SIRES
"I love all labs-American, British, and Irish. I train them all and recognize both their strengths and weaknesses, but for a family companion that also makes a "calm but ready" retriever, the British and Irish field trial lines are a good choice. The word "calm" is important-there just seems to be a nice balance with these dogs. Not to say you can't find that in some American dogs as well, but these traits of being a balanced family dog just seem to go hand-in-hand with these British and Irish bloodlines."
- Marty Roberts, Owner
Tamrose Murphy
“Murph”
Imported in 2022, Murph is beautiful, big-boned, and strong along with a great drive for retrieving. He loves the water, and he loves to work yet—he has that ‘Off Switch’ we desire in our dogs. His pedigree is from Sire, FTCH Waterford Ganton and on the Dame’s side, FTCH Rockenhart Voyager (full brother to our beloved FTW Rockenhart Harvey). We had many wonderful puppies from Harvey, and we are pleased to bring his bloodline into new generations. Murph is always happy, and it is infectious—he loves life. We enjoy spending afternoons training with him.
Murph just may produce your 'Once in a Lifetime’ dog.
HRCH Old Oak’s Saint of the South
“Saint”
We are pleased to announce Saint as a new stud dog to our this year’s line up.
Saint was titled in 2022 in the HRC by Sam Roberts. And has been one of Sam’s favorite dogs and to train. He came from our friend Rick McConico of Old Oak Kennels in Minnesota. Sporting Life Kennels helped secure him as a pup for Jason Beasley of Tupelo in 2020. Jason has been a great friend to SLK and trusted us to train and title Saint. We created a plan and it came together perfectly.
Saint has it all - looks, style, speed, and is a perfect size at 58lbs. His sire is International FTCH Lesser Burdock Abbotstone MH (Magnum). Magnum is the most internationally titled British Lab in history. Magnum had a history of throwing fantastic pups with tons of go and with a solid Off Switch.
Saint is one of the fastest retrievers we have seen and he comes back as hard as he goes out on the retrieve. He is beautiful to watch working and as we stated above …. extremely stylish.
HRCH Leadburn Yarrow
“Henry”
Henry is one of Marty’s personal dogs. Weighing in at 70 lbs., Henry is a well-built Labrador with so much natural talent. If you had to describe him with one word, it would be confidence. You can line him up for a blind and once he is sent he takes off like a rocket, covering ground swiftly. Henry has a great motor on land and water, unafraid to tackle any obstacles that get in his way. Henry is very attentive and always waiting patiently, ready to show off his explosiveness to spectators. He has been great indoors and loves to meet new people. During the summer of 2020, Henry was titled in the HRC, he went 8 for 8 while being a joy to run during the hunt test. He is a fine hunter. Henry is one of the best reproducers and is extremely consistent.
HRCH Sporting Life’s Black Oak Arkansas
“Oak”
In the spring of 2018 there was a little black male that was the last pick of the litter. Apparently, the client that had the deposit had backed out a few months before and we forgot to account for that. We waited for hours for him to show up, and then we went and check our emails and realized our mistake. I went out to the puppy pen and watched the little guy for a few minutes. I had been wanting a pup to film with and the timing was right. So I decided to keep him. At the time (Molly wasn’t happy with me, as we needed another personal dog like a hole in the head). She has since fallen in love with him.
Well, that has turned into a giant blessing for me personally. As Oak has been an excellent student and a great dog to teach others with, both on social media and also at our kennel for training days, as well has a great companion for me.
Oak is very intelligent and thirsty for knowledge. He never tires of working so I have to be careful not to over work him. He follows me around like a lamb – a mischievous lamb – but still he has great devotion.
In the fall of 2020 I decided to put a title on Oak. It was a lot of hard work but he was able to get it done in about 3 months from start to finish. Having never run a Hunt Test before with Oak, I was very pleased with his consistency.
He is my constant companion along with Henry. Together they are a great pair. Oak needs to be worked often. Daily is best. He has a busy mind and gets bored easily. For someone wanting a pup with high intelligence and with a lot of go, a puppy from Oak could work well.
HRCH Taylor’s Suttle Hilton MH
“Taylor”
· 40 + HRC finish Passes
· 20+ AKC Master Passes
· Qualified for The Master National at 2 years old
· 8 HRC Upland Passes
· HRC 500 Point Club
· Qualified for The Master National every year since 2 years old
Taylor is one of the best competing British dogs currently running in the U.S.A.
He has a powerful square build and looks like a Labrador should. Taylor’s owner Mickey Taylor, carries him everywhere he goes and during the Hunt Test season, they are gone most weekends. One of Taylor’s best attributes is his Lining Ability for running Cold Blinds. Mickey works Taylor almost daily and it is something else to watch them together.
We are pleased to have Taylor in our lineup as he is more than proven himself in every way. One of the best reasons we are excited to breed to Taylor is his Sire is FTCH Leadburn Viceroy, a dog that is renowned for throwing hard driving working dogs with a consistency. Special thanks to Mickey Taylor for letting us breed to this special dog.
