Welcome to Startop Labradors We are a small hobby kennel located in the beautiful Adirondack Region of NY State.

We are 2.5 hours from the NY/NJ border and 1-3 hours from CT, MA, VT, NH, LI, RI and PA.

We raise and show Champion Labrador Retrievers. I have been involved with Labradors for 29 years. First starting with an interest in Obedience and Hunt Training with my black male Hennessey who was purchased as a pet, and later becoming heavily involved in Conformation showing.

I am very active in dog showing, handling my own dogs as well as dogs owned by other breeders. I have finished multiple American and Canadian Champions. I have handled several dogs to American & Canadian BISS, BOSS, Best in Sweeps, Best Puppy in Specialty & countless JAMS & Selects at both all breed and specialty shows including American & Canadian Nationals, Westminster and Potomac.

Though I am not able to get out to many official Hunt Tests, I feel very strongly that a Labrador should be willing and able to retrieve both on land and in water. Therefore I train all of my own dogs to do so. In doing this I know I am maintaining the purpose of the breed within my program. In fact, many of our puppies have successfully been placed into hunting homes where they've earned WC, JH & SH titles.

I strive to produce correct temperament, excellent health and correct conformation by carefully selecting and breeding dogs that fit into the Labrador Breed Standard as set forth by The Labrador Retriever Club, Inc.

Every litter I choose to breed is with the intent to keep a puppy or even several for ourselves for our future in the show ring, and with the goal of improving our lines. Pet quality puppies are offered to approved family homes on non-breeding contracts.

We do not sell breeding dogs.

Dog showing is my hobby and each breeding is done for ourselves, not as a business. Our litters are born and raised inside our home, never in a kennel.

Litters are registered with the American Kennel Club and all pet puppies will come with AKC Limited Registration.

All of our breeding stock have orthopedic certifications through OFA, CAER eye clearances, cardiac clearances and the appropriate DNA disease testing.

We do the very best we can to produce the healthiest, most correct Labrador Retrievers possible by breeding only sound dogs with sound pedigrees. This involves certifying our dogs to be free of health issues themselves, and also extensive knowledge of our pedigrees to identify any possible problems in previous generations. Although there is never any way to "guarantee" that a puppy we produce will not have health issues itself, we know that we have done all that is possible to give our puppies the best chance of being free from hereditary defects. 

I select puppies for each pet home, it is never a first come first serve....Our puppy selection process is outlined here....

All puppies will have received their first shots, been de wormed, seen by our veterinarian for a thorough health exam and microchipped prior to going to their new homes.

Each of our puppy goes home with Pet Insurance from Trupanion.

We strongly encourage owners to continue insurance coverage for catastrophic incidents.

 

We will replace any puppy sold by us which is certified by the OFA to have lifestyle altering Hip Dysplasia (moderate or severe with DJD) stemming from genetic not environmental cause, up to 25 months of age. This guarantee is valid providing your dog has not been altered (spayed or neutered) prior to reaching 12 months of age and your vet can provide proof of good care and no injuries throughout the time you have had your dog.

 

All of our puppies are sold with spay/neuter agreements, however we feel very strongly about not doing this too early.

Here are three great articles explaining why we feel this way and what the potential health risks of spaying

and neutering too early are - link...

 

We do not remove dew claws. We feel that this practice is both cruel and unnecessary. There is veterinarian documented evidence that removing dew claws can cause undo strain on carpal joints resulting in early arthritic changes. Please see this link...

My first love in life was horses. My kennel is named after my first horse as a child, Kings Startop.

To this day I own and ride horses.

 

It is our duty to breed responsibly, and this means....

* using high quality breeding stock that have been temperament tested, are loving, and beautiful specimens, certified free of dysplasia and other common genetic abnormalities.
* placing puppies with families that have been approved only after being interviewed at length, and have demonstrated a willingness and ability to raise a member of this noble breed in a healthy, nurturing environment.

* offering complete follow-up and lifelong support for all puppies produced
* implementing non-breeding agreements to pet-homes (limited registration) including in our contract the stipulation that the dog will be spayed or neutered and not be used for breeding.
* assisting families that are interested in pursuing events especially designed for retrievers by recommendations for training and classes, clubs and associations as well as guidance to get started.

* providing a commitment to each and every dog we produce that if it ever finds itself in need of a home, it is welcomed back into ours, no questions asked, anytime, for any reason.

 

        

American Kennel Club Inspected and in Good Standing

 

I am a dog breeder.

I spend a lifetime learning pedigrees, going over dogs, talking, and learning from those in my breed and those outside it.

I raise each litter as if I gave birth to them and spend an equal amount of time finding them loving forever homes.

I only bring puppies into this world that I think will be the healthiest (mentally and physically) and best examples of their breed.

I support each family who chooses one of my puppies and let them know they are now a part of our extended family.

I treat them all well.

I am there if one needs to come back and will aggressively pursue the return of one of my dogs if it's in the wrong place.

I support my breed in reputable rescue and education.

I hold them when they arrive and leave this world.

I share my knowledge and socialize my dogs so that they will be the advertisement for my dedication.

I don't keep track of the money and time I put in to my love of dogs, it would not be a true measure of how I feel.

The price I charge for my puppies is never profit, but investment in the next generation.

I am not ashamed of who I am... I work hard at being agood dog breeder and encouraging others.

I am a breeder and I am proud of it. If we don't support each other - we are doomed as a fancy. 

 

"Our Home"

 

 

Our pets

 

Casbars Dust In The Wind

"Dusty"

DOB 11/20/2004 ~ 11/27/18

"Now don't hang on
Nothin' last forever but the earth and sky
It slips away
And all your money won't another minute buy"

Our beloved Dusty was diagnosed with severe hip and elbow dysplasia with Degenerative Joint Disease at just 6 months of age, before he became ours.

He was not our breeding and we didn't own him at that time. I found out his breeder was going to euthanize him (she had already made the appointment) so I begged her to give him to me and promised to care for him.

That is exactly what we've done for the last 10.5 years. Dusty has required very little special care aside from the obvious food, water, exercise and love.

Sad to think how close he came to dying just because his xrays looked bad and I hope his story might save another dog whose owner thinks hip or elbow dysplasia is an automatic death sentence.

Dusty is neutered and lives a pampered life with us as a permanent house dog and member of our family

Dusty shows no signs at this time of any lameness or discomfort from his potentially debilitating orthopedic disease.

      

 

 

"Bristol"

7/2001 ~ 5/2/2017

Bristol is our rescued Rottie mix

We saved him from euthanasia by the animal control agency in our town in August 2002

He was approx 1 year old at the time

Due to his apparently abusive past he had some major behavioral issues at first but with lots of love and training he learned to overcome his separation anxiety and people/dog aggression

He is our house pet and took over the job of our "protector" after our other Rottie "Buca" passed away

In January 2011, we almost lost Bristol. Against all odds, he recovered from major emergency surgery due to a burst gall bladder and severe peritonitis. His liver was also partially removed. Our vet still can't believe he made it after she basically sent him home to die the day after the surgery. With round the clock care from us at home and a nightly trip back to our fabulous vet, he miraculously pulled through and is feeling better than ever!