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We are a small hobby kennel located just east of Mallorytown, Ontario. Our dogs are first and foremost members of our family. All our dogs take turns living inside, sharing every room, including bedrooms, with us. When the dogs are in the kennel, they enjoy a wood stove for heat in the winter months and air-conditioning in the summer months.

Our first priority is temperament. Since the majority of our puppies go to live as family pets, they must have the typical happy-go-lucky temperament that gives retrievers their reputation as wonderful family pets. The next test for our dogs is getting all the necessary clearances to insure that they are healthy, sound representatives of the breed. Hips, elbows, patellas, hearts and eyes must pass testing before they can enter our breeding program. We only use the Ontario Veterinary College or the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for hip and elbow certifications. We believe that these x-rays must be read by a board certified veterinary radiologist. There are other places that will issue certificates but the x-rays are not read by a board certified radiologist. Our dogs hearts are certified clear of genetic disease by a board certified cardiologist. Eyes are examined annually and certified clear of genetic disease by a qualified veterinary ophthalmologist. Our Labrador Retrievers are tested for late onset PRA, an inherited disease that will cause blindness. They are also tested for RD/OSD ( Retinal Dysplasia/OculoSkeletal dysplasia) and EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse).

We are active in both conformation competition and field work. Our dogs have earned Canadian Championships, Junior Hunter and Working Certificate titles.

Several of our Labrador Retrievers have gone to the Lions Foundation Guide Dog Program and have graduated as Hearing Ear dogs and Special Skills Dogs. The Guide Dog Program was so impressed with the temperament of one our girls that they asked permission for her to become part of their breeding program. We have also donated Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers to Autism Dog Services.

Our puppies are always born inside our home, quite often in our family room. The pups remain inside our home until they are ready to leave for their new homes at 8 weeks of age. Our pups are used to all the normal activity of a household, other dogs milling around and cats. Our three cats are regular visitors to the whelping box, especially once the puppies are started on solid food. All our puppies are Canadian Kennel Club registered. All puppies that are registered with the CKC must have permanent identification, either a microchip or tattoo. Our puppies are tattooed. All puppies are sold on non-breeding agreements. We stand behind our puppies for their entire lives and our puppies can be returned to us at any time during their life if the adoptive family is no longer able to care for them.

Our contract is available on this website. We highly recommend reading it before inquiring about a Masonridge puppy. Just as you, the prospective family expects us to honour our contract, we also expect you to honour it.

The cost of a Masonridge puppy is $1100.00 plus any applicable taxes. Yes, you can get less expensive puppies from newspaper and other online ads. Most reputable breeders are asking anywhere from $900 to $1200 for a puppy, some are even more. Most breeders are also more than willing to provide references, both from families who have never had a problem and from those who have had something go wrong. Be cautious of any breeder who tells you they have never produced a puppy with a problem - puppies are living beings and things can happen.

Ethical and responsible breeders do not make money selling their puppies. If we break even at the end of the year, we consider ourselves lucky. Hip and elbow x-rays and consultation fees for OVC or OFA cost between $500.00 and $600.00. Optigen testing for PRA adds $200 US. RD/OSD adds another $150 US. Add on the cost of patellas and EIC. Annually, the dogs must have their eyes examined for a cost of about $40.00 each dog. Heart clearances add another $60. PennHIP is at least $450.00 per dog. Add to that the cost of registering the litter with the CKC and then registering each individual puppy with the CKC. The dogs have to be fed - a 40 pound bag of dog food costs on average $60.00. A litter of puppies will go through at least two 40 pound bags and the mother's food intake is quadrupled while she is nursing her pups. The puppies and mother must be wormed every 2 weeks starting at 2 weeks of age. Then, between 7 and 8 weeks of age, each puppy must be checked by a veterinarian and receive his/her first set of vaccines. Stud fees range anywhere from $950 and up. If you are lucky, the mother will have her puppies with little or no problem. If she does need a c-section, you can add a minimum of $1000 to the costs for that litter. Showing a dog is also very expensive. A championship can cost several thousand dollars whether you handle your own dog or use a professional handler. All the dogs must have their annual vaccines, heartworm preventatives, flea control, worming etc. Our kennel is heated so we have the cost of wood. In the summer months, the kennel is air-conditioned and we all know the cost of hydro. There are many other costs that have not been included (toys for the dogs, shampoo, grooming supplies, repairs to the kennel and house etc) but this should be enough to show that breeding is not a money-making operation if it is done properly.

We do accept personal cheques for reservation fees but final payment must be in cash or email money transfer.

The purchase price is the cheapest part of having a dog. Like kids, there can be all manner of minor boo-boos all the way to fatal diseases and crippling health problems. When you buy a puppy even from the most respected breeders, you are taking on the risks that come with all living beings. As responsible breeders, we have taken advantage of what modern diagnostics tools are readily available ~ x-ray certification of the hips and elbows, Ophthalmologist testing, DNA testing, studying of pedigrees, etc. In spite of all this there will always be a chance of a problem. We have no crystal balls that allow us to see which puppies will be affected so in spite of all our careful screening health issues will occasionally occur . It is strongly recommended that you have pet health insurance (your puppy will come with 6 weeks free insurance) for at least the first two years. Also do some research to find a good veterinarian and don't be afraid to get a second opinion.

To those who feel a dog is a dog and that our price is too expensive I will use this analogy - round steak and sirloin steak are both beef but I believe there is a difference.....

This is Luke. Luke is our resident black lab. He was purchased as a pet for our son. Luke has epilepsy, hip dysplasia and recently underwent surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Would we ever trade Luke in - NEVER! Even with all his problems, we love him dearly and he is proof that even a dog with multiple problems can continue to live a happy life. Luke is a constant source of entertainment in our household - right down to sticking his tongue out at us when he is bored with picture taking :)

Noelle - Hearing Ear Dog Quill - Special Skills Dog

Noelle is a Cassie/Tommy pup Quill is a Maureen/Mark pup

GDC Mallory's Keyto Masonridge aka Rose

Rose is the only female puppy that was born in Mallory's first litter with the Dog Guide program. She was given to us as a special thank you for allowing Dog Guide's to use Mallory as part of their breeding program. Unfortunately, Rose was not meant to be part of our breeding program and she now lives, as a very spoiled and loved pet, with a wonderful family in Brockville. Mallory is a Caitie/Mark pup.

Visitors are always welcome but we do ask that you make an appointment. And please do not be offended when your clothing is covered with dog hair - our home is also our dog's home!

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