Congenital Elbow Dysplasia It is with deep disappointment that I find myself writing this review. This review is not based on my puppy's genetic elbow dysplasia, as such conditions can occur through no fault of the breeder. Rather, it reflects my experience with how Kentfield Kennels handled the situation after being informed. In January 2024, we purchased a four-month-old started puppy from Kentfield Kennels. Her parents were Kentfield's Benelli Super Black Eagle ("Ben") and Kentfield's I'm a Barbie Girl ("Barbie"). The day after bringing her home, we noticed an abnormality in her gait. Concerned, we took her to our veterinarian the following day. Ultimately, we were referred to an orthopedic specialist, who performed X-rays and a CT scan. The diagnosis was devastating: bilateral medial coronoid remodeling and left elbow osteoarthritis--findings consistent with congenital elbow dysplasia. Given the severity of the condition, our orthopedic veterinarian recommended bilateral elbow arthroscopy. Our puppy underwent arthroscopic surgery on both elbows, followed by eight weeks of complete rest and 12 weeks of rehabilitation therapy. Despite these efforts, her prognosis remains guarded. As our orthopedic veterinarian explained: "While surgery will improve the puppy's current comfort and ambulation, her elbows will never be normal. The cartilage lesions secondary to elbow dysplasia will progress over time, and her osteoarthritis will likely require long-term management with pain medication and lifestyle modifications." I share this review for two important reasons: Transparency for Future Owners - If you are considering purchasing a puppy from Kentfield Kennels, particularly one bred from Ben and/or Barbie, you deserve to have this genetic history so you can make an informed decision about the risks and potential costs. Understanding Your Rights - California Health and Safety Code Sections 122045-122110, also known as the Polanco-Lockyer Pet Breeder Warranty Act (or "The Puppy Lemon Law"), provides protections for buyers in situations like ours. When I informed Kentfield Kennels of our puppy's diagnosis and requested they comply with the Puppy Lemon Law, I was met with resistance at every turn. I sent them three letters, provided all of our puppy's medical records, and included a declaration from our orthopedic specialist. Even after an independent veterinarian of their own choosing confirmed that our puppy had congenital elbow dysplasia, they refused to comply with the law. Left with no other option, I retained an attorney. Despite legal correspondence, they continued to refuse. Only after I formally filed suit did they finally agree--within just four hours of being served--to comply with the law and reimburse us for a portion of our puppy's medical expenses. We love our puppy dearly. She is intelligent, loving, and has an incredible personality. Writing this review is not something I wanted to do. However, both our primary and orthopedic veterinarians were unequivocal: this is a genetic condition. Despite having full knowledge of our puppy's diagnosis and the associated risks of breeding Ben and Barbie, as of the date of this posting, Kentfield Kennels has neither removed them from their breeding program nor acknowledged the issue. I feel I have no choice but to share this information so that others can be fully informed before making a decision. read more

My wife and I have had a wonderful experience with Kentfield Kennels. We have had labs our entire married life and found what will probably be our last pet. He is everything we had hoped for. Calm, intelligent and a really good looking boy. We also took advantage of the started puppy training (thank you Jane) and it was well worth it. Although we may have missed out on the young puppy stage I did not miss the crate training, chewing, house breaking and multiple vet visits. We just couldn't be happier. Thank you Kentfield Kennels. read more

