anyone know of good choc Lab breeder

[bucksnort64]

I lost MY hunting and Ice Fishing Buddy this Fall

need a good choc. Lab breeder in Minnesota thanks

[Cobber]

Sorry to hear about your loss- very tough to go through!

I picked up my chocolate, now 3, at Smith Farms Labradors in Grove City. Amazing job done by them, even when it comes down to temperament training during feeding time before the pups leave the farm.

Note- they do have a HSOforum with pictures of their breeding dogs, as well as pups and it's kept up to date. Just search for 'Smith Farms Labradors' and they are the top result.

Best of luck to you, and feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions-

Cobber

[Todd Caswell]

SF looks to have ALOT of CH or Show breeding in there kennel not something I look for in a hunting dog..

[caseymcq]

I had a dog from Smith Farms. Best dog I ever had.

I hunt as a hobby not a profession so I don't hunt more than maybe 10 - 20 days a year. So the other 345 to 355 days a year the dog is relegated to family member. So I look for a well-behaved, calm dog since ours stay in our home. We also duck hunt a fair amount so I also look for a dog with the traditional lab coat that will keep them a little warmer when the water temps start to drop. Dogs with show champion lines will be bread with that coat in mind along with the typical health concerns that come with breeding labs (hips, elbows, eyes, etc.)

The dog I had was extremely calm at home. She got energetic enough when we were at the field or lake. She also had an excellent nose.

Another breeder I have experience with is Whispering Pines near Milaca. They are also top-notch. We have a dog from them right now. Both the dog we have now and the dog we had from Smith Farms are/were smaller labs. 60 - 65 lbs, ~19" at the shoulder. For the first dog I wasn't looking at getting a smaller lab but I really liked all those lab qualities in a slightly smaller package

Sorry to hear about the loss of your buddy. Good luck finding a new hunting / ice fishing partner.

[CaptainGary]

We got our pup from Kurt @ Platte River Kennels near Brainerd. We got a yellow, but the litter had chocolates as well. We went for a visit. We were very impressed with him and his dogs. He has a small kennel. He breeds smaller labs, which is what we wanted.

What we got from him is a 62 lb cuddler that is as sweet as can be. He loves our Grandkids and thinks he is a lap dog. Once in the field, he gives 150%. He has a great nose and he just doesn't stop. Reasonable rates for his pups also. We are very happy with him.

Good luck to you.