Where loyal companions begin. Rooted in family, purpose, and the peaceful rhythm of country life…
Who is Loving Loyal Labs?
At Loving Loyal Labs, we are passionate about raising healthy, well-tempered AKC Labrador Retrievers in Wisconsin. Our program is built on intentional breeding, thoughtful raising, and a deep commitment to producing exceptional family companions.
Every puppy we raise is given the very best start—through careful planning, early development, and a home environment designed to support confidence, connection, and long-term success.
We believe environment matters. Our puppies begin their lives in our home, surrounded by the natural rhythm of daily life—creating a strong foundation for confidence, adaptability, and connection.
As they grow, they transition into our thoughtfully designed dog room and outdoor play spaces, where they experience a balance of structure and exploration.
Explore our Home & Puppy Spaces
Our Home & Roots
Our home is nestled in the countryside of our family dairy farm, surrounded by rolling hills, open fields, grazing cattle, and quiet ponds. We’re located in the beautiful St. Croix River Valley, just 30 minutes east of St. Paul, Minnesota—close enough to the Twin Cities, yet rooted in the peaceful rhythm of country life.
My name is Whitney Strate, and I was born and raised in Hudson, Wisconsin. My husband Jonathan, a 6th-generation dairy farmer, and I have been married since 2017. Together with our children and extended family, we live a full and rewarding life centered around farming, family, and raising exceptional Labrador Retrievers.
Raising a litter of puppies is truly a family effort. From early morning clean-ups to late-night snuggles, every puppy is handled, loved, and socialized by multiple hands and hearts. It’s this environment that helps shape the calm, affectionate, and confident temperaments our puppies are known for.
Our Story
My journey with Labradors began in my early 20s when I brought home my first two dogs, Brando and Sascha—the foundation of what would become Loving Loyal Labs. What started as a single litter in 2010 quickly grew into something much more meaningful.
Over the years, this program has evolved through experience, education, and the relationships built with families who welcome our puppies into their homes. Each litter has taught me something new, and my passion for the breed has only deepened with time.
Labradors have a way of leaving a lasting impression—their loyalty, intelligence, and genuine nature are what drew me in and continue to inspire everything we do.
Our Philosophy
We are committed to breeding Labrador Retrievers that are not only beautiful, but sound in mind and body. Our goal is simple: to raise happy, healthy puppies and thoughtfully match them with loving, lifelong homes.
Our puppies are raised inside our home, surrounded by everyday life, consistent interaction, and intentional care. This early foundation plays a vital role in shaping confident, well-adjusted, and adaptable companions.
We focus on raising puppies that are:
- Healthy and well-structured
- Even-tempered and highly trainable
- Confident, social, and adaptable
- True companions for years to come
Through age-appropriate socialization and early experiences, we help each puppy build the skills needed to transition seamlessly into their new home.
Our program remains intentionally small so that every dog and every litter receives the time, attention, and care they deserve. It’s this level of care and intention that allows us to raise dogs who bring lasting joy, companionship, and loyalty to the families who welcome them home.
Health & Foundation
All of our breeding dogs are AKC registered Labrador Retrievers and are carefully selected for their temperament, trainability, and overall health.
Prior to breeding, each dog undergoes comprehensive health testing, including:
- OFA-certified hips and elbows
- Full genetic panel screening
Each puppy goes home:
- Up to date on vaccinations and deworming
- Microchipped
- With a full veterinary wellness exam
We stand behind the health of our puppies and offer both short- and long-term health guarantees, giving families confidence as they welcome their new companion home.
Learn more about our Health Guarantee
From the very beginning, we focus on building a strong foundation through proven early development and care.
Early Development: ENS & ESI
We incorporate both Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI) during the critical early days of each puppy’s life—helping build a strong foundation for confidence, resilience, and adaptability.
ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation)
Originally developed by the military, this program uses gentle daily exercises to stimulate neurological development.
Benefits include:
- Improved stress tolerance
- Stronger cardiovascular performance
- Increased resilience
ESI (Early Scent Introduction)
Through daily scent exposure from days 3–16, puppies begin developing awareness and confidence through their sense of smell. This early work supports future trainability and can be especially beneficial for service, therapy, and working roles.
Together, these methods help us better understand each puppy’s natural instincts, allowing us to thoughtfully match them with the right families and lifestyles.
These early foundations play an important role in shaping well-balanced puppies who are prepared to thrive in their future homes.
Learn more about ENS (AKC) & ESI (Avidog) → (Keep Links for AKC & Aviddog sites)
Learn More About Our Puppy Raising Process
Enrichment & Socialization
Beyond ENS and ESI, we place a strong emphasis on real-world exposure and intentional socialization.
Our puppies are raised in a home environment and experience:
- Daily interaction with adults, children, and other dogs
- Exposure to common household sounds and activity (vacuum, washer, dryer, TVs, and more)
- Early introduction to litter box training for a smoother housebreaking transition
- Structured enrichment through a variety of textures, surfaces, and play equipment
- Routine handling, grooming, and nail care
As they grow, puppies are gradually introduced to new environments, sounds, and experiences—helping them build confidence and adaptability.
Our goal is to raise well-adjusted puppies who transition seamlessly into their new homes—and quickly become a natural part of the families who welcome them.
See Our Puppies in Action.
Our Commitment
From the moment they are born to the day they go home, each puppy is cared for with intention, attention, and genuine love. Our goal is not only to raise exceptional Labrador Retrievers, but to provide families with a smooth, supported, and meaningful experience from start to finish.
We believe the early weeks of a puppy’s life matter deeply—and we are intentional in every step of that journey.
It is truly an honor to raise these dogs and be part of the stories they become a part of.
Thank you for being here. We are incredibly grateful for the families who trust us to be part of their journey.
We hope that a Loving Loyal Labs puppy brings lasting joy, companionship, and connection into your home for years to come.
We invite you to explore our site and follow along as we continue raising puppies rooted in family, purpose, and lifelong companionship.
State of Wisconsin licensed and inspected: 521630-DS
