Why a name like “Starstruck Labradors”?
Because we got started when Valina got stopped.
 Valina was sitting between the driver and the front passenger in the front seat, which you can not even see here. |  This is one of the STARS Air Ambulance helicopters. It may even be the one that carried Valina to the hospital on January 15th, 2006. |
Valina was air lifted to hospital by STARS air ambulance on January 15th 2006, when the vehicle that she was traveling in was STRUCK head-on at highway speed. It was LABRADORS who gave her all the hope and love that she needed to get back up and keep smiling! (well okay, Carleton did help a little - but we all know it was the dogs that did all of the really hard work!)
Therefore, STARSTRUCK LABRADORS would like to pledge a portion of all sales to STARS Air Ambulance. If not for STARS, Valina would not be with us now.
You can learn more about STARS at: www.stars.ca
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Thank-you. Thank-you. Thank-you!
To the incredible efforts of the paramedics and STARS team;
We simply cannot thank-you enough!
Valina, along with two of our pups, were featured in November, in the 2011 STARS Calendar!!! A Special Thank You to all our supporters for helping us make over $15,000 in charitable donations in 2009/2010, including over $10,000 to STARS!
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We have also recently included an animal charity in our donations: the Society for the Protection of Animals in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico. We were married in Ixtapa, and consider the community our second home. We have found that our donations to animal welfare go a very long way in Mexico, and that the need is great.
You can learn more about this excellent organization at: www.spazihua.org
 Carleton and a one lucky little fellow enjoying a break by the pacific. |  These little orphans have been doing great in the safe haven for animals here in Zihuatenajo - www.spazihua.org  |
Here are a few of our furry friends in Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo!
 This little dear must have been in pretty bad shape before she was brought here. | Valina found this female under a dumpster three days before she gave birth, safely in the shelter.  |
 This sweet Golden Retriever must have met a few sour souls. He was so afraid when we found him under a car, but by the end of our trip he even picked his head up for a picture! | Here is a lab/rottweiler cross that Valina enjoyed walking during our stay. "Buddy" was adopted by a fellow who saw them out on a walk!  |
What do we do?
Starstruck Labradors is located between Calgary and Edmonton in beautiful Alberta, Canada. We breed CKC registered Labrador Retrievers of all colours! We breed for temperament, trainability, and conformation. We breed black, yellow, chocolate, fox red, silver, charcoal, and champagne colours. Lately, most of our puppies have been sold before they were born, so don't wait until the last minute! Check our "Pups for Sale" page to see what we have available.
We are so proud to kick start what we hope will the beginning of a big change in the dog breeding world! Currently, there is no way to ensure that you are buying from a reputable breeder, unless you visit the premises yourself, and are show detailed health records. For those who are purchasing from afar, there is not way to guaranty that the breeder they purchase from is a reputable one. We hope this will soon change. By inviting our veterinarian to visit our kennel and perform an inspection, we hope that many breeders will also do the same, and buyers will soon demand that any person they intend to purchase from has also undergone a thorough kennel inspection by a respected third party. Please read the letter that our veterinarian set us after visiting out kennel on our "References" page.
We spend a lot of money doing health checks on all our breeding stock, so as to provide you with the best quality puppies we can! We use digital radiography to screen for hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasias, and a veterinary ophthalmologist to screen for eye diseases (CERF). We also perform genetic disease tests for PRA, EIC, CNM, DM, as well as any other areas that may be of concern with a specific dog. For more information, please visit our "Genetic Health 101" page.
We place an emphasis on the happiness of our dogs, and don't breed them into their old age. In fact, we usually retire our breeding dogs by 3 or 4 years old. When retired, they look for their forever homes with loving families...after all, they're just older puppies who want to love and be loved! For some families, this can be a better fit than buying a puppy, and we usually have a few adults looking for homes every year.
We put our animals first, every time. No medical issue is overlooked, no behavioural issue is left unattended, and each puppy, big and small, old and young, is ensured a happy, healthy, and safe life. We breed quality dogs that will make wonderful companions at your side in your home, in the field, in the water, on the job, or just in your easy chair! We work hard to provide our animals with content and comfortable lives - and thank you in advance for supporting a breeder who does this!
Our goal is to see happy, healthy puppies find their places in loving families.
-Carleton and Valina Pope
 Believe it or not, Carleton had a hicky on the end of his nose for a week after this picture was taken! |  Everyone neads a little quality time with Dad, and if you are cute enough he might even lay on the floor! |
