Labrador Retriever Breeders -About Us
Welcome to Escalante English Labradors!
Tennessee's Premier Labrador Retriever Breeders.
We’re thrilled to share more about our family, our love for Labrador Retrievers, and the dedication we put into being the best English Labrador Retriever breeders we can be!
Tucked away in the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee, just 90 minutes south of Nashville, our farm provides the perfect setting for both our kids and puppies to grow up together. We believe that having plenty of space to run, explore, and spend time in nature is key to fostering healthy minds and bodies—both human and canine. With expansive pastures for leisurely walks and wooded areas to explore, our farm is the ideal environment for our dogs to thrive and provides an excellent, low stress environment for our puppies first months of life here with us…
At Escalante Kennels, we prioritize positive early socialization, ensuring our English Labrador puppies grow up well-adjusted and confident. Raised in a family environment alongside children, farm animals, and a variety of enriching experiences, our puppies get a fantastic start in life. As Tennessee’s premier Fox Red English Labrador breeders, we’re dedicated to raising healthy, happy puppies. We study pedigrees to ensure our pairings are genetically compatible and have invested in breeding lines from around the USA and abroad. Our parent dogs are DNA tested through Embark and OFA health tested (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), ensuring our Labrador Retriever puppies are healthy with a solid genetic background. For your peace of mind, each of our puppies go home with a genetic health warranty that we stand behind.
Our English Labrador puppies are family-raised, which means they grow up in a loving home surrounded by kids and other animals. This nurturing environment helps them develop strong social skills and a friendly demeanor, ensuring they adapt well to their new forever homes.
While we’re based in Middle Tennessee, we’re proud to have many happy puppy families from Alabama, Florida and Georgia to further north in areas like New York and Massachusetts. Our English lab puppies live in cities like LA to more rural areas in Montana, California and Texas. We love meeting new families from all over the US and seeing how our puppies bring them so much joy and fit perfectly into their lives. We are thrilled that you’re considering adopting an English Labrador Retriever puppy from us here at Escalante! We are honored to be a part of your search for a family companion that will bring years of joy and adventure into your home.
Keep reading to see how we started breeding Labs- the best family pets…
Animal Lovers from the Start
I’m Becca, and along with my husband Quint, animals have been constant companions in our lives. Quint grew up on his grandmother’s Thoroughbred racing farm in Maryland, where he gained hands-on experience in the equestrian world. From assisting with foaling and caring for horses to working as an exercise rider, he developed a deep connection with these incredible animals. His family also kept a variety of farm animals, including goats, chickens, and cattle. Quint’s early love for horses led him to a 20-year career as an equine podiatrist (or farrier). However, a back injury eventually prompted him to pivot to a new career path.
My Best Friends
My journey with animals began in childhood. I started riding horses around the age of 5 or 6, and by 9, I was lucky enough to have my first pony. My passion for riding and training horses was paired with a deep interest in equine behavior, which I studied throughout high school. Dogs were also a huge part of my life from the start, and I have vivid memories of our Labrador Retriever, Goldy Pup. She was a classic yellow lab with an incredibly sweet nature. Growing up in the Colorado Mountains, Goldy Pup wasn’t just a playmate—she was also a protector and loyal companion to me and my two brothers. Losing her to cardiac arrest after she accidentally ingested a small amount of antifreeze was one of the most heartbreaking moments of my childhood.
Goldy Pup (L), Becca, friends lab (R)
A Growing Interest in Canine and Equine Behavior
One of the most influential dogs in my life was Sammy—my first puppy. He was a Maltese who faced a variety of behavioral challenges. His struggles sparked my passion for understanding canine behavior and highlighted the importance of early socialization. This interest led me to rehabilitate rescue dogs and help dog owners with behavioral issues throughout high school, deepening my understanding of how vital positive early experiences are for a puppy’s mental health and development.
After Quint and I married, we continued to enjoy the company of both horses and dogs. However, it wasn’t until 2017 that we decided to embark on the rewarding journey of becoming English Labrador Retriever breeders. I combined my lifelong love for animals with a desire to breed the best family companions possible. My passion for photography also allowed me to capture the heartwarming moments of our puppies and children growing up together.
Labrador Retriever Breeders
KC was our very first mama as Labrador Retriever breeders. She was a fantastic American Lab, great with our kids, and produced several litters of lively, affectionate pups. But in 2018, we were introduced to the English Labrador Retriever and were immediately drawn to their calm temperament and striking looks. The noticeable differences in both demeanor and build between American and English Labs inspired us to focus exclusively on breeding English Labs. We often say that English Labs are “born perfect”—their easygoing nature and eagerness to please make training a smooth and enjoyable experience.