Tru-Heart Labradors is an established professional dog breeder situated between Jacksonville and Gainesville, Florida, that proudly produces the finest dual-purpose chocolate, yellow, and black Labrador Retriever puppies available in Florida today!  Tru-Heart lines go back to some of the finest kennels in the world.  Since 2005, we have practiced selective breeding that has developed puppies with a wonderful temperament (which is the hallmark of this breed) working ability, and good looks.  Our puppies have grown to become service dogs, guide dogs, hunting dogs, and terrific family pets. Tru-Heart puppies are sold on a limited-registration basis, and we take pride in the fastidious, loving, and stimulating environment in which they are raised. Because we want every Tru-Heart puppy to find the best possible forever home, we ask that you submit an application before we discuss pricing or accept a deposit from you for one of our outstanding puppies.

​

Our Breeding Philosophy -

The pedigrees of all of our dams and sires contain champion show and/or working bloodlines, including Tabatha, Sandylands, Dickendall, Lawnwood, and Rocheby; however, selective out-crossing (creating new genetic combinations by bringing together genes from unrelated Labradors to eliminate undesirable traits caused by recessive genes) is the fundamental philosophy of our breeding program.  We do not inbreed.  How do wild animal populations manage to remain healthy for thousands of generations (without DNA testing)? They don't lose important genes from the gene pool. In the wild, animals occasionally move from herd to herd, or flock to flock, which helps to restore genetic diversity to the population. If a particular group becomes isolated, and new individuals are prevented from entering the population, the gene pool is effectively closed. Breeders of other domestic animals understand this. Dogs are no different, and we put this truth into practice. By adhering to our scientifically-proven breeding philosophy, we ensure Tru-Heart puppies are born with sound temperaments, aesthetically-pleasing conformation, good bone, and genetic health and vigor.  Please watch the following video on this subject from the 2021 Embark Canine Health Summit:

 

​

​

 

 

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

​

​

English or American? 

There is only one breed of dog known as the Labrador Retriever, as described by the official Standard of the Breed. Within the Labrador Retriever breed, there are variations in body styles produced according to the preferences of individual breeders. In the U.S., the general public has begun to mistakenly label these variations as "English" or "American", but more accurate descriptions are "show/conformation" or "working/field" styles.  In fact, the vast majority of Labrador Retrievers have moderate body styles much closer to the written breed standard.  Whether bred from show/conformation or working/field parents, individual puppies within a litter will represent the entire range - rarely the extremes - of the two styles. When choosing a Labrador Retriever puppy, remember, these labels do not predict temperament or trainability as an adult. 

​

2017 Psychology Today Article:

INCREASED Aggression in Spayed or Neutered Dogs

​

Please watch this informative video on the dangers of early spaying/neutering: