Wildrose Kennels Client Comments

We made it home safely and the pup (Sadie) is doing very well. She is everything I would have picked in a pup, from being beautiful, having all the drive, running around picking up everything she can get her mouth on, and most certainly the intelligence. As the guys mentioned, she picks up everything very quickly! I have had other pretty good labs, but this one appears to be well beyond the others with her natural instincts! We felt that we were very much a part of the Wildrose family when we were down there and still do! I will definitely take more time to fill out the customer survey because your client's most certainly need to understand that you are running a very legitimate and serious business of breeding the best, in a family based service, for your future and present clients! I most certainly will keep you post on progress with Sadie. I will say that it's been a little while since I had a pup and I think the light is finally starting to come on with all I'm trying to digest with Mike's training methods. I can understand pretty much the do's and don'ts of his methods, especially since I now have a pup to work with!

Dave Spring
Huntingdon, Indiana


Thanks for everything. We are really excited. You have something very special at Wildrose, and we are glad to be part of it. Already looking forward to the next visit. Lowry

Mike and Cathy;

This is a note to thank you for the last 2+ years. I can remember you asking “what do you want?” when helping with the breeding selection for my eventual puppy, Ben. That was only the beginning. Now I feel that Ben has developed into my dream “Gentleman’s Gun Dog” companion and I have also made two great friends. This is a brief summary of my experiences with Wildrose.

I’ve always wanted a good hunting dog. My previous lab was a good dog but had hard head and championship field trial genes. He was professionally trained on an electronic collar. He was hyper most of the time and not fun to be around. Since I had little experience with training, my ability to maintain the dog’s skills in the field deteriorated over time. The dog was trained well, but I wasn’t. I did not want that to happen again.

Superior genetics of the Wildrose dogs bred for hunting and temperament were an attraction to me. Mike’s national reputation was good enough for me to make the plunge for my next dog. As things unfolded, it got even better. My first visit to the Wildrose Kennels sealed my decision. It is a fabulous facility and Wildrose offered opportunities to train me with my dog as he developed. The trips from Colorado to Oxford made for several great weekends (Oxford is a fun place to visit) to learn about these special dogs and how they interact with their owners.

Mike kept asking me “what do I want?” Well the best I could describe that is by letting him know how and what I hunt. Much of my upland hunting is in CPR and cornfields for pheasants. I wanted a dog that hunted close, either at heal or quartering, a dog that would sit on the flush and shot and was steady at all times. A dog that could pick out the difference between the looseness associated with quartering while hunting or semi-loose hunting for a dead bird and yet disciplined enough to be sent on a line to a downed bird (either a blind or a mark). I also hunt doves and quail on the river bottom. My waterfowl hunting on the South Platte river is usually within a 30 to 50 yard distance. This is similar to the distances that pheasant hunting involves but blind manners are important, especially to my friends. After hunting, I wanted a great well mannered dog to be a good companion. After all, most hunters have a house dog for a good part of the year.

The basic handler’s course was a major eye opener for me. It gave a lot of valuable information of how dogs think. This was packed with great advice on how to communicate with your dog. We learned several training exercises but the foundation of how to continue to work with your dog when you get him home was the most valuable lesson for me. Also there are basic grooming tips that I learned as well as preparing for emergencies that may arise in the field. Vic Barlow was a great asset to the course and his British sense of humor kept everyone in a great frame of mind.

Last year was Ben’s first hunting season. I hunted with him at heel. As a young dog, he wanted to go, go, and go so most of the time he was tethered to a belt loop. Most of the time he was forced to observe and honor the other working dogs. On occasion, he would be rewarded and sent on a marked retrieve. I tried to send him for lost pheasants in thick CRP but he was hunting too much with his eyes and not at all with his nose. He also would not hold an area for finding a downed bird. He would have to learn this. For duck hunting he was accomplished at retrieving marks but again, not ready for blinds or lost birds. He was steady in the blind and did not whine. Ben had very good manners in the club house. He was place trained so that he could sit out of the way, without moving unless he was asked to. He has a great temperament and gets along well with other dogs. Other hunters complimented him on his impeccable manners. His first season was focused on hunting at heal and to learn patience by honoring other dogs in the field.

Ben was enrolled for advanced training (about 3 months) this spring. During his training, I also attended the Upland Academy hosted at Wildrose. The academy was phenomenal. The days were packed with actual field exercises that simulated real hunting situations. Also, Tom Knapp gave numerous practical shooting tips. Ben’s advanced training made a tremendous difference in his performance and skill levels. He was able to “fill the gaps” that a first year dog isn’t mature enough to carry out. Ben can now quarter, retrieve blinds when sent on a line, hold an area and use his nose for a dead bird and has significantly improved his healing position. Mike also improved his duck hunting skills to the point that he will line better, and even switch which duck he is retrieving in the water (if you command him). Ben is capable of retrieving multiple ducks.

I can’t wait to go hunting with Ben next Fall. In the meantime, I will enjoy reinforcing the training exercises I have learned. It is amazing how versatile Ben has become and I am proud to have a “Gentleman’s Gun Dog”. He is the dog I have always wanted.

The total experience has been fun, challenging and rewarding. I would also like to thank the great staff (especially Jeremy and Lynette) who also helped with the training sessions, seminars and academies. But special thanks go to Mike and Cathy that make Wildrose a special place.

