Kicking Bird Gun Dogs
Meet the breeder
I'm Darrin R., the breeder behind Kicking Bird Gun Dogs located in Blair, NE. We produce canine athletes with big motors that are highly intelligent. Our dogs are bred only to help us reach our goal of building superior retrieving machines.
Q. & A. with Darrin
Why did you start breeding?
We began our Retriever journey with two Labs in 2010. Fast forward to today, after reading everything we can get our hands on, formal education provided by the AKC, participating in local Retriever clubs and acting on the advice of canine professionals, our Retrievers have achieved some of the highest Hunting Retriever credentials in the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club.What makes your program special?
Our Retrievers are driven canine athletes with big motors, highly intelligent, and will be bred only to help us reach our goal of building superior retrieving machines. The Pepper Box Labs are the epitome of the Pure Bred American Field Lab and having robust pedigrees with impeccable health and genetics. We are a participant in the AKC Bred with HEART program. We have built our breeding program on this as our foundation. Key components of this program are commitments to health, education, accountability, responsibility, and tradition.What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include black, chocolate, and yellow. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home and a kennel on my property.
Getting a puppy from Darrin
Darrin 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 $350 refundable deposit and between $650 - $2,150 final payment, before taxes & fees.
“Prices vary depending on the credentials and accomplishments of parents. Price includes worming, veterinarian exam, vaccinations as recommended by our veterinarian, dew claw removal, and microchip.”
Contract & health guarantee
Darrin 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 Darrin 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 Darrin directly.
Always communicate and pay on Good Dog.Learn more
What’s included
From Good Dog
- Lifetime support from Good Dog’s Care Team
- 10% lifetime discount on Figo pet insurance
- Puppy Training Program & private community
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Darrin.
Breeder’s location
Meet in Blair, NE
Other pick-up locations
Meet at Eppley Airfield
More about Darrin
Club memberships
Darrin is a member of Hunting Retriever Club, Missouri Valley Hunt Club, Nebraska Dog & Hunt Club, Salt Valley Hunting Retriever Club, and Master Amateur Retriever Club.
Certifications & recognitions
AKC Breeder with H.E.A.R.T., CHIC Certified.
Darrin has been a member of Good Dog for about 6 years
Darrin was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2019.
Darrin is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Kicking Bird Gun Dogs 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
Parent dogs
All breeds
Unknown
Labrador Retriever
Salty, mom
Unknown
About Salty
Salty is a female Unknown. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Darrin decided to make her part of their program. Darrin 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.
Loosey, mom
Labrador Retriever
About Loosey
Loosey was the pick of the litter out of the first pairing of Tubb and Jaws. She is the sweetest and fastest dog in our kennel. Runs hard and straight on marks with authority and is a perfectionist on blinds. Having never run started or seasoned, she got her HRCH passing 7 of 8 tests in the summer of 2018. She will campaign for her Master Title during the summer of 2019. We will also be running some local Quals.
Almosta's King of the Hill, dad
Unknown
About Almosta's King of the Hill
Almosta's King of the Hill is a male Unknown. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Darrin decided to make him part of their program. Darrin 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.
Steadfast's Bachelor Special, dad
Unknown
About Steadfast's Bachelor Special
Steadfast's Bachelor Special is a male Unknown. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Darrin decided to make him part of their program. Darrin 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.
Fowlmaster's Big Black Buck, dad
Unknown
About Fowlmaster's Big Black Buck
Fowlmaster's Big Black Buck is a male Unknown. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Darrin decided to make him part of their program. Darrin 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.
Parent health testing
Breeder-Reported Testing
Excellent level
Kicking Bird Gun Dogs 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 Labrador 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.
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.
Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM), Skeletal Dysplasia (SD2), Elliptocytosis, Hyperuricosuria (HUU), PRA, Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd), Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC), Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (HNPK), Myotubular Myopathy 1, Rottweiler Type, OFA/CHIC DNA Repository, D Locus (Dilute) DNA test, Retinal Dysplasia/Oculoskeletal Dysplasia 1 (RD OSD)
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).
