Partner Up Labradors

Partner Up Labradors Breeding quality, health tested, purebred CKC Labrador Retrievers for pet, service, and sport.

06/12/2024

A little late as I figure out this tech stuff but our pups celebrated their 2nd bday with pup cake. Even momma Leto got in on the action! From left to right Happy Birthday Rosie, Moose, Momma Leto, Bomber and Connor. Happy Birthday to Jake & Smytty who weren’t able to join us!

Park Life
06/08/2024

Park Life

Happy Birthday to the amazing Oilers litter! 2 years old and amazing!
05/29/2024

Happy Birthday to the amazing Oilers litter! 2 years old and amazing!

Love Dogs? Help change the lives of Peace Country residents requiring service dogs. Come to the AGM and make a differenc...
05/26/2024

Love Dogs? Help change the lives of Peace Country residents requiring service dogs. Come to the AGM and make a difference!

Partner up Foundation’s Annual General Meeting is TODAY! 3pm in the Rotary Training room at the Grande Prairie Public Library (May 26). The foundation is looking for members who are willing to sit on the executive, individuals to help with upcoming fundraisers, as well as individuals who have accounting and/ or legal experience related to operating a charitable organization.
Please email to [email protected] to register your attendance.
Your attendance will also allow you to meet the two service dogs in training, Moose and Bomber.

So proud of both Leto and Rosie this weekend! Taking in both a Winners & Reserve Winners this weekend at our first show....
05/19/2024

So proud of both Leto and Rosie this weekend! Taking in both a Winners & Reserve Winners this weekend at our first show.

We’re at the Fort St. John dog show this weekend competing in conformation. 🤞🏻 wish us luck!
05/17/2024

We’re at the Fort St. John dog show this weekend competing in conformation. 🤞🏻 wish us luck!

There’s a local gofundme going around for a new puppy that contracted Parvo. The bill is at $10,000! Did you know our pu...
03/22/2024

There’s a local gofundme going around for a new puppy that contracted Parvo. The bill is at $10,000! Did you know our puppies come with complementary health insurance for their first few weeks? Besides their first vaccinations and health checks - we care about the health of your pup and doing our part to keep them safe while awaiting critical vaccines.

Thinking about your next dog? This is true of all breeds. What is the purpose behind your breeder’s litters?
01/28/2024

Thinking about your next dog? This is true of all breeds. What is the purpose behind your breeder’s litters?

It is extremely sad to see so much misinformation about the Labrador Retriever on the internet and on facebook. It is alarming to see such disregard for what the breed truly is and what it is supposed to be. No wonder we hear about the scams, fraud, and poorly bred dogs that may be much loved, but are not without significant issues atypical for the breed.
Perhaps the following will help to educate prospective new puppy buyers.

Permission to share if full credit is included.

But I Don’t Need a Show Labrador!
(Originally Written about Newfoundland Dogs by Terri Lewin Gilbert)
Adapted for the Labrador Retriever by Margaret Wilson.
Many thanks to Terri for allowing me to adapt her wonderful article.

Why do knowledgable people recommend choosing a breeder who shows and titles their dogs to folks who are just looking for a pet and have no interest in showing? Why should breeding to breed standard be important to a pet home? Does it seem excessive, or “snobby”?

It’s not, and here’s why.

Dog shows are a means of evaluating dogs against the breed standard, to evaluate soundness, movement/gait, type, and temperament.

Soundness: The state of physical and mental health when all organs and faculties are functioning properly, each in its rightful relation to each other.

Type: Breed type encompasses appearance, character, condition, bone structure, temperament, and movement; "breed type is all these things." Breed type also includes a character specific to each breed, a combination of behaviour, temperament and carriage that demonstrate an essence of the breed.

Size – The height at the withers for a dog is 22-1/2 to 24-1/2 inches; for a bitch is 21-1/2 to 23-1/2 inches. Any variance greater than 1/2 inch above or below these heights is a disqualification. Approximate weight of dogs and bi***es in working condition: dogs 65 to 80 pounds; bi***es 55 to 70 pounds.

Proportion – Short-coupled; length from the point of the shoulder to the point of the rump is equal to or slightly longer than the distance from the withers to the ground. Distance from the elbow to the ground should be equal to one half of the height at the withers. The brisket should extend to the elbows, but not perceptibly deeper. The body must be of sufficient length to permit a straight, free and efficient stride; but the dog should never appear low and long or tall and leggy in outline.