Sincerely
Mark Thurber
Sedalia, CO


We picked up a 6 wk. old puppy from Wildrose in September, a male, and his name is Tater. Whiskey was the sire. I’ve had a few yellow labs from the King Ranch and a yellow lab out of some excellent dogs up in Nebraska. There is no comparison. This little pup is exceptionally smart and a joy to work with. He learns very quickly and absolutely loves to retrieve. He’s very bold and confident and doesn’t hesitate to charge into the water or thick brush after a dummy. And he proudly sprints back to me every time. We keep him in the house along with a 5 yr. female black lab. They both lie on their beds in our den at night while we watch television. His demeanor around the house is quite calm (for an 8 mo old lab) and he never barks.

I’ve been around lots of labs over the years and in my opinion, these are some of the best labs in the world. I really like Mike Stewart’s training methods and the fact that he trains them for hunting not field trials and there is a huge difference.

Regards,
Stuart Tucker
Austin, Texas


Our Wildrose Ray is the absolute most we ever could have expected. We've watched a lot of retrievers hunt and compete in Hunting Retriever Club tests in the last 10 years so we knew what type of dog we wanted and also, more important, what type of dog we didn't want. Wildrose UK Labs had the dog of our dreams. After talking with Mike, he suggested several breedings that would be suitable for our needs. We decided on a Whiskey/Sweep pup born in April of 2006, made the trip from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to Oxford, Mississippi and as soon as we drove in the driveway we knew we made the right choice. Wildrose is truly a 1st class operation, everyone is professional, helpful, and most of all, very friendly.

We trained Wildrose Ray the Wildrose Way...when in Rome. He is very intelligent and we found with this style of early training we could advance him faster than we thought possible. He is a dream to work with. We are enjoying the journey.

Ray earned his H.R. Seasoned title before he was 13 months old, HRCH Finished title before he was 18 months. We were very pleased with his 1st hunt testing year, but his 1st hunting season was STELLAR! Hunting out of a skiff, standing in cattails or a platform, and mostly in his Mutt Hut field hunting with mallards and geese in our face. He sure is a remarkable "puppy": 53 ducks, 15 geese, and 4 muskrats to his credit, and not once did he break. We think we'll keep him. Did we mention he is also very handsome and a big cuddlehead, and like his sire Whiskey, extremely loyal and fast.

Thank you Mike and Cathy!

Dana and Linda Williams
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin


Mike,
I wanted you to know that I enjoyed your seminar. I thought your forum of teaching, showing, and then letting us practice was very helpful. It was different than other seminars that I have attended. Things that I really liked were your approach on the training cycle and the way you introduce and teach the puppies concepts through memory blinds. It makes a lot of sense. The puppies seem to really catch on and succeed.

I did watch part of your video this evening to get an idea of the rest of your training program. I was equally impressed. I am anxiously awaiting a puppy so I can try this out for myself. You all have to work on the puppy for me.

Thanks again!
Mark Tighe
Owasso, Oklahoma


Mr. and Mrs. Stewart,
I received a Kane x Belle pup (Knox) in January. My puppy is doing very well and is a beautiful dog. I really appreciated the training seminar before i received the pup and it was very helpful and informative. Your great reputation is well deserved and i get many great comments on the looks and behavior of my pup. My veterinarians (avid duck hunters) were very familiar with who Kane was and had even seen him on television. I have owned many labs but i can attest that only the British labs will retrieve and bring a bumper back to hand on the first retrieve and not run off with it, even at such a young age. It is very impressive, thanks for breeding such great dogs! I hope all is well in Mississippi.

Sincerely,
Judd Lasater
Murfreesboro, Tennessee


Mike,
Thank you for your patience and training assistance with Wildrose Alexandra of Curlon (Lexie) (Whiskey & Patsey) and me during your Training the Wildrose Way seminar last month hosted by the Central Florida Flat Coated Retriever club. Lexie and I began immediately practicing as you suggested. Today Lexie passed her first UKC Hunt hosted by the North East Florida Hunting Retriever Club. She is also registered to participate in the Central Florida Flat Coated UKC Hunt Test next weekend and the Central Florida Flat Coated Retriever Club's AKC WC Test the following weekend. She could not have been ready for this weekend if we had not attended your seminar.

Thank you,
Gary and Lewie
Gary Jarrett
Jacksonville, Florida


Mike and Cathy,
Thank you for a wonderful day this past Friday. We so enjoyed ourselves and loved seeing your operation. I also fell in love with Whiskey. He is an amazing and beautiful dog that is so well behaved and loving. We had a great trip home with our new pup whom we call Nellie. She traveled very well and didn't have one accident on either me or in the kennel. Once we got her home she slept until 5 a.m. when she needed to "get 'r done". This little pup has not had one accident in her kennel. She is an absolute delight. She comes when we call her name, she follows us well, she has already been on a leash, and she climbs our steps to get into the laundry room. Can you tell that we are so pleased? In fact, I told Den that I want another Whiskey dog next May or June. So I may be bugging you to get some input. Thanks again for this wonderful addition to our family.

Nancy Talley
St. Charles, Missouri


Hello Mr. Stewart,
I purchased your training DVD this past winter because I like the way you train your dogs. I subscribe to many of the same theories.

However, I was struggling with steadiness in my dog. Last summer we passed three morning series at the ACK Sr. Level, but went out each afternoon due to breaking!!!! I bought your video really hoping it was going to help me with my training for her to pass this year. Well, I am happy to say it has worked so far. She is steadier than I have ever seen her and yesterday we passed out first Sr. Test with flying colors.

I was really proud of that pooch!!! Her steadiness was unlike I have ever seen and her body language and confidence were a joy to watch.

Just wanted to extend a very sincere thank you for your willingness to share your knowledge for the benefit of the lab!!!!

