Free: Contests & Raffles.
Pat Murphy trains with a iron fist if that's your thing.
Thanks for the info Happy. Wow! Some much info at "EE".
I have a Lab from Hightest Retrievers out of California and could not be more pleased. My dog is 7 now and came from a long line of FT champs and hunt champs. I would look really hard at the blood line on both sides before purchase. I would also visit the kennel and training facility before purchase as well. I have never had any issues with him. His eyes are great and his hips are in great shape...never a problem there. Even though Labs can be natural retrievers I had my dog force fetch trained and I will do that with any Lab I purchase from now on..... it was money well spent IMO. I have most of the books you have mentioned and all have great ideas that can be used.
I know all the breeders you mentioned in the OP and all are good and work together to find what you want if they don't have it available. I've had three RattlinRidge dogs and love hunting and competing with them. I refer people to Lee and the Meyers also. There are good trainers in WA and OR, it all depends on where you're located, but the ones mentioned above have all had success. Your breeder will have a better idea of which pro they feel is best for their lines.
Is there and EntryExpress for Canadian Trials and Hunt Tests???
Whelp my pup was born last friday! I finally made a decision and ended up with BLM out of a kennel in Iowa of all places. I had looked hard at the Jazztime line on paper and went out to Conway Kennels to meet Bucko. Was able to watch a bunch of dogs work a little. Watched a gunner sail a pigeon into a water mark and a hard charger smashed into the pond to get the retrieve. Come to find out later it was a jazztime dog. Pretty happy with my decision even though I have to buy the new pup a plane ticket in a 6 or 7 weeks. Ended up meeting Happy Gilmore at Bucko's also. Thanks for introducing yourself and making a guy feel welcome! Was impressed by your Chessi!!! Thanks again to everyone for your suggestions and help! Much appreciated!