We follow a strict health program for our puppies that includes frequent dewoming, vaccination schedules, and a prevention program for coccidiosis.

We no longer remove dew claws.  Studies show dew claws do indeed serve a purpose and are essential for stability.  Therefore we choose not to remove them. Here is a short article that discusses dew claws. https://www.gundogmag.com/editorial/pros-cons-keeping-removing-dogs-dewclaws/473207

Our puppies are first dewormed at 2 weeks of age, and are re-treated every two weeks. By the time they leave us, they will usually have been dewormed with at least two different types of dewormers to ensure broad-spectrum control of normal puppy parasites.

Our puppies will also have been given preventative care for coccidiosis, which is a very common intestinal infection in puppies in the United States. Coccidiosis causes diarrhea, and often occurs after a period of stress (weaning, leaving littermates for a new home, etc.)

Around 6 weeks of age, our puppies are given their first puppy vaccination. Our vet recommends the a 5 way vaccine. This is the first in a series of vaccinations that should be continued after you pick up your puppy. Contact your veterinarian for his/her vaccination timeline recommendations.

Recommended Vaccination Schedule

From the AMVA

Dog Vaccination Schedule
Age	Vaccination
5 weeks (not applicable here)	Parvovirus: for puppies at high risk of exposure to parvo, some veterinarians recommend vaccinating at 5 weeks. Check with your veterinarian.
6 & 9 weeks	Combination vaccine* without leptospirosis. Coronavirus: where coronavirus is a concern.
12 weeks or older	Rabies: Given by your local veterinarian (age at vaccination may vary according to local law).
12 & 15 weeks**	Combination vaccine Leptospirosis: include leptospirosis in the combination vaccine where leptospirosis is a concern, or if traveling to an area where it occurs. Coronavirus: where coronavirus is a concern. Lyme: where Lyme disease is a concern or if traveling to an area where it occurs.
Adult (boosters)§	Combination vaccine Leptospirosis: include leptospirosis in the combination vaccine where leptospirosis is a concern, or if traveling to an area where it occurs. Coronavirus: where coronavirus is a concern. Lyme: where Lyme disease is a concern or if traveling to an area where it occurs. Rabies: Given by your local veterinarian (time interval between vaccinations may vary according to local law).
*A combination vaccine, often called a 5-way vaccine, usually includes adenovirus cough and hepatitis, distemper, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. Some combination vaccines may also include leptospirosis (7-way vaccines) and/or coronavirus. The inclusion of either canine adenovirus-1 or adenovirus-2 in a vaccine will protect against both adenovirus cough and hepatitis; adenovirus-2 is highly preferred. **Some puppies may need additional vaccinations against parvovirus after 15 weeks of age. Consult with your local veterinarian. § According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs at low risk of disease exposure may not need to be boostered yearly for most diseases. Consult with your local veterinarian to determine the appropriate vaccination schedule for your dog. Remember, recommendations vary depending on the age, breed, and health status of the dog, the potential of the dog to be exposed to the disease, the type of vaccine, whether the dog is used for breeding, and the geographical area where the dog lives or may visit. ** Bordetella and parainfluenza: For canine cough protection, we recommend Intra-Trac II ADT. For dogs that are shown, in field trials, or are boarded, we recommend vaccination every six months with Intra-Trac II ADT.

We have a 2-page (front and back of one sheet of paper) health record form for puppies we sell that is great to use to keep track of your dog's health its whole life. Feel free to download it here. It is in MS Word format.

Deworming Schedule

Veterinary recommendations vary for deworming puppies, but all resources we've encountered recommend deworming at LEAST by 6 weeks of age and again at 3 months of age. 

A schedule beginning at 2 weeks with deworming every 2 weeks through the 8th week is recommended by some vets, while others recommend deworming for the first time at 6 weeks. We deworm our puppies at 2, 4, and 6 and 8 weeks and hope you'll continue with at least monthly deworming unless your veterinarian recommends otherwise.

Training/Growth Stages for Puppies

This is a neat and short article about the stages of puppy growth.  Knowing what to expect for that first year can help you both train and cope with your puppy's changes in personality and abilities.

Click Here to read the article.