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OUR HISTORY

In 1976, an unregistered, and definitely NOT show quality black Labrador puppy with a white star on his broad chest and far too big for the little box he was to be brought home in, entered our family. "Gus" was the archetypal Labrador in temperament, if not in conformation. Brilliant, willing, and affectionate, his burnt-sugar eyes eagerly asked, "Teach me, show me what you want!" A superb obedience dog, his lack of AKC registration precluded a competitive obedience career, but he became the cornerstone and inspiration for what was to become Lorien Labradors.

Two years later brought Chilbrook Solo Silhouette, aka "Tiffany" to us. A daughter of George Bragaw's exceptional dog, CH Shookstown Solo Smasher, and a maternal grand-daughter of the famous and prepotent stud, CH Lockerbie Brian Boru. Tiffany proved one very important point to us, SHOW DOGS CAN RETRIEVE!  While never taken afield, this girl, in the hands of a teenaged, inexperienced owner and trainer, was doing TRIPLE BLIND RETRIEVES OFF HAND SIGNALS with a passion seldom equaled in Olympic athletes.  Every nerve in every fiber of her being breathed the desire to retrieve. Conversely, she regarded the show ring with as much disdain as she adored to retrieve, so she was quickly and mercifully withdrawn from the show circuits. The love of her life, other than retrieving, was Jan Churchill's english import, CH Spenrock Heathridge Mariner. A single breeding produced our lovely bitch, "Raven."

Raven was the very embodiment of everything a Labrador should be. Gentle, affectionate, intelligent, intuitive, willing, with a deep thick hard coat, PERFECT otter tail, and the classic head and expression so often lost in the breed today. My college career, complete with graduate school, marriage and childbirth, resulted in her never having been bred.  Born during the second half the of Washington Redskins vs Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day football game in 1978, she gently passed away in my loving arms, with her Dr. Sam in attendance, in October of 1995, just one month shy of her 15th birthday. She would not have gone without that gentle nudge, such was her tenacity for life, but it was time. She was dearly loved: my big, warm, bed-dog.

The next generation of Lorien Labs came when our first yellow, Broad Reach Lorien I'm a Tiger Too, CD, CGC joined us. "Lucy" was named after Lucille Ball, as, when puzzled, she displayed the same arched, surprised eyebrows as her namesake's cariacature. Lucy was a real character, who never came to comprehend the concept of her own body in space. When she completed her CD, her breeder and my constant supporter Martha Lee Voshell exclaimed, "Wonders Never Cease." Motherhood followed, and proud papa CH Valleywood Nighthawk assisted in presenting us with the two BEAUTIFUL daughters pictured in our photo section. Roxie (black) and Glory (yellow) represent what we believe a Labrador should be. Roxie has nearly finished her championship, and her proudest moment was winning the "Bred By Exhibitor, Black" class at the Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac's spring specialty show in April of 1996. Glory is also pointed and has multiple specialty placements.  A fall 1999 repeat breeding to CH Crossfield's Cobham is planned. An all yellow litter is expected. See Litterbox for details.. Lucy trained quickly for her CDX, and was preparing to enter competition when her life was taken by a tragic illness at the age of 4.

Lorien's Irish Rose O'Devon, aka "Rosie" also joined the pack in November of 1990. Thank you, Judy Race of Devon Labradors, for this lovely little girl. A maternal grand-daughter of CH Monarch's Black Arrogance, and sired by Clare Senfield's (Allegheny Labradors) gorgeously angled CH Allegheny's Artful Dodger, she too has a specialty placement. She may now fall 1/2 inch short by the new AKC standard, but not in the eyes of this beholder. She is temperament and beauty in one small package, and is very "birdy." She is also the best lock picker in three states and her vertical leap is exceeded only by Michael Jordan himself.

Rosie's daughter, Lorien's Lotta Malarky, "Lark," Lorien's Lotta Malarky, sired by CH Cambremer Tudor Minstrel, recently whelped a black and yellow litter by CH Guideline's Master Card. See litterbox for details..

In March of 1998, a breeding between Lorien's Glory Bound and CH Crossfield's Cobham produced an excellent all yellow litter. Staying with us at Lorien was Lorien's Best Bet Yet, "Betsy" is a lovely yellow bitch, who opened her show carreer winning 4th place in the 12-18 month sweepstakes class at the Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac's spring specialty show, which was the largest gathering of Labradors for a dog show, anywhere in the history of the world! Not bad for a green, inexperienced pup! This breeding will be repeated in the fall of 1999. See litterbox for details.