LINKS
To Jack & Dot Galvin for their guidance, influence and generosity in helping to establish and mentor Dogwood Labradors.

To veterinarian Dr. Dan and Debbie Cardoza, Carissa Shapiro, Sara Duboise, Dr. Sharon Chang, Dennis Dube, Chris Nordon, Big River
veterinarian service, located in West Greenwich, RI - our regular
veterinarian care provider. We thank you for all the excellent care you have provided our dogs over the years.

We want to extend our thoughts and prayers for our soldiers and their families abroad, and to the Iraq citizens who have endured this hardship. These people are giving 110%, so let's keep them in our prayers!  We also pray for Brian Scott, Shaun's brother who served his country in Iraq and is now home with his family.

To Lisa & Ted White, DVM & family, and to Tony & Martha Emilio & family for their expertise, friendship, and for providing such wonderful, fun-loving Labradors to the Dogwood Labradors.

To Miss Anne Taylor and Jeremy & Anita Hunt of the UK for sending Storm and Marcus to us, and for sponsoring me to join the Labrador Retriever Club. We are impressed with their abilities, and look forward to incorporating their working lines into our kennel. Thank you for all your helpful advice and teaching of the attributes of the English Labrador Retriever.

To Norman Grenier and Jen Leitao for the professional handling and safekeeping of our Labradors.

To Andrew Scott for building the Dogwood Labradors Kennel.

To Officer Kevin Gleason, Officer
Bob Siple and K-9 Trainer Greg Richards for their expert handling and training of Mini, Dogwood Labradors’ first venture into K-9 Drug Detection. We thank you all for your hard work and dedication with Mini!

To Captain Mike LeClair of the Noth Kingstown Fire Department for the dedication and hard work in training Rudi, Dogwood's first venture into Search and Rescue.

To Dr. Dan Cardoza for sharing his Iraq pictures, and for making such a contribution to this web site.

--------------------------

Design and Photography:

Designer and Photographer
Tyler Hall

Web Developer/Designer
Joy Bonsignore, jms Consulting, Inc.
www.jmsconsult.com

Photographer
Aarone Durocher
www.stonecoastlabs.com

Photographer
David Dalton
www.daviddalton.org

Photographer
Carol Stevens
www.adigitalmoment.com

Photographer
Paul DuHamel
www.imagesinharmony.com

Photographer
Greg Wessel, Hamptonpet Magazine
www.hamptonpet.net

Photographer
Lynn Stone
www.art.com

Photographer
Andrea Stanton & William Plyler
1-860-876-0376 or 1-860-434-2285

Photography
TKDogs.com
www.TKdogs.com

Photographer credit
Multi-talented Hope Melendez
Dogwood assistant who served one year in Iraq. Thank you Hope for serving our country!

To Cranston Public Library for the beautiful Dogwood Trees, which we used in several of our photographs.
 

CREDITS
DON'T FORGET TO VISIT OUR PHOTO GALLERY PAGE FOR NEW IMAGES!!

Would you like to learn how to stay healthy so that you can enjoy your Labrador(s) in your later years? Click here to learn. www.debrarecommendsjuiceplus.com

Black pups available as of January, 2012.
Yellow pups expected in March, 2012.       **Interested in either litter, you can reach us at 401.885.0146 or click here to email us.

Great News! Captain Mike LeClair and Rudi spent the week of 10/10/11 at the Muscattatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville Indiana, to attend a Type 1 Search and Rescue Training and Certification. While traveling Rudi's obedience and behavior was spot on all throughout the airports and layover at O'Hare in Chicago, and on the airplanes themselves. The training seminar was put on by the International Police Work Dog Association (IPWDA). They are the only police organization that has an extensive Search and Rescue/Cadaver Search program. Captain Mike LeClair has been a member for four years now, and the week was twofold for him. First, on Saturday evening, a written test and interviews had to be conducted in order to be accredited as an instructor for the organization in SAR.

