Lab Breeders and Trainers

[Happy Gilmore]

For breeders, using Entry Express when searching suitable mates is a good tool to assess the overall performance of the said animal.

[Happy Gilmore]

For a started level dog expect 6 months of training. 2-3 months is barely enough time to complete force fetch and barely even start on basic yard work and handling drills.

[Labs07]

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. 

[Happy Gilmore]

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.

Bucko from Conway Kennels is in a few pictures getting the Hightest dogs some Master passes.

[Colin]

Thank you all for the advice and help. Spent 4 hrs last night on Event Entry and feel like I've only just scratched the surface. Wow. Such a huge wealth of knowledge! Thanks again and happy new year! Will keep you all post.

[PointNLab]

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.

[Happy Gilmore]

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.

you only take credit for three?

[Carl]

Tagging

[Special T]

According to Happy G Ryan/Longhollow is no longer training dogs... probably just selling started dogs.. 

[Ruger]

To OP....

I would not focus on one kennel yet, I would figure out what timeline you are looking at and see what breedings are out there.  The research the OFA website for hip, eye etc backgrounds for those dogs.  Then look at lines and what titles are in those lines to get idea of POSSIBLE outcome in the field for that litter.  If you can find a repeat litter that is the best case because then you can possibly see those puppies and ask questions of how they are doing now.  I would not focus on price to much as the initial purchase of your dog will be the LEAST you pay throughout the dogs years. 

When I got my yellow pointing lab 3.5 years ago I had about 10 questions to ask each breeder and just compared what I wanted and then did my research for lines and health.  I can tell you that one well known breeder in WA refused to answer those questions so for me that is a red flag and I will not buy from you, so did the research and his health and care of his dogs is horrible.  I wont post on here who it is, but if you want to know you can PM me....

MY .02

Have had labs for 15 years and have done alot of training....  If you have any questions let me know

[gasman]

I know Happy and he is a wealth of knowledge 

I also know Cindy and Bryant at Rocken M Retreiver, they are both good people and trained me to train my dog. I learned so much from both them, I could never thank them enough. There dogs are also top notch 

They are at the Sportsmens SHow in Puyall every year, so its a good place to meet them and discuss what you are looking for and  expectations.

[PA BEN]

Great Book, Speed Train Your Own Retriever: http://www.amazon.com/Speed-Train-Your-Own-Retriever-ebook/dp/B00AW85ZSW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1421714837&sr=1-1&keywords=speed+training+your+own+retriever&pebp=1421714839884&peasin=B00AW85ZSW

[Colin]

Is there and EntryExpress for Canadian Trials and Hunt Tests???

[Happy Gilmore]

Is there and EntryExpress for Canadian Trials and Hunt Tests???

no

[Colin]

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!