If you've been researching breeders, you've probably come across the phrase “AKC Bred with Heart.” Maybe you've seen our badge on the website and wondered what's actually behind it. It's not just a logo — it represents a real set of commitments that we take seriously. Let me break it down for you. 🐾
What the AKC Bred with Heart Program Is
AKC Bred with Heart is a program that recognizes breeders who go beyond the minimum. To participate, breeders must commit to a core set of health, education, and responsibility standards — and maintain AKC registration in good standing. It's not something you get automatically just by registering a litter. You have to actively opt in and meet the requirements.
For puppy buyers, it's a signal worth paying attention to. There are a lot of people selling labs. Not all of them are invested in the health, temperament, and long-term wellbeing of those dogs the way Bred with Heart breeders are.
What It Means in Practice at Hillcrest Farm
Here's what our commitment actually looks like — not just on paper, but in real life:
Health Testing Our Breeding Dogs
Every one of our breeding females undergoes a full health panel before she's ever bred. That includes:
- Hip and elbow evaluations — because joint health is critical in a working, active breed
- Eye certifications — to screen for hereditary eye conditions
- Full genetic panel — including EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse) and other breed-specific markers
We don't breed dogs that haven't passed these tests. Period. That's not always easy or cheap, but it's the right thing to do for the puppies and for the families who take them home.
Hunting Titles on Our Females
Every female in our breeding program holds at minimum a Junior AKC or Started HRC hunting title. Our girl Storm has an AKC Master Hunter title — one of the highest levels in the sport. We don't just breed for looks. We breed for the whole dog: temperament, drive, trainability, and real-world performance.
Puppy Culture Socialization
Every litter we raise goes through the Puppy Culture program from day one. This means Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) starting at day three, daily handling, sound exposure, surface variety, and structured socialization windows designed around how puppy brains actually develop.
By the time your puppy comes home at 8 weeks, they've already been introduced to the world — calmly, carefully, and with a lot of love.
Health Guarantees and Lifetime Support
Every puppy leaves with a health guarantee and a vet health certificate. But more than that — we're available to our puppy families for life. Questions about training, nutrition, behavior, transitions? We're a text or call away, years after your pup comes home.
And if life ever takes an unexpected turn and a family can't keep their dog? We take them back. Always. No dog that came from Hillcrest Farm will ever end up in a shelter.
Why This Matters When You're Choosing a Breeder
Anyone can post a litter online. Anyone can take a deposit. The difference between a reputable breeder and a backyard operation isn't always obvious at first glance — but it shows up in the health of the dog, the temperament of the dog, and the support you get when you need it.
Bred with Heart isn't a guarantee of perfection — no breeder can promise that. But it's a real commitment to doing this the right way. And at Hillcrest Farm, it's not just a badge. It's how we do things every single day. 🐾