At age 16, Claire White-Peterson of North Stonington saved her money and bought her own first Scottie dog that she groomed to be a show champion. Scotties being a high maintenance breed, she switched to Labrador retrievers because they are affectionately known as an easy-care, "wash and wear" breed.

She has been breeding Labs ever since, which has become a high-tech scientific process that can involve artificial insemination, progesterone testing and even using frozen sperm from older bloodlines shipped from across the country to breed specific traits.

White-Peterson is currently president of the Pawcatuck River Labrador Retriever Club.

She owns a handful of Labradors and strives to keep the best two puppies from each litter to further her own breeding and showing program. She never leaves each valuable litter of puppies alone during their first fragile week of life. She sleeps in the same room with them, watching their every move and encouraging them to nurse.

"Mothers can suffocate them and even break bones trying to move them," White-Peterson said.

White-Peterson recently became a licensed AKC judge for Labrador Retrievers and in her first year traveled to shows in California, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio as well as many Northeastern events.

"Labrador Retrievers are the most popular breed," she noted. "Twice as many people register, breed and show Labs than any other breed."

Julie Quigley-Smith, the club’s treasurer and a realtor in Westerly, first wanted a Lab because of their devoted, happy and easy-going demeanor. She credits Norman Grenier, a professional handler and owner of Companionway Kennel in Hopkinton, as the mentor who sparked her initial interest in breeding and showing. He helped her seek out her first show prospect and taught her the finer points of raising champion retrievers.

Breeding Labs in Richmond since 1992, Quigley-Smith boasts the honor of having the top Labrador Retriever in the country. Champion Lobuff Puffin at Hollyridge has broken all records in the breed, winning Best of Breed honors at the Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac competition in Maryland, the largest lab show in the country. She has also won Best Female for her breed three years in a row at the famed Westminster Kennel Club show held at New York’s Madison Square Garden, as well as numerous other awards.

Quigley-Smith is most interested in breeding competition dogs that are as close to the official Labrador Retriever standards, or perfection, as possible. When a new litter arrives she carefully tracks each prospect’s weight, growth, development and personality traits to identify which ones adhere closest to the standard. She explained that English type show dogs are blocky, shorter in leg, and exhibit a squared head. She breeds her labs once every couple of years, and only when she wants to keep one or two for showing.

"Emphasis should always be on the health of the parents, or breeding stock, which should have hip, elbow and eye certifications from national organizations to ensure sound puppies and adults," said Quigley-Smith. "Purchasing a Lab from a show breeder assures that these important factors have been considered."

Another sector of club activities encompasses the hunting and retrieving aspects of the breed. On Sept. 15 at the Millstream Preserve in Hebron, Conn., dogs participating in the Working Certificate Test were judged on their ability to retrieve a shot mallard duck on land and from the water and how well they returned it to the handler. A non-competitive Conformation Certificate evaluation program was also offered for owners of Labrador Retrievers who are not interested and/or familiar with formal competitions to have their dogs evaluated and recognized as having basic breed characteristics. Camaraderie closed out the day with a raffle and tailgate party.

Westerly resident Lee Arsenault has been involved with this type of event over the years and finds it amazing to watch how Labs react when a shot is fired.

"Dogs with little formal training will instinctively react to the sound, releasing an innate ability to retrieve," said Arsenault who praises the breed for its ability to be trained.

She also admires Labradors for their great gentleness and self-control, relating a story of a Lab she once saw get his collar grabbed by a baby. Despite the owner commanding it to "come," the Lab intuitively sensed the baby’s fragility and remained still until the baby released its hold.

Labrador Fun Day is another major event sponsored annually by the club each May at Delmyra Kennels in Exeter, R.I. All levels of Labrador enthusiasts are welcome to join in and learn about various competitions in an informal and inter-active atmosphere. Anyone can try handling their pet in an actual show ring, learn obedience and tracking skills and run them through an agility course. Spectators can watch a live competitive show complete with judges awarding rosettes and ribbons and view demonstrations of agility and retrieving feats.

