One of the most rewarding things that I have ever done was to breed a litter of Labradors.
Clockwise from bottom right: Clicquot, the mother, an English Lab bred in France. Clicquot and her daughter, Syrah (tied up because we were visiting a friend with 7 cats). From l to r, Moxie, the father, an English Lab bred in Wisconsin; Doc, a son; Buddy, a son (Canadians don't go in for complex name for dogs, on the whole). Mother and daughter again, on the shore at Lake Nitinat.
There are two more sons and another daughter on the Island, and a total of 6 for the family in this village. Doc, who belongs to the sire's owner, started hunting in Alberta at 6 months and has shown exceptional performance, and he is widely admired. One is proud, I have to say. The breeding couldn't be much better - both Clicquot and Moxie have a grandsire from Sandringham.
The Black Labrador, for me, is the finest of all dogs. I have now owned several. They are faithful, willing and wilful. They would thieve from the kitchen all day if you gave them half a chance, but that's half the fun. Or so I tell my wife.
