West Lake Labradors is a small & specialized breeder. We fell in love with the breed when we obtained our first labrador, Abby, in 1991. Abby was a gentle, intelligent labrador we bought from a "back yard breeder". It was with great sorrow that we watched her suffer from hip displasia and other skelatal issues. Thru her intelligence and kind dispositon she hooked us  on loving the breed. And thru her pain, she taught us the importance of being a reputable breeder.

 

 We have spent years around the breed and have dedicated endless amounts of time to educate ourselves in the subtle and not so subtle nuisances of the breed and the breed standard. Since, Abby, we have also owned several Labrador retrievers and have come to fully appreciate the gentle temperaments and physical soundness from breeders of quality English Style Labradors which attempt to attain the breed standard.

 

Our founding bitch, AKC/CKC CH Ambridge Turn Me Loose CGC,  has proven herself in the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) conformation trials by earning her AKC and CKC Champion Title. So what does all that really mean? It means that not only do we think our dog is a great representation of the breed but a bunch of other trained experts do too. It also means that she had the type of temperament that allowed her to be exhibited in close proximity to other dogs and to submit to examination by a stranger. Lastly, it means that we cared enough to spend the time proving our dog's quality prior to breeding. We believe that it is important for breeders to seek the evaluation of their dogs by outside parties. Saying we have a great dog, just isn't enough if one wants to be a breeder. We have proved it in the ring.

 

Additionally, Lucy has passed all the medical clearances used to attempt to rule out faulty breeding stock.  She has a current CERF eye clearance and OFA Hips, Elbows and Echo- Cardiogram clearances. We also tested her DNA for Exerise Induced Collapse and she is clear of that gene.

 
Our goal is to produce Labrador retrievers with gentle temperaments,and  with the beautiful physical characteristics which profile the Labrador breed standards.