Testimonials (Volume 1)

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Southland puppy owners please send your news for inclusion here!

To Diana-- Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas.
Our Southland puppy, Duchess (Peanut/Bolt), is just six months old so this is her first Christmas. She is a wonderful dog: smart, sweet and enjoys training and pleasing people. She's strong, too, and loves her long walks through the woods. Thank you for your expertise and for your love of Labs. You gave us six pounds of fur and love. She now is a fit, forty-pounder. All good wishes for the New Year.
Thank you.
K. and T. Vanden Brook
Arlington, Va.

Hi Diana:
Just wanted to report how well our "little" Lena (Joe/Sandy) is doing, after celebrating her first birthday. As these pictures show, she is absolutely gorgeous and we always receive compliments on her stunning good looks. She's a tall girl and currently weighs about 75 pounds -- all muscle, we think! There is no doubt she's a water dog . . . and a tennis-ball fiend; she can sniff them out where-ever we happen to be! She adores our 15-year-old Golden, Dexter, and is best friends with every other dog she meets . . . incredibly good-natured. Above all, she's the sparkle in our lives, a true gift.

Thanks for such a amazing pup!
Beth and Tom deBeau

Dear Diana,
Glinnie (Leroy/Cotton 5/2/05) earned her Master Agility Championship title this past weekend up in Salisbury. It happened on the 6th anniversary of picking her up from Southland which I think it pretty cool (July 22). She also is a double certified therapy dog and we attend Reading Education Assistance Dog sessions up in Ashland all summer. She also does tricks and agility demos for various camps and events around town all year. The children (and adults) adore watching her do her stuff!
She has been the best thing that has ever happened to me.

Thank you again.
Loughan

Hi Diana,
I just wanted to drop you a note after visiting your website again after so many years. We own "Dexter" on your album 4 page (Sophie and Jack litter June 2003). I cant tell you enough how much joy Dexter brings to our lives each day. Thank you so much for the time and dedication you put into your work. You've truely given us a best friend for the last 8 years. And he is doing great with the same health and desire to please as ever.

Yours truely,
Paul Smiley

Hello Diana,

We just wanted to let you know that Elwood is a great pup (Princess/Angus Litter 9-15-10). He is growing like a weed 55lb.s at 5 months. The vet say he's perfect! We get alot of complements about him. He is a very smart and a very well bred pup. Sending some pictures. We love him dearly.

Thanks so much,
Debbie & Nathan Dryden

Hi Diana

Hope you and the dogs are doing well. I know all of your pups are beautiful, but Sandy and Joe's genes really came together in an extraordinary way when they made Lena! She's so remarkably gorgeous at such a young age . . . everyone comments on it. That, and her big paws!! She is indeed growing into a tall girl, very lean and weighs 53 pounds at 5 1/2 mos. She's doing well in puppy kindergarten, and has mastered "down" and "drop it" with very little coaching. (The "drop it" command comes in handy with all the sticks she likes to bring in the house!) She continues to be the most outgoing and social lab we've had . . . every dog she meets is her best buddy! Oh, and she likes to play a few notes on the piano every day, and recently has decided to hold the note until we give her a treat! Quite a character. Here's a few pictures.

Beth deBeau

Dear Diana,

I just wanted to update you on our wonderful friend and hunting partner Colbie Jo (Joe & Lucy litter 6/18/09). 2010 - 11 is Colbie's first full hunting season. She is retrieving beautifully and is a joy to watch in action. She is lightning fast and persistent through the last bird of the day. Colbie is a wonderful campanion at home, enjoys meeting new people, loves kids and always receives compliments for her good looks and behavior.

Thanks again for such a wonderful dog!

Steve & Anne Wilson
Kulpsville, PA

Here is a picture of Sarge (Leroy/Charm 8/25/05 litter) He is pictured with our trainer the day he received his AKC SH title. Sarge is the most gorgeous, muscular chocolate male I've ever seen. He is a very driven dog when it comes to retrieving and hunting and does really well with both upland and waterfowl hunting. (he did a waterfowl hunt in South Carolina this weekend and had over 50 retrieves) Sarge is our third Southland Leroy male and we couldn't be happier!!