Happy Training,
Keith Gay


Hey Mike and Cathy,
I wanted to send you guys a note to update you on my dog. His name is Duke and he is a pup from last Octobers delivery from Dazz and Orla. I wanted to again tell you guys thanks and that the Wildrose Dogs along with the Wildrose Way are everything that you guys tout them to be. Duke is now 9 months old and has greatly exceeded my expectations. Following your methods has produced a ROCK SOLID dog that any hunter would be proud to have. There has never been a day with him that I felt the need for an E-collar or to attempt to force fetch him. When he was about seven months old a friend had come to town and was asking how old my dog was. When I replied seven months, he proceeded to tell me that it was probably time to start force fetching him. I asked him why he thought that.

He told me that I needed to teach my dog to hold a bumper, duck, dove ext in his mouth and to release it on command and that without him being FF'd that I would have a hard time when he got older. I explained that for the week or two prior I had been using Mikes Dowel method vs FF. He asked me if it had worked, so I took him out back and showed him what one week of working on this had accomplished.

Needless to say the dog would hold anything I put in his mouth and deliver to hand the moment I gave him the "dead" command. My friend was dumbfounded. All that to say, there are times in life where you know that you really got what you paid for and then some. I feel that way about the dogs that come from Wildrose. You have a client for life in me now.

Thanks
Stewart C. Robinson
Panama City Florida


Mike,
We’re doing very well. Thanks for your prompt response. I have another anecdote to share with your regarding my pup. We have a morning ritual we follow; it involves paying our morning visit to the “potty tree” and spending a little time saying “how you doing’?” and stuff like that. We then head down the driveway to the mailbox. I take the larger Lexington paper and Bailey jumps up and gets the local paper. Handling the newspaper with a gentle mouth, she then leads the way, prancing proudly, to the back door with her prize. She then yields the paper without struggle to the command “give”.

One of the reasons I went with Wildrose was your enviable reputation concerning the “biddableness” of your pups. While visiting my Uncle and relaxing in the living room after Bailey had greeted the occupants she noticed the newspaper was lying on the floor in sections by my uncle’s easy chair. Without having been asked and lord knows without instruction, Bailey walked over and picked up one section and brought it over to me and placed it in my hand. She then made three more successive trips and did the same thing. My aunt asked in amazement how long it took me to teach her that and I replied that that was all Bailey.

That puppy knew that she’d carried papers for me before and extrapolated that newspapers therefore belong to “Dad” and that I should have them. I’ve taught children who don’t practice deductive logic as well.

Best regards,
Ed (and Bailey)


Mike and Cathy,
You DVD has been the reason for our success. She and I watch a section every night and she recognizes the whistle and Mike's voice.

Thank you
Gary


Mike,
I just wanted to compliment you and your staff on your handling of the picking up of the puppies. Your facilities are first class and the puppy seminar was extremely helpful. My new pup is absolutely beautiful and was great on the long ride back to Tampa. My mother is already getting excited about her new Wildrose pup.

Thanks again for everything.

Todd Turner
Tampa, Florida


My pup Buckley from Hamish/Patsy (5/14/07 liter) is still too young for ducks, but he did his first retrieve of the morning newspaper before his seventh week and now brings in the paper every morning.

Dennis Heipt
Rancho Sante Fe, California


I wanted to let you know I've really enjoyed the DVD. I purchased another DVD the same time I got yours. Absolutely no comparison. Excellent DVD!!


Mike,
My last three day hunt of the season in Arkansas yielded 64 Birds shot. Poppy picked up 47 with zero lost birds. I denied her 14 that were shot close to hunters etc. The weather averaged 28 degrees, and one day was in the pouring rain.

Poppy is the only dog anyone wanted to take as she is a pleasure to watch retrieve.
Thanks again,
Don King
Griffin, GA


Greetings from CT! Hope you and Mike are well. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the "Wildrose Experience". The entire weekend was a true pleasure. From the cabin to the muffins, staff and grounds I couldn't have enjoyed my stay more. Lucy is doing wonderfully. Growing like a weed as I am sure you can imagine. She is a real feisty girl, always on the go looking for something to get into. She is very athletic and is hunting bugs and flying objects of all varieties already. She is a treasure.
Scott Altrui
Farmington, CT


Cathy/Mike,
Took the Pup to the Vet today for her 7 wk shot, Darcy (The Pup) is in perfect health further more the Vet said she had never seen a Pup with all of the appropriate shots and health issues addressed coming from a Kennel/Breeder. She was imprested.

Her comment was the people you got this dog from not only Breed Dogs they obviously love dogs.

Thought you would be interested...
Regards,
Bill Chapman
Corpus Christi, Texas

Dear Mike and Cathy,
The hunting season here in Colorado has just ended. I thought I'd update you on Raven (from the Bob and Bonnie II breeding two years ago). I followed your advise on not hunting him the first year,instead spent the time working on obedience the non retrieve, so this past Sept was his first hunting season. We started with friend and a dove hunt, there were at least 12 people and dogs, I hunted with a friend and his lab who was not steady at all. Raven on the other hand was 100% steady, watched doves shot or missed never taking a step until released. This happened with an unsteady dog 10 ft away.

This was the start of the season and it remained that way, we hunted ducks over decoys and jump shot ducks. He remained steady all the while.

I belong to Platte Valley Hunting Retriever club and every one is impressed by Raven's demeanor calmness at the line, yet has all the go you could ever want.

I couldn't ask for a better hunting and family dog.
Harry Christiansen

Sherry, Angus and I enjoyed seeing the both of you and all the other folks from Wildrose Kennels in Oshkosh. We had a wonderful time. We continue to be impressed with Wildrose Kennels and we are so proud that we own a Wildrose pup!

