Clancy and Rylee

 

Love at first sight!

 

Sandra & Oliver picked up their friend, Stefanie's, pup.

 

"Kellen"  I was debating doing a shot bird, and made judgment to give a try though would not have to send if a problem came up.  Anyway, perfect flight and shot on a nice rooster from about 70 yds into open field. I could tell Kellen had it pegged, and released him.  Straight to mark and back, delivered to side, no pick up, holding or drop problems; firm but soft mouth.   He has a lot of go, but is just so attentive to what you want. Calm at your side, but a whirlwind once you send him. Quick to the mark, no hesitation picking up birds, no delivery problems. I was very pleased with his performance yesterday.  His inbred retrieving and birdiness is clear. Chuck ~ Utah

 

Lincoln and Jim

 

Caspersons with "Ruby"

 

"Jiggs"

Robert and Kiply,   The Schiefelbein family would like to THANK you for the awesome breeding program you have developed at Tallgrass Kennels. "Jiggs" has been a real treat for us! After a 2 year search all over the United States for a top quality British lab, I can't express how happy I am with our choice of Tallgrass Kennels and Jiggs. You folks do a outstanding job. I have never met anyone that has a love for quality dogs more than you. Anyone who brings 12 to 18 dogs into their house every night in the coldest months of winter really loves their animals!   Jiggs is a great pet and hunting retriever. He is only limited by me as a trainer. He loves to play in the yard and house but knows when to turn it on and off. He is all business in the field whether its doves, pigeons, sharptails, prairie chickens, pheasant, ducks or geese. He's has retrieved them all this first year. He has done very well and the BEST part is he doesn't know a thing compared to what he is going too. He is so easy to train and retain what he has learned.     A short conclusion to his very first season: Robert, you might remember him carrying and retrieving whatever we threw at 7 weeks when we first took him home...I sure do. Heel. Sit. Stay. The basics were taught early. At 7-8 months Jiggs was taking basic hand signals and happy to do so. In September (8 months old) started with doves and wild pigeons. From the 1st to the 30th dove of a 2 man limit opening day he sat steady at heel and retrieved every single dove or pigeon to hand. Straight out and straight back. I honestly think the dog was born steady. I was impressed/pleased knowing that some dogs dislike retrieving doves. Everything was so natural for him, it was like he was a 3 years old. The rest is history. Jiggs made 500+ retrieves this 1st season and most were before he was 1 year in age. We are looking forward to the training season as spring and summer approaches.   Jiggs has matured into a beautiful british lab.   Thanks again Robert and Kiply. Derek & Brad Schiefelbein ~ South Dakota

 

"Buster" is well-loved in Wisconsin

 

"Stella Maye" with her family

 

We can't say enough about Tallgrass Kennels. "Jersey" is more than we could ask for. She is such a fast learner and amazing around all ages of kids. Thanks again for everything.   Katie and Josh North Dakota

 

Dick & Mary with Cole & Scout   Double Trouble!
	Is this what you call "double dipping"?

 

We took Champ down to BigD HRC 20th anniversary hunt test.  He got to run in the "Youth Stakes," which was one (60 yd.) land and one water (40 yd.) retrieve. He performed "like a Champ," with as much style and drive as any dog that ran in the youth stakes, which was open to any age dog, just youth handlers.  There were over 400 dogs at BigD that weekend, but Champ sure got his fair share of attention.  At the banquet when Scotty went up to get his ribbon, I heard several people say, "Boy, did you see his little black dog go?"  Just wanted to say "Thank you" again for a wonderful Labrador Retriever.  Tommy ~ Oklahoma

 

Buford with "Corky"

The other day I took Corky out to our small shallow water pond along with my 4 year old lab Bucky. He had played in the water several times before but only played in the shallows. After both of them played in the shallows for awhile, I threw a stone out about 50 feet. When Bucky went out in the water, Corky sat and watched for a while. Suddenly he took off full speed and swam all the way out and back while I cheered him on. It was as if he was thinking, if that other dog can do it so can I!! He came out of the water wagging his tail! We're having lots of fun.

 

Corky's brother, "Gauge", is off to Idaho with Darren and Val
	Gauge is growing up...

