Frequently Asked Questions About Sundance Retrievers

Due to high demand for our trained dogs, we no longer offer untrained puppies for sale. We accept a few deposits for Head Start puppies from each future litter. Head Start puppies go home at approximately four months of age, crate-trained and introduced to obedience.

Sundance Retrievers is located on a 200-acre private hunting preserve in Cranesville, Pennsylvania.

Here is a selection of our favorite books for Labrador Retriever owners:

• The New Knowledge of Dog Behavior ~ By Clarence Pfaffenberger
• Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog ~ By John Paul Scott and John L Fuller
• The Dog's Mind ~ By Bruce Fogle
• K-9 Complete Care: A manual for physically and mentally healthy working dogs. ~ By Resi Gerritsen and Rudd Haak
• Animals In Translation ~ By Temple Grandin
• What It's Like to Be a Dog and Other Adventures in Animal Neuroscience ~ By Gregory Berns
• The Culture Clash ~ By Jean Donaldson
• The Ethical Dog Trainer ~ By Jim Barry
• Don't Shoot the Dog! The New Art of Teaching and Training ~ By Karen Pryor
• Hear Them Speak ~ By Babette De Jongh
• Training Retrievers to Handle ~ By DL and Ann Walters
• Retriever Training for the Duck Hunter ~ By Robert Milner

The books listed below are older. Some of the training techniques practiced /discussed and language in these books are not condoned or used and may be found offensive. Like all books/discussions, there is fascinating, valuable, and interesting information to learn, even if you don't agree with the whole book.

• The Koehler Method of Dog Training ~ By William R. Koehler
• Retriever Hunt Test ~ By James Spencer
• Training Retrievers: The Cotten Pershall Method ~ By Bobby N. George Jr.
• Dog Breaking: The Most Expeditious, Certain and Easy method, Whether Great Excellence or Only Mediocrity Be Required, with Odds and Ends for Those who Love the Dog and Gun ~ By William N. Hutchison, written in 1848
• Cynegeticus: On Hunting With Dogs ~ By Xenophon, written in 470 BC

Yes, the dogs and Head Start puppies that are available on the website are the ones that we have for sale.
We also try to list our upcoming breedings at least six months in advance.
The prices are listed below the litter or dog that is for sale.

Yes, we accept checks, cash, credit cards, rare jewels, and Spanish Doubloons. No Bitcoin.

Head Starts, Companions, and Gun Dogs in training each have their own private training journal.
Pictures and videos are posted on our Facebook page. You have the option of requesting photo shoots through the journal if you want something other than a twice-monthly training picture.

Pick-ups or visits are by appointment only. Our pickup times are Monday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon. We are closed on Sundays and holidays.

Yes, The Green Roof Inn, Courtyard Erie Bayfront, and Edinboro Lake Resort are local, pet-friendly places to stay.

Yes, we do. We prefer driving services over flights. Here is the contact information for the transport companies we have used and recommend.
Please contact them directly for quotes or if you have any questions about the services they offer.

• Sundance Transport: In-house transport and training upon delivery. Please call Sheryl at 814-257-4283.
• ​Executive Pet Transport: (678) 975-2518
• Royal Rides: Kassie Wilson 1-806-759-8452
• Lyons Pet Transport (International): +1 (905) 320-0558
• ​Astrapi Pet Transport (International): 438-969-9111

Yes, the Vaccination and Health Certificate Requirements paperwork must be emailed one week before your dog arrives. Dogs that arrive without the needed paperwork will not be permitted to stay. There are no exceptions.

We feed our dogs and puppies Nutri Source: Adult Chicken and Rice and Large Breed Puppy. You can locate a dealer near you by checking out the "Where to Buy" on their website. You can also order the food from Tractor Supply (online), Amazon, and Chewy.com

• An appropriately sized dog crate. Usually a Medium to Large Ruff Land Crate ( Please see our Recommendations page)
• 17-inch ID collar, with 6-foot clip on leash
• 22-24 inch training collar
• 17-20 inch martingale
• 6-foot slip lead
• Regular store-bought " training clicker" ( we prefer the ones with the wrist strap)
• A dog bed/mat/hammock
• Acme 211.5 dog whistle ( Amazon)
• Toys: Durable Kong toys, Nyla Bones, Antlers, or Soft toys for supervised play
• Treats: any variety (biscuits, Pupperoni, Chicken bites, etc.)
• Appropriate food for your dog's age. We recommend NutriSource

Yes, you are encouraged to come often.

Tests, tests, and more tests. We extensively test our breeding females/males to ensure the genetic quality of the pups we would like to have born. We also import frozen semen from other countries ... all these things combined make for an exceptionally healthy, well-bred puppy.

The price breakdown is:

• $3,500 for the puppy and $210 for PA state taxes
• $1,000 for yearly vaccinations, monthly prevention medications ( flea, tick, heartworm, etc.)
• $1,000 per month for training (this includes food /board)

Not normally. Most of our puppies are pre-sold as trained dogs. This ensures that the new owners get their pick of the litter as well as allowing us to tailor the training to exactly what they would want.

Breeding females are normally placed with past clients, friends, or family. We would like to know you before placing our females in your home.

No, we love it. It is amazing to work and train with high-quality animals that we took part in creating. The process of taking a female through her testing, training, and hoping we find a genetic match, and then raising/training those puppies is very rewarding.