Reputable Lab Breeders SW Ontario - Close\Around London

[bardern]

OP go with the best FT/HT/field dog you can find from a breeder that actively is involved in trial or tests. You are going to have that dog for 12+ years so might as well get one that has potential. I have heard very good things regarding Krakadawns dogs and Chris Bayles breeds outstanding animals. As to the appearance of "American labs" I have one out of B-Lines Raider, Guage is 91 pds very well proportioned and has retrieved on the order of 5000+ birds in his life. I think he is a good looking dog but I might be biased. LOLguage AX.jpg

Here are a few kennels/folks thatcome to mind. B-Line Labs, Kevin Hannah, Scott Rumble, Krakadawn, Luke Scherders WingFeather Outfitters. There are lots more and these guys if they don't have a litter will reference you to someone who does.

Photo is a shameless plugs for B-line Labs and AvianX decoys.

[yellow dog]

I wouldn't restrict myself to only close breeders. You could be overlooking great dogs.

Your absolutely right terrym it most definitely will pay off if you expand your search and do your homework. Sometimes you can find decent dogs in your own backyard.

[chesapeake]

Going to jump in for some shameless fun... Have you considered a chessie??

[chesapeake]

Club standards tries for breeding of confirmation and working dogs. Not having separate lines

[bardern]

Going to jump in for some shameless fun... Have you considered a chessie??

I have hunted over a few. That breed gives meaning to the term "hunting dog".

[yellow dog]

Club standards tries for breeding of confirmation and working dogs. Not having separate lines

Welcome chesapeke tell us more. Chessies are awesome !

[chesapeake]

Fun as started!

My advice buy the breed that suits your fancy.

Also if you want a working dog. Buy from a breeder that puts his lines in hunts/trials. You can see in the dogs registered names what they are capable of with achieved titles.

Personally, I wanted a chesapeake. Attended some hunt tests, watched Jr, sr and masters. Talked to breeders. Then made a decision on where to buy from.

And yes there were many great looking labs doing there thing. Even some field line golden and the fancy golden.

The wife liked the tollers.

[terrym]

My buddy is now on his 5th Chessy. He aways has 2 around. He lives in Northern Quebec and hunts pretty harsh conditions and will never own anything but a chessy. I must say though, last year when he was looking for a pup we had a hard time finding a good one. From what I see that breed is very much becoming a bench breed too. Much easier to find a quality field lab. But when you have a good chessy you have an amazing hunting dog.

[krakadawn]

Terry my hunting Buddy is also a Peake person. When we went looking for a pup for him last year it was just amazing. The majority of what we found was very expensive and lacking a lot of field breeding, in fact most were bench products. He was prepared to spend 2k on a pup but we just couldn't find one either here or USA.


He settled on a yellow lab female from a line that threw big dogs and was FTC sired. He couldn't be happier and got her for a fair bit less than his budget. He also got one with hips/eyes/EIC/CNM clearances. He couldn't be happier.

I've seen the top performing Chessies, I like them, in fact a number of years ago I judged the Chesapeake Specialty so saw the best in the nation....always interesting when you have the opportunity to see a variance in type/size and ability.

[Labber]

Terry, I'm surprised by your statement but you may be right.
I think the chessie breeders are fewer & further between, but a higher percentage of them try to maintain the working qualities in the lines.

Re British/show labs vs field trial dogs, never underestimate the impact of marketing.