Blacks Run Retrievers: Therapy Temperments & Excellent Health Standards

Blacks Run Retrievers: Therapy Temperments & Excellent Health Standards At Blacks Run, we are passionate about therapy work, health, temperament, and Puppy Culture!
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Frankie. He is a big bowl of jelly and I love him. He’s sensitive, sweet, and deeply content … in every environment. He ...
07/18/2024

Frankie. He is a big bowl of jelly and I love him. He’s sensitive, sweet, and deeply content … in every environment. He will be a terrific therapy dog, but he will be an even better friend.

Amy & I met several years ago now, bonding over our love of family, therapy, and all things labrador. When an unexpected tragedy hit, we somehow found our way through … even closer than before. With sadness, grief, gratefulness, and hope all mixed together, we were so excited when the Zells decided to find forever with our sweet boy. I can’t adequately say how much I love and respect the Zells. They are my people.

So, with the most full hearts, we say welcome home, sweet Moose 🫎 , welcome home. Thank you Zell family for being the real deal. You will always be part of our family ❤️

Not pictured: Dad of the year, Wes, who was driving the camping equipment home from their epic Yellowstone trip 🥇

❤️🐾

Sweet Dusty was one of the biggest females we’ve ever raised - and like most big dogs, she was as mellow as they come. W...
07/18/2024

Sweet Dusty was one of the biggest females we’ve ever raised - and like most big dogs, she was as mellow as they come. While she loved just about everything and everybody, she was Josie’s pup, which means she was coddled from birth 😂❤️

An exceptional pup, needs an exceptional family, and the Christy fam couldn’t be a more perfect fit. They have a house full of furry friends for Dusty and big plans for this gentle girl. Plus, they are diehard University of Georgia fans, which means they are clearly good people 😉❤️.

So, with happy tears in our eyes, we say welcome home, sweet Kirby, welcome home. Thank you Christy family for loving BIG! We can’t wait to see this baby grow … and grow … and grow 😂❤️

❤️🐾

I have always wanted to name a pup Loretta Lynn, ‘Retta for short. My great aunt’s name was ‘Retta and my grandmother li...
07/18/2024

I have always wanted to name a pup Loretta Lynn, ‘Retta for short. My great aunt’s name was ‘Retta and my grandmother lit up the most when she whispered stories of their adventures. When you look at this puppy, she just looks like she’s cooking up some grand adventure … and I, for one, want to go.

The Behm family captivated me immediately. They are the types of people who genuinely care about our program, our efforts, and our purpose. It really matters to us and I could tell, it really mattered to them. I can only imagine the adventures they will all dream up together and I just feel like pulling up an Adirondack chair to watch the beautiful show.

So, my sweet girl, enjoy that salt air and welcome home, darling Ada May, welcome home. Thank you Behm family & Tilly Marie for loving this sweet girl before you ever met ❤️ We are so grateful to know you!

❤️🐾

Emmylou came out living in her own world. Reality just didn’t seem to impact her, nor did any of the things that normall...
07/13/2024

Emmylou came out living in her own world. Reality just didn’t seem to impact her, nor did any of the things that normally rattle pups. She both loved the pack and didn’t need them. She made tunnels where there were none and found a way to carry a baseball way before she should have been able. She even has a cowlick that runs right down the middle of her snout. While completely unpredictable in the best of ways, there is one thing that was consistent from the start: Larry adored Emmylou.

Now, truth be told, we all loved Larry. For the most part, I walk through the puppy process with women (mom, wife, sister, etc). But, every once in a while, I get to work with Dad/Husband…. And it’s such a pleasure. They are the most excited puppy owners and are just filled with such authentic joy. It’s a beautiful thing to match these guys with their future puppies in the temperament testing process … and it’s even more rewarding when the best pick for the family is also their favorite. ❤️

When we walked through the yard of her new house, Emmylou made herself a bed in the garden, as if it had always been hers. What a gift to live this life ❤️ So, welcome home, sweet Maggie, welcome home. Thank you Kendrick family for opening your hearts again and for creating a space for this wild flower to grow. It was a true pleasure to be part of your beautiful beginning.

❤️🐾

Next stop Charlottesville ❤️   😭
07/12/2024

Next stop Charlottesville ❤️ 😭

In this litter, Zeppelin was the first out and he came in rockin’ to the surgeon’s stereo, blasting Stairway to Heaven. ...
07/12/2024

In this litter, Zeppelin was the first out and he came in rockin’ to the surgeon’s stereo, blasting Stairway to Heaven. He basically named himself.

