C.J

Mud (Litter in June)

I just brought Mud home from her breeding, I expect a chocolate
litter around 28th June.

Don BATES

Article about CH Banchory Trump of Wingan

I just wanted to let you know I agree and really appreciate this article. Would you mind if I passed this article around, of course giving you credit as author?

I have been in labradors (breeding) for 7 years, but have had them for awhile longer . I do all events (obedience, agility, conformation, and finally field) and am doing my first (sorry to say I am just doing them now) WC's in May. I have some that are "very English" and some that are moderate, which would be a field show cross in my opinion. They are smaller & compact but not cumbersome in any way. They are full of drive but relaxed when not working. They are my favorite as they can do everything and are not completely wore out all the time and are not hyper when not working.

My lines include the old styles such as Cambremer, Rocheby, Poolstead, Could Be, and now I have a Dickendall boy. I breed my dogs to have titles on both ends.

But anyway... I agree with you... at the AKC specialities all I see are overdone, fat, short, tubby dogs. I want to blame the breeders, but actually it's the judges; if the judges wouldn't put those dogs up, I am sure the breeders would be changing their program. However, if you take a more moderate lab (as the standard calls for) in the ring you will not get put up so it is a waste of $27.

I found the UKC and this Kennel Club focusses on dogs that are conformationally correct but can also do what they are bred to do. I have seen a few of the fat, tubby labs compete but they weren't even looked at as the judges felt those dogs would not be able to do what they were bred to do.

Thanks again for this article, I hope many people read it and appreciate the value of its meaning....labs as true retriever!

Best Regards,
Mary Gehlhoff
Golden Path Labradors

Storm DNA Test Report April 21, 2008

DNA Test Report April 21, 2008

Owner's Name and Address:
Don Bates

16 Memorial Drive
Dartmouth, NS B2W 3P1
Canada

Registered Name: Puddleducks Artic Storm
Registration #: SR14485003
Tattoo/Chip #: 4723216374
Call Name: Storm

Breed: Labrador Retriever
Date of Birth: January 11, 2004
Gender: Male

Optigen Accession #: 08-3976


Test Performed: prcd Mutation Test for PRA

Sample Type: Blood

Test Results: Genotype of your dog is Normal/Clear.

Risk for developing prcd-PRA: This dog will never develop the prcd form of PRA (progressive rod-cone degeneration form of Progressive Retinal Atrophy). So far, the only inherited PRA disease known in dogs of your breed is the prcd form of PRA.

Significance for breeding: Genetically Normal/Clear dogs can be bred to any dog and will produce no pups affected with the prcd form of PRA.

For further information, please consult the OptiGen website at http://www.optigen.com.

Hips

Hi. Just cruising around the internet looking up pennhip results and came across your site. I am very impressed with the work you are doing and that you're taking the time and money to do it right. We breed bulldogs and are finding it VERY difficult to find "kennels" that want to do things properly.

How do you go about improving hip quality in your dogs? We are still waiting for our results to come back. We were heartbroken with some of our results but want to build and produce better pups. If you can provide some guidance from your experience it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time,

Teresa

Updating Website

We are updating the site with a new look, you may notice some links, pictures, and other things missing over the next day or so, thanks for your patients!

Paul W (web design)

Yew has started having her pups.

Yew has started having her pups, a yellow male.

Puddleduck's Artic Storm JH

Kai update

Hi Don,

Well Kai is now 6 months old, so I thought I better send you some updated shots. His down/stays are kind of handy for doing portraits !

David

Ruby and I from opening day.

Hi Don,

We tried to get into my favourite trout hole yesterday in the canoe. As you can see, the ice was a problem. We plowed through the first batch OK but then got stuck in heavier stuff and had to turn back. I’ve also included a snowy photo of Ruby and I from opening day.

Cheers,

-Dave

Good News!

I have just learned that Cheryl YOUNG of Makaila labs has decided to sell me a female pup that she had chosen for herself. I consider this to be a very special honor and I will do my best to develop the pup, “Dot” to her fullest potential. Cheryl got her start in labs from Whistlinwings Kennel. Lori and Kerry CURRAN owned Whistlinwings; they have been the only people in North America to produce triple champions. To make it even more remarkable, they were amateurs who did their own breeding, training and handling! Lori CURRAN sold breeding stock to Chris WINCEK of Kerrybrook Kennels, Ohio. I purchased Ada, Yew and Jet from there. Makaila labs has also been interested in producing healthy dogs that will excel both in the field and the show ring. Dot’s mother, and her mother’s litter-mate, are Canadian Show Champions that are running Field Trials, this will be her last litter. Cheryl’s daughter, Taryn, just won the Junior Handling world championships at Crufts in England. Bailee is going to rank the number two Labrador in Canada with Taryn handling the whole way.

Don BATES

Pups

Roo/Beau pups will be ready to go on Tuesday, May 13th.

Fresh Puppy pics

Hi Don,

Here are a few recent pics of Ollie. He is growing like a weed. Sometimes I leave the room and when I return he looks bigger...

Ed