The Ardenbrook affix was granted to us, Kate & Andy Smith, on 28th February 1999. We decided to apply for a breeder's affix before our first bitch Ella had her first litter. Kate is a Kennel Club Assured Breeder and a Kennel Club B Panel Judge.
Kate takes a keen interest and an active role in the working labrador breed. Kate served on the committee of the Midland Gundog Society from 2000 to 2013, taking on the roles of Working Test Secretary and Field Trial Secretary during that time. Andy has served as Treasurer of the society.
The show and working labrador varieties have diverged considerably for the past 50 years or so, with show dogs getting heavier and more thick set, and working dogs becoming finer boned. There has not been a Dual Champion, a dog that is both a Field Trial Champion and a Show Champion, since the 1940s. Kate's breeding objective is to produce dogs that will be capable of winning in the field, holding their own in the show ring, but most importantly are healthy and well socialised ready to integrate into their new homes.Ardenbrook is a small kennel, and although Kate works and competes with our dogs, they are first and foremost family members, and as such live in the home with us. We hope that you will find this site interesting and helpful, especially if you are thinking of getting a labrador. You'll find advice on how to go about finding your pup, and on the various health checks that you will come to hear about, and why these are important.
If you would like to contact us, please e-mail katie@ardenbrook.co.uk, or telephone 07989 813771
Our daughter Abigail painted this picture of the gang.
