"GASTON" - Silver Valley Kennels                "KAILANI" - litter of 2005                                   " Litter of 2006 "

WEBSITE UPDATE - UNDER CONSTRUCTION

PLEASE BE PATIENT...WE HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS!

SOME UPDATED INFO AT BOTTOM OF PAGE..

Don and Beth Harman are avid Labrador retriever lovers.  They take great pride in all of the dogs they have raised over the years.

10 years ago, Beth began researching the "Silver Labradors".  She spoke to and corresponded with several Silver Labrador breeders.  She finally settled on Silver Valley Kennels as the premier breeder of this special and rare Labrador.  This was decided due to this breeders quality care, breeding ethics and dedication to the silvers.  Don and Beth flew to Michigan where they met with the owners of the kennel and selected their first light silver female puppy. 

At eight weeks of age, the breeders shipped “Kailani” from Michigan to Anchorage, Alaska, and a new family member was warmly welcomed into their home. 

What Don and Beth weren’t prepared for was how often they would be stopped by admirers asking where they could also get a Silver Labrador.  Many people asked them if they were inclined to breed Kai and produce some silver puppies for sale in the local area.  Kai is a fully registered AKC and OFA certified Labrador Retriever.

In 2003, it was decided that if Beth could find a suitable stud for Kai the following year, then they would breed her.  They believe that whelping pups in the springtime or early summer in Alaska is the ideal time, because training in a warmer and drier season is easier on the new owners.   Fortunately, Silver Valley Kennels has moved to Arizona, a little bit closer to Alaska.  They had a couple of studly studs to choose from, and ultimately “Gaston” was chosen for the role.

Gaston is DNA and AKC registered.  He is a ruggedly handsome light Silver Labrador.  Don and Beth flew with Kai to Arizona in February 2005, where it was love at first sight for Kai and Gaston.

They succeeded in achieving their goal to create beautiful and healthy pups that have become the perfect family pets and hunting companions.  A litter of 8 healthy, beautiful light silvers were born April 8, 2005. 

All puppies are raised indoors and are a large part of the Harman household.  They are given lots of love and attention, both individually and as a group.  All these pups are matched up and placed with their new owners after a screening process takes place between Beth and the potential new families.  Making sure that the right pet is integrated into your home for your lifestyle and activities is an important step in making this commitment.  A lot of hard work, patience and dedication in raising a puppy into adulthood is a big commitment, and Beth wants to insure that the puppies that she places go into the best homes. 

In April, Kai made another trip to Arizona to visit Gaston.  Once again Gaston was chosen as the stud.  This decision was made because of Kai and Gaston's success and healthy litter in 2005.

A new litter of eight arrived, June 23, 2006.  This litter was placed with very loving families throughout the State of Alaska.  Once again, families are delighted with the love and attention that went into raising this litter.  They all agree that they have a very remarkable and distinctly intelligent new addition to their family.

 "KILI KALITTA".    A very beautiful chocolate (mahogany brown), silver factored female from Silver Lining Labradors of Dallas, Texas.  She was 9 months old when we received her from this breeder in Texas.  After several months of trying to get Kalitta's very serious health issues straightened out, Kalitta was found to have severe hip dysplasia and osteo-arthritis.  I had her spayed at one year of age so as to NOT breed poor genetics.  Shame on that "breeder" and her "kennel" for allowing this to happen.  Today, Kalitta is crippled but doing well.  Instead of having her euthanized,  our family has made the commitment to provide her with quality of life for as long as we can.  Because of this set back and expense, we have not been breeding any litters. 

Kailani was retired in 2007.  She is enjoying family life and she and Kalitta have become best friends.  Although both are getting a little fat and lazy.  If you have ever seen a dog smile, it's common in Labs, these two have smiles on their Lab faces.

We have the newest addition to introduce.  Kili "Hana" Kai.  She is 9 months old now.  A beautiful charcoal grey.  Hana is in excellent health.  In another few months we will do the preliminary hip and elbow x-rays to determine if she is a candidate for future litters.  If the results are positive we will continue with plans to x-ray and certify at 2 years, year 2011.  Plans are to have her eyes checked and certified as well.  In late spring or early summer of 2011, we plan to breed Hana.  A stud has not been chosen yet as I have not decided what coat color I will breed.  Either all charcoal or a mix with light silver.  I have recently become partial to the charcoal grey/silver color.

I will try to update the photo pages as soon as I can.  Thank you for being patient with this old website.  I just recently have been able to access my own website.  This is due to my incompetence at this technology. 

Please continue your correspondence.  I answer all my e-mails.

Beth Harman

silverlabsak@alaska.net