We have been successful at retriever competitions for almost 40 years. Woody Thurman of Twin Lakes Kennel, has produced dozens of Master Hunter Labrador retrievers. Despite our incredible success at the field trials, we are most interested in helping our clients to own and handle the world’s best Labrador Retrievers. Our commitment to that goal has never faltered.
Labrador retrievers are the ultimate hunting or gun dogs. Labs win more field trials and earn more hunt test titles than all of the other breeds combined. According to one source, 20 to 25 percent of the Labrador retrievers in this country are used for hunting or field trials and hunt tests.
Hunt tests, sponsored by individual dog clubs and conducted under AKC (American Kennel Club) rules and regulations, are designed to evaluate a dog’s ability to find and retrieve downed birds. Hunt tests are not competitive, meaning the dogs do not compete against each other. Instead, their performance is measured against a standard established by the sponsoring agencies. Labs scoring the necessary points at a given number of tests can earn one of the following AKC titles:
Each level requires more skill. As the dog advances, hunt tests become more difficult. A good retriever must be able to remember the location of downed birds, to locate the downed bird, regardless of terrain, retrieve the bird and gently return it to its handler. The dog must be able to pay attention to its handler at all times and be comfortable with the sound of gunfire. The title, once earned, becomes a part of the dog’s pedigree.
We are very proud of titling more than 200 AKC Master Hunter Labrador Retrievers. Woody has also qualified 47 retrievers at AKC Master Nationals. He has won the Ducks Unlimited Open Championships twice. But we are most proud of…
Every one of the more than eight thousand Labrador Retrievers came with a guarantee against hereditary defects. That is a guarantee you won’t get from a puppy mill or a backyard breeder. During the past thirty-five years at Twin Lakes Kennel, we have searched for the most talented, well rounded, most dominant American field bloodlines. We breed for natural hunting instinct and tractability and those same qualities produce a gentle, loving and obedient family pet.
We really do believe that:
-Woody Thurman
About Woody Thurman: Woody and Judi Thurman of Twin Lakes Kennel have been breeding and training world class Labrador Retrievers for more than 35 years. Twin Lakes Kennel is the number #1 resource for Labrador Retriever puppies. We select from the most dominant American field bloodlines and breed for natural hunting instinct and tractability. Our Labs, both puppies and adults, are out of the top working Labrador Retriever bloodlines in the country. The end results are the most talented, well rounded Labrador Retrievers possible, making them a most desirable family pet.
More than eight thousand (8,000) Labrador Retrievers have been bred and trained during those thirty-five years. During this time, Woody has titled more than 200 AKC Master Hunter Labrador Retrievers. Woody has also qualified 47 retrievers at AKC Master Nationals. He has won the Ducks Unlimited Open Championships twice. In addition, two of his Labs, Drake and Rondy, bred and trained at Twin Lakes Kennel, are in the Master National Hall of Fame.
Our Labrador Retriever puppies are the culmination of a 30 year search for the most talented, well rounded Labrador Retriever possible. We select from the most dominant American field bloodlines and breed for natural hunting instinct and tractability. Our puppies begin a structured socialization program in the litter box and are introduced to birds at six weeks.
All our Labrador Retriever Puppies carry a guarantee against hereditary defects and to have basic retrieving instincts. Parents of all our Labrador Retriever puppies are physically sound with certified hips and eyes. They are out of the top working Labrador Retriever bloodlines in the country.
We guarantee all our Labrador Retriever puppies to be free from hereditary defects.
Call Woody and Judi at (910) 462-3246 for more information.
At Twin Lakes Kennel, training turns natural drive into reliable performance at home, in the field, and in competition. For more than 45 years, we have developed American field labs with superior DNA through clear structure, fair corrections, and consistent repetitions that build confident, steady dogs ready for real work and daily life.
Advanced work focuses on multiple marks, challenging blinds, handling precision, and steadiness to wing and shot. Dogs learn to take casts off whistle stops, negotiate water, cover, and diversions, and execute clean deliveries to hand. Our program refines control without dulling drive and produces a sharp, biddable retriever that reads terrain, holds lines, and trusts direction when the bird is out of sight.