The remaining of the week was all about Rudi. Monday was spent training at different venues throughout the facility. The scenario possibilities are endless. You could train there all week and never do the same thing twice. This was truly real-life training. Tuesday was test day. Captain Mike and Rudi passed the Type 1 Advanced Disaster Test! There were several dogs testing so it took all day. Captain Mike and Rudi searched two different rubble piles 6000 to 10,000 square feet, for a total up to six subjects. For the test, the number of subjects can vary so you don't know how many are in each pile. The evaluators also contaminate the pile with distractions. The distractions are placed so that the only thing available to the dog is the scent, they can't access the distraction. Captain Mike found out after it was all over that they used freshly worn clothing, a dead squirrel and a huge plate of ham. The evaluators told him after, that Rudi did very well with the distractions, he found them all, but quickly moved on. Rudi did spend a little more time at the plate of ham than he did with the others, but he couldn't tell.

Congratulations Captain Mike and Rudi! We are very proud of you for spending all the time, effort, and training in achieving this success!

Bailey (Dogwood Tea Time) is a new father. Click here to view Bailey's babies.

Bailey takes a 2nd in Open Yellow Class at PRLRC Sept. '10, under breeder judge Ms. Pauline Mortier, Lubberline.

Bailey takes a 4th in Open Yellow Class, PRLRC Lab Specialty, Sept. '09, under English judge Mrs. Marion Hopkinson, Rocheby and 4th under Ms. Claire Senfield, Allegheny.

Bailey takes a 2nd place in American Bred, PRLRC Specialty '09, under English judge Mrs. Marilyn Prior, Priorise.

Click here to open 'The Life of a Search and Rescue Labrador' newsletter in pdf format.

They did it!! Lt. Mike and Rudi passed the Type II disaster certification held at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey on December '09. The weather was not favorable, as it rained and snowed most of the day. The lead evaluator was very impressed with Rudi, as she normally works Labs herself. She was impressed by his enthusiastic bark and happy-go-lucky, fun work ethic. Type I and Type II are national certifications, as they are now put on a national database for possible deployment throughout the country. Congratulations Lt. Mike, Rudi, and all the other teams that were there striving for excellence, what a huge accomplishment!! Click here for a recent article on Rudi in the Standard Times.To view Rudi's Search and Rescue test and to view the teams videos click here.

Congratulations to Connie Muellerleile, Micons Labradors, for a very nice 3 pt. major win with Dogwood Kelleygreen Hummer, taking WD at the CA. Golden Gate Kennel Club, Jan '10. Hummer can be viewed on www.miconslabradors.com. This was one of Hummer's first showings, and has a nice show career in front of him!

Dogwood Kelleygreen Hummer (Hummer) took a 3 point major win at Golden Gate Kennel Club, Jan '11 under Ms. Elizabeth Muthard. Hummer now has 8 points to his show career!

We would like to welcome a newcomer to Dogwood: Chablais Dogwood George. George is all that we have been looking for, and are very exited to introduce him to our site. Chablais Dogwood George is Chablais Justin x Chablais Babychou. Be watching the boy's page for George's new photos that will be up soon.

George(Chablais Dogwood George) takes 1st in Open Yellow Dog class under English judge Mr. David Hopkinson, Rocheby, PRLRC Specialty, Sept. '11.

Mona(Dogwood Cool MKT Rally) has finally done it! She finished her Champion Title by taking WB at Worcester County Kennel Club under Ms. Diane Pilbin, Chucklebrook, and also taking WB and Best of Winners at Eastern Dog Club under Dr. Michael Woods, Waterdog, Dec. ’11. Thank you to all the judges who recognized Mona throughout all the years and thank you to Norman Grenier for helping her achieve this title!

Mona takes a 2nd in Open Black at Saratoga Kennel Club under Ms. Marion Lyons, Chocorua, 2nd at Mohawk Valley Kennel Club under Ms. Diane Pilbin, Chucklebrook, and a huge win and first major at Glen Falls Kennel Club under Judge Mrs. Eileen Ketcham, Groveton. Mona got WB, Best of Winners and Best of Breed, and then went on to take group 3 in Sporting at Ballston Spa shows New York, Aug. '11. Thank you for all the judges who recognized Mona.