Linda and Larry Mock
Williamsburg, PA

Thank you so much. We love our new puppy (Princess/Angus Litter 9-14-10). His name is Doji Southland Byrum. He's been so great, it's hard to remember the house without him. He seems to learn something new everyday. If you ever need a reference or anything let us know. We couldn't be happier with your kennel or our new baby.

Thanks again.
Ward & Eva Byrum

Hi! We adopted Kenzie last January and we just wanted to thank you! We absolutely love her! She's a beautiful, great dog. (Joe/Dusty Litter)

Thanks!

Hi Diana,
I do not know if you remembver, but I visited you 13 years ago. Shaman is a dog who has never failed me, not in hunting or hunt tests. Nothing stopped him when it came to retrieving game, unless it was my whistle. Shaman is a once in a life time dog. He reached the highest title in the hunting tests very quickly and easily. He has been the right way tough and also has endless motivation when he is working. But not anymore as he is a healthy 15 year old. Thank you for this dog.

Southland Black Shaman
Tiger/Shadow Litter (11-13-94)
Owner: Jyry Tuominen
Korppoo, Finland

Diana,

Just a quick e-mail with a recent pix of "Rudder" (Dusty/Tucker Litter, 1/15/07).
He has been a pleasure from the day we brought him home and has matured into both a wonderful companion to Joanie and me and also a treasured hunting partner. When it comes to retrieving, he is driven. There is no hesitation and no fear. He runs a great line and takes hand/whistle signals as though he read Wolter's book. I know that I am not suppose to brag on a hunting dog that is still living, but Rudder is the reason that I once again am enjoying waterfowling!!

Ned and Joanie McCall
Bozman, MD

Hello Diana,
Once again, we have a wonderful friend and companion. Bart was our once in a lifetime dog, so we thought (Leroy/Annie 2001) Chance is a wonderful dog and so very much like Bart and then some! Chance is a hiker, he loves the desert and get so excited when we get in our jeep to go on an adventure. Arizona is a very friendly dog state. Where ever we go, everyone comments about how smart and handsome he is. Dusty and Joe produce great dogs. Thanks again for a wonderful dog.
Merry Christmas,
Mike and Robin Testani

Diana, We just got back from hunting and my friends that went with us today cannot believe Kayla (Reba/Tucker) is only 11 month old. She is the best and easiest dog I have ever trained. Today she had over twenty flushes and nine retrieves with no help. Great Dog, I might be looking you up for another pup in the near future.

Joe Kuzo

Here is a picture of Sugar. We have had her for little over a year now and she has been a great addition to our family. She is a great "lap dog" as well as a wonderful retriever. We look forward to the memories that she will bring.

John Pennington

I wanted to send you a few pics of Taylor, BF from the Dusty/Tucker litter whelped 6-7-06. Taylor is doing well, she's a great dog and remarkably smart - she picks things up very quickly!

Thanks for the great puppy!

Suzanne & John Newton

We've had Cooper (Charm/Leroy Litter 8-25-05) about one year now and could not be happier. He's a GREAT family dog. Thanks!

The Menschings
Flemington NJ

I have enclosed a photo of Max (Jay/Leroy Litter 6-30-05) retrieving a pheasant. He has become a wonderful family companion and hunting dog. He has been retreiving ducks and pheasant all fall. Thanks again for such a wonderful dog.

Ray and Jill Rafferty

Here is a picture of "Southland's Florida Jakey Jake" (Sophie/Jack Litter 4-4-05). Jake continues to be the best dog I have ever had. He is a crazy retrieving machine...and the most obedient dog ever. Thanks again for such a great dog!!!!!!!!

Lara Stabell

We just wanted to send in a picture of Katie (Lea/Tucker Litter 12-20-05) so you can see how she is doing, and we wanted to wish you a merry Christmas. Her registered name is Southland Princess of Puppy Love "Katie" and she is by far the best dog I have ever owned.

Brian Howett

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