Dustin Retrievers Montana

I am sharing our experience to help others make an informed decision. Within weeks of bringing our puppy home, we noticed a persistent head tilt and significant balance issues. Veterinary evaluations did not identify an ear infection, injury, or other clear underlying cause. She later experienced a severe vestibular episode that left her unable to walk independently and required extensive rehabilitation, essentially having to relearn how to walk. The photo I have included shows her during that vestibular episode. She was unable to walk and was experiencing the severe, uncontrolled rolling often referred to as an "alligator roll" due to the loss of balance and disorientation she was suffering. We have a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and because of her condition she is unable to live the active working life the breed is known for. She cannot hunt or swim, and her physical limitations have significantly affected her quality of life and prevented her from doing the activities she was bred for. While we understand that health issues can occur in any breeding program, prospective buyers should ask detailed questions about neurological health history, genetic testing, and whether similar issues have occurred in related dogs. We love our dog and remain committed to her care, but the emotional, physical, and financial impact has been substantial. Our experience has been heartbreaking, and we feel it is important for others to be aware of the challenges we have faced.

We have had a great experience with Dustin Retrievers from start to finish. Communication was excellent, they were upfront and helpful throughout the whole process, and our chocolate lab has been absolutely amazing. She’s healthy, well-socialized, and has a great temperament. You can tell they truly care about their dogs. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Dustin Retrievers to anyone looking for a quality Labrador. Millie has been easy to train and to work with and has been great with our kids we love her and are excited to watch her grow into a fantastic hunting and family dog.

We’ve had an excellent relationship with Dustin Retrievers for many years. All 3 of our labs came from them and each were incredible dogs. The obedience training was well worth it wand top quality. Our 2 current labs love going there to board when we go out of town and we trust them 100%. It’s always a great value and they always do a great job. We wouldn’t want to go anywhere else ever, they are incredible and take care of our dogs like they are their own! We live in Live Oak, CA and have exclusively used the Sutter location but every interaction we’ve had over the years has been positive. We are grateful to have found such a trustworthy team so close to us that’s local and easygoing like us.