English Labradors were originally bred as hunters; they’d serve as loyal water dogs and retrievers to hunters in Canada, England, and Newfoundland. Since that time, however, English Labradors have begun to be bred for show and are an American Kennel Club registered breed of dog.
No matter where you live in the United States, there is a responsible English Labrador breeder accessible to you. Because these dogs can grow to have health issues – particularly in the joints and eyes – it’s important that you choose a breeder that will care for your puppy in its early weeks. The temperament and lifelong health of your puppy may very well depend on this early care.
We’ve put together a list of the top English Labrador breeders in the United States, so that you may begin your search for an English Lab to call your own.
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1. Smoky Mountain English Labradors
Smoky Mountain Labradors is located in east Tennesee, and the kennel specializes solely in the English Labrador breed. In addition to producing quality, well cared for puppies, Smoky Mountain Labradors offers stud service and ships products to customers across the country.
If you’re interested in adopting a Smoky Mountain Labrador, you don’t need to be located in Tennessee. AKC registered English Lab puppies can be flown or delivered anywhere, internationally, for an additional fee.
Smoky Mountain Labradors only accepts PayPal for payment. The cost to adopt your puppy will vary with the registration option you choose, but you can generally expect to pay around $6,500 for your dog. Your English Labrador puppy will come with a health guarantee, and will be up to date with vaccinations and deworming when he or she arrives at your home. You will need to bring your puppy to the vet within three days in order to take advantage of the health guarantee.
English Labrador Puppy Information:
- AKC English Labrador
English Labrador Breeder Information:
- Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
- Telephone: 865-440-1100
- Website: Smoky Mountain Labradors
2. Empress Labradors
Up in northern Illinois sits Empress Labradors, another AKC registered breeder of English Labrador puppies. Empress Labradors is a small-scale kennel but the facility is located on over five acres of land; your puppy will have plenty of room to run, play and learn before coming to join you in your home.
Dams and sires at Empress is AKC registered, but the puppy you bring home will have limited registration. In other words, puppies are sold as family pets and you will be required to spay or neuter your dog as part of the adoption contract.
If you’d like to adopt a dog from Empress Labradors, you will not be required to fill out an application. Instead, you’ll be asked to place a $500 deposit to hold your place on the waitlist. The price of your English Labrador puppy for sale will vary depending upon its age, but on average you can expect to pay around $4,000 for your dog.
English Labrador Puppy Information:
- AKC English Labrador
English Labrador Breeder Information:
- Location: Rockford area, Illinois
- Telephone: 815-218-8765
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Empress Labradors
3. Sugar Pine Labradors
For those of you on the west coast who are searching for an English Labrador, Sugar Pine Labradors may be a good option. This kennel is located just outside Sacramento, California, and is convenient to San Francisco and Reno as well. The kennel has been in operation for over 25 years and is a responsible, reputable English Labrador breeder.
Puppies produced by Sugar Pine Labradors are home-raised as a part of the family. That means that special attention is given to both the veterinary care and the socialization of the puppies, ensuring your new fur baby will be a friendly and healthy addition to your own family when it’s time to come home with you.
Sugar Pine English Labrador puppies are only bred one or two times each year, so if you’re interested in adoption be sure to put your name on the list as early as possible. If you’re interested in stud service, contact Sugar Pine to determine whether your dog is approved. The fee for this service is $1,200.
English Labrador Puppy Information:
- AKC English Labrador
English Labrador Breeder Information:
- Location: Auburn, California
- Location: Alta, California
- Telephone: 530-320-4298
- Telephone: 530-320-5906
- Website: Sugar Pine Labradors
For more related content: Best Labrador Breeders in Ontario! and Best Labrador Breeders in New Hampshire!
4. Texas Faith Labradors
If you live in Texas, there’s an English Labrador breeder that’s right nearby. Texas Faith Labradorsis in Willis, Texas, nearby Houston. This small-scale breeder specializes in both English and American Labradors, and dogs are AKC registered. That said, most puppies are sold on limited registration, which means you’ll need to alter your dog as a part of the contract you’ll sign when adopting your dog.
Currently, visitors are not allowed at Texas Faith Labradors. The owners are an older couple, and due to health concerns, they would prefer to allow you to meet your new puppy over a video call. With that said, you can be assured of your dog’s health and safety. All English Labrador puppies for sale are well cared for by veterinarians and are socialized from an early age with humans and other animals.
