Murrayville Kennels is centrally located in Concord, NH. We have been breeding high quality Non-Dilute Black, Yellow & Chocolate American Labrador Retrievers for over 48 years. We raise high quality pups that make great pets and super hunting dogs. We breed for intelligence and temperament as well as superior ability and performance in the field. Calm, even-tempered pups make great pets and easily manageable, superior hunting dogs.
American Kennel Club (AKC)
We have been a breeder in good standing with the American Kennel Club (AKC) for over 42 years. We have been a Licensed Commercial Kennel for many years with the NH Department of Agriculture and receive annual inspections. Due to recent statutory changes effective 7/1/2020, Licensed Commercial Kennels are now identified as Licensed Pet Vendors. We are currently licensed under Pet Vendor License #134 for the period ending June 30, 2025.
Ducks Unlimited
We have been members and strong supporters of Ducks Unlimited, affiliated with the Manchester, NH DU Chapter #1. For 15 years, we have made an annual donation of one of our pups for that chapter’s annual banquet/auction as part of their fundraising efforts to support waterfowl & wetlands conservation.
Most of our puppies are located in the New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont & Massachusetts areas. We also have numerous pups that have gone to locations in both eastern & western Canadian provinces, as well as Washington, California, New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, Michigan, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, North Carolina & New York. We maintain diversity in our bloodlines and in doing so have brought carefully selected puppies with superior pedigrees from top bloodlines into our kennel from Arkansas, Virginia, Texas, Oregon, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Massachusetts, Maine & North Carolina.
About Our Dogs and Pups
Our American Labrador Retrievers are from AKC, NAHRA, APLA, UKC, CKC, IKC & KC certified champion and titled lines with excellent pedigrees filled with numerous titled dogs including:
American Kennel Club (AKC)
Field (Trial) Champion, AKC Amateur Field (Trial) Champion, AKC National Field (Trial) Champion & AKC National Amateur Field (Trial) Champion
AKC Junior Hunter, AKC Senior Hunter & AKC Master Hunter
North American Hunting Retriever Association (NAHRA)
Started Hunting Retriever, NAHRA Hunting Retriever, NAHRA Working Upland Retriever, NAHRA Working Retriever, NAHRA Master Upland Retriever, NAHRA Master Hunting Retriever, NAHRA Grand Master Upland (Hunting) Retriever, NAHRA Grand Master Hunting Retriever, NAHRA Grand Master Hunting Retriever Champion
American Pointing Labrador Association (APLA)
Certified Pointing Retriever Champion, APLA Advanced Pointing Retriever Champion, APLA Master Pointing Retriever Champion, & APLA (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, & 4X) Grand Master Pointing Retriever Champion
United Kennel Club (UKC)
Upland Hunter, UKC Started Hunting Retriever, UKC Hunting Retriever, UKC Hunting Retriever Champion, UKC Grand Hunting Retriever Champion
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
Field Trial Champion, CKC Amateur Field Trial Champion, CKC National Field Trial Champion & CKC National Amateur Field Trial Champion
Irish Kennel Club (IKC)
Field Trial Champion
The Kennel Club-UK (KC)
Field Trial Champion
A Legacy of Labrador Excellence Since 1976
Our adult dogs and puppies are registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC). Our adult dogs are Hip & Elbow certified through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), are Eye certified through either the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER) and / or the Canine Eye Retinal Foundation (CERF), are E.I.C. & D-LOCUS certified through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), are Health certified through the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) & our adult males are DNA profiled through the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Our Breeding Philosophy
Our dogs are working, hunting dogs with superb intelligence and also make excellent pets/family dogs. We don’t just breed our dogs, our dogs hunt! That is what this breed was intended to do. We are in the field hunting and working our dogs on a regular basis, every day we can. We hunt our dogs on waterfowl (ducks & geese) as well as upland birds (pheasant, partridge, woodcock, chukar, quail, etc.). Roughly 60% of our dogs go into hunting homes.
