Questions & Answers
German Shepherd & Lab Puppy — Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we get most often — about the application process, our dogs, health testing, food, and policies.
Application & Placement
Can I pick my own puppy?
No — and this is intentional. We select your puppy based on Volhard temperament testing at 7 weeks, combined with everything you've told us about your lifestyle and goals. A high-drive working-line dog in the wrong home is a problem for both the dog and the owner. We've seen it. We prevent it.
What does the $3,000 price include?
Your puppy comes with: health records, copies of all parent health test results (OFA + full Embark panel), early neurological stimulation (ENS/ESI) from day 3, Volhard temperament testing at 7 weeks, limited AKC registration, and our raw feeding guide with approved brand list. First vet visit after pickup is your responsibility.
Are deposits refundable?
Deposits are non-refundable. We reserve the right to retain any deposit. Please do not place a deposit lightly — a puppy is a 10–15 year commitment. Full payment is due at 8 weeks of age. Payment methods accepted: Zelle, cash, personal check, or invoice.
What is your refund and health guarantee policy?
We guarantee the health of our dogs for one full year if the dog is maintained on a proper diet and exercise regimen. A full refund is available within 72 hours of pickup if a health issue arises. After that window, our take-back guarantee applies — we will always take a dog back, but refunds are not offered beyond 72 hours.
What is your spay/neuter policy?
Most puppies are sent home with a spay or neuter contract to be completed at or around 2 years of age. Minimum age for altering is 18 months — preferred age is 2 years when the dog is fully adult. Pediatric neutering prevents proper development and creates long-term health problems. The health guarantee is voided if a dog is altered too early. Once a working title and all health testing is completed, full AKC registration may be granted on an approved basis.
Can I get full AKC papers and breeding rights?
Yes — when full health testing (OFA hips, elbows, patella, cardiac, eye, thyroid, and full Embark genetic panel) plus a working title (minimum IGP1, PSA, or approved equivalent) are achieved. This process takes 2–3 years and must be approved by us. Any puppies produced without our approval can be legally confiscated per the purchase contract.
What papers will my puppy have?
AKC limited registration. Full registration is not given until 2–2.5 years when all requirements are met — health testing, genetic panel, and a working title.
Do you require raw feeding?
We strongly recommend it — raw is the healthiest diet for long-term health, longevity, joint health, teeth, and immunity. We provide an approved brand list and raw feeding guide with every placement. A dog food must be approved by us before being fed to keep your warranty in place. If raw feeding isn't possible in your situation, that's a conversation we can have — but it starts honest.
What health testing do your dogs have?
We do a full Embark panel (250+ diseases, including DM), OFA hips, OFA elbows, OFA thyroid blood testing, OFA patella, OFA basic cardiac exam, and OFA eye exam. We don't breed any dog before age 2 — typically 2.5–3 years in practice. Full results are available on each dog's profile page.
What age do you breed your dogs?
We don't breed any dog until age 2, but it is usually closer to 2.5–3 years. Dogs are not adults until age 2, and OFA will not accept official testing results before then — anything earlier is considered preliminary.
What colors do you breed?
For GSDs: solid black, sable, bicolor, and black and tan. We do not breed solid silver, liver, panda, or brindle — these are not accepted colors for the German Shepherd Dog. For Labradors: yellow, chocolate, and black only — the only AKC accepted colors.
Can we name our puppy?
You can absolutely name your own puppy. We only require that the kennel name "Emery Ranch" be included behind the name you choose — to preserve our lines and recognize the work we put into producing that dog. Example: Rex Emery Ranch.
What is your take-back guarantee?
We take back any dog we produce — for any reason, at any point in their life, no questions asked. It is required in our contract. We must approve the dog's next home, or we will rehome the dog ourselves.
What do I do if I have to rehome my dog?
Contact us immediately. We take back any dog produced from our program for any reason, no questions asked. It is required by contract that this happens. We will approve the next home or handle rehoming ourselves.
How old will my puppy be when I take them home?
We keep puppies until 10 weeks of age. This gives us more time to work on crate training, potty training, and building confidence for their new homes. We can hold a puppy to 12 weeks if requested.
Can I put a deposit down before a litter is born?
Yes. Deposits are non-refundable and we reserve the right to keep back any deposit. Please do not place a deposit lightly — a puppy is a 10–15 year commitment.
