Leo is not from any championship blood lines. He has all his AKC stuff but no championship Kin.
WHen I got leo I was not intending on doing anything special with him. I got him for a personal waterfowl dog and a companion. HE has turned into that and so much more. I had no intentions of breeding him or anything. Although, once he matured and had some time under his belt he turned into a special animal. As many have seen, I post a lot of pictures of him, I am super proud to be his owner.. While doing this it has kinda developed into more than I ever thought it would. I have received lots on messages and emails about people wanting info on him and wanting to breed to him. I have turned down all of them. Im not just saying it because its my dog, but I love his build...and Thats why I got him from the parents that I did...HE is my idea of a "picture" perfect lab...Build, body, muscle structure and head.
He is not OFA certified.. Although, my main vet is at Copley at the metropolitan animal hosptial. I had them x ray his hips and had Dr. Day review them. He is well renowned orthopedic surgeon for dogs..HE said they would rate as fair to good. Depending on the certifier reading them. I never sent them in after that.. Hip certification is a huge political game in the dog world and I dont need to send someone 200 bucks to tell me something that my orthopedic vet told me.. Some people want it on paper, especially buyers...but I am not looking to make money off my dog nor am I breeding to produce champion show dogs...But I wanted an opinion before I bred him the first time. I didnt wanna have a hand in creating genetically doomed dogs.
Leo is a great dog, yes I am kinda partial, but he isnt perfect. I will say this though, the flaws he does have in behavior are my fault. I would put him up against anyones dog in any conditions anytime. He is a super swimmer with drive like none other. His specialty seems to be nasty frozen rivers. I dont know what it is about him, but cold, current and obstacles dont phase him. I have hunted him in as cold of weather as -15 before a wind chill, and he retrieved something like 21 birds that day. THis was the day jesse went...He has more photos than I do, but I will post a couple.
Two of the nicest pintails that dog will ever retrieve..Maybe two of the nicest I will ever see in Ohio.
As I said, he isnt perfect, nor is he from some champion blood lines...He is a hunter, and thats all! Just trying to make good hunting dogs!