fall litters have arrived— december placements available

 Fall litters have arrived— December placements available

At Upper Cumberland Labradors, we’re committed to ensuring that every puppy we raise is well-prepared for their new home and that every new owner feels confident and supported throughout the process. 

Welcoming a Labrador Retriever Puppy into Your Home

Our Puppy Program & Buying Process 

We’re here to make the process simple, transparent, and personalized. From your first inquiry to the day your puppy comes home, our goal is to ensure each match is thoughtful, seamless, and built to last a lifetime.

Where every step is guided with care and intention

the puppy application process

We begin temperament evaluations at 7 weeks to gain a better insight of each puppy's temperament and strengths. Using these insights, we pair each family with a puppy who best aligns with their lifestyle and goals.

puppy selection

03

Once your application is received, we may follow up with additional questions or schedule a phone interview. Upon approval, we'll request a deposit to confirm your reservation and secure your place on our waitlist.

Approval and Deposit

02

Complete our application form to tell us more about your family, lifestyle, and what you're looking for in a Labrador. Every application is reviewed with care to ensure we understand what makes your home the perfect fit.

Submit Your Application 

01

Our commitment to you continues long after your puppy goes home. We offer lifetime support and are always available to answer questions, offer advice, and celebrate milestones together.

LIFETIME SUPPORT

06

At 8 weeks old, your puppy will be ready to join your family. We will help you coordinate pickup or delivery for your puppy and ensure you have all the essentials for a smooth transition home.

puppy pick up day!

05

We’ll provide you with all the information you need to prepare for your new arrival, including our curated supply list, training resources, and recommendations for setting your home up for success.

prepare for your puppy

04

Our puppy program is built on a foundation of intentional care, structure, and early learning. Every detail is designed to prepare each puppy for a confident, well-balanced start in life. We follow the Puppy Culture and Empowered Breeder programs while incorporating our own custom curriculum tailored to the specific needs of each litter. This thoughtful approach ensures every puppy leaves us with the foundation, confidence, and social skills to thrive in their new home.



A Comprehensive Puppy Raising Program

From Our Home to Yours

From the moment our puppies are born, they are surrounded by thoughtful, nurturing care in a clean and comfortable environment. Both the mother and her puppies receive constant supervision and the highest standard of care throughout the whelping process. Our mothers remain with their puppies until they leave for their new homes, no sooner than eight weeks of age. This time together allows her to nurture, teach, and build confidence in her young.


01. Whelping 

PHASE 1

Our Early Development Program begins at just three days old. We follow the Puppy Culture and Empowered Breeder protocols while incorporating our own custom curriculum designed to bring out the best in each puppy. Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI) strengthen their development and curiosity. As they grow, our puppies are gently introduced to new sights, sounds, surfaces, and experiences that encourage confidence, adaptability, and resilience.

02. Early Development

PHASE 2

Temperament evaluation is a key part of our placement process, conducted at seven weeks of age to ensure each puppy is matched with the right home. The evaluation measures how puppies respond to people, new environments, and stimuli while assessing confidence, focus, and energy levels. Alongside testing, we observe and document each puppy’s behavior daily, gaining a complete understanding of their unique personalities. Our goal is to thoughtfully pair every family with the puppy whose temperament best aligns with their lifestyle and goals.


03. Temperament Evaluations

PHASE 3

Go-home day is a milestone we prepare for with great care. By the time your puppy is ready to leave, they have developed a solid foundation in basic commands, crate training, and potty training. Each family receives a thoughtfully curated puppy package that includes essentials such as a Snuggle Puppy, blanket, and detailed guidance for the transition home. We strive to make this process as smooth and positive as possible for both the puppy and their new family.

04. Transition Home

PHASE 4

Our commitment extends far beyond go-home day. We offer lifetime support for every puppy we raise and encourage our families to reach out anytime with questions or updates. Whether it’s training guidance, nutrition advice, or ongoing encouragement, we remain a trusted resource and lifelong partner for every UC Labradors family.

05. Lifetime Support

PHASE 5

Each UC Labrador puppy is raised with the utmost care and attention to detail. Before going home, your puppy will have received their initial vaccinations, de-worming treatments, and a comprehensive physical examination performed by a licensed veterinarian. Puppies receive a parvo vaccination at six weeks, followed by a second dose of parvo and their initial Distemper and Leptospirosis vaccinations at eight weeks.
To ensure our 26-month genetic health guarantee remains valid, we ask that your puppy receive a follow-up wellness examination by your veterinarian within 72 hours of going home. We also require that all UC Labradors puppies be spayed or neutered no sooner than 24 months of age, allowing them to reach full physical and mental maturity before altering. This commitment supports optimal long-term health, structure, and overall well-being.

Dedicated to the highest standards of health and excellence

our health guarantee 

under construction! virtual tour coming soon. 

We believe excellence begins with environment. Every puppy is raised in a carefully curated space that fosters confidence, comfort, and early learning. Discover where quality, care, and intention come together to shape each UC Labrador.

See Where Our Puppies Are Raised 

a space designed with purpose!

let's get started

SOUND LIKE YOU?

You’re looking for a versatile Labrador that thrives in the field, in service, and at your side.

You appreciate a breeder who hold integrity, health, and lifelong support to the highest standard.


You are devoted to providing a loving, structured, and responsible home for your new puppy. 


You value a Labrador bred with intention, raised with care, and built on proven genetics.

We're the right Fit for You If:

because not every breeder is created equal...

APPLY here

info@uclabradors.com

have more questions for us?

Q:

We understand that welcoming a new puppy is both exciting and meaningful, and it often comes with important questions. Below are a few of the most common ones we receive.