 

Horntail Hawker" with his new family

 

Pre-season pep talk for Frank's girls.

 

Good times with Cole

 

Gilly's pups meet their new Families

"Bridger" and Jim	"Gunnar", Kayla & Bryan
"Stella", Brad & Lori	"Ellie" & the Hall family

 

Maggie, "Buck", & Bill
"Buck" using his table as a throne from which he surveys his domain.

 

Audy lunging into the water!
Who says dogs can't fly?!
		Champ & Gage investigating waves.

 

Gracie and her new family.
	Working with Robert and Kiply (Tallgrass Kennels) was wonderful; they were in contact with us from the time we sent our first e-mail inquiring about the pups. I was out of town quite a bit with my sick mom, but I kept my computer fired-up just waiting for the news that the pups were born.  The news came two days after my mom died, so she was a huge ray of sunshine at a rather gloomy time.  The pictures started just as soon as all the pups arrived and continued until we showed up at their door.  I felt like I’d known their family for much longer than we really had by the time we picked up Gracie Maye.
They have been so helpful even after bringing Gracie home, answering questions about her weight, chewing, anything I happen to send their way.  Someone told us that the feistier the dog the more intelligent, well, Ms. Gracie is a genius!  Thank you Robert and Kiply, we loved Gracie as soon as we were told we were getting her.  Mary Beth, Kurt, Sophie, Josie Pettipiece                        (& Emmy)
...Gracie is growing up!

 

Our NAHRA club hosted a hunt test and since we had to be there to help out, I decided to run Ace as a "Started" dog on both Saturday and Sunday.
	I was confident that his marking and retrieving would not be an issue but with all the people around and everything happening I didn't know how Ace would react.  He did great and qualified on Saturday.  On Sunday Mackenzie really wanted to handle Ace.  So since Ace (Mackenzie) got a "ribbon" on Saturday I let her handle Ace on Sunday.  Mackenzie did a wonderful job and so did Ace.  Ace passed again and this time it was official. Mack was called up for the ribbon.  She was so excited and her dad was very proud.  Ace is doing great and I'm so excited to share the training of Ace with Mack.  We both look forward to the next puppy in a couple of years.  Thanks for a dog whose temperament is so good that a 7 year old can run him in a hunt test and he actually listened to her.  A side note Mack hadn't handled him before, she has always just thrown dummies...so this was a big step.
"Ace"  and his training partners ~ Montana

 

Tillie & her boys in Louisiana Yesterday marked one week that Tillie joined our family!  It seems like we’ve had her forever and she seems to feel the same!  She’s somewhat of a ‘celebrity’ around here.  All of our friends and neighbors are still stopping by to ‘meet’ her.   The whole family loves her dearly, but our son is the one who is most like a ‘littermate’ to her (as evidenced by the attached picture).  He even slept with her in her crate a few nights after she came home!

 

"Just wanted you to see how well Scott and Shelby's training is going... At least she's sitting and she knows she's a bird dog!"

 

"Annie" Kate & Matt's newest addition

 

Dana, Patrick and "Maggie"

 

	My wife and I can't say enough about how happy we are with our dog "Tom" who we adopted in June of 2006.  Robert  and Kiply are just the most wonderful people to work with and our experience in the process has been great.  Our original plan was to get a puppy, but ended up with one of their started dogs at about a year old.  We drove from California to South Dakota in June to pick him up and to work for a few days with Robert on training.  We took to Tom immediately and he to us.  Robert's training style is very gentle but firm.
We have been lab owners for many years.  We had to put our 14 year old yellow lab down a year ago and felt a real void in our lives until we picked up Tom.  We have always had our dogs from puppies so getting Tom at a year old was new for us.  I must say, though, that it was nice not going thru all that puppy stage, housebreaking, etc.  Robert and Kiply did such an amazing job training Tom, that he just settled into being a part of our family right from the day we picked him up. Tom has become my best buddy, We go to the dump, stores and walks together. Thanks to "Tallgrass" and the owners I have a new love of my life.  Tom has found his place in and out of the house. Judi's friends come over to visit...not to see Judi, but to see "Tom". He loves everyone and lives for the next day.  I can tell you that you will not be disappointed if you decide to purchase a lab from Tallgrass Kennels.  You'll most likely get to meet their other staff members, the "director of socialization" and the "tick picker".  That would be Noah and Caleb, their two boys!  They are just such a wonderful family and have such a clean, efficient operation. One more thing, Tom loves to stay in "Holiday Express" Motels. When we travel, Tom likes their beds, the whole bed.       Boyd, Judi and Tom