Substance – Substance and bone proportionate to the overall dog. Light,”weedy” individuals are definitely incorrect; equally objectionable are cloddy lumbering specimens.

Gait: The gait of a dog is its quality of movement. You want to see ease of movement, unimpaired by illness or poor structure.

Temperament: The general attitude a dog has towards other animals and people. From the AKC Labrador Retriever Breed Standard: “True Labrador Retriever temperament is as much a hallmark of the breed as the “otter” tail. The ideal disposition is one of a kindly, outgoing, tractable nature; eager to please and non-aggressive towards man or animal. The Labrador has much that appeals to people; his gentle ways, intelligence and adaptability make him an ideal dog. Aggressiveness towards humans or other animals, or any evidence of shyness in an adult should be severely penalized.”

Color: The Labrador Retriever coat colors are black, yellow and chocolate. Any other color or a combination of colors is a disqualification. A small white spot on the chest is permissible, but not desirable. White hairs from aging or scarring are not to be misinterpreted as brindling. Dilute colors are a breed disqualification

Black – Blacks are all black. A black with brindle markings or a black with tan markings is a disqualification.
Yellow – Yellows may range in color from fox-red to light cream, with variations in shading on the ears, back, and underparts of the dog.
Chocolate – Chocolates can vary in shade from light to dark chocolate. Chocolate with brindle or tan markings is a disqualification.

Eye color should be brown in black and yellow Labradors, and brown or hazel in chocolates. Black, or yellow eyes give a harsh expression and are undesirable. Small eyes, set close together or round prominent eyes are not typical of the breed. Eye rims are black in black and yellow Labradors; and brown in chocolates. Eye rims without pigmentation is a disqualification.”

So. That’s a very basic intro to what goes on at a show... why does this matter? You want a pet, a companion, not a show dog, right? Well, you chose Labradors for a reason. You’ve done your research, and have read that they’re great with kids and other animals, they’re gentle, biddable, stable, and not aggressive, they make excellent companions and love spending time with their people. That their good and kind nature predisposes many Labradors to be excellent therapy and service dogs. That they are a strongly built dog of medium-size, short-coupled, possessing a sound, athletic, and well-balanced conformation, with the character and quality to win in the show ring; and the temperament to be a family companion which makes them admirably suited to a variety of lifestyles and occupations, and which has made them the world’s most popular breed for good reason.
Ethical, responsible breeders seek to preserve and protect these definitive and positive characteristics and not deliberately breed for disqualifying conditions which are alien and detrimental to the breed.

An aggressive dog is no joke, and an oversized, powerful aggressive dog even less so. Aggression can run in lines. Wouldn’t it be difficult to show an aggressive, reactive, fearful, or excessively shy Labrador? Do you want to take the gamble and trust someone about their dog’s history, or would you rather buy from someone who has taken their dogs into the ring and had the dog’s temperament proven over and over, consistently?

What about type and structure? How the dog is put together, able to move freely and comfortably? Would you rather buy from someone who has proven publicly, over time, that the dog they’re breeding can move well, free of limp, or a structural problem? Or just trust someone who has no interest in proving their dogs? It’s your puppy’s quality of life and comfort (as well as your wallet) that’s at stake.

Not every dog in a well-bred litter is going to be show quality- there will ALWAYS be pet-quality puppies. Well-bred, but maybe with a slight imperfection, and those are the puppies placed in pet homes. You don’t have to want a show-quality puppy to get a well-bred puppy!

Show quality litters are bred by people who actually show their dogs, and these breeders are the ones who are most qualified to determine what is, and what is not a show quality puppy. Having some titled ancestors in a pedigree, even two generations back, is no indication of being show quality.

Here’s the bottom line.... every day, Lab rescue is seeing more poorly bred aggressive Labradors and Lab mixes. Labradors in pain because they were poorly bred. Labs requiring extensive vet care, expensive surgery, and serious behavior modification. People having to remand their dogs to breed rescue because they can’t manage the dog, fear the dog, or found out the dog needs costly vet care they can’t afford.

