Burns Lake born six year old Labrador Retriever, became Canada’s number one Labrador Retriever as per CKC stats and standing for 2023. The dog’s name is Lincoln.
Candice Little has been breeding Labrador Retrievers in Burns Lake for about 15 years. Before that, she also showed and bred American Cocker Spaniels.
“All the dogs who stay back to be part of our breeding program are shown to their Championship and most to their Grand Championship.”
Little said, this is one way of showing that they are each a good representative of the breed and conforming to the Canadian Kennel Club breed standard.
She still breeds and shows her Labrador Retrievers - “We are currently expecting a litter out of a Lincoln daughter, Rosie, and Gracie has been bred to Lincoln for her last litter as well.”
Over the years, Lincoln has been awarded eight best in specialty, six best in show, and nine reserve best in show wins.
Little said that finishing the year as the number one Labrador Retriever in Canada and the number nine sporting dog in Canada is truly a dream come true.
“We have been very successful with our breeding program and produced many Canadian Champions. But Lincoln is the first to finish the year in the top dog spot for the breed.”
She said Lincoln has produced several litters across Canada, and his sons, daughters, and grandchildren are also making their mark in the show ring as well as in the field, obedience ring, and as service/therapy dogs.
“This, for us, is the true mark of his contribution to the breed.”
Little said that these are incredible accomplishments in a breed with so much depth - Labrador Retrievers have historically been the number one dog breed in Canada and the United States for many years. Just as important as his success in the show ring, Lincoln has proven his ability in the field by obtaining his junior hunter and working certificate titles and his dock diving novice title.
Lincoln is now co-owned and living with Melanie Primeau and Stephane Laliberte in Quebec, where he is more accessible for stud services and closer to the bigger show opportunities.
“We are so grateful that they love him as much as we do, but we miss him daily. He will always be a Tchesinkut Lake boy.”
Little added, “Also the number one labrador retriever puppy in Canada for 2023 was from my breeding and was raised here in Burns Lake.”