Labs in general have not only exceptional visual acuity but also extraordinary scent detection capabilities. Our dogs are extremely intelligent and are easily trained, instinctively developing their abilities with minimal guidance if training is done correctly, is well-timed and consistent. Our dogs do not just flush and retrieve. Many of our dogs naturally go on point on a regular basis as well as flushing birds.
Our lab pups are exceptional hunting companions from proven pointing bloodlines. Our selective breeding can produce some of the best pointing lab puppies you can find. However, we do not intend all of our pups to be pointers or even train our dogs to be pointers. We do, however, promote and encourage this instinct in any of our pups / dogs that show the ability to point and we have had many of our dogs that naturally develop this instinctive manner. It is a good chance your pup could show this ability as well.
Many of our dogs are used as service and companion dogs for either physically or mentally disabled individuals. Some receive unique & specialized training and perform those services including a wide variety of scent detection applications (drugs, explosives, fish, deer, antlers/sheds, etc.)
Deer Tracking & Recovery
One of our pups (Shelly) a fox-red yellow was owned and trained by local, licensed NH Guides was licensed & performed Leashed Deer Tracking & Recovery Services for over 9 years recovering dozens of dead deer for hunters that would otherwise never have been recovered. Other dogs from our kennels have successfully performed and/or currently perform these services as well.
Diabetic Detection
A chocolate female Labrador retriever from our kennel detects dangerous fluctuations of blood sugar levels in its diabetic owner when he is sleeping and will awaken him or his wife so they can take appropriate action. The dog picked this up naturally without any formal training.
One of our yellow male Labrador retriever pups was purchased in December of 2014 with the intention to be trained by the owner to detect dangerous fluctuations of blood sugar levels in the owner’s diabetic son. Without any training, the pup, at under 6 months of age, began detecting and alerting this condition to them. When the son’s blood sugar levels spike or drop too much the dog, “Harley”, will jump onto the son’s bed while he sleeps, lays on his chest and licks his face until he awakens. If he does not awaken quickly the dog goes into the main living area and paces around noisily until he is heard and awakens others in the house. The dog has continued to alert the family to these episodes on numerous occasions.
CFCH/CAFCH/MH MAXWELL OF TEALBROOK (MAX)
MURRAYVILLE’S GOLDEN NUGGET
MURRAYVILLE’S GOLDEN NUGGET
What is the difference between AMERICAN (Field) LABRADORS and BRITISH – ENGLISH (Show) LABRADORS?
The differences are like day and night, though there are many likenesses.
You can’t not like a Lab. From the front porch snoozer and toddlers’ playmate to the keen gun dog flushing roosters in gun range, Labs are loved. For 33 years the Labrador retriever has ruled the roost as the American Kennel Club’s most popular breed. Labs also continue to have the highest registration numbers of all the gun dogs in the UK’s Kennel Club. They work as waterfowl retrievers, upland flushers and pointers, drug sniffers, therapy dogs, Seeing Eye dogs, and universal companions. They perform a myriad of scent detection duties beyond drug detection including bomb/explosives detection (before & after), human scent detection for search & rescue for people lost through wandering off, kidnappings or under debris from structure collapse or under snow from avalanches. They are used to detect the presence of chemicals used in arsons after the fires. They also do scent detection to find both lost or hidden game including fish, deer, etc. They do antler (shed) detection. They detect cancers in their human companions. They detect unsafe variations in blood sugar levels of their human companions.
It seems that nearly every good dog joke starts with a Lab – a Lab walks into a bar; the doctor ordered Lab tests and cat scans, three Labs were sitting on a bench….