~

"Dakota" is now at home in Connecticut with Ryan family

 

"We feel fortunate to have discovered Tallgrass Kennels...Robert and Kiply are focused on breeding quality Labradors without regard to quantity.  In addition, Robert and Kiply are two of the most accommodating folks you'll ever meet.    We are extremely anxious to watch our pup, Claire, grow."                                                                                                           Greg and Gwen Williams "Claire",  with an 'E', Williams
"Claire" at The Pas this fall

 

"Whoever said  'money can't buy happiness' obviously never bought a puppy!"                                                          Gene Hill

 

Mike & Nancy's "Scout" ~Thanks for the Many great memories~ You are missed. June 26, 2007

"Flap" at Cold Bay, Alaska

 

"Flap" and family

 

The Goverts with Lupin

Callie in Nebraska

	Jon & Callie
Life is good in Nebraska.

 

"Duke arrived home in first class condition and my parents, who were vacationing with us, were mighty impressed with his new look. Gone are the boyish charms of a three acre dog with no ears and in is the new "Sir Duke" well mannered, well behaved and ready to turn on the style in a heart beat. My mum had been walking the dogs during the day last week and four or five neighbors commented on how well the dog looked and behaved.       Robert is an excellent trainer and I feel rewarded that I took the time to seek him out before I just sent the dog to an E-collar trainer. From the first time we talked together he seemed in touch with the inner dogs mind and time and patience would prevail. The net result is getting the dog I always wanted in the dog that I had, the tiniest of details puts the finishing touches to my dog. He has settled back into our home life very easily and is so much more of a dog now than he was before.     I believe that Robert has a special gift with the dogs and I am still tickled pink when I think back to my visit to Tallgrass Kennels to pick up Duke. Robert is such an unassuming guy, and he let the dogs show his true skills as a trainer. I was impressed big style by his attention to detail, passion and enthusiasm." Dick McIntosh

"Sir Duke" The Scottish Louisianan

 

A well-trained Gundog!

Ron, "Rowdy" and "Speck" ~ photos by Robyn

 

"She is a very sweet and calm pup. The kids adore her.  She is really good with them and very patient."

 

 

Rowdy and Spec -  couch potato quail hunting

 

I came across Tallgrass Kennels after doing some searching for a British lab. Not only did they have some good looking dogs, but their pedigrees were some of the best I’ve seen. So I gave them a call and talked to both Robert & Kiply several times about a started dog. Well, after talking to them, I could tell that they really love these dogs and handle them with care & respect. So I talked to Robert more about his training methods, and at what level of training a started dog was really at.	I like the way Robert trains. He gets the pups right onto birds & then takes their natural abilities & drive and humanly trains them in a way that.  All they want to do is just please you. It’s a great way to train because you have a gun dog who wants to hunt and enjoys it as much as the hunter out there with him.
	One other thing, if you’re looking for a trusted companion & a family friend these dogs are great! I know because I have Rachel.  She's one of the most enthused & birdy dogs I’ve had the pleasure to hunt behind. She is also the most loving family dog anyone could have. She's a great companion and I couldn't ask for more; she's my gal. Mike Bucholz  Washington State

 

"Audy" short for Audubon Society since he is such a bird watcher

 

"You guys are really great.  I have enjoyed our time together and am convinced your method of training is one that really works and creates a calm, steady dog.  Robert, there is something about you and the way you handle dogs.  You truly communicate with them on a level I can only hope to come close to some day.       Here is a picture from our last trip to Tallgrass Kennels.  I really learn about dog behavior each time we talk, I only wish I lived closer so I could visit more frequently." Dick Sheldon - North Dakota

 

Mom and Dad Martin	"Jessie Mae"
Training with Dad

robert.clair@tallgrasskennels.com