The Wilsons live outside of Charlotte and are seasoned hikers. After I read their application searching for an adventure buddy, I knew their family of 3 was a perfect match for Zepp. He’s a gentle, “people dog” and he has enough drive to keep up.❤️ (Needless to say, some his brothers and sisters do not 😂)

As those of you in the Blacks Run family know, the six humans in this house often have a favorite … or two 😁🙋🏻‍♀️. This was Annabelle’s puppy from the start. Annabelle pups are characteristically calm, snuggly, and have that special s***k 😉 It begs the question: Does he have these qualities from birth or is it because she specifically raised him? 🤷🏻‍♀️😉❤️ Whatever the case, they were lucky to have eachother.

So, until we cross paths again, welcome home, Teddy, welcome home. Thank you Wilson family for choosing him as your wingman - he is definitely up for the challenge. 🥾⛰️ We can’t wait to see him blazing trails.

❤️🐾

Thunderstorm rolls through … one puppy sits nicely in my lap and here’s the other pup. He’s not flailing, he’s utterly a...
07/07/2024

Thunderstorm rolls through … one puppy sits nicely in my lap and here’s the other pup. He’s not flailing, he’s utterly and totally relaxed.

Puppy Culture works 😂


More puppies coming your way! Next stop Hampton, VA!
07/06/2024

More puppies coming your way!
Next stop Hampton, VA!

He’s that guy that you wouldn’t know was there until he was gone. Quiet, calm, and utterly comfortable in his own fur, B...
07/05/2024

He’s that guy that you wouldn’t know was there until he was gone. Quiet, calm, and utterly comfortable in his own fur, Bob Dylan is the real deal.

When I first talked to Ashley and Brittany, they were still grieving the loss of their lab Mako in December and were wrestling with the question: Are we ready? I think some people believe they will be ready when the memories fade a bit, when time has passed enough… But not me. I don’t want to forget any of it. I don’t want to let any of those wonderful memories go and I fully intend to carry them into the next season. For me, It’s never the right time, but, lucky for Bob … Ashley and Brittany decided it was time for a new season.

So, as Ashley, Brittany, and Bob Dylan headed home to Ohio (+ to their goldendoodle Oliver!) and I headed back over the mountains, I couldn’t help but think that all of this went a little too fast and it will likely go fast again. Bob, I hope you enjoyed the ride as much as we did. ❤️

So, my big ‘ol bud, don’t think twice, it’s all right. Welcome home, Kodiak, welcome home. Thank you Ashley and Brittany for wanting him, just as much as he wants you. Here’s to a beautiful season of new memories! 🍻

❤️🐾

Sweet Patsy, you’re going to LOVE what’s next! Even as a newborn, Patsy had a sparkle in her eye. Some pups love humans ...
07/04/2024

Sweet Patsy, you’re going to LOVE what’s next!

Even as a newborn, Patsy had a sparkle in her eye. Some pups love humans and other pups love their furry friends, but Patsy is a mix of the two. She’s a people dog all the way, but she never misses the chance for a quick, four-legged tug of war. She’s going to fit in great with the Heiar crew ❤️

I honestly think if she could have filled out an application for a family, she would have described them. Athletic, loving kids, kind parents, and a new chocolate lab buddy named Oakley. She’s just a really good puppy, going to a really good family. 🐾

So, with big days ahead, welcome home, Deuce Mae, welcome home. Thank you Heiar family for loving her so!

Oh Pearl, we couldn’t have dreamt this up. Should you find yourself meandering the backroads of the Blue Ridge, you migh...
06/30/2024

Oh Pearl, we couldn’t have dreamt this up.

Should you find yourself meandering the backroads of the Blue Ridge, you might happen upon a perfect piece of land, with a perfect little house, surrounded by magical, oversized hydrangeas, where a wonderful little family has patiently waited for their puppy to come home.

The wait is over. It all started a few years ago when our friends from church decided to bring home a puppy (who can forget Trisha Yearwood!) from Butter’s first litter. The Budds were everything you’d ever want in a family, so when their parents started thinking about a puppy - it was an easy YES for all of us. Can you imagine the Sunday dinners? We just hope we’re invited 😉❤️

So, until we meet again, welcome home, Libby Belle, welcome home. Thank you Pam and Randy for loving our girl!

