About Us

Dare Kennel was founded in 1987. Our original breed was Golden Retrievers. While very successful with Golden Retrievers (breeding numerous champions including a Best in Show), the political nature of showing the breed, the sad split between field lines and show lines, and sadly the decline of the breeds' overall health led us to Flat Coated Retrievers.

Kim currently works as a school turnaround specialist. She has been handling dogs since 1987 when she started with a Golden Retriever in obedience. It quickly progressed to conformation and now to field events also.  She has finished numerous champions of various breeds..including: Golden Retrievers, Flat Coated Retrievers, Irish Water Spaniels, Bulldogs and Great Danes. While she does not earn her living showing dogs, Kim will take select client dogs from time to time for showing and training or will pick up a properly trained client dog ringside.

Ken is retired from the US Coast Guard and is the training specialist , and responsible for the performance titles on all the dogs. Ken has owned FCR since 1986. He served many years as an AKC hunting test judge. While Ken is now living in Zwolle, LA his influence on both the individual dogs,  and the breeding program is monumental. He remains a trusted advisor.

Our breeding program is VERY selective. We breed for soundness in mind and body and proper type. We firmly believe that it is important to maintain the purpose of the breed and to that end our breeding stock are also our hunting companions.

We are members of the Flat Coated Retriever Society of America and we abide by the FCRSA code of Ethics for breeders. ALL breedings are done only after the dogs obtain OFA clearances and prove to be mentally and physically sound. ALL puppies are sold on contract. Pet puppies are sold on limited registration and with a spay/neuter agreement. ALL puppies are guaranteed for the LIFE of the pup. We gladly rehome any pup we breed. 

 We are proud to be an AKC BREEDER OF MERIT!

We occassionaly have puppies or adult dogs available. We are very selective in who gets our dogs. All persons interested in obtaining a dog from us must answer a questionaire and references will be checked. We reserve the right to refuse to place our dogs with anyone, in such cases refunds will be immediately returned.