When are payments due?
Full payment is due at 8 weeks of age. Any additional training or boarding is due at the time of pickup. Payment methods: Zelle, cash, check, or invoice.
Do you allow visits to the puppies?
Yes, by appointment. We ask you to put on booties, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, then use hand sanitizer. If you have dogs at home with fleas, cough, or diarrhea, please refrain from visiting until those issues are resolved.
Do you have a vet reference?
Yes — Shamrock Veterinary in Eustis, Florida. They can attest to the temperament, stability, and health care standards of our dogs.
Do you recommend vaccinations?
Yes. Preventative care is the best care. It is essential to protect our dogs with every chance we get. There is some risk — your dog may feel under the weather afterward because their immune system is responding — but the protection is worth it.
Do you recommend flea and heartworm treatments?
Yes. No medication is risk-free for every individual — some dogs have genetics or allergies that affect how they process medications, and there is a rare risk of seizures. We recommend observing your dog for a minimum of 3 hours after any new medication.
What do you go over in the puppy raising program?
We cover marker words (yes for correct, no for incorrect), commands including here (recall), off, quiet, sit, down, place, heel, crate training, potty training, and extensive socialization — different noises, surfaces, people, dogs, and environments. Focused heel, drive building for sport or personal protection, and service/therapy dog preparation can be included if discussed.
Do you offer boarding discounts for dogs from your program?
Yes. Standard boarding rate is $75 per night. For puppies or dogs purchased from Emery Ranch, that rate is reduced to $45 per night.
Can I board my dog if she is in heat?
Yes. The dog will be separated from all other dogs — including intact females — and would only be around spayed or neutered dogs during that time.
Do you ship puppies?
We prefer in-person pickup when possible. Flight nanny arrangements may be available — contact us to discuss. Pickup is at our farm in Umatilla, Florida.
Do you offer training?
We offer in-home dog training through our partnership with Dog Training Elite Orlando. Visit dogtrainingelite.com for more information. We work with puppies and dogs with or without prior training.
Puppy Protocols & Nutrition
What protocols do you use with newborn puppies?
We use Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) starting on day 3, which involves brief neurological exercises that build stress tolerance and resilience. We also use Early Scent Introduction (ESI) following the Avidog methodology — introducing different scents daily from days 3–16. These are short, structured protocols, not extended handling sessions.
What is Volhard temperament testing?
The Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test is a standardized test conducted at exactly 7 weeks of age, when a puppy's neurological development most closely mirrors an adult dog. We test each puppy individually and score them across 10 exercises — social attraction, following, restraint, social dominance, elevation dominance, retrieving, touch sensitivity, sound sensitivity, sight sensitivity, and stability. Results directly inform which puppy we match to which home.
When do puppies go home?
Our puppies stay with us until 10 weeks of age. The extra two weeks (vs. the typical 8-week placement) gives us time to work on crate training, potty training, and confidence building with each puppy individually. It also allows temperament testing results to fully inform the match.
What comes with my puppy?
Every puppy leaves with: health records, copies of all parent health test results (OFA + full Embark panel), ENS/ESI documentation, Volhard temperament test results, limited AKC registration, our approved raw feeding guide, and direct access to us for questions after placement.
What is your food recommendation?
We strongly recommend a raw diet and provide an approved brand list with every puppy. Our current recommended brand is Titan Raw (available from petesmeats.org). A dog food must be on our approved list to keep the health warranty in place — feeding a poor diet does not support long-term health and longevity. If you have questions about transitioning to raw, we walk you through it.
What is pediatric spay/neuter and why do you advise against it?
Pediatric neutering (before 18–24 months) doesn't allow the dog to mature physically and creates documented health risks — including joint problems, increased cancer risk, and behavioral issues linked to the removal of key hormones during development. We strongly advise waiting until 18–24 months minimum. This is in our contract.
What are breeding rights and how do they work?
All puppies leave with limited AKC registration by default. Limited registration means the dog is registered, but any offspring cannot be registered with AKC. Full registration — which allows breeding — requires: (1) completion of a minimum working title (IGP1, PSA, or equivalent), (2) completion of the same health testing we require of our own breeding stock, and (3) our written approval before any breeding takes place. Any puppies produced without our written approval can be legally confiscated per the purchase contract.
Still Have Questions?
If something isn't answered here, reach out. We respond to all inquiries personally.