Fleetpaw Gundogs

Liz Lacey, Lambley, Nottingham

I own Suntop Kennels which is a boarding kennels and cattery.  I am also a small showing breeding kennels of Labrador and Curly Coated Retrievers.

I have always had a passion for animals of all kinds, but particularly horses and dogs.

I didn’t have a dog growing up as both my parents worked and it would not have been fair. I therefore borrowed any dog I could! Luckily my neighbour had the most beautiful black Labrador which is obviously where the love of the breed started. Although living on the other side were two Cairn terriers it was always  Jilly the Lab who I would sneek into the house and spend hours with her.

Whilst away at University I landed myself a job working in the training kennels of Guide Dogs.  This was a fantastic job which also led to me taking the dogs home at weekends when they weren’t in training.

In 2002 I adopted my first Labrador from a breed recue.  This special girl had not had a good start and although only 10 months old when I took her on a lot of damage had been done.  She taught me an awful lot, but was far from a typical Labrador with a very sharp temper!

After having two black Labradors through rescue Bo and Milo I then was persuaded to take on a  Chocolate Labrador Bonnie, who owner at the time was very ill.  By this time I had met my now husband and we were already in the process of buying Suntop Kennels.

Once I had a kennels and was working from home the four legged family seemed to grow!  After numerous disallowed names we were granted our breeder affix from the Kennel club in 2004, FLEETPAW. This was thought of by my grandma and is just arrived from  a  Fleet of Paws. We bred our first litter in 2006 and this line still continues today.

Although the Labrador was my first love, another breed soon caught my eye, the Curly Coated retriever. I got my first Curly back in 2005. The two breeds although both gundogs are very different.  The Curly is a fairly unknown breed which is far from the popularity of the Labrador.  I am passionate about working to protect this breed which is one of the oldest native gundog breeds.

I have enjoyed many activities with both breeds, but I have really caught the showing bug. I have to date campaigned one Curly to his show Champion title and gained three Kennel Club stud book numbers. I have qualified and shown both breeds at Crufts, competing every year since 2007.

I also enjoy judging and currently judge several gundog breeds. I am on the committee for the Curly breed club and give my time to try and educate and protect this special breed. I am always very happy to offer advice and help to people interested in either breed and welcome you to come and meet any of my dogs.

I am a Kennel Club Assured Breeder.  All my dogs are health tested including hip scoring and eye testing as a minimum.

I welcome you to my page and hope you enjoy looking at my canine family.