Unfortunately, the afternoon weather cut our day short - we were hoping to stay for the Wildrose presentation at 4:00. Mike, you have great presentation skills! Not only was your presentation educational for the dog handler/hunter - your presentation is entertaining for the dog lover too.

We receive alot of compliments on our pup. At his Petco "Puppy School" that we enrolled him in for socialization, when we are out walking him through the neighborhood or throughout the day in Oshkosh; we hear alot of "your dog is so well behaved" - "I wish my dog was that calm when he was a pup" and "what a good looking lab, his head isn't so narrow". Our answer is: "He's a Wildrose Kennels British Labrador".
David Hodges
Victoria, Minnesota

...He will stay on a 'sit' for a very long time, as you told me he would...I just didn't believe you...never saw a dog who would do that. He now goes with my wife, Maia, when she drops the kids off at school. They ride in a red convertible VW bug, and he sits in the front seat next to her...she says she gets way more comments about Flynn than she does about the car...not surprising, I guess. Now about Flynn's hunting abilities. Every year 2 buddies of mine and I host a large group of guys from our church on a camping trip on the Colorado River (about 75 miles up river from the Grand Canyon...only boat access, very secluded, just beautiful). While there we duck hunt and fly-fish the river. Mostly mallards, and rainbow trout. Well, Flynn went on the trip with us and was fantastic. He was very well behaved (tough to do with 38 guys, 5 boats, and a bunch of confusion). He retrieved his first Mallard for me...truly a beautiful sight. He was so well behaved, a buddy of mine is going to call you about getting in line for a lab for himself (more about that later). Here's what truly amazed me. When we first got there, my buddy and I were setting up camp before it got dark. I put Flynn on a sit, and went to work. Afterward, we made a fire, and got to work on dinner...after dinner (probably 2 hours by now), I asked my buddy where Flynn was...walked over near the tent, and there he was right by the tent...on that sit I gave him 2 hours prior. We couldn't believe it...
Flynn, Wildrose Finished Dog
Owner, Joe Auteri, Scottsdale, Arizona

Just thought I would give you an update on my chocolate pup, Remington (Bruce/Bliss litter 1/28/04). He is coming along nicely. At a little over six months he fully understands sit, stay, heel, and here. He also understands and obeys whistle commands. He is working trailing and circle memories out to one hundred yards and handling doubles on water. Although, it is not recommended at his age, yesterday and again this morning, he took hand signals for left, right, and back and was flawless in his execution. He is a splendid dog. This breeding definitely needs to be repeated.
Bill Gibson
West Point, MS

I really appreciate you and Mike being so available and open to all of my questions.

You all have a World Class Operation, Also you can be proud of your staff they were a reflection of the professional organization that you are.

Bill Chapman
Corpus Christi, Texas


Dear Sir,
Hi, my name is SFC Douglas Block, I am a member of the Missouri Army National Guard station over here in Iraq. I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your web site, and your articles in Duck Unlimited Magazine. Drake reminds me of my two labs at home. The oldest one just had surgery on his knee. Well that's what the vet told my wife so she could understand what was going on. Your web site makes life here a little more like home. I'm looking forward to teaching them some of the tips I learn when I get back home.

Once again I just wanted to say thanks for things that you do. You may not know it, but you make life here a little better.

Thanks,
Douglas Block
Cape Girardeau, MO
Station in Iraq

"Dear Mike and Cathy: Thank you so much for our new pup. Champ is doing well and is elated he will have a sister living close by. With so many Wildrose Dogs in Georgia that I know of, we will have to have our own field trial. Mike can be the judge. Margaret and Alex are really excited with the puppy. I think Alex wore his Wildrose T-Shirt for 48 hours straight. I am always inspired when we leave (your kennel). I think all new puppy owners had a great time and left with a warm and fuzzy experience that will translate into more sales and "brand awareness" for your dogs. Again, thank you for taking care of us and we will be in touch."
Gene,Peggy, Alex and Margaret

"Hello, Mr Stewart. Congratulations for your excellent work and USA team wins Irish International, A chapter in gundog competition. You are well know in Mexico and particularly in San Luis Potosí-Mexico."
Sincerely, Juan José Alfaro Mendoza

"Torey did not just pass her hunt test on Sat at the Lonestar HRC Hunt Test. She blew through it with grace and elegance. Torey was running a Seasoned Test. In the water series, she steps on all the marks and then lines the blind. During the land series she repeats her performance except for two whistles on the blind. Had my depth perception been better it would have been one whistle on the blind. After she completed the test both judges got out of their seats and made compliments about her work and her style. Also, that evening at the ribbon ceremony another Wildrose dog was announced as having passed the seasoned test." Wildrose pup
John Fetner, Forney, Texas

"Mike, I remember you saying a great dog can make a novice dog trainer look good. Our female puppy from Angus is doing outstanding. My friends and neighbors marvel at her obedience and calmness for a 5 month old puppy. From the day we brought her home she has responded to the whistle ( are you blowing the whistle at them while they are still in the mother's womb?)and within a couple of weeks she had mastered most of the basics in obedience. We are now just starting some basic retrieve exercises and so far it has gone extremely well. Myself and my family thank you for your careful breeding selection and look forward to many years of fun and hunting with our lab."
Wildrose Pup
Ashley Wyatt, Knoxville, Tennessee

