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Our Dog Parents' Testimonials

“I chose Atlantic Pacific Labradors in part because of Karin’s in-depth knowledge of the breed and her clear passion for labs. She answered all my questions (which were many) before and after we got our pup. The quality of Karin’s breeding program has become evident as I have watched young Sadie grow, and it is apparent that Karin's blood-lines contain quality genetics and have all the traits, temperament, appearance, companionship, and vigor that I could ask for. By four months Sadie had basic obedience, a good sit and stay, mid-range recall, and a few tricks up her sleeve, she has been a side-kick for my son, and shadow to my daughter, a snuggler to my wife and with any luck a future field companion for me (Sadie is still young). We appreciate Karin as she helped make our family complete!”

Shawn G, Oahu

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"Mahalo many times over for my life with the Xoco! Based on my own experience, I am happy to recommend Atlantic Pacific Labradors and breeder Karin Villaverde. I appreciated her concern for future puppy welfare from questions on home situations to the “going home pack” complete with a puppy blanket my dog still has. Throughout the initial weeks we received a stream of videos. I still smile at the one of my future puppy receiving a belly rub on Karin’s lap. The selection process was well-handled and fair. Karin was quick to answer questions and share observations of developing puppy personalities.  My chocolate Lab, Xocolati, is affectionate and loves people. She was easy to potty train and quick to learn commands and other key words including the names of individual toys. She’s healthy with a shiny, deep chocolate coat. Xoco loves playing with toys either alone or as tug or fetch. As a senior woman living alone, Xocolati continually offers affectionate companionship and structure, variety and lots of smiles to my life."

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-EJ P, Big Island

"We are having the best time with our 5 month puppy from Atlantic Pacific Labradors. They have made our family dog dreams come true. Our chocolate Lab, Tia has been very playful and loving with my 2 kids, amazing with other dogs, and took her about 3 weeks to potty train. She is so smart, we are all amazed by her. Thank you APL, for setting us up for success! We highly recommend your Labradors to anyone who asks."

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-Bryn W, Big Island

"My pup Komugi is doing great and she will go 2 weeks board and training starting from this Friday! 

The reason why I choose you was because since I started contacting you, you send me pictures, answered all the questions, and I could tell it wasn't scam for sure! 

Plus I could tell you care of your puppies a lot from Website. Lucky I found you! You were very organized. I was surprised how you ship my puppy . On the crate, there was water, wipes attached very securely. Plus she was already potty trained! She is very mellow and good with my kids and infant too! I cannot imagine life without her! 

Thank you so much!!"

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-Ruriko H, Oahu

"Milo is an amazing animal, (almost human)! She seems to understand what I am going to do before I do it. When she sees me touch something, she will want to “touch” it too but if I tell her not to, she won’t. When I throw a frisbee from the deck, she will sit and watch it until it lands and then go directly to it. I have never known a dog that has so many positive traits. Thank you and keep up the good work!"

 

Tom S, Oahu

When we were looking for a companion to Casper, I spent a lot of hours researching breeders, both in Hawaii, as well as the Mainland, and from Australia and New Zealand. When you look at the lines or physiques of your dogs, they are consistent with the “lines” classic labs follow. There are a lot of breeders out there, but not so many that are so careful with making sure the breed’s characteristics are preserved from litter to litter. When buying a pure-bred dog, we, as owners, also have a responsibility to support those breeders who are in it as much for the love of their dogs as they are for the business aspect of it. I feel that about you. I told you how impressed I was with the whole “Puppy Picking” event, and then again when we came to get Charlie. You thought so much about his separation from his mom, that he had a blankie with her scent, to ease the transition. And you followed up with all the new parents, checking in to make sure everyone was doing well with their new additions. I have had many pure bred dogs in my life, and you are the first breeder I met that I still have contact with, that remembers Charlie, and cares how he is now. You were so generous with your time, and listening to me, about what we were looking for, as well as answering my questions about how you breed, etc, You had good, solid answers for me. I feel that you are super aware of your dogs genetics, and what you want to preserve in the next generation.  Charlie Brown is a joy— he has the best temperament— he’s a big boy, at 100lbs, but he is sweet, an amazing companion to both my husband and I. He loves unconditionally. These characteristics are not happy accidents— you, as the breeder, have selected dogs with these characteristics of temperament, classic lines, and good health, to continue on your line of amazing Labs. You have brought so much joy into our lives, with Charlie Brown.