Mona takes 2nd. in Open Black under Mr. Michael Silva-Shadowbrook, Bronx County Kennel Club, Mar. '11.

Mona takes 1st in Open Black under Patricia Hess Maryland Sporting Dog, Mar. '11.

Mona takes 1st in Open Black under Mr. Rune Fagerstrom, New Brunswick Kennel Club, Mar. '11.

Mona takes 1st in Open Black under Dr. Elizabeth Wenner-Surry, and 1st and RWB under Ms. Cheri Conway-Thornwood at New England Sporting Group, Mar. '11.

Mona takes 3rd in Open Black under Ms. Lori Bentine, Tremont and takes 1st on Open Black under Mrs. Marion Lyons, Chocorua at Maryland Sporting Dog, Mar. '11.

Mona takes 1st in Open Black and Reserve Winners under Ms. Charlotte Clem McGowan, and 1st in Open Black under Mr. Michael Faulkner at the Bay Colony Cluster, Dec '10.

Mona takes 3rd in Open Black at Carroll County Kennel Club, under Ms. Laura Dedering, Folklaur, Sept. '10.

Mona takes WB at Wachusett Kennel Club, Aug '10.

Mona takes Reserve Winners at Wallkill , Finger Lakes and North Country Kennel Club, April '10.

Mona takes WB at Union County Kennel Club, WB and Best of Opposite at Sand and Sea Kennel Club, Feb. '10.

Mona takes WB both days at Saratoga Kennel Club and Glen Falls Kennel Club, Jan. '10.

Mona takes 2nd in a large Open Black Class at Merrimack Valley Kennel Club, under Mrs. Betty L. Graham, Graemoor, '09.

Mona takes 4th in a large Open Black Class of 17 at the PRLRC Specialty, with Mrs. Prior, Priorise, '09.

Mona takes Winners Bitch/Best of Winners/Best of Opposite at Trap Falls Kennel Club, under Mrs. Gale Young, '09.

Mona takes 4th in a large class of 36 Open Black at the Potomac, under English breeder judge Mrs. Lynne Minchella, Abbeystead, '09. Norman Grenier handled Mona to perfection, and we were thrilled to get such a fine placement. Some of the nicest bitches in the country were in that class, and we feel Miss Mona has a wonderful career in front of her.

Mona takes 4th in a large class of 23 Open Black under Finnish judge Ms. Hannele Jokisilta, Palabras Pioneer Valley Lab Specialty '09.

Mona takes 1st in American Bred, PRLRC supported entry, under breeder judge Laura Dedering, Folklaur, '08.

Mona placed 4th in the American Bred Conformation Class at the Potomac Lab Specialty '07, in a class of 32. Judge Miss Angela Williams-Folby, said, "It was one of the nicest classes of the day." Mona was placed behind three Tabatha breedings, so we were honored!

Mona placed 2nd in 12-18 class at Framingham District Kennel Club, under breeder judge Dr. Elizabeth Wenner-Surry Labradors, '06.

Mona and Marcus(Fenway Trademark) achieved their working certificate at the PRLRC WC test in '08. This test shows the dog's natural ability to retrieve game.

Molly(Dogwood Cool MKT Run) gets 1 pt taking WB under Mr. Paul Willhauck, Middlesex County Club, Dec. ‘11

Molly takes her second 3 point major winning WB, Best of Winners and Best of Breed under Ms. Bonnie Linnell Clarke, Worcester County Kennel Club, Dec. ‘11

Molly takes a huge win and her first 4 pt. major, WB under Norwegian judge Mr. Jon-Roger Sauge, Mambrino, and Best of Winners under Ms. Jo Fleming, Blackwater, at MJLRC Specialty, Sept. '11. We thank all the judges and spectators who recognized our girl!

Molly takes 1st. in Am Bred under Mr. Greg Lynch, Kellyn at Souhegan Kennel Club, Oct. '11.

Molly, takes 3rd in 15-18 sweeps at MJLRC, under Ms. Shannon Carlton, Sheabourne and 4th in sweeps the following day under Ms. Allison Hillius, Devonshire, Oct. '10.