The fairy tale begins now ❤️

On the eve of their 8 week birthday, here’s a sweet flashback to Rocco & Butter at the same age ❤️Blacks Run Fam: Who do...
06/29/2024

On the eve of their 8 week birthday, here’s a sweet flashback to Rocco & Butter at the same age ❤️

Blacks Run Fam: Who do your pups look most like?

(Rocco on the left, Butter on the right)

Pearl ❤️🐾
06/22/2024

Pearl ❤️🐾

Patsy ❤️🐾
06/22/2024

Patsy ❤️🐾

Janis ❤️🐾
06/22/2024

Janis ❤️🐾

‘Retta ❤️🐾
06/22/2024

‘Retta ❤️🐾

Emmylou ❤️🐾
06/22/2024

Emmylou ❤️🐾

Dusty ❤️🐾
06/22/2024

Dusty ❤️🐾

Dylan ❤️🐾
06/22/2024

Dylan ❤️🐾

Zepplin ❤️🐾
06/22/2024

Zepplin ❤️🐾

Frankie ❤️🐾
06/22/2024

Frankie ❤️🐾

06/22/2024

Worried about how your Blacks Run pup will fare during a 4th full of fireworks?

Worry no more.

Everybody needs a Therapy Pup break ❤️🐾Loved visiting our friends at Sure Steel for some end of day snuggles 🐾❤️
06/18/2024

Everybody needs a Therapy Pup break ❤️🐾

Loved visiting our friends at Sure Steel for some end of day snuggles 🐾❤️

Many of you ask about our Puppy Culture-infused setup - so here’s a tour! At 6 weeks, we still utilize the whelping box....
06/15/2024

Many of you ask about our Puppy Culture-infused setup - so here’s a tour!

At 6 weeks, we still utilize the whelping box. It’s a safe place for the pups, but it also serves as their primary “nest.”

You will see two trays with pine pellets for their potty boxes. They are 100% potty-trained at this point and exclusively use the litter boxes. When new owners take them home, they can even pour the pine pellets in specific areas of their yard to designate new potty areas.

Lots of toys. We constantly change out the toys and replace with new things, new sounds and new textures!

As much water as they can drink! Mama only shows up now to show off for visitors 😂❤️ - so they get their hydration from water.

Crates! Crates are happy, safe places that they voluntarily hang out in making crate training easy. We even offer treats inside the crates.

Different surfaces! Although these floors are still drying, there is one surface outside of the whelping box, another one inside, and normally we have different textures in other areas. Anything from a yoga mat to a scratchy doormat helps desensitize these pups.

And last, but not least, you can see our speaker where we are blasting 24/7 fireworks, doorbells, kids screaming, and other peaceful sounds for desensitization. 🤪

And the mess hall! 🐾

All of this supplements the normal Puppy Culture curriculum. We love Puppy Culture pups ❤️

If you are a Black Run family… Feel free to chime in on this program!

Also - check out the video on our story 🐾

Mamas - You know this feeling ….You love your babies, but you also need a break 😂❤️
06/14/2024

Mamas - You know this feeling ….

You love your babies, but you also need a break 😂❤️

Are you on the fence? (Pun totally intended) Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the Blacks Run family ❤️1 Male spo...
06/11/2024

Are you on the fence? (Pun totally intended)

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the Blacks Run family ❤️

1 Male spot remaining 💙

Time is slipping away 😭 Don’t miss your chance to be part of the Blacks Run family ❤️
06/11/2024

Time is slipping away 😭 Don’t miss your chance to be part of the Blacks Run family ❤️

‘Retta is 5 Weeks Old!    Check out our stories for videos of each of these precious pups!
06/10/2024

‘Retta is 5 Weeks Old!

Check out our stories for videos of each of these precious pups!

Dusty is 5 Weeks Old!    Check out our stories for videos of each of these precious pups!
06/10/2024

Dusty is 5 Weeks Old!

Check out our stories for videos of each of these precious pups!

Emmylou is 5 Weeks Old!    Check out our stories for videos of each of these precious pups!
06/10/2024

Emmylou is 5 Weeks Old!

Check out our stories for videos of each of these precious pups!

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Waxhaw, VA
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Destined for Adventure

Blacks Run Retrievers specializes in health certified Labrador Retrievers who are bred for conformation and temperament. Raised with other labs and our 4 young children, your puppy will love people, animals, and adventure. #TherapyDogs #AdventureBuddies