Dawn Mieth: Our family lives in Central City, Nebraska. We have had dogs all of our lives. We started breeding in 2008.
Dawn Mieth: Our kennel name is Mocha Labradors. We believe that our dogs are first and foremost our beloved family pets. Then they are our show dogs, and if they pass all health tests they move into our breeding program. We currently have nine Labrador Retrievers. They consist of retired dogs and those we are currently showing, and puppies being raised for the next generation.
Dawn Mieth: GCH MochaLabs Easter Blessing has been our top-winning bitch. She excelled in the show ring and at The Potomac (the largest Labrador show in the world) where she made all the cuts in the Best of Breed ring to the end. GCH MochaLabs Wreck It Ralph has been our top-winning sire. He also excelled in the show ring. Ralph became the No. 1 National Owner-Handled Labrador Retriever of 2021 and No. 1 National Owner-Handled of 2022! Also, he received an invitation to Crufts.
Dawn Mieth: Our most influential sires would be CH Inselheim Up To Citadel. He is the sire to four of our home-bred champions. Also, he has sired several Therapy Dogs in our breeding program, including our first seeing eye dog with Leader Dogs for the Blind. GCH Quailchase Bearcreek Jolly Joe is the sire to our top-winning bitch, GCH MochaLabs Easter Blessing. And GCH Glacieridge Tabatha’s Granite has also added a lot to our breeding program, including several Therapy Dogs.
Our most influential dam would be our foundation bitch, GCH Labradale Traveling Pants MochaLabs. She is our foundation bitch that we purchased from Hidden Pond Kennels. She has produced six home-bred champions from three different sires.
Dawn Mieth: Our home is located in Central Nebraska. We live on seven acres where our dogs love to run. We have inside and outside runs that consist of 5×5 indoor runs that have Kuranda beds, heating, and air-conditioning. Our outside runs are 5×20 ft. attached to an 80×100 ft. grassy dog yard. They run free all day till it’s time to go to bed. Currently, four of the nine Labs live in the house with us. Our puppies are born and raised in our bedroom where we sleep next to them for the first two weeks.
Our whole family takes turns on puppy duty. Between 4-5 weeks they move onto our back porch where they are potty trained and crate trained. As weather permits, we go outside several times a day to play freely and have fun on the farm. We have several neighbor kids who love to come and play with our puppies.
Dawn Mieth: From birth, we have some puppies that just stick out! We watch them closer, starting at 5 weeks. As they play outside we watch for temperament and movement. At 6 weeks old we start to stack them on our grooming table. We will look at them again at 7 weeks. At 8 weeks of age we set up a puppy evaluation party at our Grand Island Kennel Club where our President, AKC Judge Doug Jensen, demonstrates correct conformation of our breed to all who want to attend. Our puppies get to be just that—puppies. At around 6 months of age we start Conformation classes at our Grand Island Kennel Club where Doug is our teacher. I also start to walk them and get them to focus on me during our walks; with watch and stand commands, and then I reward with a cookie.
Dawn Mieth: We compete in Conformation and Fast CAT through AKC. We also compete at International Dog Shows.
Dawn Mieth: From form to function, the Labrador Retriever should be able to hunt, be a service/therapy dog, and be that loyal family companion. Titles in all aspects are good for all dogs that are in our breeding program. Field Trials and Hunt Tests are great for the Labrador breed. I, myself, do not participate in them.
Dawn Mieth: The Labrador Retriever needs lots of exercise. As puppies, we just let them have free play and never over-work a puppy. Our puppies get to be just that, puppies. At around 6 months of age we start Conformation classes at our Grand Island Kennel Club.
Dawn Mieth: The Labrador Retriever has several health tests that should be performed. We test for EIC, HPNK, PRA, Hips and Elbows, and Heart and Eye certification. Typically, there are no special nutritional needs. Overall, I feel our breed is in good condition. Any trends that have been there have been addressed in the past few years.
Dawn Mieth: I feel there are a lot of true Labrador breeders who are doing what’s right to preserve the breed.
Dawn Mieth: As the No. 1 most popular AKC Breed, the Labrador Retriever is the most versatile breed out there. For the most lovable, loyal family companion to your hunting partner in the field, and for the people who need a therapy/service animal, the Labrador Retriever is the best!
Dawn Mieth: I feel there are no misconceptions or best-kept secrets of the Labrador Retriever. Their reputation speaks for itself. As a Labrador Retriever breeder, the sport of dogs has been amazing for me and my family. Being at the dog shows is like a family away from family. We are there to support each other and do what’s best for our breed, and to learn and grow as a breeder.
Dawn Mieth: I would share that we need to look at the overall balance of the Labrador. Can they perform the tasks they were bred to do?
Dawn Mieth: I love helping new people who are looking to get into the Labrador breed! First and foremost, find a reputable, accomplished breeder and learn from them.
Dawn Mieth: At our very first dog show in Topeka, Kansas, our family was staying at the lake. I was taking our two girls of six months of age for a walk when, little did I know, they would take me for a run! They spotted ducks on the bank of the lake—and off we went. They dragged me down the hill and almost into the lake where I finally fell on my butt and held on for dear life to stop them. Lesson learned that day: Only walk one at a time and stay far away from ducks while showing!
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