Molly takes Best of Opposite of Sweepstakes at PRLRC Labrador Specialty, under breeder judge Mr. David Volette, Clayview, and 2nd the following day under Ms. Laura Reich, Lor-als, Sept '10.

Molly takes 4th in 12-18 at Carroll County Club, under breeder judge Mrs. Linda Bednarski, Tullamore and 2nd the following day under breeder judge Ms. Laura Dedering, Sept. '10.

Molly takes 2nd in a large 12-18 class under English judge Mr. Anthony Allen, Allenie at PRLRC Specialty Sept. '10.

Molly, takes 1st in her first showing, 9-12 sweeps, at Pioneer Valley Labrador Retriever Club under Ms. Jen Leitao, May '10.

Biscuit has achieved her American Senior Hunt Title August '09, as well as Canadian WC, WCI, WCX and first leg towards Senior. Biscuit and Jim have had many hours of training and dedicated work. Biscuit has overcome many adversities to achieve this title, and in our book a true star. Thank you, Jim for your dedication and expert care with Biscuit, a Labrador who has blossomed in the breed. Click here to visit her page and to view live video footage.

Rudi, NKFD Search and Rescue, has passed his type III disaster test. This is the first and basic level of disaster certification, which includes obedience, agility and three separate searches. The entire process took about 8 hours. This is the first of the disaster tests, which is designed for hurricane response. Rudi and Mike will go for their Type II disaster test in the latter part of this year. Along with all the many hours of hard work, funds are needed to continue these programs. If you are interested in assisting this team, please contact Captain Mike LeClair, NKFD via email or 401-294-3346 X 105. Thank you for your donations to support this important program.

Rudi, the North Kingstown Search and Rescue Dog has passed his wilderness certification in Jan '09. Congratulations Rudi and Captain Mike LeClair! Rudi and Captain Mike LeClair have done a fantastic job in locating their subject on a 40 acre parcel. Now that the wilderness certification is completed, they will go onto disaster training and will attempt their certification this spring at Lakehurst, New Jersey.

Becca is now living with Miss Becky Chase of Rhode Island, and working together with 4-H activities and public speaking functions, Miss Becky Chase loves public speaking. Becca and Becky Chase visit local schools to participate in 4-H speaking contests and will hopefully qualify to competing at the State Presentations at The University of Rhode Island this comming March. Last year Becky Chase and Becca made their first presence at the state dog show 4-H compatition held at Delmyra Kennels this past August. They did extreemly well comming in 1st, fitting and showmanship, and 3rd in Obedience. They went on to compete at the Big-E Dog Show in Sept '08. Both particpated in obedience, agility, showmanship,and games, and did extreemly well. Becca and Becky Chase came in 2nd in showmanship class out of 12, and 6th in Obedience out of 21 participants. Miss Becky Chase was asked to be on the planning committee for the Big E next year and is the RI representative for the New England 4-H division . Becca has also completed her Canine Good Citizen title with Becky Chase, her handler. Its nice to see a young pair having so much fun!! We are proud of them.

Lilly(Dogwood Calla) takes 2nd in Open Yellow under Ms. Jo Fleming ,Blackwater, at MJLRC Specialty, Sept. '11

Lilly takes 2nd in Am. Bred under English judge, Ms. Linda Porter-Lindall , Potomac Lab Specialty, Apr. '11.

Lilly takes 1st. in Open Yellow at Maryland Sporting Dog under Patricia Hess, Mar. '11.

Lilly takes 1st in Open Yellow under Mr. Rune Fagerstrom, New Brunswick Kennel Club, Mar. '11.

Lilly takes 2nd and RWB in Open Yellow under Mr. Joe Tacker, Fingerlakes Lakes Kennel Club, Apr. '11.

Lilly takes 3rd. in Open Yellow under Ms. Lori Bentine, Tremont, and takes 1st in Open Yellow under Mrs. Marion Lyons, Chocorua at Maryland Sporting Dog, Mar. '11.

Lilly takes RWB under Mrs. Kelly Photopoulos, Boardwalk Kennel Club, Feb.'11.