Core training builds the foundation every retriever needs: heel, sit, here, place, kennel, and calm hold and delivery. Sessions layer obedience with marked retrieves, bird introduction, gunfire acclimation, and water confidence.
Owners receive hands-on coaching so the dog returns home with a clear routine, firm boundaries, and patterns that keep progress intact in daily family life.
Puppy obedience starts at six months for physically sound pups current on vaccinations. Leash and collar work teaches basic commands through repetition and consistent reward and consequence.
Most pups complete this track in four to six weeks, with boarding included. Families receive a practical handoff that demonstrates how to maintain structure, reduce confusion, and reinforce good habits from day one.
Field training begins at square one and scales to the dog’s aptitude. Early phases include fun marks, birds, water entries, and controlled exposure to gunfire.
Started retrievers typically reach steadiness and delivery to hand in three to four months and are ready to begin remote handling. Finished retrievers usually take six to eight months, running tough multiples and cold blinds with whistle and hand signals for reliable performance during live hunts.
If you have any inquiries about our Labrador retriever training services, feel free to contact us today.
Limited litters available – reserve your future hunting partner or family friend today!
Are you interested in learning more about master hunter labrador retrievers for sale and master hunter labrador retriever training by Woody Thurman? Call us for more information at (910) 462-3246 to purchase a world class Labrador Retriever from Woody Thurman today!
“I have known Woody and Judy for over 20 years. There are no finer folks. They have my total trust with any dog sent to Twin Lakes for training. The dogs that go to Twin Lakes are worked in drills. Don't expect your dog to come home fat. Working dogs need to be in top physical condition. The most powerful thing about Woody is that his dog work to their...
-Nat lambeth
“Great, clean well maintained facility. Thurmans (trainers/breeders) are experts in their field and will go the extra mile to help you and your dog.”
-Bill H
“I feel blessed immeasurably to have found these folks and my only complaint is I love my 3 year old yellow way too much.”
-G K
I just wanted to send y’all an update on how our puppy Boone is doing. He is from the Snatch/Honey litter and he looks just like his father. He’s just over six months old now and he’s panning out to be a wonderful hunt dog.
I began shooting around him just recently and from the very beginning he was fearless. He didn’t even blink an eye when the shots were fired. He just looks straight ahead waiting to be released.
-Orry Frye
”I have known Twin Lakes Kennel and Woody Thurman for more than 20 years. Woody is a superb dog trainer and teacher about retriever training. Twin Lakes is an extraordinary facility. Their puppies come from the finest hunting and field trial/hunt test stock. All will have clean genetic pedigrees. Most importantly, Woody is an honest, straightforward man who will tell you both the strengths and weaknesses of any dog he sells or you wish to have evaluated. I would stake my own reputation on this.”
-John Scanlon MD, FAAP.
“For 11 years it was my distinct honor and privilege to serve as chairman of the rules committee for the AKC Retriever Hunt Test program. During that time I got to meet many professional retriever dog trainers all across the United States. Woody Thurman, whom I have known for more than 20 years, was and is my favorite. He is an extremely intelligent, honest, hard working and trustworthy man.
-Bob Ripley
I wanted to say thank you, again, for putting up with me during the puppy process! You all were so sweet to send pictures and answer my questions, and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and working with you. “Piper” is settling in wonderfully! You were also right about how smart she would be! Piper learned “sit” on her second day home, and I can tell that she is already picking up on some of the “getting around” terms I use with Bauer like “this way” to redirect her course. I’m so excited to watch her really start learning!
-Mindi
I just wanted to send y’all a quick note updating you on our sweet Gauge that we picked up back in May (Snatch x Raven). It’s hard to believe that he’s 8 months old and is already going on his first hunts! Here are a few pics of him. You can see how he’s developed. He’s beautiful and is so agile and LOVES to hunt. His drive is unbelievable and he’s surpassed all of our expectations with how smart he is. We hope that you are all doing well and thank you, once again, for our amazing dog.
-April and her family
“We picked up our little guy last week and were very impressed by how intentional they are about raising healthy puppies. Ours is sweet and snuggly - two characteristics you don't often find in a MasterHunter lineage gun dog! He has been my shadow and has already learned so much. Can't wait to see him grow into his birthright and chase so.e ducks!”
-Ashley Tison
