silvermoonlabs.net Lori and David Osborn, Sparta NC, Silver Moon Labradors, Silver Moon Kennels, silverandcharcoallabs.com, Heather Gibbs, Little Rock, Arkansas, silverlabs.com, Silver Star Kennel, Kellyn, Texas, silver Silver Labrador Buyers BEWARE.....NETWORK of Deceptive Breeders Working in the US!!! Internet

I became aquainted with silver labrador breeders when I purchased my first one from Silver Star Kennel from Kellyn in Texas. I had never purchased a dog from the internet but loved the photos and the email correspondence I received when I was looking for a pup. It was a very long drive to pick him up but I didn't mind as it was very hard in those days to get a silver lab and I was very determined to have one. My family decided to make a vacation of it so we went with high hopes of getting a silver lab that would grow up with our children and be with us for many years to come.

When arriving there I was concerned about the number of dogs and the conditions that the kennel seemed to be in but realizing the cost of the drive and the excitement of the kids I decided that it didn't matter as this pup was going to a very good home and there was afterall a 2 year guarantee offered with the pup so how could we go wrong? The pup did not look anything like the photos I had received but she explained that he was just going through that long lanky stage and would soon be the beautiful speciman she so proudly displays on her website. This was 1999 and today the same photo is still there along with her cute little girl who would likely be in college by now!

The dog was soon home with us and the kids were happy until he became sick. It was worms and an ear infection which I excused as just part of having a puppy. He then had a bladder infection followed by more ear infections dispite my careful cleaning and drying his ears after swimming. Seemed it was always something. Then came the really bad news after an xray revealed sever hip dysplasia. I contacted Kellyn and waited for a response. When not receiving one, I called her on the number on the website and left a message. This went on for many emails and calls before I realized that she wasn't going to respond. The dog had to be put down and not only were the kids devastated but I was completely dissilusioned with the silver lab.

After a while of researching this new color of lab I decided to try another breeder. I really was facinated by their color and had owned all the other color of labs before so I was completely set on the breed. I chose Heather Gibbs in Arkansas as her website charcoalandsilverlabs.com claimed to have tested all the parents for hip dysplasia. This time I decided to not do the drive and have the pup shipped to me. Besides her website was wonderful and said all the right things! Come for a visit anytime....always welcome here. She seemed so nice and always answered all my phone calls and emails right away. I told her of my last experience and she assured me that it would never happen with her. Well to make a long story short this dog too had many problems. His hair fell out completely until I had a hairless, what looked to be a big rat! He too was xrayed and found to have hip dysplasia but not as severe so I contacted Heather to get a refund because of this and what do you know....she would not answer any emails or phone calls from me. The dog lived a horrible life on meds and died at the age of 6. I still call Heather and write emails to her but even now years later she still screens all her calls and only answers those emails and phone calls from NEW clients interested in purchasing a NEW pup. I have had others call and write her and funny how she answers THOSE right away.

Now we get to the most recent one and probally the worst. Lori Osborn at Silver Moon Kennels. Closer drive to me so this time I was determined to do it right. Went for the long drive to pick up my silver lab. She offered a written guarantee so I would have this in writing and could drive fairly easy to her place. Her and her husband David seemed to have a nice kennel and their pups seemed healthy enough but still not exactly what I thought a silver lab should look like. They should look like any other lab but only silver right? I picked the best looking one out of the bunch and after receiving the written warranty went on my merry way hoping the 3rd time I would be lucky. I had him checked early on for hip dysplsia because of my past experiences and he too had signs of the disease. Not wanting to go through that again I contacted Lori to get a refund and bring the dog back to her. After another long drive the dog was delivered back to her and with the promise of my money being returned I left and had no reservations about the money as they were such nice people right?? Wrong...I am STILL trying to get my refund and have collected only a small part of it because it seems I have to wait until they sell the dog I returned to them? or until their next litter because they don't have the money.

After all of these experiences I have been doing alot of investigative work into silver labs and their breeders. I have found out ALOT of information that I think anyone thinking of buying a silver labrador, should know. I have befriended lots of silver breeders posing as one myself and have uncovered some appalling information. These breeders are all in together working as a team. All claiming to breed only those with good hips etc and offering better and better warranties that they never intend to honor! Kellyn at Silver Star turns out to be a puppy broker as is Heather Gibbs in Arkansas even though she goes so far as to claim on her website that she has the parents of all the pups she sells. Anyone purchasing a pup from any of these breeders should know that they will never honor their claims and will not even answer to them!