interested in a labrador?

Welcoming a dog into your family is a significant, lifelong commitment—one that we take very seriously. As responsible and dedicated breeders, we’re here to guide you through every step of the journey. We prioritize health, conformation, and temperament in each planned breeding, ensuring our puppies are healthy, well-structured, and well-adjusted.

Our puppies are born and raised in our home, where they’re socialized from day one with early neurological stimulation and lots of attention. Before they join their new families, we introduce them to crate training, a variety of sounds and surfaces, and they receive a full veterinary health check. Each puppy goes home with a detailed portfolio, including copies of the parents' OFA clearances, pedigrees, vaccine records, and helpful information for new owners.

Why Should I Choose a Mason's Inlet Dog?

The presence of backyard breeders is unfortunately prevalent in today’s Labrador community, but at Mason's Inlet, we have made it our mission to set ourselves apart with a breeding program grounded in ethics, quality, and a commitment to the breed’s true standards. Our Labradors are family members first and foremost, and they live with us as cherished pets.

We are selective in our breeding choices, ensuring that each dog we breed not only meets but exceeds the breed standard in both health and temperament. If a dog does not conform to the standard or isn’t one we would personally welcome into our family, we do not consider them for breeding. All of our dogs undergo rigorous health testing through OFA and Pawprint Genetics, ensuring they are free from genetic disorders. However, health testing is only the starting point. We also consider the dog’s overall qualities, including their temperament, personality, and their potential to contribute positively to the breed.

While a beautiful Labrador is certainly important, we prioritize calm, friendly, and well-balanced temperaments just as highly. At Mason's Inlet, our goal is to breed Labradors who not only conform to the breed standard physically but also possess the loving, gentle nature that makes them the perfect family companion. We are dedicated to producing dogs that embody the very best traits of the Labrador breed.

What Is The Process?

Each litter is thoughtfully planned and meticulously prepared for. From day one, they are raised indoors and provided with the highest level of care.

All puppies are sold on AKC Limited Registration.
Puppies cannot leave until they are at least 8 weeks of age.
All parents are genetically tested via Pawprint Genetics for Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-PRCD), Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (HNPK), Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC), Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM), Retinal Dysplasia, Skeletal Dysplasia to ensure that every puppy is as healthy as possible.
Deposits are required to hold a particular place in line for a puppy. We do require you place a deposit for either a male or female and either yellow or black.

puppy Frequently Asked Questions

How do I place a deposit?

After approval, families can place a deposit on our "Deposits" page under the litter in which you are seeking. We take only a few deposits per litter, and you will need to commit to a particular color and sex.

I placed a deposit for 1st pick black male, and no black males were born. What happens to my deposit?

While we do allow families the option to place a deposit for a particular pick, we cannot guarantee sex/color with a litter. However, we do offer to transfer to an available puppy or future litter if we have one. We are also happy to refund your deposit! We try our best to place our families with a puppy.

When do puppies go home?

Our English Labradors cannot leave until they are 8 weeks of age. Doing so will ensure that the puppy has had plenty of time to socialize and learn essential behavioral skills. Before leaving, puppies go through early neurological stimulation (ENS), and are started on crate training as well as clicker training. They are raised indoors only, and exposed to various sounds, and surfaces.

How do I know I am getting a healthy puppy from you?

At Mason's Inlet Retrievers, health is our top priority. Every breeding dog undergoes recommended health testing as outlined by the Labrador Retriever Parent Club (LRC) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). Copies of all health certifications are included in each puppy’s portfolio for your peace of mind. Before going to their new homes, each puppy receives a comprehensive health check by our veterinarian to ensure they are in excellent condition. All puppies are up-to-date on age-appropriate vaccinations and deworming to give them the healthiest start possible.

What if I place a deposit, and I cannot take a puppy?

Choosing to bring a puppy into your home is a major commitment, and we encourage thoughtful consideration before placing a deposit. While deposits are non-refundable, they may be transferred to a future litter if arrangements are made by the time the puppy is 4 weeks old. After 4 weeks, however, deposits become final, and a new deposit would be required to reserve a puppy from a future litter.

We understand that unexpected situations may occur, but ask that you carefully consider this responsibility before committing. Welcoming a puppy into your family is a lifelong decision, and we want it to be the right one for you.

Where are you located?

We are located in Hampstead, North Carolina, about 25 minutes away from the airport located in Wilmington, North Carolina.

What is your policy on spaying/neutering my pet?

We strongly recommend waiting until a dog is between the ages of 18-24 months before spaying or neutering. A dog is constantly growing throughout puppyhood and adolescence. During these periods, not only do dogs get bigger, but their bones and joints fully form. If a dog is spayed or neutered too early, the lack of mature reproductive organs impacts hormone production, preventing connective tissues from developing properly. There are a multitude of articles sharing insight on the negative effects of spaying/neutering early. For more information, please view the article shared by AKC: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/study-updates-spay-neuter-guidelines/

Do you offer a health guarantee?

We proudly stand behind each breeding, and do offer a health guarantee for a specific period, ensuring that your pet is free of genetic defects or illnesses upon purchase. Please refer to our contract for details.

Can I visit your facility?

As a small hobby breeder, our Labradors are raised right inside our home, where they’re treated as family members. For this reason, we do not allow unscheduled visitors, and we’re sure you’ll understand why. Unlike some breeders, we don’t have an outdoor kennel or a “barn out back”—all our dogs live indoors and are cared for as part of our family. When we have a litter, the puppies are raised within our home environment and are not permitted outside until they’ve received their first set of vaccinations. Health and safety are our top priorities!

How do I pick my puppy?

Once you’ve placed a deposit, your spot is secured for the sex and color of your choice, depending on availability. We provide regular updates on our Facebook page, including individual portraits of each puppy starting at 3 weeks of age and continuing weekly until they reach 6 weeks.

At 6 weeks, selection takes place in the order of deposits, and we’re committed to helping families choose the puppy that best suits their lifestyle and needs. Whether you’re looking for a future service dog, a hunting partner, or a laid-back companion, we’re here to guide you through the process.

interested in a labrador?

Why Should I Choose a Mason's Inlet Dog?

What Is The Process?

puppy Frequently Asked Questions

This website uses cookies.