Orion Labrador Retrievers

About Us

Orion Labrador Retrievers is operated by Jeff Swackhamer, a consulting forester who resides in north-central Indiana. Orion Labs (pronounced “oh-RYAN”) is named after the well known constellation of the winter sky which represents the great hunter of Greek mythology. My mission is to produce Labrador retrievers that are physically sound, mentally fit, and endowed with the proper traits and abilities required to make a great hunting retriever and companion. I also strive to breed Labs that conform to the historical standard of the breed as described in the written standard and illustrated by the photographic record of Labs from the past.

Orion is a small kennel that began in 1986 when I purchased a male black Lab puppy to be my companion. I wanted a dog to accompany me as I worked in the woods of Indiana. Blaze became a wonderful companion and a valued asset in the woods. I felt I owed him the opportunity to fulfill his destiny to be a hunting dog and we became an avid hunting team.

Blaze taught me a great deal about raising, training and hunting with Labs. I became enthralled with the Labrador retriever and began to study the breed in earnest. In 1991 I purchased a yellow female as a work and hunting companion, and as a future mate for Blaze. She whelped her first litter in May of 1994. This began our tradition of producing top quality field and companion Labrador retrievers.

My focus in breeding Labs has not been to produce a great quantity of pups. I have elected to breed a litter a year or sometimes a litter every other year so that I am able to keep a pup from each litter to evaluate. I keep my kennel population at six Labs or fewer so that I am able to include all of them in regular trips with me to the woods and the fields. While more dogs might look impressive and could allow me to produce more puppies, it would take away one thing that makes Orion unique; the ability to regularly take ALL of my dogs to the field. I feel that by spending so much time in the field with my dogs I can evaluate their potential much more thoroughly than the average breeder or trainer who does not have a similar opportunity to interact as extensively with their dogs. This coupled with exercising strict selection criteria for breeding stock enables me to produce Labs that attain a high standard of excellence.

What began as the desire for a good companion has evolved into a quest for producing the highest quality Labrador retrievers available. Over the years I have been blessed to have had the companionship of many Labs while working in the woods and hunting in the fields. After a quarter of a century of living with Labs, working with Labs, and researching Labs, I have established some firm opinions about what distinguishes a good Lab from a great Lab. Producing great Labs has become my passion. I hope you find my website informative. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions concerning my thoughts on Labs or if you would like to inquire about the availability of a puppy or a started dog.

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