"Dear Mike and Cathy:
I wanted to write you to let you know how wonderful our puppy by Baron and Tella is!!!! I really could not ask for a nicer dog. He is incredibly smart and has been the best companion I could have asked for. Oh, and by the way, he is Don's (husband) best friend!! He and Don look forward to greeting each other each evening for a round of retrieving. He travels with us every where we go from daily errands to 15 hour rides to Tallahassee, FL. He also sleeps on the foot of my bed each night. He has matured to a beautiful 1 year old and he receives compliments everywhere we go. I am quick and proud to tell them that he came from Wildrose Kennels. I will forward a picture of him as soon as I figure out how to email it. I am so proud of him and love him with all that I have. Thanks so much for such a wonderful friend!!!"
Wildrose Pup
Fran Lyles
Warrenton, VA

"Mike & Cathy, Thank you for all your help on pup pickup day last Sunday. The session on the do's & don'ts was especially helpful. I've read Vic & Robert's books and the training newsletters but it was great for our whole family to hear it firsthand as well! We were very happy and surprised with the extras that were given along with our pup! "Abbie" is adapting well and the housebreaking and crate training is going wonderful. She is very responsive and is getting a start on the basics. Thank you once again. I am very pleased with the total first class service and advise Wildrose has to offer."
Gary Purdy

"Mr. Stewart, I was writing to let you know about the pup we received from you. He is growing well and doing very good. I just want to let you know how much I believe in how ya'll train. I have another lab that is 11 months old now and I didn't start out training her that way. I started hunting her last season and she did pretty good. But after the season was over I made it my goal to retrain her like the way ya'll do and it has paid off greatly. In the past 4 months or so all I did with her is obedience and now I can throw 4 bumpers out and handle her to each one. I really do thank you a lot for the information on training a fine gundog. I think the 2 dogs I have now are really going to please me a lot."
Josh Fulgham (Tommy x Carol pup)
Brownsboro, TX

"Thank you so much for the warm hospitality that we recieved upon our arrival on Friday. We are so impressed with the two of you, your faculty and Wildrose Kennels. The whole experience has been such a pleasure. And we look forward to working with you in the future. Our pup is doing great."
David Hodges (2004 Angus x Bonnie II pup)
Victoria, MN

"Mike, once again the whole family loves every minute we've been given with Cindy's Secret. She far exceeds any and every expectation I had for her. Thank you!" John Bailey (Wildrose finished dog)
Parkersburg, West Virginia

"I just wanted to let you know that Bailey 2 our chocolate lab born at Wildrose 1/28/04 is absolutely the best behaved and best looking dog I have ever seen. She is a natural in the field also..already gun trained and does most of the required field work naturally..I don't know if there is a better all around chocolate in the country.... thanks again for a great dog."
Ed and Betty O'Connor (Wildrose chocolate pup) Oakland, NJ

"What an excellent dog! At one and a half, he really began to put it together this hunting season. The pheasant in the picture were shot along the Madison River under tough conditions in thick cover. I have hunted there for three years over other dogs without killing a single rooster. Despite some frustrating hunts, Jed never gave up. He'd come home with barbed wire cuts and the fur rubbed raw on his muzzle from pushing into thick thorns and brush. He continues to learn to use his exceptional nose to root out birds in deep cover."
Rob Seas (Wildrose pup)
Belgrade, Montana

"Dear Mr. Mike, Champ is the best dog. He is very obedient and is an extraordinary retriever. He will be a very good bird dog. Champ is very sweet and is very calm. I love his coat color. It is very pretty. He will be a good companion on hunting trips. He is the best dog. I really love my Wildrose bird dog." Sincerely,
Alex Kelly, Age 11
Athens, Georgia
Champ - Wildrose pup at 5 months

"Roxie continues to be very steady and is tracking the gu and marking downed birds very well. In fact, she failed to mark only 1 of 15 birds. Season totals so far: 4 hunts, 38 birds, none lost."
Greg Ray - (Roxie, pup and training by Wildrose)
Tupelo, MS

Keegan, A pup trained by Wildrose Peter Merzian, St. Louis, Missouri
"Dear Mike, Words cannot explain how happy I am with, Keegan, the most outstanding hunting companion I have ever seen. At 13 months old he has outshined seasoned retrievers. My fellow duck club members are amazed at Keegan's abilities. Their jaws drop when they see how obedient he is. His greatest accomplishment so far is that he ran a blind with only one cast. It is through your training program that Keegan has achieved his outstanding capabilities. Both Keegan and I have received many compliments and I dedicate all of them to you. You have given me the hunting companion of a lifetime."
My sincere thanks,
Peter C. Merzian
St. Louis, MO

"Mike, Hello. I continue to be amazed at the tremendous growth of Wildrose-- the events, activities and endorsements that come your way. Congratulations on all the success! Paddy is hunting upland game very well as he just turn one year old. He quarters very well, listens to me and looks to me every twenty five yards or so to see what I want him to do. He hunts well with his nose, eyes and ears. I have really been impressed with him. Now if I could only shoot we could see how he retrieves. He has mellowed around the house just in the last month or so and is a real pleasure to be around. He is the best $1,000 I have ever spent. Continued success and Happy Holidays to you and Cathy." Bob Kerner, Parker, Colorado

"Mike - Went duck hunting yesterday. Welly had to do all the work. She did great! What a dog. You ought to be awfully proud of your training skills. Your dogs are definitely a cut, many cuts above the rest. We are so happy to have her!"
Pup and training by Wildrose
John Catmur, Memphis, Tennessee

"Cathy, thanks a lot for your time and the effort that you and Mike have spent in assisting us with "Mole" and "Nebby." We could not have asked for any better service or better dogs. "Mole" is doing great and we have begun hunting pheasants since duck season is over. In the past few weeks "Mole" has retrieved several pheasants, one of which he pointed and held on." Mole, Wildrose started dog Nebby, Wildrose puppy Chris Graves, Dexter, Missouri