HRCH Eagle Bends Big Easy MH
”Nola”
We are very happy to have the opportunity to add "Nola" to our list of excellent stud dogs. We are always working toward bettering the breed and finding dogs that fit what we are striving for in our breeding. We want a dog with excellent focus and drive, as well as having an "Off Switch." Nola meets that standard and then some. Nola holds the Hunter Retriever Champion title as well as Master Hunter.
He passed the AKC 2021 Master National and has qualified for the 2022 Master National, as well as he will be running in both HRC Grands in 2022.
To do these events a dog must have focus, smarts, and drive, as well as be very trainable. When hunting Nola is quiet as a mouse (seen and not heard) and super steady on the stand, but charges out when sent.
Nola is also a beautiful dog with strong shoulders and a square handsome face. He is about 60 lbs and very easy to be around as he has a gentle easy-going nature.
In short, what more could you ask for in a working retriever or family companion?
Sporting Life's
John Henry
We have to say first and foremost, Henry has outstanding DNA..
Both of his parents were Field trial Champions and both were proven reproducers. His sire FTCH Apache Joe "Prince" has a legacy of solid working dogs that not only are incredible in the field but are also calm and easy to be around. His Dam is Irish FTCH Kilmona Jodi "Belle." We imported Belle in 2012 and she has always been one of our favorite Dams. Her temperament was extraordinary. Her game finding ability earned her a "Guns Choice" in the Irish National Field trial Championship.
When Henry came back to us to train we saw a pup with the attributes of his parents. Physically, he is a solid and very handsome dog. He has a ton of drive in the field. Yet, he is a wonderful family member for George and Janet Leavell of Memphis, TN. Henry is an excellent combination of what we call "Calm but Ready."
FTCH Leadburn Mist
“Snoop”
· Top Scottish Dog Trophy at the 2013 IGL
· Diploma of Merit at the 2013 IGL Championships
· 1st Place The North of Scotland Gundog Asso. Open Stake
· 1st Place Scottish Gundog Asso. A.V. Retriever Open Stake
· 1st Place Highland Gundog Club Open Stake
· 2nd Place Tay Valley Gundog Asso. Two Day Open Stake
· 2nd Place Glenalmond Estate Open Stake
There are few British Dogs in the U.S.A. that have a winning pedigree like F.T.C.H. Leadburn Mist, Snoop is a strongly built dog. With excellent confirmation for a working Labrador. When in Scotland he proved himself to be a top notch trialing dog and competitor. At home with his owner Mickey Taylor he is a laid back, affectionate and loving companion.
What we admire most about Snoop is his ability to throw hard charging puppies with no fear. These type of puppies in our opinion are easier to train. In our program at SLK, we are pursuing these traits on our puppies and we are glad to have access to Snoop as a stud dog.
Retired Sires
FTW Oakhorn Pete
“Pete”
If you were to look up the definition of a perfect gundog, Pete would be just that. He is quiet, attentive, and very self-disciplined. Pete is what we like to call "calm but ready." You can often find Pete in the office, but you have to look for him with his excellent indoor manners. Pete keeps to himself until called upon, giving his full attention to you.
While in Ireland, Pete picked up birds at Shane Castle for a number of years and specialized in tracking down runners on driven shoots. He has adapted well here in the U.S. and Pete’s superior genetics paired with our beautiful dams produce some excellent puppies.
Levenghyl’s Voice in the Wilderness
“Preacher”
Preacher is one of Marty’s personal dogs. He is extremely well bred as both parents were imported champions that ran and placed in national championships in Ireland and the UK. Preacher is a very focused and self-disciplined hunter. Marty loans Preacher out to his good friend, Brennan Hudson of Alberta Waterfowl LLC, hunting in Alberta Canada and Oklahoma. With the help of Brennan, Preacher picked up just shy of 9000 birds for the 2017-2019 / 2020 seasons.
Preacher is a staff favorite and loves everyone. He is a sweet natured boy, but with a flip of a switch, Preacher will blindside a big Canadian goose like a linebacker. He is very laid back in the home, truck or office.
Preacher weighs approx. 68 lbs. of solid muscle.
In the words of Brennan Hudson:
"Preacher is a hunting machine and the biggest blessing of my hunting / guiding service. I strive to run the best operation I can. When your clients say 'Man the hunting, lodging and meals were fantastic, but the dog work was worth the trip.' Comments like that are what makes it for me. Thank you for letting Preacher be a part of both my professional and personal life."
*yellow factored
FTW Rockenhart Harvey (Deceased)
“Harvey”
I’m not sure anything has ever loved me as much...The way he always looked at me for both leadership and friendship.
Our days in the field are legendary in my mind and as, I am sure they were in his. Oh the joy... to be out in God's Creation.
He always made me proud. And I was proud to call him friend. ...It is surreal to think that I will go on and live my life without him.
He was with me at the beginning of each day, was with me at the office, in the field and at bedtime. Harvey sired hundreds of pups through the years. The level of success with these pups was simply remarkable. I will probably never see another sire with his record for quality.
I have lived my life not so much in years as in decades. The decades I have had my dogs. First there was Jimbob and then there was Tay, now Harvey and then there will be Cody and then others I’m sure.
So we go on. We go on ahead and live.... We have our memories.... Let’s hold on to tightly has I have always tried to do so. I will miss you always and forever.
Rest in Peace my True and Faithful Friend.