NOOKONLYNE Labradors

Vicky Rutherford
Carlisle
Cumbria
England

Breeder of:

  • Labrador Retriever
Ruby

Ruby

photo by: Vicky Rutherford

Willow

Willow

photo by: Vicky Rutherford

Honey

Honey

photo by: Vicky Rutherford

Ebony

Ebony

photo by: Vicky Rutherford

We are incredibly privileged and honoured to have been recently awarded Best Pure Bred Labrador Breeder 2025 UK by Luxlife. In the Autumn publication it was stated “Luxlife is keen to celebrate the winning combination of exceptional litters and first class standards that makes Nook on Lyne Labradors such a highly respected Breeder.”


We have also recently been awarded a Global Recognition Award for our Outstanding Commitment to the Responsible and Ethical Breeding Practices in the Breeding of Labrador Retrievers and Exceptional Client Engagement and Support.
In their September publication it was stated “They have set a new benchmark in the breeding industry by maintaining the highest standards of care and ensuring that each puppy is placed in the most suitable environment. As they continue to uphold these values, Nook on Lyne Labradors will remain a leader inspiring others to follow their exemplary practices.”

Nook On Lyne Labradors are a Fully Qualified 5 Star Licensed Kennel Club Breeders of Pure Bread Extensively Health Tested Labrador Retrievers and is owned by myself Vicky & my dedicated husband Mike. We are located in a beautiful rural setting in North Cumbria close to the Scottish Borders.

Our Licence is with Cumberland Council and our License Number is M:008665.

We have worked incredibly hard to meet the exceptionally high standards set out by the Local Council together with an independent vet in order to ensure the highest possible 5 star standards are met in respect of animal welfare.

At Nook on Lyne Labradors we are passionate breeders who embrace that we have a moral & ethical responsibility to ensure the welfare of our beloved dogs and their puppies is at the forefront of our breeding programme.

As such we are thrilled to be one of just a handful of Breeders in the whole of the UK to have successfully completed the Ofqual Regulated Level 3 Certificate in Dog Breeding, Litter Socialisation and Welfare. This groundbreaking first ever nationally accredited dog breeding course has been championed by animal welfare professionals as a step towards creating a world where dog breeding is undertaken in an educated, professional and ethical way.

After 16 months of intensive studying and assignments together with assessments by a highly respected industry leading canine nutritionist/author we are overjoyed to be one of just a handful of Breeders to have successfully completed the ONLY officially Regulated Level 3 Diploma in Canine Nutrition in the UK and Internationally. This allows us to work with new owners providing scientific nutritional advice for their growing puppy.

We have completed a course in Cytology the study of canine cells including their structure, function and formation.

We have a 3 year First Aid Certificate after successfully completing a pet first aid course delivered by our vet.

We have gained a PeddyMark Certificate of Training & Competence in microchipping dogs. The Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015 required from 6th April 2016, every dog that is older than 8 weeks must be microchipped. It is a Breeder’s responsibility to ensure puppies are microchipped before they leave for their new homes.

We are also studying towards a Ofqual Regulated Level 3 Diploma in Canine Care, Behaviour & Welfare.

We also undertake annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in order to develop new skills and enhance our current abilities in order to be the very best we can.

By raising the bar Nook on Lyne Labradors are dedicated to giving potential puppy owners the confidence that they are dealing with a breeder that has exceptional high welfare standards and who are proud to continue to strive to raise standards and work along professionals for the benefit of our dogs and puppies.

As a small breeder our passion is the Labrador Retriever. With a small scale family centred approach we focus on quality over quantity and have just 2 litters a year allowing us to dedicate all of our time and resources into raising the litters to the best of our ability. This approach reflects our personal commitment to maintaining the highest possible standards in breeding and ensuring the welfare of our dogs and puppies This level of commitment can be seen in the fabulous reviews we have received.

We have been accepted by the National Home Breeders Association due to our small scale responsible and ethical breeding primarily in the domestic environment as opposed to large scale commercial breeding.

We have been accepted as a member of Professional Dog Business UK demonstrating that we are a reputable, insured, licensed and qualified breeder.

Our girls are NOT mated until they are 2 years old and mature enough to be a Mum. They have 18 months break between litters and when they are retired they are NOT rehomed but retire here with us, they are our family.

The ethos of any of our breeding involves dedicating an incredible amount of time & expense with the aim of breeding ethically & responsibly to pass on the desirable qualities & traits of health, looks, temperament and confirmation to all of our puppies.

Comprehensive health testing carries a substantial cost to any responsible breeder and the health and welfare of our girls and their puppies are of paramount importance to us.

The following bespoke health package are used on all of our dogs

DNA Genetic Testing
ALL of our dogs are CLEAR of 248 Genetic Disorders including 25 Breed Specific Genetic Health Conditions commonly found in the Labrador Retriever together with a Certificate of Breed confirming Purebred Certification 100% Labrador by DNA. Furthermore they are CLEAR of a further 223 Genetic Health Conditions that could potentially mutate to the Labrador breed.

Due to carefully selected matings with a Sire with the same impeccable health testing we will only ever produce puppies HEREDITARY CLEAR of the 248 DNA tested conditions.

Hip and Elbow Joint Analysis
All of our dogs have CLEAR Hips and Elbows.
We work closely with 2 of the most highly respected and highly skilled Orthopedic Specialists in Human and Veterinary Medicine in the UK in respect of the quality of the hip and elbow joints. These specialists then work with Mike & myself together with our vet in order to decide on whether to include or exclude a dog from our breeding programme.We are absolutely delighted that all of our girls have successfully been approved by the Specialists to be a part of our breeding programme at Nook On Lyne Labradors.

The BVA/KC/International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS) Eye Scheme.

All of our dogs are tested "Clinically Unaffected" of diseases of the eye.

