History

AlpyneAir Labradors has been a registered breeders prefix with the Royal NSW Canine Council since 1999. However, I have been involved with the breed for over 20 years.

Our pet labrador, Sam, was the first labrador in the Venables family and while Sam passed on many years ago, with the stories and tales that are still told about old Sam you would think he was still here today! Renowned through out the street as the big old yellow lab who wore his own pothole in the street from sleeping in the middle of the road, cars would have to move for Sam rather than the other way around!

After Sam, the next edition was Zac. Zac was given to me as a gift from my sister and soon we became the best of friends. Unfortunately I lost Zac in a farming accident, poisoned by a fox bait. This event led me to look into Zac's pedigree and track back to see if I could find another dog as great as Zac. This began the introduction to the pedigree history of AlpyneAir.

Through tracking back to the breeders of Zac, I was lucky enough to find a litter sired by Zac's father, Australian Champion Ponsyne Hees the Admiral. Ron and Jan Probert of Lovalab Labradors in Blacktown, Sydney, were expecting a litter and I was put on the list as a buyer.

On 12 July 1997, the Probert's Driftway Dream Girl (aka Mandy) gave birth to 11 healthy puppies. Unfortunately assistance was required by a vet, because one puppy in particular became stuck in the birth canal as he was so big! This puppy, now known as Winston, became the new member of the Venables family. I chose Winston from the litter, and was given him on one condition - to have a go at showing him.

I gave it a go, and at the Labrador Show of '97, Winston came third in his class and from then on I have been hooked on showing. I did show Winston to his title, and have since moved through breeding to gain more Australian Champions.

I bred my first litter of puppies in 1999, between Winston and Murphy - Aust Champ Bellsline Miss Ell Aye - who was kindly loaned to me for breeding. My first litter was of 10 puppies and was definitely a 'baptism by fire' experience. While none of these pups were sold to show homes, I was definitely hooked on the idea of breeding. My second litter followed in 2001, between Aust Champ Ponsyne Hees the Admiral and Murphy, and produced another large litter of 9 puppies! This litter bought two of my current champions into the world, Sophie and Oliver.

These two exceptional puppies also increased my winnings at dog shows. Oliver, while he grew to be a gangly teen, he developed quickly into a wonderful dog and was titled within 8 shows. Sophie has also done very well winning at multiple Sydney and Adelaide Royals and Labrador specialty shows. Both these dogs have also added further to the AlpyneAir clan producing more excellent show labs in our Maya and Wilbur in South Australia. So far I have bred 6 litters and plan more in the future.