"Charlie was the hit of the South Dakota prairies as he flushed and retrieved some 35 pheasant in the snow. He actually caught 4 live pheasant that were huddled under the snow; we released three hens to safety and kept the cock. Thanks again for your superb training and counsel (for Charlie and me)." Charlie, Wildrose finished dog Charles Reynolds, Memphis, Tennessee

"Shot has made several stand-out retrieves so far…. one just this weekend where we had 2 Canada's sail into an adjacent grain field, one of which was 300 yards out and walking in the field. Shot ran him down at about 450 yards and caught him 3 feet off the ground (almost in flight) and tackled him in a cloud of dust. My #1 guy! Best all-around dog I've ever had the pleasure of hunting with. Wouldn't take $20k for him. He'll be mine until the end." Shot, Wildrose started dog Greg Haygood, Wichita, Kansas

"We had an excellent time in South Dakota. Toby performed beyond my expectation. I believe he is well on his way to becoming a fine hunting companion. Toby made about 20 retrieves, nosed up countless birds, found about 6 birds we would have lost without him and caught 1 hen which we released. Everyone, including the outfitter, was amazed with his performance." Toby, Pup and Training by Wildrose Chuck Delaney, Florida

"Thanks for the time and tour of your beautiful place this afternoon. Between taking the dogs out for quick workout, to seeing the pups and taking a ride around the property, I thoroughly enjoyed my time visiting Wildrose. I cannot wait to get my hands on a pup and begin training the Wildrose way. You truly have a special place there and the way you are keeping it true to the original intent of breeding gentleman's gundogs makes your kennels a special place. I appreciate your dedication to the idea of keeping these labs true to their heritage and look forward to getting my own pup to continue that tradition. It is nice to meet someone who is more committed to the principles they are pursuing rather than profit margin." Wayne Coleman, Memphis, Tennessee

"Now for my recommendation and I'm sure you have given this some thought-"Mike Stewart's Gun Dog Training video." Believe me, after viewing every other video, your knowledge and approach to this work would be a breath of fresh air. I know there are many good books out there on the subject but actually watching a person with your skills adds much more value to the learning process… just a thought." Brian Eisenacher, Trappe, Maryland

"Barry and I had a great time at the seminars. Your place looks better every time-it is more impressive every time I see it! The dogs are fantastic! Your hard work and love for the game shines through. Well Done! You produce some incredible animals. I truly thank you for letting me have Hank!" Hank, Pup and Training by Wildrose Dale Donaldson, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

"All the dogs except Sir Jacob of Wildrose hunted short because they marked the bird on the horizon at the rise. Frank and Jake blew right through the spot the other dogs stopped to hunt and made a successful retrieve because of your training methods." Jake, Wildrose Puppy Frank Sears, Forest Park, Ohio

"She runs every day with the ATV at 23-25 km/hr for approximately 2 miles and still weighs 82 lbs. She's swimming in the ice just for the fun of it. I remember when she was just a pup you commented that she was a tough dog going through, not around, anything. Every day that is more evident as she swims through, not around, all sorts of beaver sticks and ice chunks around her head looking for the birds." Wildrose Puppy Tim Bast, Mapleton, Alberta, Canada

"Rolly is doing well. He has free run of the house when we leave and is just fine. He has become such a great member of our family. He comes in the car with us for family trips, to the office with me in the evening, he loves our infant son and our 5-year old daughter. We sure enjoy him and don't know what we would do without him. Thanks for your hard work with him." Rolly, Wildrose started dog Carole Touchinski, Marquette, Michigan

Roxie is everything that Wildrose pups are advertised to be in terms of demeanor, intelligence conformation, etc. She also seems to have inherited a lot of Commanche's spirit & high energy level on retrieves. Needless to say, we are more than satisfied with our pup. Roxie, Wildrose Puppy Greg Ray, Tupelo, Mississippi

"We just finished some duck hunting in corn fields. Tyler did wonderful. He lays in the coffin blind with me when its time to shoot we both sit up together I shoot and he watches no breaking even with him right next to me when I shoot. You should see him watch the birds flying before I open the blind." Tyler, Wildrose Puppy Greg Christiansen, Whitewater, Wisconsin

I was writing to let you know how absolutely thrilled I am with the dog I bought from you. I have dove hunted a couple times with Moss and am finishing up early teal season. To say I am pleased is an understatement. The drive and style of this dog is absolutely amazing. He is absolutely steady to shot and perfectly mannered. I have been spending about 15 minutes a day with him 6 days a week to keep him tuned up. He is exactly what I was wanting and have had zero problems with at all either hunting or working in the yard. Please feel FREE to use my name as a reference to any future clients. Moss, Finished dog by Wildrose, owner-Judd Walker of Minden, Louisiana

"I just wanted to give you an update on "Rio" my female from the Commanche/Tara litter that we picked up on March 2nd. She is 5 1/2 months old and she is just about completely obedience trained. We are working on off leash work now and she just loves it. We have a lot of steadying work to do but she is way beyond any expectations I had. She is such a fast learner, I only have to show her things a couple of times and she has it. We have done some limited dummy work but she is steady as a rock already. I know that she is young for all of the obedience work but she loves to do it and I correct her very little. I just wanted to let you know I couldn't have made a better choice in a pup or breeder!!!"
Scott Hamilton, Monticello, Minnesota

"We had a wonderful day at Wildrose touring your facilities, getting the opportunity to meet you both and getting our great pup. I can not think of any purchase that I have ever made that was more enjoyable and satisfying. If you ever want to sell shares of Wildrose, I would love to be an investor!" Bob Kerner, Parker, Colorado

"I have been enjoying your website and have subscribed to your email newsletter. Wonderful site! I'm still finding more of interest. I was impressed by your operation and training methods and very much want to visit again to do a Field and Stream column about you and Wildrose Kennels and British dogs. …Thanks for a very interesting visit. I look forward to working on a column with you in the near future."
Jerome Robinson, Gundog Editor, Field and Stream and author of Training the Hunting Retriever & Ultimate Guide to Bird Dog Training.

