Our Story
Our Beginnings
How We Got Our Start in Labrador & Golden Retrievers
Devanley Labradors has been around since 1999, when we decided to purchase our first Labrador Retriever. After speaking with our veterinarian, we called a breeder in Caro, Michigan. Kathy Johnson was more than happy to answer all our questions and helped us decide to go with a male.
Pineview’s Mr. Bark Ley was the love of my life – he went everywhere with me and was always by my side. I was at his side when he lost his battle against cancer one cold November night at the young age of 5.
I want to thank Kathy for allowing us to have Barkley in our home. We learned so much with Barkley; he brought many wonderful dog friends into our lives. I also want to thank Connie Bowen for two of our foundation girls and Laurie Pierce for our other foundation girl—a special thank you to Jenny Mitchell for the co-ownership of Tango, our non-Devanley boy.
His memory lives on forever in my heart, our kennel name, and the namesake of our black foundation female – Leya. Over the years, we have been blessed by the addition of some genuinely wonderful boys & girls.
How We Got Our Name
Devanley comes from two special animals – Devan Champion and Pineview’s Mr. Bark Ley. Devan was my Morgan horse that I owned for 25 years. He came to live with me when he was 13 years old, and I was 14. I learned many things during those 25 years from Devan. He was a beautiful chestnut gelding with a star and two white socks. He was versatile – I rode him hunt, saddle, and western. He was trustworthy – he never did anything mean to anyone or anything. I lost him one month shy of his 38th birthday. He had a wonderful long life.
The ley part of Devanley comes from Barkley. For as long as Devan’s life was, Barkley’s was short. Unfortunately, Barkley died six months (plus two days) after Devan. Barkley was that special “once-in-a-lifetime dog.” He never won BOB at a show but was BOB in my heart and mind.
Our Story Continues
We are a family-run and family-oriented Labrador Retriever & Golden Retriever breeder who shows primarily in the AKC conformation ring and breeds to improve our lines. The goal for every litter is for us to keep at least one puppy as a show prospect. We do not breed to just have a litter to sell those puppies.
We are members of the Labrador Retriever Club (the national parent club for the AKC), the Miami Valley Labrador Retriever Club and the Northern Ohio Labrador Retriever Club. Judy has served many club roles, including current Treasurer of NOLRC and President for numerous years of the former Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Club. Aric served as a board member of the former LELRC.
We raise, train, and breed our dogs with our primary focus on only breeding for the betterment of our current breeding program, which includes correct structure, temperament, and health. We enjoy our dogs as family pets first and then as show dogs. Our sons helped with the raising and training of our dogs. We purchased our first “registered” Lab in 1999 and were hooked. Aric always dreamed of having a Golden, so in 2016, Aric’s dream became a reality.
Our puppies have gone on to become AKC Champions and AKC Grand Champions, as well as wonderful retrievers, service dogs, therapy dogs, obedience and agility dogs, family companions, and beautiful couch potatoes. Our puppies are raised within our home using the protocols from Puppy Culture, and their parents have their OFA Hip, Elbow, Eye, and Cardiac clearances. Labradors also are tested for PRA, EIC, CNM, CT, HNPK, MCD, RD/OD1 & SD2, and Dilute testing. Goldens are tested for prcd-PRA, PRA1, PRA2, Ichthyosis, & DM.
In Labradors, we dilute test because no dilute factors of silver, champagne, or charcoal will be part of our breeding program since the dilute gene is not part of a true purebred Labrador. Much to the dismay of dilute breeders who claim this gene is rampant throughout all bloodlines, and my dogs have all come back as dilute-free!
We support numerous organizations dedicated to the health & well-being of our wonderful breeds as well as groups that are dedicated to responsible dog ownership:
Northern Ohio Labrador Retriever Club
Golden Retriever Club of America