While everyone loves a Lab, in the hunting world – particularly the upland hunting world – there are two camps: those who favor the blocky “British” or “English” Lab and those who favor the lanky “American” Lab. The British breed standard allows a height of 21.5 to 22.5 inches. The American standard permits a height of 21.5 to 24.5 inches (male and female included in these ranges). The British Labs are wider, with fuller chests, thick necks, clearly defined forehead stops, and shorter legs. The American Labs are slimmer, with a narrower head, longer muzzle, longer legs and athletically agile build. The American Labs’ tails tend to be thinner and may curve upward whereas the British Labs’ tails are thick and straight. The British Lab usually has a denser coat. The standard weight for male British Labs is 70-74 lbs.; for females it’s around 55 lbs. American Labs can weigh more.
Both types of Labs have a water-resistant double coat that comes in three colors: black, yellow, and chocolate, with “fox red” considered a subcategory of yellow. The black coat is dominant; chocolate is based on a recessive gene. There are very few chocolate British Labs. Breeders of both types of Labs avoid breeding chocolate to chocolate because of issues that may result from the pairing of recessive genes.
The differences between the two Labs goes deeper than height, coat and shape, however. Breeders’ and breed clubs’ consensus describes British Labs as calmer, quieter, softer and less active as opposed to the American Labs generally being more active with higher energy and greater drive.
The Labrador retriever breed is descended from Newfoundland’s St. John’s water dog that helped pull fishermen’s nets back in the 1800s. Labs joined the English Kennel Club’s registry in 1903 and were first registered by the American Kennel Club in 1917. It is important to note that neither the UK Kennel Club nor the AKC recognizes a difference between these two types of Labrador retriever. Both registries list one breed standard and do not differentiate despite the difference in English or American lineage.
When comparing the two types of Labs, it has been said that there are good dogs of all origins and great dogs of all origins.”
Much of the difference between the two types of Labs may stem from their training history and the type of hunting they do. The nature of British field hunting comes from a tradition of huge shoots involving hundreds of birds, put on over several days, often for royalty. The fundamental premise is that the dogs must be quiet and controlled at all times – civility is paramount.
In Great Britain Labradors are used differently than they are in America. Also, the British have a different value system; that is, they emphasize different qualities in their retrievers. To be used on a shoot, or to compete in British field trials, a Labrador in Great Britain must fundamentally be quiet and still; alert but not nervous, even if hundreds of pheasants are being shot over him or her in a driven shoot. Once sent, British Labradors must retrieve game that is either killed dead or crippled. Consequently, they must be excellent game finders.”
Once they were introduced in America, the Labs’ job description diversified. Hunting is a more accessible, egalitarian pursuit in the U.S. Consequently, region, climate, and game species led breeders to develop lines suited to different types of upland or waterfowl hunting. European style shoots gave way to field trials and hunt tests which called for increased athleticism and drive. In response, not only the physical characteristics of the Labs’ changed, but their training methods did as well.
According to Dr. B. W. Zeissow in The Origin and Purpose of the Labrador Retriever, “The American sportsmen adopted the breed from England and subsequently developed and trained the dog to fulfill the hunting needs of this country. Today, as in the past, the Labrador will eagerly enter in ice cold water in Minnesota to retrieve a shot bird; he’ll work all day hunting doves in the heat of the Southwest – his only reward is a pat for a job well done.”
Pro-trainer Tom Dokken, author of Retriever Training – the Complete Guide to Developing Your Hunting Dog and inventor of the Deadfowl Trainer, has been working with both types of Labs for over 30 years at Dokken’s Oak Ridge Kennels in Minnesota and around the country. He agrees that the British Labs tend to be a little calmer and the American Labs have higher drive, but he believes the differences aren’t that great.
“We train both,” Tom says. “Good field blood lines produce good upland dogs in both cases. Field bred British Labs can hold up in the pheasant fields as well as the American Labs. The American Labs’ drive gives them an advantage when it comes to late season, big water waterfowl work, but the two types are not far apart on two sides of the fence when it comes to training or working. They’re much closer than most people think.”
