History of Wildrose Kennels

The history of Wildrose Kennels spans over 30 years making it one of the nation's oldest and most recognized retriever training facilities. Robert Milner established Wildrose Kennels in Grand Junction, Tennessee in 1972. Robert became a well-known field trial contender of retrievers on the National circuit for over 10 years. He has written highly successful books on retriever training which are included on our suggested reading list. (pictured from left to right: Alan Thornton, Winner of 1990 British Retriever Championship, Michael Stewart, and Robert Milner Attending the 2000 International Retriever Trials at CLA gamefair at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, England. Around 1985, Robert visited England and found himself amidst a true paradigm shift that effected his philosophy of retriever training and genetic selection. He was amazed at the calm nature, ease of handle and natural hunting abilities of the English Lab. He was also impressed by the training methods skillfully used to develop these fine gundogs.

Robert began selectively importing the appropriate brood stock to produce the desirable qualities necessary to duplicate what he had experienced with the wingshooters of England. Assistance was provided by his friend, Major (ret.) Morty Turner-Cooke, then the proprietor of Hambrook Kennels located just outside of London. Major Turner-Cooke became the principle advisor to Wildrose in the late 1980's and made numerous visits to the kennels in Grand Junction. Today Major Turner-Cooke, now retired from his kennels, remains a consultant to Wildrose Kennels from his home in Ashmore, England.

Robert's success with breeding English Labs and the utilization of gentle, British training methods has led him to publish books, articles and videos on the subject, all receiving high acclaim. Mr. Milner remains in close contact with the kennels even today.

Presently, Wildrose Kennels is a full-time breeding and training facility owned and operated by Michael H. Stewart. The kennel and training grounds are located 12 miles east of Oxford, Mississippi, only one mile from the famous Yocona River. The 141-acre training facility has been a center for hunting dog training since 1988. Wildrose is foremost a training facility specializing in the British/Irish Labrador. We selectively breed imported stock to produce the type puppy which will be suitable in temperament, intelligence, and natural hunting/retriever abilities for our training program.

We regularly travel to England and Ireland each year to visit trainers, breeders, and to attend field trials and game fairs. Continuous improvement is a constant goal for our kennel. Our clients benefit from our experiences abroad whether it be in the selection of the proper genetics or from our British retriever training techniques both combining to promote a calm, cooperative gundog for the avid wingshooter.

Wildrose United Kingdom opened in 2002 in Cheshire, England. Wildrose also works closely with its affiliate kennel in in Portadown, Northern Ireland, Astraglen Kennels. From these kennels originates the finest in English retrievers.

Today Wildrose continues to build upon the very principles that Robert Milner set into motion 2 decades and we continue to offer superb puppies, started dogs and the occasional finished retriever from the finest British and Irish Labrador bloodlines available in the states.

Be part of a tradition... Own a Wildrose English Labrador!