Introduction

For 15+ years, Tealwood's goal, through selective breeding and careful genetic screening, has been to produce correct Labrador Retrievers that contribute to the maintaining the best of the breed ... in all three breed colors, black, yellow and chocolate.  Note, we will not ever have the cross-bred "silver Lab" as it is NOT a pure-bred Labrador Retriever.  And there is no such thing as a "white Lab"; there simply are variations of yellow from almost white to fox red.  And we oppose the "LabraDoodle", another cross breeding that is NOT a breed and does produce any consistency or breed true even in the first generation.  It is foolish for people to even consider paying the ridiculous high prices these people are asking for their so-called "rare" Silver Labs and LabraDoodles; they are NOT pure-bred anything, they can NOT be registered with any reputable registry ... they are simply "mixed-breed" dogs like the majority waiting for free adoption in our animal shelters and humane societies.

Tealwood's concentration is placed on proper type according to the AKC breed standard (sometimes referred to as the English type), intelligence, soundness and that calm, loving, eager-to-please Lab temperament that has endeared the breed to so many of us over the years.  My dogs, even the youngsters, love to swim, retrieve, use their natural instincts and learn new things, then come in the house and be calm, quiet, well-behaved cuddly companions!  The temperament and intelligence make excellent candidates for family companions, obedience/agility performance, and hunting and AKC hunt tests;  concentration on proper conformation produces good-looking dogs and many nice show prospects . . . or all of the above wrapped into one.  

We do not bring the field trial bloodlines into our breeding program because the majority of those lines these days are too high strung for a nice family companion and do not have the proper "type" and conformation in accordance with the breed standard for Labrador Retrievers (here in the U. S. and elsewhere in the world).  Contrary to popular belief among serious hunters, many of the Labradors from "show bloodlines" have outstanding hunting ability; you may find AKC hunt titles in their pedigrees up to the Senior and Master Hunt Title levels.  I pride myself on keeping that hunting instinct in my bloodlines.  Even though I am not currently working at hunt titles on my own dogs, many of my puppy buyers very successfully hunt with their dogs and others have put Working Certificates and hunt titles up to the Senior level on their dogs, one currently training for Master Hunt Title.

I'm pleased to have had two of my 6-month-old girls personally selected and purchased to be seeing eye dogs in Madrid, Spain;  another puppy (sired by my Major) became the #1 drug detection dog in the state of Arkansas at under two years of age;  a recent puppy was selected to go into training to be a certified therapy dog working in hospitals with terminal and comatose patients, another to be the foundation bitch for a veterinarian's new breeding program for service dogs.  Many have gone on to be outstanding hunters as well as family companions;  many others have gone on to be much loved "couch potatoes" and baby sitters for toddlers!  Among my goals for the near future is to train one of my own tracking dogs and get involved in local search and rescue.  With intelligence, trainability, good noses and a loving temperament, these Labs can accomplish almost anything.

All breeding stock is OFA certified on hips and elbows, eyes cleared annually and conscientious effort is made to eliminate other genetic defects such as epilepsy, cardiac problems, allergies, etc.

Puppies and occasional adults are available to approved pet and/or show homes and breeders.  No puppies are placed without careful screening, no puppies are sold wholesale, to puppy mills, brokers or other irresponsible breeding programs.  Normally, you need to place a deposit and get on a waiting list before the litter of puppies is born;  the earlier the better, especially if you have a preference for a particular color and/or sex.

Stud service is available to approved bitches.

Believe it or not, all my own dogs live in the house.  Every puppy I keep (or get) is house and crate trained.  In groups, they rotate to the large grassy play yards and concrete runs from morning till evening ... and retrieving trips to the pond when weather allows.  And they all have time to "hang around" the house with me, snooze, chew on nylabones, etc., so they can be with family just like pet Labs.  Most sleep in their crates at night, some have special "bed" privileges!  Nice calm, well-behaved dogs deserve this life-style.

Puppies are whelped in the house, then moved to a heated indoor/outdoor kennel facility at about 5  weeks where they have more play space and learn to use a doggy door.  They have a grassy (or snowy) play yard area with playground equipment and lots of different toys.  Pups are handled and monitored daily for health and personality development, well socialized, properly vaccinated, de-wormed, vet checked and guaranteed.  House training is very easy with my puppies, partially because of their wonderful genetic temperament, partially because of the way they're raised and socialized.  By the time they are ready to leave, they are already doing almost all their "business" outside, and will try to find a way out when they get to your home.  I am always available for questions and consultation and love to stay in touch with my puppy "parents" ... many of us become like one big extended family over the years.

Inquiries are welcome ...

Please offer information regarding what type of Lab you're seeking, for what purpose, plans for caring for a puppy, lifestyle, facilities, etc.

E-Mail:  tealwoodlabs@yahoo.com