Some people believe that British Labs are much easier to train. “The line has to be drawn,” Tom says. “They don’t train themselves. You need a dog to have the desire to work and train, to take the discipline of training. They all need discipline, and a softer dog can be a more difficult dog for an amateur to train. Amateur trainers need dogs that have a natural ability to take discipline and that can recover easily if the trainer makes a mistake.”
Tom adds that the American Labs’ greater drive doesn’t take away from their trainability. “They have the smarts and natural desire to work hard and train hard.”
Both types of Labs make terrific family dogs. As Tom explains, “Ninety-five percent of Labs are house dogs. That means that from seven weeks on, ground rules are set and they learn to recognize the control and be part of the family.”
Some breeders and clubs claim the difference between the British and American Labs should be more appropriately described as the difference between show lines and field lines, the British style being developed for show ring conformation and the American standard for field work. However, statements to that effect are usually followed by a disclaimer noting that there are field-bred British Labs and show-bred American Labs. As with many gun dog breeds, individual lines are often developed to suit one or the other purpose – the show ring or the field – sacrificing characteristics important to one over the other depending on the breeders’ objectives.
Hunters interested in getting a Lab, British or American, should do their research and find breeders who hunt and breed for the field. It can also make a difference if the field breeders’ priority is field trialing, hunt testing, waterfowl hunting & retrieving or upland hunting & retrieving. A large area of additional expertise for hunting criteria, being concentrated in the central and upper mid-west but widely spreading west, south, and more slowly to the East is the Pointing Labrador and the strong collaboration of the members and clubs associated under the American Pointing Labrador Association (A.P.L.A.). (note: their name refers to Pointing and drops the Retriever as the intent is toward one over the other function). We have naturally Pointing Labradors in many of our dogs present and past. We support and develop that ability but do not require it. We have in recent years brought specific Pointing Retriever bloodlines into our kennels to create a dog that is well rounded and capable in all areas of hunting. Another important criteria – the key is to find a breeder who stresses health – eyes, hips, elbows & more recently E.I.C., D-locus, C.N.M., etc. as well …. A healthy dog is the best dog.
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We love our puppy. He's healthy, good natured and smart.
Kelly
My family has been getting labs here for many years. Between all of us we have gotten seven dogs from Murrayville. We got Layla about 4 months ago and had a great experience. She has been amazing!
Dave
The whole process of picking out and picking up our Black Lab puppy was great. Rick explained the puppies lineage and provided the AKC paperwork and instructions to register our dog. Our puppy was in great shape and very healthy when we picked her up. She is a great addition to our family! Great communication during the process.
Bruce
Got Lilly from Tim. We met her on zoom. Tim was so loving with Lilly we knew right away it was a good choice to go with Murryville. He made it so easy even with covid precautions. We still send pics and videos to show her progress. Full of pepper. We couldn’t be happier. Thanks Tim.
Arnie
Our family now has the best dog we have ever had! Thank you so much!!!
Luke
I couldn’t have asked for better dogs, I have two amazing bird dogs and both came from Murrayville Kennels!
Tom
We had an awesome experience at Murrayville kennels. Friendly and knowledgeable. Top notch 🐶 🐕 love! Our family could not resist and took home 2 black labs.
marybeth
Been looking around for about a year for an American lab. Found Murrayville kennels website and was very happy that I did. No hassles no complications, just simple meet and greet like normal human beings. We met the owner, the pups, and their parents along with the other dogs with history and cool stories. Mr. Murray cares for his dogs and knows what he is doing. Dogs all looked healthy and lively like they should. I already picked out my pup and watched Mr Murray chip him and show me the ID# with matching tag. My children and I will be picking up soon and we cant wait. Mr Murray made it an easy pleasant experience.
EZ
We got our girl Molly from Murrayville. Rick was patient with our questions, kind and attentive. We are very pleased. She is healthy, happy and is a great addition to our family.
Kathryn
We bought a dog from Rick 9 years ago. Otto has been, and will be the absolute best dog I’ve owned and will ever own. Unbelievable disposition. Highly recommend!
Mike
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