Kentfield Kennels - Pet Training Near Me - Sebastopol, California

Buyer beware!! This Kennel has been exposed to parvo!! I was just recently sold a very Iill puppy by this extremely unprofessional breeder, certainly no longer exhibiting the qualities of their past AKC Breeder of Merit and Breeder of HEART designations. I just purchased a previously sold puppy on Oct. 15th, 2022 (which was previously sold on Oct. 13th and returned on the 14th). While putting the puppy in our car, it had diarrhea in the crate in the presence of the breeder and yet no mention of illness. He was also very small and underweight for his age, and upon arriving home a few hours later the puppy continued to get worse (lethargy, watery stools, and in less than 36 hours from purchase had started vomiting). Our puppy was hospitalized and diagnosed with canine parvo virus less than 48 hours from purchase. After promptly (at 2:00am while on our way to the vet emergency) informing the breeder of the issue, in writing and via phone as well as providing the vet contact info to them, Breeder contacted the vet without my authorization, and harassed them accusing them of misdiagnosing the puppy. She also then lied saying we were returning the dog to her, so she could make decisions regarding stopping it's care (which would have killed the puppy!) The vet contacted me immediately as they were extremely disturbed by the conversation and documented it for my future needs in court. Despite communicating with and providing all requested documentation, as well as ordering and paying for additional tests the breeder requested (proving he was negative for all other parasites or illness and PCR test positive for parvo, not just the snap test), the breeder STILL DENIED liability, and continued to make false statements regarding what had transpired. Initial demand letters were sent requesting payment for vet invoices (including what is rightfully owed per the CA puppy lemon law), and several opportunities for settlement agreements were made, with no result. I was also given a falsified veterinary clearance of health document for my puppy (per the State Dept. of OK, the original document of health clearance said it was for a black female puppy, but the copy I received had "chocolate male" written over it. I filed the complaint with the state dept. as well. And if all that was not bad enough, the breeder also failed to provide the AKC registration papers at the time of sale (and still has not 3 weeks later.) I called the ALC myself and the entire litter of puppies is not even been registered, even though my puppy had been sold, twice! That goes against the AKC Breeder Guidelines. They never even expressed remorse, or so much as asked about how our puppy was doing?!? Clearly their only priorities are their business reputation and money. Because of their breeder status, these puppies are sold for a much larger price tag than most in norther CA right now, and clearly do not live up to those expectations. Needless to say we are filing suit. Sure wish I had listened to and read the review of the others who had similar experience with this breeder in the last few years as well! Thankfully our little boy Sunshine made a complete recovery and is putting on weight like a champ. It's a shame he had to start life with such an awful experience, and had we not purchased him when we did, he would most certainly not be alive. read more

Buyer Beware. Do not buy this this breeder. I purchased a puppy almost two years ago with papers. Still have not received papers. I was told I purchased from a different breeder under them even though all my payments when to Lauri directly at kentfield. I was never informed that this dog wasn't even a kentfield dog until I questioned why I hadn't received my papers. She is claiming her kennel in Oklahoma that I received my dog from is not even her kennel now. Everyone go look at the website for Kentfield. Clearly states she has a kennel in Oklahoma, nothing about this belonging to a different breeder. I was told her Oklahoma kennel was managed by her son and it was kentfield. Save you money and a headache and go anywhere else. Very sad to see what she has done. Very hard to work with and will not contact you once payment is completed. read more

The lack of integrity from Kentfield Kennels is only exacerbated by the below inaccurate response to my post. Laurie is not trustworthy and this post only solidifies her deceitfulness. For the record, I have call logs, emails, recorded phone calls with timestamps, and payments (or lack thereof) to confirm the inaccuracy of her reply to my review. As I originally wrote, I warn anyone getting involved with someone like Laurie and Kentfield. The situation was extremely heartbreaking, no doubt, but this negative review was written just as much to shed light on your/Kentfield's actions during this time, as it was the loss of our puppy. It is unfortunate you are still denying the facts below. 1. The Parvo originated in Kentfield Kennels which you have vehemently denied. *This was confirmed by veterinarians who treated 3 other puppies diagnosed with Parvo (that we are aware of) from the same litter at Kentfield. 2. You vehemently denied that other puppies in your possession had Parvo (Knowing in writing and by phone from other owners that other puppies had Parvo. Blatant deceit and lies to protect your "brand" and business). 3. I contacted you after 5 days (not two weeks) after bringing home our puppy. You consistently ignored my calls/emails/messages even though I left VM saying it was urgent as we were concerned about the rest of the puppies in the litters at your house 4. The puppy's original bill of health was not clear (Ear infection, Giardia, Parvo) 5. You did not refund us in full, or even close. You played a legal card and we lost thousands of dollars on top of a devastating loss of our puppy. Laurie, your lack of integrity, deceitfulness and pure disregard for these puppies, and the people you sold them to, is saddening and remains upsetting. We only hope you can change your ways and we can prevent any other families having to go through what we went through as a result of your lies read more