Lilly takes RBW under Ms. Sue Willumsen, Willcare, Sand and Sea Kennel Club, Feb. '11.

Lilly takes RWB under Mrs. Nancy Cowley, Union County Kennel Club, Feb. '11.

Lilly takes 1st in Am-Bred class under Mr. Charles Olvis and Ms. Charlotte Clem McGowan at the Bay Colony Cluster, Dec '10.

Lilly takes 2nd in American Bred AOC under Ms. Judy Chambers, Ghoststone, MJLRC Specialty, Oct. '10.

Lilly takes 4th in a large 9-12 class under English judge Mrs. Marion Hopkinson, Rocheby, PRLRC Lab Specialty '09.

Dogwood Santa Anita achived her WCI, PRLRC hunt test '08. Biscuit has done a fine job with the help of Jim Pickunka handled her to perfection. She will attempt her Senior title next season.

Dogwood Santa Anita, JH will be training for her Senior Hunt title this summer. Watch for this special girl at upcoming hunt tests.

Dogwood On Line Deposit (Mini) two time certified narcotics detection K-9, is now retired, and is a proud mother of the NKFD search and rescue baby in training. To read the story about Kevin and Mini's training in the North Kingstown Villager, Click here. For more reading pick up the second quarter of 2006 issue of International Labrador Review.

Rudi, the newest trainee of the North Kingstown Fire Department Search and Rescue, is in the first part of his training and doing very well. Rudi is being trained and loved by Captain Mike LeClair. Thank you Mike for your commitment to this young boy. Rudi is from the breeding of Oliver X Mini. Click here for a recent article on Rudi in the Standard Times.

Fenway Winter Storm and Dogwood Santa Anita have both achieved their Junior Hunt Titles. Thank you Jim Pickunka, Pondview Retrievers, for helping them achieve their titles and for taking such good care of them. Click here for live footage.

AND we want to welcome from across the pond... Fenway Trademark. If you are looking for brains and looks, this is the dog for you. This young boy is a real good looker, oozing with true Labrador breed type, and combining many of the best UK working lines with a dash of some of the UK's most influential dual-purpose sires, such as Ch Abbeystead Herons Court and Ch Kupros Master Mariner. He was bred by Jeremy Hunt of Fenway Kennels, whose aim is to produce "real" Labradors with good looks and combined with natural hunting ability. He will be a true asset for those serious hunters. Thank you Jeremy and Anita Hunt for sending him our way. Also from across the pond is Fenway Trooper owned by Frank Toti. This young man can be seen slicing though the reeds and busting through the waves of New England, a true working Labrador. Frank has done a fabulous job in training Cutter, and at such a young age is retrieving waterfowl and upland game. Be watching for this stylish young Labrador at future hunt tests.

Storm and Oliver achieved their working certificates from PRLRC, WC test in '06.

Pops placed 4th in a large Bred-by Class under Breeder Judge Dr. Michael Woods at the PRLRC Labrador Specialty '06.

Dogwood Blue Bonnet (Bonnie) placed 4th in a large class of 9-12 Bitches under Breeder Judge Mrs. Mary Ann Czerwinski, PRLRC Labrador Specialty '06.

Diva placed 2nd in American Bred Bitch at the Labradors Retreiver Club of the Potomac under Mrs. Anne Lavelle-Crosscroyde, '06.

Becca placed 4th in Novice at the Labradors Retriever Club of the Potomac under Mrs. Anne Lavelle-Crosscroyde, '06 and also placed 2nd in American Bred at Pioneer Valley Labrador Retriever Club under Mrs. Jill Ickowski-Wiscoy, '06..

Mini is now featured on the front cover of the fourth quarter International Labrador Review 2005.

Dogwood Labradors are proud members of:

  • Pawcatuck River Labrador Retriever Club
  • Providence County Kennel Club
  • The Labrador Retriever Club, UK

    Dr. Dan Cardoza is now home with his family, and resuming his work at Big River Vet Service. Our Prayers have been answered!
    Thank you Dr. Dan for your contribution to this country!

    We do have ADULT LABRADORS AVAILABLE for placement to qualified, loving homes.

    • NEWS