History of Matilija Labradors
I started training dogs and showing in obedience and conformation when I was a teen, first training a tough dog aggressive Golden (to a C.D.X. and bird work)then moving on to showing, training and breeding Welsh Springer Spaniels. My entry into the world of show dogs came after a summer job with Olympian Kennels, primarily an American Cocker Spaniel Kennel that also had imported and started breeding Welshies. I learned a lot about dogs from Rick and Emily Preston. Rick and Emily let me help with the cockers, attend whelpings, cut dew claws, groom – do whatever was needed that week. They then gifted me with a Welsh that went on to become my first champion. My first litter of Welsh Springers was born when I was 17, I bred my breed Champion “Olympian Portrait of Pencelli” to -Jon-Jon a Welsh that the Prestons had imported. Mickie had six pups and none went to show homes! And so began my journey into the dog world. No one at that time even knew what a Welsh Springer was, these pups were great pets and two went to hunting homes. All of the Welsh that I personally owned were titled and one (an import from Holland)from seizure free lines was a group placer. The breed had/has health issues- as all breeds do, seizures being the worst, but hip dysplasia and very shy temperaments were also common.  Niclas, my import was dysplastic, had severe separation anxiety and while gorgeous (he was the group placer) was a tough dog to live with.

I had also raised several Labradors while a teen, for Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. in San Rafael, CA. When the last Welshie died I decided to go back to breed I knew best, the Labrador Retriever.

Labs are a versatile breed, bred mainly for hunting but easy going and adaptable to many life styles. Labs can do it all- if you want a working dog get a Lab, but if you want a friend for life that never has a bad day, get a Lab. Now as a breeder and Lab fancier for the last 20 years my primary goal is to first “do no harm” and then to thoughtfully add to what I have been given by the breeders that have gone before me.

I consider my dogs to be multi-purpose, show, field and obedience, agility, service and family pets. I breed a dog that can use it’s body, not a slug. Mine are the “English” style- the true Labrador Retriever. There is no such dog as an “American Lab”. The Labrador originated in England. I do show in the breed ring, AND they all retrieve- they don’t stay in my breeding program if they can’t or won’t retrieve. Now after 20 years in the breed my Labradors have won in the show ring, are in hunting homes with hunting titles and three that were born here are FEMA certified advanced search and rescue dogs.