This Review is for Kentfield Kennels in Sebastopol, California. What I like about kentfield Kennels is Lauri Soloski. She is extremely passionate and knowledgeable about labradors and treats each dog with special love and attention. Her dogs are extremely well trained and her facilities looked very clean and well kept when I was there. She regularly has health clearances listed for the breeding stock on her website along with OFA scores for hip and elbow clearances. She seems to be very busy in a good way but if you email or phone her she does everything she can to respond. If this is the kind of breed you are looking for I would not hesitate to consider this breeder. read more

This is the best place for labs I've ever found. Lori is incredibly knowledgeable about her breed and I can tell you these dogs receive a lot of love. I have been looking for a good hunting dog for years- Her training program was exactly what I wanted, She is obviously very passionate about genetics and has extensive paperwork on all her dogs- If you are looking at this particular breed and pedigree you found your place. read more

I have been looking for a puppy for my mother for quite some time. During covid it seems like companion dogs are very popular. Laurie does everything she can to respond to any and all questions. It seems to be run mainly by her so be patient as you go through the process. Fill out the web application on her website and she will get back to you. You can tell she cares deeply for her animals and the families they go to. If you are looking for a lab you found your breeder. read more

Our puppy from Kentfield Kennels arrived at the beginning of November. She's been with us for a month and a half and she is a wonderful addition to our family. Her temperament is excellent. She is friendly to all other dogs and LOVES people. She's brave enough to deal with rambunctious kids without getting scared and snapping. She's been easy to train so far. We took advantage of the started puppy program and so she arrived house-trained, crate-trained, and understanding some basic commands such as sit and come. The Kentfield Kennels team is small which means that communication is a little sporadic. In an age of immediate electronic responses, their approach requires patience from the customer. There were also additional challenges getting our puppy due to COVID-19; however the dog we received is exactly the kind of dog that we were hoping to get. The minor inconveniences have been outweighed by the fact that we have a wonderful, healthy dog that's now a member of our family. We heartly recommend Kentfield Kennels. read more

My last Labrador Retriever was the best dog I have ever had, but unfortunately suffered from several genetic diseases. He passed away two years ago and I was hesitant to get another dog. Last year I decided I wanted another Labrador, so I did research to see how I could increase the chances of getting a healthy puppy. After a extensive research I decided to go with a breeder that was an "AKC Breeder of Merit" and "AKC Bred with Heart" participant. I found Kentfield Kennels and Laurie last year, after visiting the Kennel and meeting Laurie I decided she was the breeder for me. When I met Laurie she explained she would provide the standard certification's of eyes and elbows and DNA testing results on the parents, showing if they had the genes for common Labrador ailments. I gave my deposit and 9 months later I got my puppy. I could not be happier, I am even taking advantage of Laurie's started puppy program. I saw another post saying she only sells girls, that is not correct, I could have asked for either a boy or a girl. She does have a waiting list because of her reputation, so you can not just drop by and get a puppy. read more

Kentfield breeds English style Labrador Retrievers. Buying a puppy from a good breeder is expensive but worth every dollar! Our lab puppy is intelligent, playful and CALM (at least for a lab puppy). She loves people and other animals (even cats and birds). She learns quickly and wants to learn. She has a mind of her own and chooses to please you. She is so beautiful cars stop when we walk her. I recommend this breeder wholeheartedly. Woohoo! As good as it gets! read more

I would not recommend working with this kennel. The minimal communication throughout the process was thoroughly disappointing and I am still trying to get my $200 deposit back. I am sure the dogs are wonderful, it is just too bad they are not represented better! read more