Gallivant Labradors
Fabian Negron and Tom Flaherty
Meet the Breed: Labrador Retriever
BIS Magazine USA June 2021 issue
Q: Can you give us some background on yourself? When and how did you start breeding Labradors? How old were you and how did it all come about?
Fabian: My first Labrador litter was born in 2006 when I was 20 years old. The litter was co-bred with Mary and Michael Wiest of Beechcroft Labradors where I worked as the kennel manager and handler for their dogs.
Tom: My first litter was bred in 1993 when I was 23 years old. My first dogs were of Beechcroft lines of Mary and Michael Wiest and Ayr Labradors of the late Nancy Martin, both of those kennels going back to the Ballyduff Kennel.
Q: What is the story behind your kennel and your kennel name? How many litters have you had so far?
A: Our kennel name is Gallivant because we travel a lot, and our travels are most always dog-related, so it seemed very fitting we named our kennel Gallivant. Currently we have bred over 20 litters together under this prefix.
Q: What is your breeding policy? Do you work with other kennels, have joint ownerships? Do you use stud dogs from other kennels, or do you prefer to use your own dogs?
A: Health, type, and temperament prioritize our breeding program. We feel very fortunate to share some partnerships with good friends who share the same philosophies and goals regarding breeding. Because we typically line breed, we use our own stud dogs frequently. Occasionally using any outside dog when we feel it’s appropriate.
Q: Which dog do you consider the foundation of your own breeding?
A: MBISS GCH Big Pine’s Faith In Africa.
Q: What kind of selection do you prefer in your breeding program, linebreeding, inbreeding or outcrossing?
A: We usually line breed.
Q: What would you say your greatest achievement as a breeder is so far?
A: We feel that consistently producing dogs who win at specialty shows as well as in the sporting group is a significant achievement as this does not happen in Labradors often.
ABOUT THE BREED
Q: How do you interpret the standard? Do you accept that other breeders have different points of view as to what the Labrador should look like, or is there just one type?
A: Because our breed has so much diversity in type, especially between the performance dogs and the conformation dogs, this is a difficult question. We try to breed keeping the standard in mind and keeping in mind the Labrador is a working retriever.
Q: What three qualities do you think are the most important when you look at the Labrador?
Fabian: Soundness, balance, and temperament.
Tom: Balance, soundness, and ability
Q: Which faults would you not tolerate in the breed?
Fabian: Unsoundness, aggression, shyness.
Tom: Unsoundness, bad temperament, poorly constructed front assembly, bad tail carriage
Q: On the health front there is good work going on to address health problems. Many breeders test their dogs. Is there more work to be done? What medical test do you consider necessary to have for mating your Labradors? How would you rate health in the breed?
A: We feel there is a tremendous responsibility as breeders working hard to preserve our breed to utilize the health testing that is available to us. That is not to say we as a kennel breed based solely on health test results. We feel it’s important to remember type and function as well as health when making breeding decisions. We always use OFA scoring for hip and elbow evaluations. We have all our dogs heart function evaluated by a cardiologist and an echocardiogram at a year of age. We test for PRA, HNPK, CNM, DM, EIC and many other diseases by using the genetic test available. All our dogs have an annual eye exam by an ophthalmologist as well.
Q: Would you say there is a difference in dogs and dog type in Europe and the USA?
A: We feel that yes, there is a difference. American dogs tend to have more angulation, denser coats and more over all strong build.
Q: What makes them so versatile and popular? Is that a good thing for the breed or a bad thing?
A: We feel Labradors are the ideal family companion because of their adaptability, excellent temperament, trainability, and low maintenance.
Q: How has the breed changed over the years? Would you say we have evolved for the good or the worse?
Fabian: As with any change, some things improve, and others decline. Health has improved.
Tom: Our breed changes in looks quite regularly and I believe that is due to the influence of top producing dogs and bitches having such a strong influence. Sometimes it is a very good thing and other times, not so much. I do agree that overall health has improved greatly thanks to dedicated breeders and the various health organizations who work hard to identify and fund research, allowing breeders the tools needed to avoid producing inherited diseases and problems.