"Charlie made a 300-yard+ perfect retrieve with no handling on my last duck hunt of the season. I would guess he retrieved 350-400 ducks in a variety of conditions. He is hard as a rock."
Charlie, Finished Lab by Wildrose, Steve Reynolds, Secretary, DU Board of Directors, Memphis, Tennessee, 2002

"She brings in the ducks without messing a feather. She runs every day with the ATV at 23-25 km/hr for approximately 2 miles and still weighs 82 lb. She's swimming in the ice just for the fun of it! She swims thru, not around, all sorts of beaver sticks and ice chunks around her head looking for the birds.
Maggie, Wildrose started dog, Tim Bast, Mapleton, Alberta, Canada, 2001

"Enclosed is a picture of Wildrose Roscoe at eight months old with pheasants and chukars. He pointed one of the pheasants and one of the chukars. My friend and I shot nine birds that day and Roscoe retrieved every one. He has the makings of a great dog!"
Roscoe, Wildrose pup, Tony Crowell, Amory, Mississippi, 2002

"The difference in your breeding was evident as soon as the door to the truck was opened… We shot one pintail in the group. Lige again did not move when the pit flew open and shots were fired and the drake fell. The American lab almost broke her neck because she immediately broke for the fallen duck. The owner had to pull her back in the pit dog box. Lige is steady as a rock waiting on my command."
Lige, Wildrose pup and training, Gary Hill, Columbia, Missouri, 2002

"Bracken has been great. 47 wild bird retrieves this year (176 ducks and 30 upland) and not a single lost bird." Bracken, Finished Lab by Wildrose, Larry Smith, Kingwood, Texas, 2002

"…we were impressed by your hospitality. Tom and I were amazed at how well your male labs handled. We can only imagine what they could do if we had more time to observe in daylight and you really had time to put them through their paces. I am impressed by the direction you are heading with your whole breeding program. The time we spent visiting your kennels was a high point of our trip to Mississippi."
Ken Constantine, Ducks Unlimited Regional Director, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, 2002

"Lige passed the Seasoned Level test on his first and only try. They could not believe that he was only 11 months old."
Lige, Wildrose pup and training, Gary Hill, Columbia, Missouri, 2002

"We limited out on redheads and buffleheads on Saturday, and Amber made 20 perfect retrieves. Several of the ducks drifted long in the bay current, and he handled beautifully for me on all of them."
Amber, Finished Lab by Wildrose, Steve Sermonet, Brentwood, Tennessee, 2002

"Meg picked up 16 teal in the two days and delivered all but three to hand. I thought she did great considering she had never had a duck in her mouth before the hunt. She had been exposed to gunfire and she is following the gun to see where the action is very well. She seemed to really enjoy the whole deal."
Meg, 7-month old pup by Wildrose, Jack Montgomery, Richmond, Texas

"We hunted a nasty swamp yesterday with lots of snags and blow downs and she was great. We had ducks landing within 20 feet of us and she never budged. She had to climb over and through stuff that a beaver would have trouble with and handled flawlessly. Today we went to a slough with much less to bother her which I think she appreciated a lot. Again no leash and she never showed any signs of breaking. She retrieved a total of 20 ducks and brought every one to hand like a champ! My friends are very impressed to say the least!"
Belle, Started female by Wildrose, Russ Feller, Coldwater, Michigan, 2001

"Mike, it has been a week now and your new pup is doing great. He has been an absolute joy and I can not believe the different between him and the American labs. This is my fifth lab and our first British dog and I will never have another American lab."
Wildrose Commanche pup, Drew and Debbie Juden, Sikeston, Missouri

"Milo is really quite a puppy. He is by far the most unique lab I have ever owned. You can "see" the intelligence in his looks and actions. He is very alert and almost seems to "study" what is going on around him. His every concern seems to be on doing what I want him to do! It is quite amazing."
Milo, Wildrose pup, Chal Curtis, Bigelow, Arkansas, 2002

"Tess has been a wonderful addition to our family and gets along well with our other labs. In the field she is quiet and perfectly steady to wing and shot. She has made several hunting retrieves and delivers the birds to hand nicely. In the boat and the duck blind her manners are perfect."
Tess, Wildrose Started Dog, Jackson Salvant, Mechanicsville, Virginia, 2002

"We caught the geese pretty well this morning. Four of us took our five bird limits. Meg had her best day since I've had her. Made one nice retrieve of a live goose and three other retrieves total. She was steady and quiet, yet quite enthusiastic."
Meg, Wildrose started female, Rick Rowe, Forest, Virginia

"Tyler is making progress that I never thought a five-month old would be doing. On his first duck hunt, he sat calm and attentive all morning watching the skies with no luck, but I did manage to shoot him a goose which fell 10 yards from us. I sent him and he dragged it back to my feet. I am very impressed with your bloodlines. The money I spent for my new partner was well worth it. I have a friend with a one-year old lab that won't do half of what Tyler does."
Tyler, 5 month old Wildrose pup, Greg Christensen, Whitewater, Wisconsin

