| When the phrase "man's best friend" was coined,
I firmly believe that the person had a Labrador Retriever in mind.
These beautiful dogs can be anything from a hunting companion, a
show dog, or merely your couch potato buddy. Labradors can be a
great addition to anyone's household.
 With
each subsequent breeding, John and I are trying and continuing to
improve our line of English-style Labradors. There are many factors
to consider when we decide to breed a litter of puppies. For example,
it can take upwards of a year for us to decide upon a stud dog to
breed to our girls. We may decide upon using a stud dog from an
outside kennel, or we may decide to use one of our Champion stud
dogs we have bred ourselves. Whatever our decision is, it is our
ultimate goal to breed a Labrador that is healthy, has a good temperament,
and is willing to please.
John and I take great pride in the fact that we do all that is
possible to breed a healthy litter. All of our dogs hips are OFA
cleared, their elbows cleared, and their eyes are all certified
by an ophthalmologist as well as being tested for PRA. Also, all
stud dogs used from outside kennels are also cleared. We take the
health of our puppies very seriously.
It is very important to us that we breed obedient, caring and compassionate
dogs. We find that this is only possible when our Labradors are
exposed to many different aspects of life. We are one of the few
conformation breeders that actually hunt with our dogs. It is quite
an experience to watch one of your Labradors work the fields, flush
out a pheasant, and also retrieve the bird to hand. All in a days
work for a Labrador Retriever!
We introduce our puppies to birds at the age of 10 weeks; we also
take them to a nearby pond to swim so that they can grow accustomed
to the water. It is always fun to watch a young Labrador tackle
the water for the first time. Not only are these experiences supposed
to be educational, but John always makes the retrieving pleasurable
for the dog. Along with this water training, we also whistle train
our puppies from the beginning, always using positive reinforcement.
Remember PRAISE! PRAISE! PRAISE!
John can tell you many stories of how he and his trusty dogs have
stormed cold mornings to get that perfect hunt. Snuggling down with
the dog in his duck boat, John waits for the right moment, after
the shot to send the dog for the waterfowl. John then helps the
dog back into the boat, takes off his jacket, wraps it around the
wet dog, and they celebrate together their latest accomplishment.
Just keep an eye on your coffee or danish, treats like that have
been known to disappear around a Labrador. It just doesn’t
get any better than spending quality time with your companion and
hunting buddy, your Labrador.
Besides our hunting dogs, we still get our laid back, relaxed,
couch potato dogs. These guys love to cuddle beside you on the couch
while you are busy watching TV, talking on the phone or reading.
Just make sure you have a big bed because you may find yourself
sharing it with a Labrador.
Owning a Labrador retriever can be one of the best decisions a
person can make. A Labrador is one of the best companion breeds
for children and the elderly, not to mention a great family dog.
You will always have a companion to take a walk with, hike with,
swim in the pond with, and most importantly to spend time with.
Remember though; expect a twelve or more year commitment to a Labrador.
If you are willing to invest time into your Labrador, you will be
rewarded with unconditional love.
For more information on the Labrador Retriever breed, please feel
free to contact us. Guests are always welcome at our house for training
of your puppy or merely to just say hello. ~ Barbara Sebalusky
Whispering Pines Labradors
John and Barbara Sebalusky
505 Buck Hollow Road
Birdsboro, PA 19508
610-404-4572
WPLabrador@aol.com
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