"Kids are our club’s best advocates!" said Marti Hendricks, club publicist and member. "They get such a kick out of teaching simple obedience tasks to their pets and many come back year after year."

Impressive to note is that the PRLRC was the first regional Labrador club to organize this style event. The prestigious American Kennel Club has just started to promote and suggest other club’s hold similar events as part of its effort to promote its Responsible Purebred Dog Ownership Program. In addition to general education on proper practices, this form of public outreach will hopefully help generate local and state level strategies to protect dog owners’ rights.

September is Pet Awareness Month advocated by the AKC, a national program that encourages and educates everyone about responsible dog ownership. Many local stores, clubs and kennels sponsor related events that can be found listed at www.AKC.org

Therapy dog training interests club member Kathy Cipriani, who owns Champion Stonecrest’s Beauregard CD RN WC (these letters represent performance titles he has earned in obedience, rally obedience and his Working Certificate.) A chocolate Lab who is a certified Delta Society Pet Partner, he has a gentle, friendly temperament and has been trained to be comfortable around metal equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers and hospital beds. Twice a month he visits oncology patients and their families at the William H. Backus Hospital and his friends on the endoscopy staff.

"He is a rug with a heartbeat," Cipriani says of her intuitive companion, her pockets always filled with treats to praise his good behavior.

Beauregard is also an integral part of a remedial reading program for third and fourth graders at the North Stonington Library. Youngsters bring in their favorite books and practice reading to the non-judgmental pooch, who has been known to magically dispel reading problems.

Community service is also a part of the club’s efforts. Nancy Bard of Baltic, Connecticut is leading a fund-raiser to donate an oxygen mask for pets to as many local fire departments as possible. They collect contributions at club events with a cardboard cut-out display of a black Lab wearing a mask next to a fire hydrant. Individuals, businesses or organizations can also sponsor mask donations to a designated station for $55 each. For further information e-mail www.tobeadog.com

"Smoke starts at floor level and rises toward the ceiling as it fills the room, so our pets are the first ones affected," said Bard. "Instead of extra cookies or a new cat or dog bed, send a donation that could save the life of a pet!"

Other venues sponsored by the club include lectures for the public given by expert speakers and writers on topics such as breeding methods and handling techniques. Health clinics offer discounted eye exams and micro-chipping services to members and non-members during club events.

A comprehensive club Web site offers interesting breed information, a gallery of Labrador photos and a valuable link to reputable breeders if locals are looking to purchase healthy pets. Event details, newsletters and membership details are also posted on the site that can found at www.PRLRC.org

A club dedicated to all things Labrador

Labrador retrievers and their owners in Rhode Island and Southeastern Connecticut have a unique local organization that brings them together for breed-related education, certification, competition and entertainment known as the Pawcatuck River Labrador Retriever Club.

This active group, with members in Westerly, North Stonington, Richmond and Exeter, offers a variety of events throughout the year that promote the versatile qualities of the breed and provide opportunities for interaction among members and the general public. The club membership consists of breeders, professional handlers, trainers, veterinarians and AKC licensed judges as well as breed owners and anyone interested in learning more about this specific line of canines. An extensive code of ethics holds all members to the highest standards of professionalism, courtesy and responsible care of their Labrador Retrievers in a common mission to share their knowledge, expertise and be representative of area breeders and exhibitors.

Now with more than 60 members, the club was formed 10 years ago by locals who found the existing Boston club too far away to regularly participate in. Most of those founding members remain the current leadership of the PRLRC.

The club offers formal breed related opportunities such as American Kennel Club conformation, obedience and rally shows where exhibitors are able to test and certify their dogs and gather points toward championship titles. One of their biggest efforts was the "Back to Back Independent Labrador Specialties" competition held on Sept. 20 and 21 at the North Stonington Fairgrounds that hosted more than 240 entries from all over New England and Canada.

Club President Claire White-Peterson of North Stonington is a second-generation breeder, growing up in a family that bred and showed Labrador Retrievers. Her late father, George Floyd White Jr. was a founding member of the PRLRC and an AKC certified judge. The club dedicated last year’s show to his memory and this year presented a perpetual trophy for Best of Breed in his name.