About us
My journey with English Labradors began many years ago with my first Labrador, Estela. She was not a show dog, but she embodied everything that drew me to the breed — a joyful temperament, gentle nature, intelligence, and an incredible ability to connect with people. She never seemed to have a bad day and brought happiness wherever she went. Estela was the dog that made me fall in love with Labradors and sparked a lifelong passion that eventually grew into a deep commitment to preserving the English Labrador Retriever with sound temperament and structure.
Over the years, Labradors have become far more than simply dogs to me. They have remained a constant through different chapters of life — through relocations, challenges, accomplishments, and everything in between. No matter where life has taken me, the dogs have always remained at the center of my home and my life.
That passion gradually grew into a desire to better understand every aspect of the breed — temperament, structure, movement, health, pedigrees, and the qualities that make a Labrador not only beautiful, but also sound and capable of doing what it was originally bred to do: retrieve game in the field while remaining a wonderful family companion at home.
As a veterinarian and breeder, I have always believed that if I was going to breed Labradors, it had to be done thoughtfully and responsibly. Health and temperament have always been the priorities for me.
Over the years, I became actively involved with the Labrador Retriever community through membership in the Greater Atlanta Labrador Retriever Club and the Labrador Retriever Club, Inc. Becoming an American Kennel Club Breeder of Merit was simply a natural reflection of the years of dedication already invested into my program.
My Labradors have earned numerous championships and titles in conformation and other venues, but more importantly, the experience has helped me continue learning and improving with every generation.
One of the compliments that has meant the most to me over the years has been hearing people say they can recognize a Van Dalen Labrador when they see one. Families and fellow breeders alike have commented on the distinct look, expression, temperament, and consistency of the dogs I have worked to preserve throughout generations of my breeding program.
One of the things I value most today is the continuity within my program. Many of my Labradors now represent six generations of Van Dalen breeding, something that means far more to me than ribbons or titles alone. Seeing generations of dogs carrying forward the temperament, type, and soundness I have worked to preserve is one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
Today, Van Dalen Labradors remains a small, deeply personal breeding program in the Metro Atlanta area built around my love for the English Labrador Retriever. Above all, I remain grateful for the people, friendships, and families these dogs have brought into my life over the years, and for the opportunity to continue sharing this wonderful breed with others.
Over the years, Labradors have become far more than simply dogs to me. They have remained a constant through different chapters of life — through relocations, challenges, accomplishments, and everything in between. No matter where life has taken me, the dogs have always remained at the center of my home and my life.
That passion gradually grew into a desire to better understand every aspect of the breed — temperament, structure, movement, health, pedigrees, and the qualities that make a Labrador not only beautiful, but also sound and capable of doing what it was originally bred to do: retrieve game in the field while remaining a wonderful family companion at home.
As a veterinarian and breeder, I have always believed that if I was going to breed Labradors, it had to be done thoughtfully and responsibly. Health and temperament have always been the priorities for me.
Over the years, I became actively involved with the Labrador Retriever community through membership in the Greater Atlanta Labrador Retriever Club and the Labrador Retriever Club, Inc. Becoming an American Kennel Club Breeder of Merit was simply a natural reflection of the years of dedication already invested into my program.
My Labradors have earned numerous championships and titles in conformation and other venues, but more importantly, the experience has helped me continue learning and improving with every generation.
One of the compliments that has meant the most to me over the years has been hearing people say they can recognize a Van Dalen Labrador when they see one. Families and fellow breeders alike have commented on the distinct look, expression, temperament, and consistency of the dogs I have worked to preserve throughout generations of my breeding program.
One of the things I value most today is the continuity within my program. Many of my Labradors now represent six generations of Van Dalen breeding, something that means far more to me than ribbons or titles alone. Seeing generations of dogs carrying forward the temperament, type, and soundness I have worked to preserve is one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
Today, Van Dalen Labradors remains a small, deeply personal breeding program in the Metro Atlanta area built around my love for the English Labrador Retriever. Above all, I remain grateful for the people, friendships, and families these dogs have brought into my life over the years, and for the opportunity to continue sharing this wonderful breed with others.