To adopt a puppy from Texas Faith Labradors, you’ll interview with the owners and upon approval will be asked to place a deposit of $312. When it’s time to pick up your puppy, you’ll pay the remainder of the $1,600 cost of your dog.
English Labrador Puppy Information:
- AKC English Labrador
English Labrador Breeder Information:
- Location: Willis, Texas
- Telephone: 936-537-4557
- Website: Texas Faith Labradors
5. On the Bluff Labradors
New Englanders who are looking to adopt an English Labrador can head over to Germantown, New York. There you’’ll find On the Bluff Labradors, a breeder of English Lab puppies for fifty years! With the experience they’ve gained throughout the decades, the team at this kennel has perfected bloodlines and produces quality, healthy and well-tempered dogs.
Waiting lists at On the Bluff Labradors can be relatively lengthy, so be sure to express your interest early. The website is regularly updated with information about available and upcoming litters, but many times the dogs shown are already reserved!
Speak with the team at On the Bluff Labradors to determine the amount of deposit required and the total cost of your dog. After inquiring with the team, you’ll receive an application for adoption; upon filling out the app you’ll be invited to progress through the adoption process. They are one of the oldest English Labrador breeders on our list.
English Labrador Puppy Information:
- AKC English Labrador
English Labrador Breeder Information:
- Location: Germantown, New York
- Telephone: 518-537-7000
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: On the Bluff Labradors
6. Beloved Labs
Minnesota-based Beloved Labs specializes in AKC English Labradors and is a small-scale family business. In fact, Kevin and Kristan Olson have promised one another that they would never grow their business to the point where additional staff would be required. That means the husband and wife team is personally looking after each and every puppy born at Beloved Labs.
Before you place a deposit on a puppy, you’ll need to contact the Olson family. The Beloved Labs team wants to make sure that each puppy adopted goes to a good and loving home. After your interview, you’ll be given instructions on how to place a deposit on your dog and more information about the adoption procedure.
The total price of your dog may vary depending upon sex, age and other factors. However, you can expect to pay around $2,200 for your dog. Your dog will be dewormed and up to date with vaccinations at time of pickup, and you have the option to have your puppy microchipped as well.
English Labrador Puppy Information:
- AKC English Labrador
English Labrador Breeder Information:
- Location: Northern Minnesota
- Telephone: 218-242-4796
- Website: Beloved Labs
7. Dornschatten Labradors
Even Americans as far north as Alaska have access to reputable English Labrador breeders! Dornschatten Labradors is one such kennel; they’re located in Eagle River, Alaska, a suburb of Anchorage. Dornschatten is a small-scale breeder that only produces one or two litters each year, and the waiting list can be several months long.
To adopt a Dornschatten puppy, you’ll need to place a refundable $200 deposit. This will put you on the waitlist; puppy parents are decided when the puppies are three weeks old. You will visit your litter at the Dornschatten location once each week to find the puppy that’s a good fit for your family. At seven weeks of age, your chosen puppy will go home with you.
You can expect to pay $1,000 for your dog, and the deposit will be applied toward that cost. Your puppy comes with a health guarantee for his or her hips and eyes, and will be fully up to date with deworming and vaccinations at time of pickup.
Dornschatten Labradors also offers stud service if you have an AKC female you would like to breed.
English Labrador Puppy Information:
- AKC English Labrador
English Labrador Breeder Information:
- Location: Eagle River, Alaska
- Telephone: 907-223-3711
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Dornschatten Labradors
8. Shirah English Labradors
Shirah English Labradors is located in Montana, convenient to Missoula and Helena. This kennel is a family-owned business that has been in operation for 15 years and produces puppies that come from AKC-registered dams and sires.
Your puppy will come with limited registration, so you won’t be able to purchase a dog for breeding. Instead, you’ll sign a spay or neuter contract for your puppy. Your English Labrador has OFA clearance for hips and eyes and will come with a money-back guarantee should any health conditions arise.
Contact the kennel directly for information about the pricing of their English Labrador puppies for sale and the availability of current and upcoming litters. You can view the pedigree of your puppy’s parents directly on the Shirah English Labrador website, as well as view pictures of past litters born at the kennel.
English Labrador Puppy Information:
- AKC English Labradors
English Labrador Breeder Information:
- Location: Stevensville, Montana
- Telephone: 406-274-7841
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Shirah English Labradors
9. The Reed’s English Labradors
Last on our list of English Labrador breeders in the United States is Reed’s English Labradors. Located on the Gulf Coast of Florida between Pensacola and Panama City is The Reed’s English Labradors. This breeder is another family-run business that specializes in English Labradors and your Reed’s puppy will be AKC registered; speak to the breeder directly about whether your registration will be full or limited. In most cases, your registration will be limited.
