I'm Shawna L., the breeder behind Catori located in Park Rapids, MN. My passion for animals began as a young child begging my parents for a pet. I began 4-H and researched dog breeds when I decided on the shetland sheepdog. I began training in obedience, and later in agility. While in college I volunteered at an animal shelter and took an all-black dog out to try to find it a home. Someone approached and said it looked like a flat-coated retriever. So began my research into a breed I had never heard of.
Q. & A. with Shawna
Why did you start breeding?
I enjoy the breeds so much that I wanted to be a part of making sure others can enjoy the breed as well. I’m a wildlife biologist by schooling and veterinary technician so all things animals are my passion. I studied horse management in college as well.
What makes your program special?
I don’t know that my program is special. We are trying to preserve breeds that we have a passion for. I would like to think its a team effort with all responsible breeders, making the difficult decisions and being willing to scratch plan A because it didn’t go the way you had thought it would.
What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include liver and black. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.
Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home and guardian homes.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Stoick (green)
Went home
Male
Hiccup (turquoise)
Went home
Male
Astrid (yellow)
Went home
Female
Skullcrusher (white-black)
Went home
Male
Cloudjumper (blue)
Went home
Male
Toothless (black)
Went home
Male
Stormfly (pink)
Went home
Female
Girl 6
Went home
Female
Girl 5
Went home
Female
Girl 4
Went home
Female
Girl 3
Went home
Female
Girl 2
Went home
Female
Girl 1
Went home
Female
Boy 4
Went home
Male
Boy 3
Went home
Male
Boy 2
Went home
Male
Boy 1
Went home
Male
Girl 1
Went home
Female
Girl 3
Went home
Female
Boy 3
Went home
Male
Boy 5
Went home
Male
Boy 1
Went home
Male
Girl 5
Went home
Female
Boy 4
Went home
Male
Girl 2
Went home
Female
Girl 4
Went home
Female
Boy 2
Went home
Male
Girl 6
Went home
Female
Boy 1
Went home
Male
Girl 2
Went home
Female
Girl 1
Went home
Female
Boy 4
Went home
Male
Boy 3
Went home
Male
Boy 2
Went home
Male
Boy 1
Went home
Male
Boy 2
Went home
Male
Girl 1
Went home
Female
Boy 4
Went home
Male
Girl 6
Went home
Female
Boy 7
Went home
Male
Boy 6
Went home
Male
Girl 5
Went home
Female
Girl 4
Went home
Female
Girl 3
Went home
Female
Girl 2
Went home
Female
Boy 5
Went home
Male
Boy 3
Went home
Male
Emperor
Went home
Male
Humbolt
Went home
Male
Waitaha
Went home
Female
Gentoo
Went home
Male
Macaroni
Went home
Male
Fiordland
Went home
Male
Adelie
Went home
Female
Rockhopper
Went home
Male
Kairuku
Went home
Female
Getting a puppy from Shawna
Shawna has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies.
Together, you’ll choose the puppy that’s right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Price
Puppy prices include a $1,000 refundable deposit and between $1,500 - $2,500 final payment, before taxes & fees.
Pay over time with Klarna.
“All puppies are the same price. Includes registration, microchip, and first vaccination. Deposit is to reserve a puppy and show commitment. I do not keep your deposit if I do not have a puppy for you, or something changes. Once a replacement home is found your deposit is returned.”
Contract & health guarantee
Shawna may provide a written contract or
health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps
protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you
both have a clear understanding of the terms of your
puppy purchase. If Shawna offers a contract
or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them.
If you have any questions or want to know more,
don’t hesitate to reach out to Shawna directly.
Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
Socialized with other animals
Puppy health practices
Vet check
First round of shots and deworming
Microchip
Vet records
Extras
AKC registration
Puppy starter kit
Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
Registration
Initial potty training
Toys
Basic obedience & manners
Food & treats
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Shawna.
Breeder’s location
Meet in Park Rapids, MN
4342 miles away
·
Other pick-up locations
Meet at Bemidji Airport
4309 miles away
·
Meet in Eau Claire, WI
4324 miles away
·
More about Shawna
Club memberships
Shawna is a member of Granite City Kennel Club and Flatcoated Retriever society of America .
Shawna has been a member of Good Dog for over 5 years
Shawna was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2020.
Shawna is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Catori meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
Responsible breeding practices
Health of breeding dogs and puppies
Puppy environment and enrichment
Buyer education and policies
Litter and program updates
Shawna L.
Litter update on 18 Oct. •
It’s go home time! Who is looking to add a sweet girl to their lives? While all the boys are spoken for out of this litter we do have girls available. Give me a call if you are looking 👀
Trick and Boots's litter
Shawna L.
Litter update on 12 Oct. •
Puppies had a little photoshoot with a friend.
Trick and Boots's litter
Shawna L.
Litter update on 12 Oct. •
The puppies had a photoshoot with a friend. They weren’t too sure about being on the stump, but still turned out cute
Jinx and Evie's litter
Shawna L.
Litter update on 22 Sept. •
Almost 5 weeks!
Trick and Boots's litter
Shawna L.
Litter update on 19 Sept. •
Bath time
Jinx and Evie's litter
Shawna L.
Litter update on 17 Sept. •
We do a lot of sleeping, but starting to develop personalities - I can only tag one litter but this is all the puppies from Boots x Trick and Evie x Jinx
Trick and Boots's litter
Shawna L.
