Our Breeding Program
At Sundance Retrievers, the human family has always been an important part of what we do. That philosophy extends to the females in our breeding program and the lives we want them to have beyond raising puppies.
When we carefully select a female for our breeding program, she is raised with us and trained as a gun dog or companion dog. Once her health testing and training are complete, she is placed with a guardian family chosen specifically for her, where she becomes part of their home and everyday life.
When she is ready to be bred, she remains with her guardian family throughout the breeding process. After she has been bred and pregnancy is confirmed, she returns home to Sundance to whelp and raise her puppies in the environment she already knows. Once her puppies are weaned and she is ready, she returns to her guardian family.
This gives our breeding females the best of both worlds. They remain an important part of the Sundance breeding program while spending their lives as valued members of their own families. They have homes, people who love them, and lives that are about far more than producing puppies.
For us, responsible breeding means caring about the mother's life as much as the puppies she brings into the world.
We have selected top Irish, British, and American field lines - as well as a champion hunting show line - to create three categories of dogs to better match your individual lifestyle:
- To create the Sporting Dog line, we combine the drive and energy of the American field dog with the style of the Irish and British hunting dog. The results tend to produce a dog that can be a dynamic hunting partner and active family companion. This type of dog loves to be active and involved with their family. They are happy to hunt on the weekends or go for a hike on a mountain trail. During the work week, a dog from this breeding would enjoy a walk or two a day and a game of fetch.
- We use the time-tested breeding of Irish and British field dogs to produce the Classic Dog line. This type of pairing yields a young dog that typically has more of an " off switch". A pup from a Classic Dog Litter can be a great field partner and home companion. They are softer in personality, easy to get along with, and may have less energy demands than a Sporting Dog.
- We combine Irish/British field lines with hunting show lines that tend to yield remarkably calm and intelligent dogs. The Gentle Dog line is bred with therapy and companion pets in mind. From this pairing, we look to create a quiet young dog that looks for direction and wants to be with you.
Quality Guarantee
At Sundance Retrievers, we are focused on providing our clients with the highest quality Labrador Retrievers and promise that all of the dogs in our breeding program are:
- AKC DNA certified
- AKC registered
- OFA Eye Certified
- Have an OFA Score rated either good or excellent; and/or a PennHip of 50% and lower or BVA
- Tested for: Centronuclear Myopathy ( CNM), Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC),Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (HNPK), Progressive Retinal Atrophy ( PRA-PRCD), Progressive Rod- Cone Degeneration (PRCD), Retinal Dysplasia (DRD1), Oculoskeletal Dysplasia 1 ( OSD1) and Skeletal Dysplasia(SD2).
In addition, they will have a strong working pedigree and temperaments that are graded against the AKC Canine Good Citizen standard.
Reserving a Puppy
We accept deposits for Trained Companions, Working Dogs, and Field Dogs from all upcoming litters. The deposit to reserve your pup and training program is $500. Please contact us for more details.
Due to the high demand for our trained dogs, we do not sell eight-week-old puppies or untrained dogs.
Occasionally, we may sell one or two Head Start Puppies from a litter. Any puppies currently available would be listed on our Dogs For Sale page as a Head Start Puppy.
Planned Litters
Looking for a dog that is already in training? Please see our Dogs For Sale page.
Last updated Classic Dogs
FTW Esless Palmer × Sundance's Mockingjay CGC
Pedigree & Health Clearances
2024 IGL Retriever Champion FTCH Rustler Master × Sundance's Red Maple CGC
One of the most anticipated litters this year, we are looking for style, intelligence and companionship from the Maple x Gus litter. These pups would make wonderful family pets, hunting partners, or dog game athletes.
Pedigree & Health Clearances
Sporting Dogs
Sundance's Buffalo Bill CGC × Sundance's American Girl CGC
These pups are easygoing, love to learn, and want to make you happy all day long. If you are looking for a gentle companion or an easygoing field dog, then this is the litter for you.
Pedigree & Health Clearances
Int- FTCH Iroquois Prince × Sundance's Storm Warning CGC
If you are looking for an active, intelligent companion, dog-sport enthusiast, or hunting partner, this is the litter for you.
Pedigree & Health Clearances