The Reed’s English Labradors initial dam and sire came from England! While living abroad, the husband and wife team selected two beautiful dogs that inspired them to begin their business. You can view the pedigree of each dog on the Reed’s English Labradors website if you’re interested in learning more.
To adopt a puppy from Reed’s, you’ll first need to complete an application. Within the application, you’ll be asked for information about your living situation, your job, your experience with pets, and your family. Upon approval, you’ll be asked to place a deposit on your dog, and the remainder of your balance will be due upon the pickup of your puppy.
Your dog will be up to date with his or her vaccinations, vet exams, and worming treatments when it’s time to go home with you. He or she will also be microchipped for safety. If you have further questions about health guarantees, contact the Labrador breeder directly.
English Labrador Puppy Information:
- AKC English Labrador
English Labrador Breeder Information:
- Location: Niceville, Florida
- Email: [email protected]
- Email: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average price for an English Labrador?
The English Lab is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States, and they are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and good temperament.
The AKC describes the Labrador Retriever as a strongly built, medium-sized, short-coupled dog possessing a sound, athletic, well-balanced conformation that enables it to function as a retrieving gun dog.
English Labs are also great family dogs, and they make excellent companion animals. If you are looking for a dog that will be a loving and devoted friend, an English Labrador is a great choice.
The average price for an English Labrador is around $4000 but can go up to $7,500 or more depending on the bloodlines, breeder, age, and gender of pup, and the location of the kennels.
The English and American Labrador are sociable, friendly, and enthusiastic dogs that enjoy training, dog sports, and plenty of outdoor fun.
Which Labrador is best English or American?
A better description for variations in style is “show/conformation” or “working/field” styles instead of describing them as “English or American Labs.”
The Labrador Retriever Club explains that the working/field or “American” style of dog is the label often attached to a Labrador possessing lighter bone structure and exhibiting more length of leg, a less dense coat, and a narrower head with more length of muzzle.
American bred labs are more athletic and were initially bred for field trials and as working dogs. They have higher energy levels with a quicker recharge rate.
The smaller blocky Labs like the English Cream are chill and laid back. The American bred Labs may be more challenging to train. Both Labs are high energy, but American Labs are more athletic with more stamina and energy. They’re also more headstrong and excitable, whereas the English Lab is less demanding and settles down more readily.
However, the two Lab type differences include height, coat, and shape. Breeders’ and breed clubs’ consensus describes other differences, including the following:
- English Labrador
- Blockier head
- Stockier dog
- Heavier bone
- Denser coat
- 21.5 to 22.5 in height
For more information about the English Labrador or American Labrador, check out the video below.
Some people may prefer the English Labrador for its laid-back personality, while others may prefer the American Labrador for its more energetic temperament.
But ultimately, the best Labrador for you is the one that best suits your lifestyle and personality. So if you want a more relaxed type that’s less demanding of Labrador, opt for the English Lab.
What is the rarest Lab color?
Silver is the rarest Lab color that is a beautiful slate grey. Silver is rare because it can only come from a unique genetic makeup. A silver Labrador is a chocolate Labrador that has a recessive gene that gives them their light color.
Silver Labs may be prone to health problems such as deafness and blindness. You should always consider adopting a Labrador from your local shelter. Other health concerns for both the English and American Lab may include:
- Arthritis
- Hip dysplasia
- PRA
The Best English Labrador Breeders in the United States
Labradors are among the most popular dog breeds in the United States, and English Labradors are included. These dogs make excellent family pets; they’re loyal, trainable, and great with children.
However, English Labradors can be susceptible to eye, joint, and other health issues if not bred correctly. Therefore, it’s important that you adopt your puppy from a reputable breeder.
No matter where you are in the United States, you can find a responsible breeder that will provide a healthy and well-socialized puppy for your family. Use this list as a guideline as to what to look for in a breeder, then find a kennel nearby to you that you trust to sell you your new English Labrador puppy.
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Dr. Sabrina Kong graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in England in 2016 and has been working at a small animal clinic in Northern California since then. She grew up in the Bay Area and got her bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She also became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through a program at the University of Tennessee.
When she isn’t in the clinic taking care of her four-legged patients, she enjoys traveling and trying new foods with her friends and her three-legged dog, Apollo. She adopted Apollo from her clinic when he was a puppy with numerous health issues. Dr. Kong truly cares about taking care of animals.