Litter update on 03 Mar. •
We are 8 weeks! Such cuteness
Oz and Regina Elizabeth's litter
Shawna L.
Litter update on 24 Feb. •
Finally nice enough to get outside
Oz and Regina Elizabeth's litter
Shawna L.
Litter update on 20 Jan. •
They are seriously getting cuter by the minute! 🤩😍
Oz and Regina Elizabeth's litter
Shawna L.
Litter update on 19 Jan. •
Get ready for puppy spam… the eyes are starting to open and they are toddling around like proper baby flatcoats and not little fur balls. Mama is doing a great job feeding and cleaning them and we are excited to start seeing their little personalities emerge
Oz and Regina Elizabeth's litter
Parent dogs
Cocoa, mom
Flat-Coated Retriever
About Cocoa
Cocoa is a female Flat-Coated Retriever. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Shawna decided to make her part of their program. Shawna has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Uploaded health tests
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI), Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA), +1 more.
Evie, mom
Flat-Coated Retriever
About Evie
Evie is a female Flat-Coated Retriever. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Shawna decided to make her part of their program. Shawna has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Jinx is a male Flat-Coated Retriever. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Shawna decided to make him part of their program. Shawna has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Uploaded health tests
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI), Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA), +1 more.
Boots, mom
Flat-Coated Retriever
About Boots
Boots is a female Flat-Coated Retriever. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Shawna decided to make her part of their program. Shawna has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Uploaded health tests
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI), Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA), +1 more.
Trick, dad
Flat-Coated Retriever
About Trick
Trick is a male Flat-Coated Retriever. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Shawna decided to make him part of their program. Shawna has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Uploaded health tests
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI), Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA), +1 more.
Adam, dad
Flat-Coated Retriever
About Adam
Adam is a male Flat-Coated Retriever. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Shawna decided to make him part of their program. Shawna has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
BeBee is a female Flat-Coated Retriever over 5 years old. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Shawna decided to make her part of their program. Shawna has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Uploaded health tests
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI), Eye Examination (rDVM, not registered with OFA).
Siren, mom
Flat-Coated Retriever
About Siren
Siren is a female Flat-Coated Retriever almost 5 years old. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Shawna decided to make her part of their program. Shawna has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Catori reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Flat-Coated Retrievers.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)
Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.
Gonioscopy, Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA)
Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.
Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA)
Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.
Patellar Luxation
Knee testing reduces the chance of passing down Patellar Luxation, which results in the kneecap becoming displaced or dislocated and can cause mild to severe joint pain.
Genetic Diversity Test, OFA/CHIC DNA Repository
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).
Verified owner stories
Hear what other owners say about working with Shawna to bring home their puppies.
Manuela H.
Verified owner · Nov. 2025
Shawna has been wonderful through the whole process. She put’s in a lot of thought, time, energy over the years to ensure stability and longevity for the breed along with striking the right balance for performance and home life. She paired us with the perfect puppy that has adapted quickly to our family. Not too pushy, just enough confidence and very loving of people while still maintaining a sense of calm and reservation. We are looking forward to seeing this little pups capabilities and achievements in the near future.
Kris K.
Verified owner · Mar. 2025
+8
I fell in love with these puppies as soon as I saw them. Shawna was so willing to share her knowledge!! She would respond to my questions as soon as she could. Helping me make a decision about which puppy to choose. Bella is the lovely little lady that came into our lives. We couldn’t be happier.
Brittany Y.
Verified owner · Jan. 2025
I can’t recommend Shawna and Catori Kennels enough. From the first time I messaged Shawna she’s been so kind, helpful, and informative. Drake is our first flat-coat, and was the first time bringing a pure-bread dog into our home. He is now a member of our family. The process of using Good Dog and meeting up with Catori to pick-up Drake was seamless. Throughout the years I’ve reached out to Shawna with many different questions and she’s always been so helpful. Drake is the best dog we’ve ever had. He’s super healthy, happy, and just overall a great dog. Shawna is a responsible breeder who truly loves all of her pups. You can’t go wrong using Catori Kennels to find your next best friend.
Sharon S.
Verified owner · Jan. 2025
We purchased our Flat Coat Retriever, Maura, from Shawna at Catori Breeders, 8 months ago. Shawna was incredibly helpful in making it all work for Maura to join our family. Maura is a healthy, curious, intelligent pet and has fit into our family so well! We have an older Flat Coat (14 years) and they are good friends. Maria is one of the easiest dogs to train that we have ever owned. I get compliments on her behavior all of the time. Thank you Shawna and Catori.
Marla E.
Verified owner · Jan. 2025
I highly recommend Catori FCR and Shawna. Our FCR pup has been a wonderful addition to our family. Since the day I picked him up in Minnesota and he snuggled in my arms on the drive home to Michigan, he has been ready for adventures. Shawna was amazing answering all my questions and is still available if I need additional support. Our pup has been healthy, energetic and all that we could ask for. Shawna interviewed my husband and I to find the pup that would best meet our expectations. She did an excellent job finding us our perfect companion.
David A.
Verified owner · Apr. 2023
Hi had asked my daughter to look for a Flat Coated Retriever breeder online and she found Shawna Lea, owner of Catori Breeders. What an absolute blessing it has been. We brought a beautiful female liver colored Flat Coated Retriever puppy into our home and named her Maple. Shawna is a stellar breeder who cares deeply about her dogs and who they end up with. She is highly recommended.