A brief discussion on what’s important to PHEASANT ROW KENNELS as a breeder of Labrador Retrievers
PHEASANT ROW KENNELS PROUDLY SUPPORTS TUNNELS TO TOWERS, PHEASANTS FOREVER AND DUCKS UNLIMITED. WE APPRCIATE THOSE WHO WALK THROUGH MINEFIELDS SO WE CAN WALK THROUGH CORNFIELDS.
Temperament: A critically important, must have attribute, is a solid temperament. Shyness is unacceptable, nor a skittish or overly excitable dog. A calm confident dog that enjoys contact and interaction is always a pleasure.
Biddable: “Trainability” A dog should be eager to please and willing to learn. They should look forward to “work”. Laziness or indifference is unacceptable. Hardheaded or stubborn dogs are manageable when handled properly. Firmness, consistency, repetition and lots of positive reinforcement and praise will be rewarded by this breed.
Drive: I prefer a dog that has a lot of drive- The desire to pursue game thru the thickest of cover, or retrieve thru the roughest of seas, is something I demand. Do your obedience work, and provide the dog with adequate physical and mental stimulation, and drive won’t be a four-letter word – Don’t Hunt? Do agility, go hiking, throw bumpers for fun, or take a swim and watch how well your driven dog take to the couch at the end of the day!
Pedigree: It’s very important to start with a dog that comes from a long line of proven performers with all of the documented health clearances. At PHEASANT ROW KENNELS, we pride ourselves on the quality of not only our individual dogs, but their pedigree as well. We have many NFC, AFC, FC, QAA and MH titles in our dogs’ bloodlines. Don’t field trial or hunt Test? No problem. All the qualities, obedience and attributes it takes to title a dog will serve you well no matter your aspirations.
Color: I love all three-color phases, especially chocolate. However, I do not breed specifically based on color- There are a lot more important attributes, see above, that should be focused on. Have all the aforementioned qualities and the color you prefer? Great! PHEASANT ROW KENNELS tests for the dilute locus as there are only three colors, Black, Yellow, Chocolate. We, as does the AKC, DO NOT support the silver, charcoal, champagne dilutions of the breed. We feel strongly about this. Please research for yourself
Health: Labrador retrievers are the most popular breed in the world, and as such, are bred extensively. Inherently they’re predisposed to a litany of genetic health problems, many recessive, that can lead to a lifetime of health problems. Veterinary care is very expensive, even for routine care, let alone chronic health conditions. We test extensively, and use UC DAVIS, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory in California, recognized by the OFA, to test our dogs for the complete Labrador panel. Additionally, our dogs have great bone and confirmation and beautiful coats. We do not breed dogs that have skin problems, or other chronic conditions that can cause a lifetime of issues for prospective puppy buyers. We are diligent in breeding the smartest and healthiest Labrador retrievers we can.