General Questions:
Where are you located?
We are located in West-Central Indiana, in the Midwest of America. Our at-home breeding business is a 1 hour drive directly west of Indianapolis.
How did you choose your name?
Our “Heritage Creek Labs” name was chosen because of the creek that runs through our wooded property and feeds into a large lake. Our 4 Labradors – Willow, Sage, Violet and Maples’s favorite daily event is hiking through the woods to swim in the creek. It’s where our kids play, the dogs wildly chase each other and where many happy memories are made as a family.
We also desire to raise a “Heritage” breed of labs that produces an amazing bloodline of beloved Labradors. Our dogs are always happy, friendly, obedient and truly a delight!
Can you tell us more about your family?
Our names are Brock and Stefanie Childs. We are a family of 5, which includes our charming son Rhett who is 13 years old and our beautiful 11 year old fraternal twin girls, named Hazel and Emmaline. We have lived in the central Indiana area our entire lives, and will continue to raise our family here.
We’ve cherished several Labradors over our 20 years of marriage. They are simply the BEST breed and companions! Because our Mama dogs and their pups live at our home, they are constantly smothered in as much love as possible. Our family homeschools, so our kids and us are home most days, giving our adult dogs full reign of our house, and our daily routine. This has created such a loving, slow-paced and intentional environment for our entire family. Raising our puppies and caring for each adult dog are important parts of our “School” day with our kids.
Why do you believe Labs are the BEST family Dogs?
Because they simply ARE! Ha! We are hobby breeders birthed out of the enthrallment of this sweet breed. From the stunning broad head, barrel chest, stocky body, and otter tail to the unrivaled, calm temperament we couldn’t help but fall in love. Labs are trustworthy with any age group, they’re unconditionally loyal to their owner, are big babies who enjoy cuddling, and they simply want to be included in whatever their owners are doing around the home. The mix of English and American Labradors have endless endearing characteristics. The Labrador Retriever has been the no. 1 selling breed for the last 30 years according to the AKC.
Are your Labradors American or English Retrievers?
Our Labradors are the best of both worlds because their bloodlines are a perfect blend of American and English heritages. The combining of the 2 types, creates highly desirable mix of traits from both. They typically inherit the sturdier stockier build, medium blocky head and calm, steady temperament of the English Labrador, alongside the slightly taller, more athletic frame and energetic drive of the American Labrador.
This pairing often produces a dog that is wonderfully versatile — relaxed, affectionate, and easygoing in the home, yet eager, capable, and enthusiastic when it comes to training, retrieving, or outdoor activities. Known for their friendly, people-loving personality, intelligence, and strong desire to please, these Labradors make exceptional family companions while still maintaining the work ethic, adaptability, and classic charm the breed is loved for.
Investment for Puppies:
What is the investment rate for your puppies?
- Our pure bred Labrador puppies are a total investment of $1600. We require a 50% NON-refundable reservation deposit of $800 and signed online contract to “Reserve/Hold” one of our pups until the 8 week mark when they are old enough to go to their forever home.
- We begin accepting reservations once a litter is born to ensure we know the exact number of puppies we have available, their color tones and genders.
- Our waiting lists for litters however are growing year round. We consistently take applications { The online form is offered through email [email protected] } once we determine a family is a lovely fit to be a forever home for one of our Lab pups.
What does your new puppy package include?
Our pure-bred Labrador puppy package includes your new furry best friend, exceptional care at our home for the first 8 weeks of life, an American Kennel Club “AKC” registration certificate with pedigree info, a well puppy visit with our local Veterinarian around 7 weeks and a darling go-home bag with goodies. We also pass along our 20 years of holistic knowledge in how to raise an incredible dog!
Diet: Our Labrador puppies will become naturally weaned from Mama’s milk around week 6. She is the one who initiates this timeframe because the pups will have developed sharp teeth which makes nursing very uncomfortable. Mama willingly distances herself around this milestone to teach her pups independent eating, social and survival skills. We introduce supplemental RAW organic farm milk from a local dairy around week 4, and use it to create puppy mush with ground kibble.
As puppies grow and move to their forever homes, we like to provide as much knowledge as possible to help their families thrive with natural dog food options. We believe FOOD is MEDICINE and holistically raised dogs have the best longevity! Read about our experience, RAW meat food options and viewpoints HERE!
Enrichment: Our past puppy clients always rave about how quickly their pup adjusted in their new forever homes. We attribute this smooth transition to the fact that our pups receive consistent affection and enrichment from birth. They are cuddled throughout every day, taught proper behavior cues and grow in a love-filled atmosphere. Our Lab pups become used to regular noise from our 3 kids and general daily life, so that by the time they are ready to move to their new forever homes, not much phases them. We will also provide you with a list of tips and helpful info that will bring insight into future wellness. These things help the transition process from our home to yours.
