About Us

Ashridge Labradors is located in Lansing, NY, on the southeastern edge of Lake Cayuga, in the Finger Lakes region. I have recently retired from breeding, but plan to offer Chester for stud to approved bitches. Roxanne Fleming and George Vogel are carrying on my lines (see Bitches and Stud Dogs).

My husband and I currently have 3 yellow labradors and 1 black female living with us. They have the run of the house, including a special wing with a customized bathtub and kennel runs, as well as a whelping room for the puppies. Each one has his/her own unique character, and we love them all.

Our story began with Fredwell Bridget, our foundation bitch,  whose great grandfather was English CH Ruler of Blaircourt, a dog famous for his character. She was born in November 1977 on the Ashridge estate in Buckinghamshire, England, and came to JFK International by air cargo at 14 weeks.

Bridget had uncanny intelligence and as we added to our dog population she easily outwitted them all, and outwitted us a lot too. She was yellow, compact, but small boned. She managed to produce beautiful large boned puppies. Every Ashridge Labrador goes back to her.

In selecting studs, I have always looked for temperament and intelligence along with champion physical characteristics and good health. I have also searched for a pleasing head and a good dark brown eye. Most Ashridge Labradors have been yellow, but some have been black. I do not breed chocolate.

I have always wanted to breed show Champions, and as of 2002, eight have become Champions. But around 1990 I met a hunt trainer and his wife, Bill and Jan McKee, who convinced me that competing in hunting tests was a much more interesting sport for the dog and that I would enjoy helping with the hunt training as well as witnessing the tests. Under their training and handling, Ashridge has four Labradors with Junior Hunter titles, two with Senior Hunter titles and one Master Hunter, CH Ashridge Captain Wentworth MH.

I have also put obedience titles on seven of my dogs, and feel that it is very important to have an obedient dog. I give a small refund to all of my puppy buyers who have completed a dog obedience course. It is a great way for the dog and owner to understand each other better, and very important for each of them. A dog that is well trained might some day be saved from a serious accident.

Many Ashridge pups have been bought by families who have trained them to hunt with them as well as having them as family pets. An indispensable goal of mine has been to provide the kind of dog that most people want, and should want, in a Labrador - a loving, intelligent and handsome companion.