Puppy FAQs

Deposits are non-refundable but may be considered for refund on a case-by-case basis at our discretion. Because our focus is always on matching each puppy to the right home based on temperament and suitability, refunds will not be issued solely due to shade, markings, or photo preference.

If your reserved litter does not produce a puppy that meets your selected gender or color preference, deposits may be transferred to a future litter. To qualify for transfer, a request must be made within three days of the litter’s birth. After that period, deposits are locked to the current litter.

Are deposits non-refundable? 


Our puppies are raised with purpose and care through a structured program that blends Puppy Culture, Empowered Breeder, and our own custom socialization methods. From days 3–16, they participate in Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI) to support healthy development and adaptability. As they grow, we focus on intentional socialization and gradual exposure to new sights, sounds, and environments, helping each puppy become confident, well-mannered, and ready to thrive in their future home.

How are your puppies raised?

Puppies are ready to join their new families at 8 weeks of age. This allows them the necessary time to develop both physically and emotionally while learning important social skills from their mother and littermates. Early separation can interrupt this crucial stage of development, so we ensure each puppy remains with us until they’re confident, healthy, and fully ready for their next chapter. Extended stays beyond 8 weeks can be arranged with additional care and socialization fees.


When can puppies go to their new homes?

We offer several transport options to ensure your puppy arrives home safely and comfortably. For our flying families, we can meet at the Nashville or Knoxville airports, and occasionally at the St. Louis airport when we are already planning a trip to Illinois. When available, our private transport team can travel directly to you or meet within a reasonable distance. We can also arrange a flight nanny if preferred. All airfare, airport meetups, and private or ground transport services are provided at the buyer’s expense. When we already have plans to visit Illinois, we’re happy to meet families in the area or along our route at no additional cost, as time allows.

What are your transport options?


Temperament testing helps us evaluate each puppy’s personality, confidence, and response to new experiences. This allows us to match puppies with families whose lifestyles best complement their individual temperaments. We complete testing at 7 weeks of age to provide a small insight into how each puppy may mature as an adult. While this evaluation offers helpful guidance, temperament is shaped largely by how the puppy is raised and socialized throughout their first year. Because of this, we do not guarantee specific temperaments.



What is temperament testing?

At 7 weeks of age, we complete temperament testing to evaluate traits such as confidence, socialization, curiosity, energy level, and response to new experiences. Each family also completes a detailed puppy questionnaire, which we cross-reference with temperament testing and our personal notes on each puppy. This collaborative process allows families to be part of the entire selection experience, giving them meaningful input and autonomy while being guided by our knowledge of the puppies and their individual needs. Our goal is to make every match thoughtful, informed, and rooted in what’s best for both the puppy and the family.


HOW DOES THE PICKING PROCESS WORK?

Sedey Family

"A loving and reputable breeder who cares."

Kind words from Our Happy families

It was our first time working with a breeder, and right from the start, Trisha put us at ease with her warm and caring approach. She kept us updated at every step of the adoption process, providing regular communication, and sending us adorable photos of Bosko. Her dedication and attentiveness made us feel confident and reassured throughout the journey. It was evident that she and her family genuinely loves the puppies as if they are their own, and that level of care and commitment was truly heartwarming. Since bringing Bosko home, we have been amazed by his incredible temperament. He is friendly, well-behaved, laid-back, and has adjusted seamlessly to our family.

Pence Family

"If you're looking for a special lab, look no further!"

Kind words from Our Happy families

Trish and Cory are so passionate about breeding labs! They spend so much time with them by the time Marshall was in our arms, he was conditioned to walk on all surfaces, he was fine on the car ride back to Indiana and actually enjoys rides. Trish and Cory also sent Marshall home with a blanket that smelled like his mommy and he loves it to this day, a bucket of toys, training help, homemade puppy treat recipes. The entire buying process was smooth sailing. I also wanted to add how wonderful their communication was. We talked almost daily and we were sent pictures of our baby boy. By the time we picked him up, we were already attached.

Norris Family

"We could not recommend them more!"

Kind words from Our Happy families

Since first connecting with Trish, she has gone above and beyond giving information about her process, providing updates, helping us with different home training tips, and more! Loa is our first family pet and we didn’t want to get her from just anyone. Trish takes care of the mom and she breeds ethically and responsibly. Our pup Loa has been the sweetest girl, easy to train, loves to play fetch, and so much more! Loa is now such a special part of our family and wouldn’t have been possible without connecting with Trish!

Madison Family

"Trish was so helpful and communicative!"

Kind words from Our Happy families

You will be getting a lab who has known love since the day the came into this world. It is so clear how much passion and heart Trish has for breeding and raising these dogs! The time and effort put in to producing healthy and secure puppies is so evident in their looks and behavior. My partner and I had never adopted from a breeder before, so finding an ethical one who not only did health testing and puppy socialization, but also one who truly cares for each puppy like family, was important to us. We felt that we were given so much helpful guidance and information, as well as take home goodies for help Violet’s transition.

Cowden Family

"The most caring and thoughtful breeders!"

Kind words from Our Happy families

Trish and Cory are amazing people who truly love Labs. Trish was fully transparent throughout the entire process, and was always happy to answer my (many) questions! They did personality testing on the puppies to ensure an ideal match, and it was spot on! Huck has the exact personality we were hoping for – he loves to run but also loves to lounge and cuddle; he’s a total goofball and SO smart!  By the time we picked him up, he was fully crate trained, started on potty training, and desensitized to all kinds of sights and sounds. This allowed him to adjust rapidly to his new home, and set him up for success in his future training.

your next chapter starts here

Puppies