We work closely with our independent Vet in respect of our dogs health and our breeding programme. Comprehensive Health Assessments and Gait Evaluation of our dogs are carried out twice per year.

Coefficient In-Breeding Calculator
The calculator is used to check that both Sire and Dam are a suitable match.

Reproductive Testing
We undertake Progesterone Testing, Cytology and Semen Analysis.

Socialisation
We have socialisation protocol’s in place from when the puppies are 3 days old for 14 days using Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) & Early Scent Introduction (ESI). Socialisation continues up until they leave us to ensure our puppies are exposed to as many different relevant physical and audio stimuli as possible. We have a list of over 90 noises that we work through before the puppies reach their first fear period at 7 weeks old.

Puppy Profiling
No one spends more time watching and interacting with our litters more than us and that means we are able to talk about our puppies as individuals. We work very closely with new owners to understand their family dynamics and establish what it is they want from a Puppy.

By observing individual puppies from the day they are born and noting the reactions they show to various stimuli over several weeks allows us to gain a better idea of each individual puppies temperament and traits as they develop. This allows us to work with new owners to match them to their puppy. At Nook on Lyne Labradors nobody gets the last puppy instead everyone gets the right puppy.

These careful observations are then used to create a personalised profile for each Puppy and allow us to provide new owners with an individual specific tailored plan for their new puppy to take home. These plans can then be used to continue their training at their new homes and at future Puppy Classes.

Full Package of Support
We want to ensure our puppies and new owners are fully supported when your puppy is transitioned into their new home. We do this by funding your place on a remote breed specific Labrador Puppy training course with Zigzag together with a funded 12 month subscription to VidiVet.

The online comprehensive Puppy training course is designed to bridge the gap between your puppy leaving us and starting puppy classes with you. It fully supports you through the preparation, settling in and early training phases of your puppies life including the early days, development & socialisation, fear periods, unwanted behaviours and so much more. You will have access to the online course together with 3 Qualified Dog Trainer’s once you have left your deposit giving you plenty of time to prepare for your new arrival. This level of lifetime support from professionals is fabulous for all new owners especially first time dog owner

VidiVet delivers Veterinary Expertise 24/7 365 days a year without having to book a consultation. It is the first service of its kind in the UK allowing you to ask your question immediately to a vet and receive a personalised video response from the UK qualified vet team within a matter of moments all via the VidiVet App. It is literally like having a vet at your fingertips.

Nutrition
At Nook On Lyne Labradors we take nutrition very seriously by weaning our puppies onto Eden Puppy Cuisine which according to all about dog food is the top ranking complete dry extruded food made in the UK.
Staying close to the ancestral diet by providing the optimal ratio of meat and fish to fruits, vegetables herbs, vitamins minerals, and botanicals thus creating a superior, nutritionally, balanced diet for the best start in life. The two main constituents of bone is calcium and phosphorus. As set out by the FEDIAF guidelines it is critical to ensure that your puppy is fed an adequate supply of these two minerals both absolute and relative to each other during the growth phase to ensure healthy skeletal development for large breed puppies.

Puppies are started on a worming programme at 2 weeks old and are wormed 2,4,6 and 8 weeks and they will be microchipped.

The puppies are vet checked at 7 weeks at which time they will be given their first vaccinations of Canine Parvovirus and Leptospirosis 2 or 4 depending on your vet recommendation for your Geographical Area.

They will be familiar with a crate, started toilet training outside using AstroTurf and introduced to the car.

They will have excellent whistle recall before they leave at 8/9 weeks old and new owners are provided with a ACME Dog Whistle 210.5 together to continue recall.

All of our puppies will leave with comprehensive package of support including a puppy pack consisting of A4 presentation folder full of vital information about your puppy including:

A Kennel Club Registration Certificate - Endorsed
A 5-Generation Pedigree
4 Weeks Free Insurance
Details of Both Parents Health Testing
Details of Puppies DNA Hereditary Health
A Puppy Contract
Vet Report
Advice Booklet including information on socialisation, vaccinations, worming, diet, exercise & DNA.
Puppies Individual Weight Chart from birth to 8 weeks.
Puppies Individual Worming Chart.
Microchip Details
Vaccination Card with details of Canine Leptospirosis and Parvovirus according to your vets recommendations
Details of Endorsements R Registration & X Export
A Lucy's Law April 2020 Contract
Individual specific tailored training plan for your new puppy

Also included in the puppy pack:
A Funded online training course with Zigzag together with access to 3 Qualified Dog Trainers.
A Funded 12 month subscription to VidiVet with 24/7 365 days a year access to Veterinary Expertise
Puppy food & treats
Fully Natural Treats
Development & Stimulation Kong Toy
ACME Dog Whistle 210.5 together with Whistle Strap to continue recall
A lifelong discount code for Antinol Green Lipped Mussel Joint Supplement
Adventures with my Dog Journal
Dorwest Herbs
Extension of collection within reason due to prior commitments
A lifetime of advice and support

We occasionally have a litter of pure-bred Labrador Retriever puppies. If you are interested in owning a Nook On Lyne Labrador puppy and would like to be considered for a place on our waiting list for our carefully planned 2025 litter with Willow or our carefully planned 2026 litter with Ebony then please email or telephone us for a Puppy Expression of Interest Form which asks for details of the lifestyle that you are able to offer a potential puppy.

This will be followed up with a WhatsApp Video Call for a really informal chat whereby you can ask me any questions you may have and vice versa. Please note this method of video call is a requirement of Nook On Lyne Labradors. We also encourage potential new owners to visit us in person.

References from previous new owners are available on request, alternatively you can look up our amazing reviews on our website.

If you have any other queries please do not hesitate to contact us.


Our Dogs

Previous Litters

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