Photo left to right: CAN & NZ.CH.EAGERTRIEVES DOWNTOWN BROWN (imp.Canada), CROFTSWAY TILLY, NZ.CH.CROFTWAY CHERRY RIPE, NZ.CH.CROFTSWAY ONE STARRY NIGHT, NZ.CH.CROFTSWAY VEGAS SHOW GIRL (photo taken in 2019)
WELCOME to CROFTSWAY LABRADORS.
My name is Julie Bedford – owner / founder of Croftsway Labradors, and this is our home on the web.
The Beginnings …
This NZ based kennel was established in 1975, when I was 12 years old. My first Labrador taught me alot about the breed, but most of all gave me an appreciation of ‘true’ Labrador Temperament. From the onset the emphasis has always been on breeding quality Labradors that excel in Temperament, Type and Soundness.
This website explores our history from our early beginnings. Nearly all of the many Labradors that we have bred, owned or imported which have been instrumental in our breeding program, can be found in our RETIRED and STUD sections.
In 1980 I was lucky enough to secure the very beautiful yellow bitch AUST. & NZ.CH.GEMCOURT POWDER PUFF (born 1976). Powder was a daughter of AUST.CH.POOLSTEAD PROBABLE (UK) to AUST.CH.GEMCOURT PRIDE. Pride was a daughter of AUST.CH.PINCHBECK NOKEENER HARVEST HOME (UK). She really had a star studded pedigree, and all the breed essentials. She arrived in New Zealand in 1980, in whelp to OAKHOUSE CLASSICAL NOTE (Imp.UK). Today many of our current Labradors trace directly back to Powder …
We breed all three colors – Black, Yellow and Chocolate.
Since 1987 I have been an accredited International Gun Dog / Sporting Group judge. I have had the honor of judging Labrador Club Specialties on many occasions in Australia, Russia, Japan, Europe, Canada, Brazil and the USA including the Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac (USA) in 2010 – the largest Labrador Specialty in the World. In addition I have judged at some of the biggest International shows in Russia, and the Euro Dog Show in Belgium.
Over the years there have been numerous imports (well over 30) from some of the Worlds’ leading kennels. In addition to these we have imported frozen semen from some of the top producers in the USA, Canada, UK and Europe. Many of these dogs I have seen first hand, and / or had the pleasure of judging. We also have some of our historical studs on ice. With the advent of technology in DNA testing we have been able to retrospectively test these dogs, and now confidently incorporate them back into our current breeding program. We now have in excess of 30 fabulous dogs on ice to compliment our breeding program. These have given us a strong base with which to work.
Croftsway Labradors have proven themselves as useful shooting companions, treasured family pets and many have qualified as Guide / Service Dogs for various organisations around the world. We are also proud to have been able to supply breeding stock to many of these Organisations – further testimony to the Temperament and physical / mental soundness that we strive for.
We have bred Champions and Grand Champions throughout the world – including Australia, the Philippines, USA, Canada, Japan, Russia etc etc. Our stud dogs have produced Royal winners, National winners and Crufts CC winners.
We currently hold the Breed records in New Zealand for the most BEST IN SHOW wins (All Breeds) and the most BEST IN SHOW (Specialty) for New Zealand bred Labradors.
We are now (2024) entering our 49 th year of Exhibiting and breeding Labradors in New Zealand and our goals are still the same – to breed top quality Labradors that excell in Temperament, Type and Soundness.
All our breeding stock is Hip and Elbow xrayed and scored. Everything in the kennel is genetically PRA clear, and we test for EIC, HNPK and all other DNA tests as required by the NZ Kennel Club.
Enquiries are always welcome … click here