We lost our very first lab "Casey" in August of 2015.  Old River Labs would never have happened without this amazing dog.  We had a puppy that was run over by a car as we were out working in our yard.  After 24 hours of crying with the kids, I started phoning around looking for a lab.  After talking to several breeders, looking for a nice, calm lab... I found a breeder in Redding who had the best I could find.  With six crying kids, nine months pregnant, and a broken toe (on crutches), I made the four hour drive to get our puppy.  Back then you could get a puppy at 5 weeks old.  Casey was worth every bit of that drive.  She healed our broken hearts and has been the best dog anyone could ever ask for.  

     I try to breed for great dogs like her.   I enjoy selling mostly to families who want a great dog to enter their family.  Over the years of breeding, I have witnessed bad breeding practices personally.  I have loved and had dogs in my home that had Exercised Induced Collapse syndrome, Hip displasia, and a  victim of in line breeding of father to daughter (that puppy contracted Progressive retinal atrophy - blindness).  I utterly trusted those I got my puppies from, only to find that they did not do their best to bring healthy puppies into the world.  I have a big heart and every time I witnessed poor breeding practices, it broke my heart.  I realize that getting a puppy is a big commitment and families do not want to have health issues with their puppy later on.  There are a lot of breeders that do not care.  So, to protect the Labrador breed, I sell my puppies with a limited registration.  I am willing to work with someone who wants to breed if they are willing to ensure that they will breed health tested nice dogs, becuase sending unhealthy, unsound puppies with bad temperaments to loving families is not a good breeding practice. 

     I love my Labradors.  Our puppies are loved on by every member of our family.  The children name each puppy and have their favorites.  All of the puppies are played with by the kids and cuddled with on the couch during movie times.  They are very good with adults and children alike.  Joy will tell you the name of each puppy and its temperament.  The puppies will have their dew claws removed, be wormed 3 times with a fecal check, be socialized with children, and have their first shots from my vet when you pick them up.  They come with a puppy folder that has copies of their parents’ clearances and pedigrees, and their registration papers.  I love to fit the right puppy with the right family.  It is the best part of raising labs.  If you have any questions feel free to email using the mail link. 

     If you decide you want a puppy, I will ask for your name and number and the desired sex and color of your puppy.  You will be put on my puppy wish list.  I will put aside a Saturday when the puppies are about 4 ½ weeks old to have my puppy wish list parents visit.  If you find a puppy that fits, I ask for a deposit.  That puppy is then yours and no one is allowed to pick it.  When you pick up your puppy around 7 ½-8 weeks, you will pay the remaining balance.   I very much like to let owners and puppies pick each other.    

     We live on a farm in the delta.  Farm living gives us the opportunity to have several animals.  We have two cats, several chickens and guinea hens, a pony named Bonnie, a bottle-fed calf, peacocks, and last year we added 3 Great Pyrenees dogs.  Our pony was attacked by wild dogs and almost died.  The only way I could think to protect her when she came home from the hospital was to acquire Pyrenees dogs to guard our home from coyotes.  I love them, and they are gorgeous.  You will fall in love too, but Pyrenees are not for the faint of heart.  Humphrey barks ALL night guarding us against coyotes, Kitty loves to roll in dead stuff, and Tiki plays with skunks.  They look intimidating, but will stand there to get loved on when you exit your car.