Fall Puppies: What Families Should Know About Getting a Lab This Season

Every fall, I get a version of the same question from families who are thinking about adding a lab to their home: “Is fall a bad time to get a puppy?”

It's a fair question. You've probably heard the advice to get a puppy in spring when the weather is warm and house training outside is easier. And while there's something to that, I want to give you a more complete picture — because fall can actually be one of the best seasons to welcome a lab home. And if spring is what you're truly hoping for, right now is exactly when you should be reaching out.

First, Let's Talk About the “Fall Puppy” Concern

The most common worry I hear is about house training in cold weather. And yes — taking a puppy outside every hour in a Minnesota November is not exactly relaxing. But here's the thing: by the time a puppy from Hillcrest Farm comes home to you, they are already well on their way. We start potty training at three weeks old. We use grass pads to establish the outdoor association early. By eight weeks, your puppy has been crate trained and is grass-pad trained — they understand the concept of going outside. You're reinforcing a foundation, not starting from zero. Put a grass pad on the snow if we have it and your pup will understand.

The other concern I hear is socialization. Again, this is something we handle on our end. Every litter we raise follows the Puppy Culture program — a structured socialization curriculum that starts in the first weeks of life. Your puppy has already been exposed to sounds, textures, handling, and early stress inoculation before they ever come home to you. A fall puppy from Hillcrest Farm is not a blank slate. They arrive ready.

Understanding the Timeline and the Waitlist

Here's where I want to be really transparent with you, because I think a lot of families don't fully understand how puppy availability actually works with responsible breeders.

We produce three to four litters per year here at Hillcrest Farm. Our litters average around ten puppies each. Puppies go home at eight weeks old — not before, and that timeline doesn't move. Between our waitlist, our hunting homes (about 70% of our puppies go to hunting families), and our family companion homes, spots fill up quickly.

Our current waitlist sits at about four puppies, with an average wait time of one to two litters. That means if you reach out today and put down your $200 deposit to hold your spot, you could realistically be looking at a puppy within the next one to two litters depending on your preferences, color, and timing.

Deposits are $200. They hold your place in line — and picks happen in deposit order. If you want first choice from a litter, being earlier on the waitlist genuinely matters.

What You're Getting: Health, Testing, and Socialization

Every breeding dog we use has a full genetic health panel, certified hips, elbows, and eye clearances. We don't cut corners on health testing, ever. It's expensive and it's time-consuming and it is absolutely non-negotiable.

Your puppy will receive their first DHPP vaccine at seven weeks, a full deworming protocol starting at two weeks, and a health certificate from our veterinarian before going home. They'll arrive having been handled daily since birth, socialized through the Puppy Culture program, crate trained, and grass-pad trained.

From our end, we've done the work. Your job is to keep the momentum going at home — which we help you with, because we provide lifelong support to every family who takes home one of our puppies.

Puppy Pricing and What to Expect

Our puppies are priced between $1,300 and $1,500 depending on the litter and selection. The $200 deposit comes off that total at the time of purchase.

We know that's an investment, and we want you to feel completely confident in what you're getting. This is a dog that will be part of your family for 10 to 15 years — bred from health-tested, certified parents with proven temperament and working ability, raised with daily hands-on socialization from day one.

If Spring Is Your Goal, Now Is the Time

This is the part I really want families to hear: if you're hoping for a spring puppy, you should be reaching out right now.

We're producing three to four litters per year, and our waitlist moves. By the time spring litters arrive, the spots are filled by families who got on the list months earlier. If you wait until March thinking “I'll start looking for a spring puppy,” you're likely looking at summer or fall by the time you actually take one home.

I'd rather have a conversation with you now — even if you're not 100% sure yet — than have you reach out in April disappointed that there's nothing available.

Let's Talk

If you have questions about our current litters, upcoming planned breedings, or what the process looks like from deposit to go-home day, I'd love to hear from you.

We're selective about the families our puppies go to — and we're equally selective about the homes we match them with. The questionnaire and conversation we have before placing a puppy isn't gatekeeping; it's our way of making sure you and your new dog are set up for success from day one.

Fall is a great time to get a lab. But more importantly, today is a great time to get on the list. 🍂

Contact Dayna at [email protected] to join the waitlist.