This is not about being snobby, being elitist, thinking that one dog is “better” than another, it’s about ensuring you get a puppy that acts and looks like the breed you fell in love with. It’s about ensuring that all Lab puppies have the best start in life, and will grow into a loving family member. It’s about loving our breed enough to want to see everything that’s good about them preserved for future generations to enjoy. If you want a healthy dog, with a properly sweet temperament, choose your breeder wisely.

This was copied with permission from Labrador Preservation page. Photo for effect.

These dogs are so amazing!
12/16/2023

These dogs are so amazing!

Today my kids helped out with bracing practice. I must say while in busy Christmas shopping - knowing my littles were holding onto the dog gave me peace of mind as I knew my dog was gonna stay with me no matter what. Really an “ah-ha moment” of clarity and the peace these dogs can grant to families in need.

11/04/2023

From our first litter!

Moose & Connor found some spooktakular decorations this year!!
11/01/2023

Moose & Connor found some spooktakular decorations this year!!

4 of our pups from the first litter (LetoXCliffy 2022) passed their CKC Canine Good Neighbor test this past weekend! Tha...
10/22/2023

4 of our pups from the first litter (LetoXCliffy 2022) passed their CKC Canine Good Neighbor test this past weekend! Thank you to Partners Naturally for hosting the space; all our volunteers; and Lindy Wiebe and Maxine for evaluating! Moose, Rosie, Connor & Bomber - you guys are awesome!

Our pups from our first litter!
10/15/2023

Our pups from our first litter!

A busy day learning means snuggles for all. Right Bomber?
10/03/2023

A busy day learning means snuggles for all. Right Bomber?

Training time is always the best because we get treats! Yum.
09/23/2023

Training time is always the best because we get treats! Yum.

09/21/2023

Connor showing off his working retrieve. Unlike play, this retrieve involves learning to maintain a steady hold of the object and wait until I cue the release. He’s such a good boy!

09/08/2023

Wow! Moose really is bored of Halloween decorations already?!?!

08/31/2023

Are you following the journey of our service dog pups in training? Check out our website: www.partnerupacademy.com

‘Twas a sad day when the cones of shame arrived. These boys are officially off the dating market. Lol.
07/25/2023

‘Twas a sad day when the cones of shame arrived. These boys are officially off the dating market. Lol.

Where could we be off to?
07/23/2023

Where could we be off to?

Everyone chillin’ at The Canadian Brewhouse here in Grande Prairie. Did you know they have a dog friendly patio??
07/17/2023

Everyone chillin’ at The Canadian Brewhouse here in Grande Prairie. Did you know they have a dog friendly patio??

Where in the bike rack is Connor doggy hiding?Practicing long stays at Canadian Tire.
06/07/2023

Where in the bike rack is Connor doggy hiding?

Practicing long stays at Canadian Tire.

You know what this means? Leto’s very own boyfriend in a box. Should I light some candles, put in some mood music? Think...
06/05/2023

You know what this means? Leto’s very own boyfriend in a box. Should I light some candles, put in some mood music? Think it will help with puppies. 🤞🏻 for an August bday and October for puppies to go to their new families

Happy 1st Birthday to the Oilers Litter!! Jake, Smytty, Connor, Rosie, Bomber & Moose. One year old today!
05/30/2023

Happy 1st Birthday to the Oilers Litter!! Jake, Smytty, Connor, Rosie, Bomber & Moose. One year old today!

The smoke has cleared and we were out enjoying the weather. Practice makes perfect on our stays. Do you know where in GP...
05/26/2023

The smoke has cleared and we were out enjoying the weather. Practice makes perfect on our stays. Do you know where in GP we were today?

Do you know what this picture of Leto means??
05/24/2023

Do you know what this picture of Leto means??

Bomber resting up after a big session of stairs and elevators. Can you guess where we were training?
05/17/2023

Bomber resting up after a big session of stairs and elevators. Can you guess where we were training?

Leto gets a Happy Mother’s Day too! She got a special oatmeal breakfast today! (Her pups will be 1 year old at the end o...
05/14/2023

Leto gets a Happy Mother’s Day too! She got a special oatmeal breakfast today! (Her pups will be 1 year old at the end of the month)

Carnivals are fun for everyone!!
05/12/2023

Carnivals are fun for everyone!!

Address

#101 9913-112ave
Grande Prairie, AB
T8V1V5

Telephone

+17805134074

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