First time owner looking for a female black lab pup. Must be AKC certified, prefer eyes/hips/elbows pedigree check. Interested in acquiring in late March/early April. Have been looking at some kennels but thought I'd put this out there for recommendations/offers from the FM family. My wife and I are doing lots of reading and want a dependable breeder that can offer suggestions to first time owners. This dog will get treated right and will see the marshes from opener till season close, plus a little upland mixed in. No intentions of breeding, this is a first time dog...we will have it fixed and can sign papers to this end.

Thanks for any interest, please email to mack0247@umn.edu

Da Chise...

I will put some feelers put there. I know a lot of quality breeders and will be able to steer you to a top quality dog. Watch for a future post after I gather some info!

Does it have to be local? Or you O.K. with excepting a dog form out of state? That may make a difference in who I call... also are you working in a budget? Or just plain out want a great puppy? Most real good pups I'll get you in touch with will be $700 and up...

Let me know...

Good Luck!

Ken

Doesn't have to be local. To be really honest, my wife and I had $700 as the upper limit of our spending but if a quality puppy is available for less we would jump on that in no time.

This is our first dog and it'll be spayed so we didn't want to break the bank considering we wouldn't have it bred and we plan to do the majority of the training...since it is a first time deal, why spend over 1K and not know what you're doing? That is our thinking anyway. You can email me if you have any other thoughts you want to share.

Thanks for the help Ken, we appreciate it.

Waiting for some info from a buddy of mine... but he's out west bidding on a sheep hunt! Lucky dog! I will have some good solid contacts for you within a week! I like what I'm seeing!!! Funny when you start looking at certain breeding what else you'll find!

Sorry for the delay...

Good Luck!

Ken

DWAI Ken. Let me know. My wife found a kennel not too far from home, they're waiting to see if one of their females is preggers. I'll wait for your info.

Thanks for looking into it.

O.K. here are three kennels I would contact if you are looking for an "all around" lab. These will not be your 'hot shot' trial dogs, they will be what a lab used to be. If you want a dog that will hunt, have proper coat and build, proper temperment... these are the types of breeding to look for.
http://armbrook.netfirms.com/BOYS.HTM

I am considering using either 'Digs' or 'Christian' for a breeding in the future. My buddy has a dog out of Digs and is very impressed. He lives on the east coast and is active in hunt tests and has personally seen these dogs run. Minnesota does not have much of a 'dual purpose' movement going with a few exceptions like: Danickk Labradors whom my 14 year old yellow is out of. http://www.danikklabradors.com/

Another kennel you may want to contact and has a couple of nice stud dogs (I almost pulled the trigger on a pup out of Hero and regret it now) is:
http://www.deeprunretrievers.com/stud.htm
I'd really seriously consider a pup out of Hero, this dog is a "LAB"! but would not over look Sam. He is an up and comer. Sam is the other dog I am considering doing a breeding with.

The last kennel I'd seriously recommend is: http://www.kerrybrook.com/
I've got a dog out of Chris and my buddy on the east coast was the owner of Drake (mentioned often in his web site). Drake was a dual Master Hunter with show points and QAA jams. He was the real deal.

Hope this helps. It is a lot different world than you're standard run of the mill lab breedings. It is what I've been re-gearing towards. I hold no animosity to the high test trial breedings, but truley feel that most hunters / pet owners do not need to have that 'extra capacity' in a dog. I guess after owning 2 'dual purpose dogs' I like what I see and it reminds me more of labs from 20-30 years ago.

If you need specific help in looking at a breeding, do not hesitate to let me know and I will help you out in any way possible.

Good Luck!

Ken

Hey,
Just wondering if you found a pup yet. I have 3 yellow females for sale. I know you are looking for a black one. They have excellent bloodlines.

Thanks David