Trailrunners Labs Satisfied Owners - Testimonials

Here is what we heard from someone who bought a Trailrunners Lab pup recently...
It speaks of the pre training and socializing we do with each pup before they go to new homes

Hey Guys

just a brief note and picture. Jake is doing very well,he was at the vet in December and i was told he was probably one of the healthiest dogs she had seen in a while. Must be the raw food. I couldn't be happier with the choice you help me make. He is definitely my bud and far more understanding then the rest of my hunting buddies when I get excited and miss the shot. Best to you and yours.

Rob Groenen

"Trailrunners "Rue" is doing extremely well in her new home. When we picked her up back when she was a little ball of brown fur and puppy energy we could not have known the amazing dog she'd grow into. She is only 7 months old now so still has a some growing to do. One thing I can say has to be the best part is that at least once a day she makes us laugh until we start tearing up. She has been a dream while training and working her focus. She has no fear of new things no matter what it is. She loves other dogs and loves cats - as she lives with 3 cats. Its hard to imagine my day with out her because since we brought her home she has spent nearly every day at my side at work and in my truck, or in the boat - being a true companion. I am so glad that we chose to wait for the right pup from Trailrunners - it was well worth the wait. Rue has taught me a lot about myself and made me take notice of my mood or effects that my day has had on me - as she mirrors me and yet manages to always make me stop and notice her. Always a positive energy she is hard to ignore. Ball drive like no other dog I have ever had and dedication to the "search" word! Fran and her family are so in tune with their animals and people around them and are doing so much for the good in our world. We are able to go out for a walk or ball play or search play and then chill in the yard or living room with very little fuss - her ON/OFF switch is wired perfectly.. though it helps that she gets out every day for some good exercise. I'd suggest anyone who is looking to bring a dog into their family to go visit Fran and Chris and take the time to see their fantastic facility."

Sean & Cornelia of Fort McMurray.

Hi Fran and Chris,

Just a short note to let you know how much we continue to love Happy. She is our dream dog for our family and a best friend to both my little girls.

I wanted to let you know that if you have another pup in the next couple years who doesn't appear to make the requirements for a working dog we would be open to a pup. Happy is still very young at heart but our thoughts are that at some point in the next few years we should start looking for another pup, JUST like her if possible! We love the fact that she is small, ,means that she always gets to go everywhere with us and her personality fits our family perfectly. -- Sorine

Hello Fran,

Kahlua had a very successful trip home. We had to stop a couple a places in order to buy a newspaper so she would relieve herself as she was quite offended by the cold and the snow. Once we laid the newspaper down in the snow, she new exactly what to do. After that, we had no issues. We pulled off on a side road at one point where she went into some deeper grass to "do her business".

She seemed to really enjoy the truck ride and would go from the comfort of my warm body to the security of her new kennel. We had the door off so she could freely go in and out of the kennel onto the consol, where she spent much of the trip. She truly is the pup with no fear and did the whole trip with such confidence. She didn't once get sick or have any "accidents" in the truck.

Kahlua is such a joy to have around. She has adjusted very well to her new home. She was up a couple of times the first night to go out to pee but settled right in again and has slept through the night every night since. She has a lot of energy and is full of vinegar when she is awake but also lets us know when it is cuddle time. She also has no issue with her kennel and is quite happy to settle in for a nap or down for the night.

Fran, you and your family did wonders with this little pup and we are thrilled to have a Trailrunners Lab. She is so alert and smart and so confident! Everyone that meets her loves her immediately. She seems to be growing already, and I've posted a couple of pictures for Phoebe as I am sure she misses this little brown pup. I will keep you updated on her progress. Thank you for giving her up to us. Cal & Cheryl

Trailrunners Burton, son of Maggie and Cob
Burton - "Search and Rescue dog"

" We are extremely happy with Burton. Everyone that meets him says he his a good looking dog and well behaved. By the age of three months he mastered his basic obedience and we have been tracking with him now. He has completed 27 tracks and we are increasing the length of the track and the age. Burton also has enjoyed a couple of hikes this summer- he has made it up to two summits around 7000ft each. We are extremely pleased with your Trailrunner Lab. He is growing like a weed (building muscle) and getting smarter everyday. He does not get into many things that he is not supposed too. Gordon, Lethbridge, AB

Trailrunners Shadow Dancer Son of Amo

"Fran, we went fishing out on Vancouver Island. I taught dancer to "get busy" (go to the bathroom) on the back grid of the boat which is behind and below him in this photo, The guide had never seen a dog do that, they always have to get rowed to shore. He spent 10 hours one day and 11 another. We caught Halibut, spring salmon and sockeyes. He was awesome when the fish were flopping around. The halibuts really put up a fighting flop. Puppy class goes well, he is way ahead of the others, I am proud of us for all our work."

Thank you so much for Rory! He turned out better than I could have ever hoped for!