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-Birdie F, Big Island

We got Bear in the Summer of 2019 and couldn’t be happier that he is part of our family. The whole process with Karin and Thomas was so seamless. At the very beginning, we were impressed that there was an interview process, simply to make sure that the pups would be going to good homes. That certainly showed to us that they were quality breeders, and we trusted them from the get go. Before Bear was old enough to bring home, we were welcome to come visit and got to see how much fun the pups had playing together in the yard along with Karin and her family. This clearly helped with Bear’s socialization skills. Bear is very outgoing with a wonderful temperament and loves meeting other dogs but is most certainly more interested in meeting their owners. Bear is a healthy, handsome and loving dog and since moving to Minnesota in 2021, Bear has flourished with his love of the seasons, especially playing in the snow!

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-Patrick W, Big Island and now Minnesota!

"Karin and her whole team raised one of the most beautiful, funny, spunky and kind-hearted pups I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and raising. Our Mika not only has this incredible ability to melt everyone’s heart but also is so inquisitive and silly. She brings so much joy into this world and the love she carries with her everyday is a testament to Karin and her team and the work that they put in to bring these pups into the world.

 

Did I also mention she has perfect teethies? We live on Oahu so little Mika had to travel on an airplane and all of the paperwork, crate details, and delivery went perfectly. I am so blessed to have this pupper in my life and I am so appreciative of the Villaverde Ohana and the Atlantic Pacific Labrador team.

 

A million mahalos to Karin" ~Tanya D., Oahu

"We got the last pick of the litter; and we are grateful.  Bailey (Pink at the time) was the smallest.  Now, at 23 weeks, we do not know how big she will ultimately be, nor do we care; she is cute, loving, adorable, beautiful and playful.

Karin was wonderful to work with; responsive, helpful and accommodating. She was helpful from our first contact, throughout the process of getting our pup, and continues to respond to questions from us and Bailey’s littermates’ families.  Karin provided live videos of Bailey and her siblings thereby saving us the time and money of going to the Big Island.  She made the transport to Honolulu easy for us and safe for Bailey.

Karin is warm, easy to share with and very accommodating.  We highly recommend her to anyone looking for an adorable, loving addition to their family.

 

Best and good fortune to all"~Steve B., Oahu

We chose Atlantic Pacific Labradors because we wanted a breeder that was hands-on with the puppies--which makes for the best family dogs. We were right in our choice. We got Kai in 2020 and he is just the best dog--smart, fun, and just so sweet. In 2021, we decided to get another, Ahi, who has just been the perfect addition to our household. Both of them are incredibly sweet, playful, dog-friendly and people-friendly. They both have loads of personality but are good-natured and so loving. They've got our (now) 12 year old senior dog acting like a puppy again--she loves to chase them around and play. Truthfully, I would immediately go back to Atlantic Pacific Labradors for another puppy. I've been so happy with my two boys, and can't recommend them enough if you're considering adding some love to your family." ~ Savannah R., Oahu

We have really enjoyed working with Karin & Atlantic Pacific Labradors.  Throughout the adoption process, Karin was incredibly responsive and understanding of our questions, and we felt confident that Karin was putting the dogs' health and wellbeing first and foremost, which is the only way we would have considered working with a breeder.  Even after taking Murphy home, Karin has been extremely helpful with offering advice/answering questions and has encouraged puppy parents to form a small community and check in with one another, which has been really amazing.  Murphy has been such a wonderful addition to our family -- we are so impressed by his temperament: he has responded to training quickly, is incredibly friendly with dogs and people, laid-back about pretty much everything (thunderstorms, fireworks, etc!), and so loving and sweet. ~Amy & Andrew, Big Island

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