The Bosun Dog Project
- Certified Good Dog Breeder
- Responds within a few days
Meet the breeder
I'm the breeder behind The Bosun Dog Project located in Arlington, VA. Our mission: friendly, healthy puppies for regular pet homes. That means carefully choosing healthy parents with great temperaments, and home rearing pups with individual care and socialization. Our measurement for success: when your pup grows up and you tell us: “I freaking LOVE this dog.”.
Laura’s experience
About Laura
Laura and Erica are professional trainers and behavior consultants with over two decades of experience. We care deeply for dogs and we care deeply for people, and everything we do is in service of improving the lives of both. We strive for puppies with exceptional health and temperament so that dogs and their people can live their best lives, together.
What makes Laura’s program special
We have a unique focus on health and temperament. Because we don’t adhere to any specific breed or pedigree, we are not restricted to a limited gene pool. ANY dog may be considered if they can meet our high standard for health and temperament. And since we don't have to care about coat color or head shape or tail set, we get to focus on dogs with the traits need to live easily in your pet home.
Laura’s certifications & recognitions
Service Dog Coach (SDC), Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP), AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, Puppy Culture Breeder
Puppies
Girl 3: Kelpie
Female • Ready Sept. 1, 2024
Companion Cross
Girl 2: Otter
Female • Went Home Sept. 1, 2024
Companion Cross
Girl 1: Minke
Female • Went Home Sept. 1, 2024
Companion Cross
Boy 4: Squid
Male • Went Home Sept. 1, 2024
Companion Cross
Boy 2: Beluga
Male • Went Home Sept. 1, 2024
Companion Cross
Boy 1: Sandy
Male • Went Home Sept. 1, 2024
Companion Cross
Boy 3: Mako
Male • Went Home Sept. 1, 2024
Companion Cross
Fettuccini
Male • Went Home May 23, 2023
Companion Cross
Tortellini
Male • Went Home May 23, 2023
Companion Cross
Ravioli
Male • Went Home May 23, 2023
Companion Cross
Tagliatelle
Female • Went Home May 23, 2023
Companion Cross
Rigatoni
Male • Went Home May 23, 2023
Companion Cross
Newborn & upcoming litters
Newborn Companion Crosses from Griswold and Maxie
Born June 2024. Ready Sept. 1, 2024
Newborn Companion Crosses from Griswold and Maxie
Born June 2024
Ready Sept. 1, 2024
Getting a puppy from Laura
Laura has been certified by Good Dog's screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you're ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies. You'll also have the chance to share a bit about yourself and what you're looking for in a new companion. Together, you'll choose the puppy that's right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Price
Puppy prices range from $1,500 - $2,500 and include a refundable deposit of $200.
“Includes first round of vaccinations, first vet visit, microchip and Welcome Home bag. All deposits are fully refundable if it turns out that we do not have the right puppy for you.”
Contract and health guarantee
Laura may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Laura offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don’t hesitate to reach out to Laura directly.
What's included
Enrichment and socialization
Our puppies are raised in our home and will have had rich socialization experiences before they go home with you. We are trainer / behavior consultants and have experience with several puppy raising protocols including Puppy Culture and AviDog. We begin recalls and house training as soon as pups can walk, and introduce early crate training between 5 and 7 weeks of age. Follow along on Instagram! I utilize the following enrichment methods: Explore outside, Body Handling (feet, ears, tail, etc), Raised in home , Handled daily, Socialized with Strangers, Texture Stimulation, Various Surfaces , Noises , Structures, e.g. Climbing, Chew, e.g. Bone, Toys, e.g. Ball, Household Desensitization, Socialized with Adult Dogs, Beginning Crate Training, Recall training, Early socialization, Clicker Training, Noise desensitization, Puppy Culture , Human Interactions , Name recognition , and Potty Training.
Puppy health practices
All puppies are vaccinated, dewormed and have had a vet health check before going home. We will NOT send a sick puppy home under any circumstances.
Extras
We send our puppies home with Food Starter Bag, Welcome Home bag, Vaccinations, Certificate of Health, and Microchip.
Bringing your puppy home
Laura offers options to help you easily get your new puppy home.
Pick up your puppy in Arlington, VA or nearby
If you’re nearby, you can visit in person to pick up your pup. If you’re far away, you can travel by car or plane.
“We will not ship puppies as cargo. Pick up from our home is preferred, however we will work with you on a way to join you with your puppy. ”
More about Laura
Why Laura started breeding
All good breeding programs care about the health and the temperament of their animals, but most programs breed for a primary function like herding or retrieving or showing. For over a decade, Laura has envisioned a program to breed dogs whose primary function is to be a fantastic pet: friendly and adaptable, easy to live with, and comfortable in an urban environment or a day in the park.
Laura has been a member of Good Dog for almost 3 years
Laura was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2022.
Laura’s program has one size
Laura’s Companion Cross puppies are medium size. Sizes will vary by litter based on the parent dogs.
Laura is a trusted Good Dog breeder
The Bosun Dog Project meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
- Responsible breeding practices
- Health of breeding dogs and puppies
- Puppy environment and enrichment
- Buyer education and policies
Meet Laura's parent dogs
All breeds
Companion Cross
Bakka, mom
Companion Cross
About Bakka
Bakka's family includes two children and a Portuguese Water Dog. They gave her the registered name "Rights the Ship" because of the positive impact she had on the family.
Good health testing
Full Embark Panel, Hip Dysplasia Finals (OFA, PennHIP, BVA, SV, FCI)
Zephyr, mom
Companion Cross
About Zephyr
Zephyr is a female Companion Cross about 8 years old. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Laura decided to make her part of their program. Laura has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Great health testing
Full Embark Panel, Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI), +1 more
Parent health testing
Companion Cross
Great level
The Bosun Dog Project reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Companion Crosses.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)
Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.
Full Embark Panel
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).