He's grown up into the nicest dog! We passed our CGN (Canine Good Neigbour) in June...right after Rory was Best Dog at our Wedding. We did some Hunt Retriever training this Spring and he took to it right away. I ran out of time, much to Rory's disappointment. We're orientating at Alberta Hospital right now to start volunteering with the Animal Assisted Therapy program. November 1st we're starting Agility. And if we get enough snow this winter I really would like to try skijoring with him.

He has the best personality! He doesn't know how to quit on any task you give him. In the house though he's been named Snuggle-Pup-icus. He's great with people from babies of 5 months to my grandma who will be turning 94 in December! His best friend is a 6lb Yorkie and he loves the giant "dogs" - Horses too! He's great out on the ranch and he's helping me train my new horse too!

He's Russ' favourite fishing buddy! He has so much fun in the boat. He's gotten many compliments on his water entry as well ...whether flying off the dock or jumping off the beach....he's in with all four paws just-a swimming for whatever he's retrieving. He's learning to sit nice and still and not scare the fish when we're out fly fishing...the other fishermen are so surprised, especially when we tell them he's not even 2!!

so thank you again,

Cheryl - Edmonton AB

Trailrunners Ravens Craig Jack - Son of Jetty and Bo

Pup with new owners at 8 wk old. "Jack" from Jetty and Bo's litter summer 2006

"Here is Jack's first taste of Alberta Hungarian Partridge. It was very wet. We kept the pup in the kennel & just let him listen to the shooting ( & there was lots of it as Karin is not that good a shot yet ...lol) As you can see we let the dog at the birds while they were still warm. We are very happy with the pup & he is off to a good start."
Brett & Karin, Calgary Alberta.

Tidex T Runners Chocolat Chaud

"Chocolat Chaud" - sold as an adult trained dog

"Just wanted to let you know how Chaud is doing. Chaud is doing just great,he is a great companion dog, the kids in our campground just love him. He really loves the water. People are always asking if we are breeding him because they say he is so loving and gentle." Krista and Ralph, Calgary Alberta

Hello Fran and Chris.
Your little man had his first adventure yesterday. I hope the pictures tell the story. He is a very tractable pup and seems to have settled in. He does have a mind of his own and is keeping us busy! We would like you both to know how pleased we are! He is coming to the whistle today!
Ron and Carol Prince Albert SK

"Neko is a very strong dog at 17 months he weighs 88 lbs and has little fat. His sustainabliity in field is excellent. He completed two legs of his Junior Hunt test by time he was 13 months old.

At 14 months old was handling and showed good bird sense throughout the 2004 hunting season. He is a strong swimmer and shows good marking skills on water and land.

We spent time hunting upland and showed no reluctance to retrieve upland including hungarian and sharptails. Neko is going to be a good dog for hunt test as well as a gun dog."
Jim Saskatoon SK

Trailrunners Kelsea Rae

"Kelsea is a very energetic pup when hunting, and shows great control while in the field or at home. She has been very easy to work with. She loves to hunt and she is ready to retrieve whenever you are. She is now well seasoned with over 100 retrieves of grouse, partridge, pheasant, ducks, and geese in her first season. Kelsea has great body size with a weight of 61 pounds at 14 months. Excellent pup, Thanks."

Austin and Debbie Flaxcombe, SK

After several years of looking for the right chocolate blood lines and countless hours on the computer, I came up with what I had searched for. So one cold afternoon in Dec of 2004 I called Fran and struck up the first of many good conversations. The deposit was sent and the wait began. In late April of 2005 I went to the Fairbanks airport to meet the new member to the family, and a bond started right there. His name would be Trailrunners Lost Highwayman "Cash". After a good summer and his first fall we collected several grouse and mallards. Due to my busy work schedule Cash would be sent out to a professional trainer for the winter and come home in the spring. Which I found to be a great asset, if you have the means. So at fourteen months Cash had his HR title in hunt tests, and was working on his finished title. All of this would not have been possible without good breeders who have the knowledge and ethics to product top notch retrievers for people who appreciate a quality dog. If you're serious about a companion dog, hunt test dog or trial dog, give Fran a call. Chris Lewellyn, North Pole, Alaska

Chris also wrote about a recent hunt:

"I went to North Dakota for Cash's big hunt! Let me tell you that boy was something to see .Hunting geese from lay out blinds in cornfields with right beside me covered in corn stalks he was a rock. Pheasant hunting was more than I could have hoped for.He was like a machine out there.He even pinned down one, retrived and returned without a shot. Not bad for his first time ever seeing any pheasant. Between retrieveing mallards in cornfields,pheasant in sunflower or 13lbs. geese in wheat, he was a sight to see.

My decision to buy a Trailrunners dog, proved to be the best decision I could have made. "Beau" is born to hunt, and "lives" to retrieve. He is a high energy and focused dog. Throw in some "kind" professional training from Fran, and we now have a well disciplined, obedient dog. He is a joy to have in our family. At one year of age, Beau had his first hunting season this fall. Wow! He was a posterdog for how to retrieve, from the very first shot. Fran did an outstanding job in training him. We could not be more satisfied with our choice of a Trailrunners Lab.
Murray Rogers