"Progress is fast. He comes reliably to 4 or 5 whistle peeps as well as to his name. I let him chase a small ball the other day. When I released him, he took off after it, tackled it and then brought it back to me. I held out my hand and he dropped the ball right in my hand. All in all Bo is a great addition to the family"
Bo, 2-month old Wildrose puppy, Jay Whitlock, Pine Bluff, Arkansas

"Venty was the talk of the field, he was the best dog on the field. He honored the other dogs. He conducted himself like a veteran gun dog; following Luke's commands to the letter.
Venty, Started Dog
Luke Odom, Eatonton, Georgia

Jet was great in the field over the weekend. She marked every bird that dropped, but never moved an inch till I sent her. I received more compliments on her calmness amd steadiness than I could believe. You made believers out of a bunch of people who know good gun dogs. I think in the coming months you will see your phone ring a bit more from the NC boys that watched her work.
Jet, started bitch
Ed Durham, Huntersville, North Carolina

"Sheba distinguished herself on those hunts.....She made a couple of spectacular cripple duck retrieves that were a real treat.....Then it (mallard duck) popped up and the next time it went down she was right on its tail and went down with it. She came up with the duck in her mouth like a breaching whale. It was special."
Sheba, 8-month old Wildrose puppy
Jim Knox, Little Rock, Arkansas

"She actually walked on ice and used her nose to find a duck yesterday."
Callie, 10-month old Wildrose pup, training by Wildrose Kennel
Lawrence Kesee, Memphis, Tennessee

".....we are very pleased with Spur and especially you for taking the time and genuine care to show and teach me what I need to do with him."
Spur, 11-month old Wildrose puppy, training by Wildrose Kennel
Keith Bollendorf , Walnut, Mississippi

"Her obedience is terrific! I shot a duck as far as a gun can reach in a high wind. I was saying 'watch' as the ducks were coming over. I didn't hit it well and the wind blew it as it fell. She watched it all the way down so I had to send her. She went 200 yards and brought me the drake widgeon to hand."
Magic, 11-month old Wildrose puppy, training by Wildrose Kennel
Lee Walt, Dumas, Arkansas

"This was my first hunt with Jill. Just had her one day and took her hunting. She did great on marked retrieves and had two 70 yard retrieves for crippled ducks......Jill was steady in the pit while we were shooting and did not break once in my first week of hunting Jill. After the hunt Jill was a pleasure indoors as well. Calm and friendly, it is a pleasure owning this British Lab from Wildrose Kennels."
Jill, 20 mo. Started dog by Wildrose Kennels
Larry Stinson, Tavares, Florida

"You were very generous with your time and I really appreciate it. I have worked with two different trainers with two other labs before and I didn't begin to see the progress you are making. I have his funny feeling that they did not do the daily drill and reinforcement that you are doing with Kip-what a difference!"
Kip, training by Wildrose Kennel
Bill Purcell, Memphis, Tennessee

Mike, Captain really enjoys hunting! He performs exceptionally well on retrieves through rough terrain and water. Captain, 10 mo. Started dog by Wildrose, Rhett Murry, Huntsville, Alabama "......hunted snipe Tuesday and Saturday, aggressive limits both day. Sami did well.... had five birds down scattered in a dry, grassy area. Sami found them all...Still better than any of the other dogs." Sami, finished dog from Wildrose Kennel
Henry Tanner, Houston, Texas

"The best part was that Holly wsa steady in the boat. She made some retrieves on some cripples that would have been lost as there was no way to get to them in the muck.....She learned/demonstrated was the ability to get downwind and use her nose. She also responded well to hand signals to get to some cripples behind the blind. She impressed several people in the blind."
Holly, 13 mo. Puppy and Training by Wildrose.
Don McKnight, Jackson TN.

"I wouldn't take two million dollars for this dog."
Ben, finished dog by Wildrose Kennel
Mark McGonagill, Abbeville, Mississippi

"Maverick is the perfect gentleman. He does whatever I ask and is a wonderful companion."
Maverick, started dog from Wildrose Kennel
Betty Newlon, Tucson, Arizona

"Belle is truly a part of the family-does well in the house. My friends all marvel at her control and obedience. She retrieved her first wild ducks last Saturday with great enthusiasm. We had 4 on the water and I went out with her a little way then sent her and she had no problems and behaved very mannerly."
Belle, started dog from Wildrose
Kennel Russ Feller, Coldwater, Michigan

"Xena is coming along very quickly! She loves the water and is retrieving already. She knows her basic commands and then some. She is very steady when I tell her to stay and won't budge. She is all that you said....;.I'm impressed!"
Xena, 5-month old Wildrose puppy
Tim Soucy, Madison, Maine

"Abe is all business....."
Abe, training by Wildrose Kennel
Mike Martin, Madison, Mississippi

"I have never seen a lab like him. He has a regal stature and impeccable manners-totally focused in the blind, and quiet in the house. My wife loves him."
Jet, finished dog by Wildrose Kennel
Bill Gibson, Tupelo, Mississippi

"she always hears the birds (geese) coming before we do. We just sit in the blind and watch her."
Bailey, 10 month old Wildrose puppy, training by Wildrose Kennel
Troy Consbruck, Garden City, Kansas

"I was chasing a cripple today wishing I had a dog and your name came to mind."
Client with Wildrose pup on order
Greg James, Newport, Arkansas

"Chloe is great, hunted her in Iowa last weekend on some upland birds. Not much action, she made a great retreieve off heel on a pointed bobwhite from another dog. Showing excellent obedience out in the field."
Chloe, 10-month old Wildrose pup, training by Wildrose Kennel
Dave Burris, Tuscon, Arizona