Potty Training: Our puppies become litter trained with cedar chips around 6 weeks and then partially outdoor potty trained by the time they move to their forever home at week 8. The full potty training begins in their consistent home as they learn their environment and new routine.
View our Puppy Guide on our blog HERE!
What is the value of the AKC registration?
We breed with integrity to ensure that all of our Labradors fall within the highest American Kennel Club “AKC”. This registration gives us access to the full blood line, which ensures health through previous generations. Knowing that these parents are the best of the best when it comes to temperament, appearance and health, ensures amazing pups for future families.
AKC Registration Limitations: Our Puppy Investment of $1.600 includes only a “Limited Registration” through AKC. This means client’s investment with us DOESN’T include breeding rights for clients to breed their puppy when He/She grows into an adult.
We do offer a “Full Registration” option for an additional fee of $500. This would bring the total investment of a Heritage Creek Labs puppy to $2,100. This option can be discussed at the time of reserving a puppy with us.
Do you allow potential families to visit puppies prior to pickup?
We offer phone calls and video Zoom calls for potential adoptive families. We don’t allow in person visits for the first 6 weeks, to protect the health and wellness of our puppies during their tiny and fragile newborn stage. Message us to set up a video or phone call!
We offer a delivery option for Indiana families, where we can bring your new puppy to your home when they turn 8 weeks. For out of town families, we can arrange a pick up/meeting location option. We aren’t currently offering any flight delivery options for pups as we feel this is too stressful to a young dog to endure.
Breeding Info:
How many liters will your Mama Labs birth each year?
Our breeding focus of quality over quantity is of upmost importance to us. We only breed each of our Mama dogs 1 time per year, with the maximum amount of litters they would ever have, being around 6-7 total in their lifetime. Our MAMAs are our personal family dogs, making their happiness and health our highest priority.
This ensures perfect health for our Mothers and pups. We strive to raise only exceptional pure-bred Labrador Retriever pups that are AKC registered and from ethical and responsible breeding practices.
What male Lab do you use as a stud?
We are currently using 2 charming Yellow Labrador Studs in our breeding program. Dexter and Maverick have a cute profile that you may view on our “Litters + Labs” page. These handsome males are the best of the best when it comes to gentle temperament, beautiful appearance and excellent health, which ensures amazing pups for future families.
We have access to the full blood line of these Sires through our AKC registry, which ensures health through previous family trees.
What color of Labs will you be offering?
We will produce Yellow, Chocolate and Black Labrador puppies in the years to come.
Genetics are wild! Depending on the Sire and Dam’s genetic makeup, our color offerings will change from year to year and litter to litter.
Sage X Dexter = Black Pups
Sage X a new Chocolate Stud = Chocolate Pups
Willow X Dexter = Yellow/White
Violet X Maverick = Black + Dark Yellow Pups in the same litter
Do you offer a health guarantee?
We strive to breed only the most exceptional Labrador parents! This in turn, creates the most healthy, friendly and the consistently beloved puppies. Having access to bloodlines through the AKC registry, delivers even more proof of health and overall longevity. Hip dysplasia, chronic diseases and poor breeding practices aren’t allowed as an AKC breeder. We take our puppies to our local Veterinarian for a full well-check around 7 weeks of age to ensure wellness prior to them moving to their forever homes. All pups are on a healthy diet of Mama’s milk for immunity ( Which lasts for the first 16 weeks of their life ) and quality puppy food mixed with raw fresh farm milk. All pups are socialized within our home, family and our kids since birth. This combinations creates a exceptional health, an amazing temperament, loyalty, trustworthiness with kids and a gentle spirit.
We DO NOT offer a tangible “Health Guarantee” as part of our contract or package. We know that our puppies are given the best start to life possible and responsibly bred through us. Once they leave our care, it is the sole responsibility of the new forever family to ensure the best health possible for the future.
We believe health is found in the way dogs are cared for emotionally, physically and mentally. Emotional wellness is nurtured through a gentle home atmosphere, intentional daily affection and holistic nutrition to support hormones. Next, is how they are cared for physically through daily walks, playtime, cuddling and enrichment activities. Dogs need to be walked 2-1 times daily and given hours of outside open playtime. They enjoy enrichment for stimulation such as playing fetch, swimming and having a “Job” they can work at for their owner. Family dogs want to know they are cherished by owners. Most importantly, we consider FOOD as the greatest medicine and supplements as preventative healthcare. We can recommend incredible food and supplements to deliver longevity! Read about our views in these Blog Posts: