mark puppies sold. Then we would have families out at 8 weeks of age to choose their puppy and finalize paperwork.
In March of 2020 we had to make changes to our protocols here for the safety of our families as well as yours. In the beginning, we decided to not produce any litters to avoid contact with families, as time went on we required families to wear masks to come here and only when puppies were 8 weeks of age and ready to go to their new homes. We stopped having families come out at 2 weeks of age to lessen the risks of contact. This protocol worked well for everyone as they still got weekly - biweekly updates on the litter with photos and insight on the puppies dispositions, which allowed families to feel like they had a connection to the puppies. At 8 weeks old most families had a great idea of which puppy was which and what their disposition was like therefore it made for a very easy process.
Fast forward to now, March of 2022, and I am forever grateful for our protocol changes. I refer to covid as a "puppy pandemic", the reason being; families now had the extra time to bring in a puppy to their family or adopt a dog that needed their forever home. Puppies and shelter animals were in HIGH demand - which is fantastic! Wonderful families were finally able to provide puppies and shelter dogs with homes. Shelters were literally emptying out, that made my heart smile. The downside - puppies and dogs from not so reputable and responsible breeders, shelters and foster type situations were also being sold and rehomed without proper immunizations. Unvaccinated and sick puppies and dogs are being shipped to other states causing outbreaks of disease and illness. In the year of 2020 alone, for the state of Massachusetts there was a rise in parvo outbreaks that exceeding any year since the initial outbreak in the late 1970s. A whopping 70% rise. That is a LOT. Parvo is VERY dangerous. It has a 92% mortality rate in puppies and dogs that are not fully vaccinated. Parvo attacks the cells in the gastrointestinal tract, which stops them from being able to absorb vital nutrients. It is HIGHLY contagious and it can be contracted by saliva, vomit or feces. It clings to your shoes and clothes, any part of you that may have accidentally come in contact. It causes severe vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. There are no specific treatment plans for parvo. In the event your puppy or dog got parvo, your pet will get supportive care at an emergency animal hospital. IV fluids (most important - as dehydration is what inevitably kills your puppy or dog), IV antibiotics, IV antinausea medications, a nastrogastric tube is placed to make sure your puppy or dog is getting fed and getting some nutrients while receiving all other medications. Sometimes a parvo puppy or dog will need a blood transfusion. It is a harrowing process, if your puppy were to survive with the treatment in an ER it will likely be 5 - 7 days, or longer, until they are on the uphill climb.
With the severity of parvo, as well as other canine diseases, we are only allowing families to come here at 8 weeks old for the forseeable future. Lessening the traffic as much as possible, proper sterilization in between appointments, and having everyone stay in the same area will help tremendously with avoiding parvo and other diseases to come in contact with our property. Knowing it would never be intentional, anyone can accidentally bring it here. We SO MUCH appreciate most of the families who understand why we have made this a permanent protocol. Our dogs and puppies mean the world to us, if any one of them got a severe illness it would shatter my heart. With all that being said, we will continue operating exactly the way we did with the covid outbreak. We will send contracts electronically, collect deposits between 1 - 2 weeks electronically, weekly - biweekly updates on puppies with photos, selecting your puppy at 8 weeks of age and finalizing all paperwork at 8 weeks old.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Mountain Side Labradors
Please take a few minutes to fill out the puppy questionnaire and we will be happy to get back to you right away.