Q: Can you, in your own words describe the ideal Labrador?
Fabian: Yes! It is black! A black athletic dog whose coat wraps tightly around his body, who is the picture of balance moving or standing and is forever willing to please its owner.
Tom: A dog who is strong in build, is the essence of style, balance, and strength no matter what he is doing. A dog whose type is so true he can be mistaken for no other, who is kind and biddable and reliable without question, always.
Q: Where in the world would you consider the breed to be at its best and strongest now?
A: We feel there are very good dogs in many places in the world right now.
Q: Are Labradors becoming separated into “show” and “field” types? What is your opinion on that? Should field dogs be to the standard, and should show champions demonstrate field ability?
Fabian: Yes, I believe there should be two types. Both should demonstrate natural retrieving ability. Field/hunt tests have evolved into competitive sports which require speed and physical traits foreign to our breed standard. For these reasons I feel the breed should have the two separate distinctions.
Tom: I feel that there are two types, if not two breeds of dog, regarding performance dogs and show dogs in our breed. It has been this way for a long time and always a source of debate and controversy. If you look at a field bred or performance bred dog, then look at a dog bred for conformation and to the standard, there is little resemblance. They basically, in my opinion, are two different breeds. Both should always display natural retrieving ability, let’s not forget the Labrador is first and foremost a retriever and a water dog. A “breed” of dog, horse, cow, chicken or whatever is based on type. Most performance or field dogs I see do not resemble our breed standard even remotely. In my opinion they seriously lack type. For this reason, I believe they should have their own standard. I have high regard for the performance and field dog breeder’s dedication and for their achievements. I would never attempt to change or take that from them, and I expect the same respect in return.
Q: In order of importance how would you line up movement, head, coat, substance, and type?
Fabian: Type, movement, head, coat, substance.
Tom: Type, coat, substance, movement, head.
Q: Please name 3 of your all-time favorite winners bred by you and 3 neither owned or bred by you.
Fabian: Bred by: MBISS RBIS GCHB Gallivant Big Pine Sarafina On Broadway, MBISS GCH Gallivant Wellington, MBISS MBIS RBIS Am/Can GCH Gallivant Safari Not bred by: MBISS MBIS Am/Can GCH Beechcroft Study’s Top Secret, MBISS GCH Paradocs Bellwether Valley Vista, MBISS Am/ Eng Sh CH Clearcreek Bonaventure Windjammer.
Tom: Bred by: MBISS RBIS GCHB Gallivant Big Pine Sarafina On Broadway, Ch. Gallivant Big Pine’s Kenya, MBOSS Ch. Gallivant’s Call Girl. Not bred by: MBISS Tabatha’s Dazzle, WC, MBISS MBIS Am/Can GCH Beechcroft’s Study’s Top Secret, MBISS CH Epoch’s Brown Baggin’, WC.
Q: What advice would you give to a new person in the breed?
Fabian: Don’t overthink things, Analysis paralysis will kill your breeding program. Be ethical and be honest with yourself. Learn from your mistakes and always educate yourself.
Tom: Never, ever stop learning, never think you know everything and always be willing to listen and take away and apply knowledge. Find a good mentor and at the same time educate yourself and think for yourself. Learn structure, develop your eye for a good dog and be able to know why you think it’s a good example. Be true to yourself, be ethical and above all do right by your dogs.
MBISS GCHB Lakeside Memoir of Gallivant TKN CGC, Memo, bred by Jared Frasher and owned/handled by Fabian Negron and Tom Flaherty, has compiled an enviable record throughout his show career. His most notable wins include:
MBISS GCHB Lakeside Memoir of Gallivant TKN CGC, Memo, bred by Jared Frasher and owned/handled by Fabian Negron and Tom Flaherty, has compiled an enviable record throughout his show career. His most notable wins include:
*Best of Breed—2020 Westminster Kennel Club
*Best of Breed—2019 Potomac Labrador Retriever Club Specialty Show
*Open Class—2018 Crufts and Reserve Challenge Certificate over 653 Entries.
*Best of Breed—2018 Westminster Kennel Club
*Best of Breed—2017 AKC National Dog Show
