happy, healthy labrador retrievers

We currently house about 148 Labrador Retrievers,  ranging from 6 month old puppies to 14 year old seniors. Our Labs tend to be American field bred, meaning that they descend from some of the best hunt test and field trial Labs in the country. This also ensures they are free from common genetic diseases common in labs, including hip and elbow dysplasia, exercise induced collapse (EIC), and centronuclear myopathy (CNM).  

 

Four Rivers Kennel is passionate about conducting research in a manner that promotes the wellbeing of our canine study particpants, and is committed to ensuring the ethical treatment and safety of our dogs. All of our dogs receive annual vaccinations, heartworm prevention, flea and tick prevention, dental cleanings, and any veterinary care they need. 

 

We have one or two litters per year and we spend many hours socializing and training our puppies in basic obedience. Our dogs typically live with us for their entire lives. The dogs go outside to airing yards during the day (weather permitting) in social groups of 5 or 6 and frequently go for walks or have running time on the property for enrichment and fitness.

 

Besides basic obedience, many of our Labrador Retrievers are trained in the art of retrieving and we spend many hours honing those hunting skills. Several of the dogs we started with were titled in AKC hunt tests. 

 

 

canine senior center

 

 

Our dogs typically live at our facility for their entire lives, which means that our population of senior canines is growing over time. We currently have approximately 60 senior dogs available for studies focusing on this important life phase.