Life at Home

While I do show labradors and enjoy it, my first purpose of having labradors is for pets. They are my family and my companions first up, but I like to show them as it means we can all go away together, see new places and show along the way.

Life at the AlpyneAir household is relaxed and happy. I live on a quarter acre block that backs onto 40 acres of reserve. We are able to walk out the back gate and run the dogs off leash until they get tired and we have to come home!

I have three runs with their own insulated kennel, where they spend their day lazing away the hours until we get home.

One of the requirements for purchasing an AlpyneAir labrador is that the dog MUST be allowed inside the house. I do not mean live inside the house, but labradors crave attention and need to be made feel as part of your family.

My labs are let inside for an hour or two each night. I believe that this is a great way to introduce them to family life, and it is also good for socialising the dogs especially if you have children.

I have a designated old lounge which they are allowed to sleep on while we watch television etc, and when it is bed time, they are taken out to their kennels.

I believe that being allowed inside and to be able to interact with the family helps settle the labradors often excitable personality. My labs just lie down in front of the fire or sleep on their lounge.

They are not always at me for a pat or attention, they are just happy to be near me.

Walking and exercise is also important to my labs. While I do not recommend excessive exercise before a pup is 12 months of age, my labs love to go for a walk in the bush and for a swim.

Swimming is an excellent form of exercise for dogs, I often will hop in too and we will all swim up the river. They love to dive off rocks in to the river, and my black lab, Molly loves to ride waves at the beach!