Why meet the parents?

When selecting a puppy, knowing the parents’ health, temperament, and pedigree is crucial. At Kishholm Labradors we believe transparency builds trust. Our Meet the Parents page outlines the breeding dogs’ health certifications, temperaments, and lineage so prospective families can make informed decisions. We place a high premium on selecting parents with stable temperaments, reliable health clearances, and physical traits that preserve the English Labrador characteristics: block head, thick coat, and calm presence.

Our breeding decisions aim to:

Preserve health and longevity
Only dogs with clear health testing and sound structure are considered for breeding.
Maintain temperament
We select parents with patient, affectionate temperaments suitable for families with children and other pets.
Complement physical traits
We aim to produce English Labs with classic conformation, dense coats, and sturdy builds without sacrificing function.
Promote genetic diversity responsibly
While we appreciate champion bloodlines, our priority is to maintain genetic health and avoid close inbreeding that increases hereditary risk.

Kishholm Daisy

(Dam)

Breed line: English Labrador
Color: Yellow
Health: OFA hips — Good; elbows — Normal; annual eye exam — clear; genetic panel — clear for common Labrador markers
Temperament: Gentle and patient with children, highly food-motivated which aids in training, steady energy ideal for family life
Notes: Daisy is one of our foundation dams known for producing calm, trainable litters. She excels at retrieving and is a quick learner with household manners.

Riverbend Max

(Sire)

Breed line: English Labrador with show-line influence
Color: Chocolate
Health: OFA hips — Good; elbows — Normal; cardiac check — clear; genetics — clear for known markers
Temperament: Even-tempered, confident in new situations, friendly with strangers and dogs, moderate play drive suitable for both active and relaxed homes
Notes: Daisy is one of our foundation dams known for producing calm, trainable litters. She excels at retrieving and is a quick learner with household manners.

Kishholm Molly

(Dam)

Breed line: English Labrador
Color: Chocolate
Health: Hips — Certified; Eyes — clear; genetic testing — carried out annually
Temperament: Extremely affectionate, excellent with toddlers, calm demeanor in the home and energetic outdoors
Notes: Molly’s litters are known for their loyalty and consistent training response. She has produced pups with exceptional temperament for therapy or family work.

Summarizing our health testing approach

Hip and elbow screenings with recognized certification (OFA or equivalent).

Annual eye exams performed by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist to detect hereditary eye conditions.

Genetic screening for Labrador-specific conditions, such as CNM (centronuclear myopathy) carrier status and other tests recommended by breed organizations.

Cardiac checks where appropriate.<br>We document these results and provide copies to prospective buyers.

Temperament testing and early socialization

Temperament is as important as health. We evaluate parents in multiple settings:

Home behavior

Calmness with children, ability to cope with household noises, and overall mood.

Social interactions

How a dog responds to other animals, new people, and routine changes.

Training response

Eagerness to learn, food motivation, and tolerance to handling.<br>Our puppies inherit tendencies from parents and environmental cues. By pairing temperament-tested parents and raising pups in a stimulating family environment, we increase the probability of calm, family-friendly offspring.

Pedigree transparency and lineage

We provide full pedigree information where applicable, including AKC registration numbers and champion titles in prior generations. For families interested in show or breeding potential, we highlight which litters may be eligible for full registration and what commitments come with that option.

How parent traits influence puppy outcomes

Understanding parental strengths can help buyers predict likely puppy characteristics:

✓ Energy level

We obtain recognized certifications to reduce the risk of inherited orthopedic conditions.

✓ Trainability

We obtain recognized certifications to reduce the risk of inherited orthopedic conditions.

✓ Coat and size

Physical traits like coat density and block head are strongly heritable; our pairing decisions emphasize consistent, breed-typical outcomes.

A: Typically between 8–10 weeks. We assess each puppy individually to ensure proper socialization and physical readiness. Puppies cannot be released before the minimum age required for vaccinations and developmental readiness.


A: We can share references from past purchasers and veterinarians upon inquiry and encourage prospective buyers to speak with current Kishholm families.

A: Yes. Our puppies are raised in a family environment with children and are socialized around other household pets when appropriate.

A: We focus on English Labrador lines to favor calm temperaments, block head conformation, and dense coat characteristics. We also maintain genetic diversity by evaluating compatible sires and, at times, incorporating American lines for specific traits while prioritizing temperament and health.


Contact and next steps

To review the full health records and pedigrees for our breeding dogs, call (563) 380-3697. We will arrange to send copies or schedule a supervised visit so you can meet parents in person and observe their temperaments.