Summer Lovin’ Labradors of Southern Illinois

Raised by Nicole A.

Certified Breeder of Labrador Retrievers and Dilute Retrievers

  • 1 club membership • Preferred Breeder
  • 100% response rate • Responds within a few days

Meet the breeder

I'm the breeder behind Summer Lovin’ Labradors of Southern Illinois located in Marion, IL. As a small family breeder, Summer Lovin’ Labradors raises every litter in our family home, where each puppy receives constant supervision, care, love, and human interaction. Each puppy is considered a member of our family and is treated just like that by enjoying one on one attention and love along with child interaction from my 2 wild boys. We allow the puppies free time to run and explore the yard on their own, teaching them independence. We also introduce crate and potty training as our continuous effort to raise well-balanced puppies. We hope that you find your next companion, family member, best friend, or hunting partner at our home!

Nicole’s experience

  • About Nicole

    We are a family-based AKC registered Labrador breeder located in beautiful Southern Illinois. We are a dedicated breeder producing quality puppies that meet all breed standards and provide families with healthy, happy pets, companions, and hunters. Our beautiful pups are sure to make loving companions for your family for many years to come!

  • What makes Nicole’s program special

    We are dedicated to always providing you with a positive experience, which includes remaining committed to responsible practices when it comes to breeding, training, and rehoming our puppies. This breed stole our hearts from the very beginning, and we can't wait to connect you and your family with your next Labrador Retriever puppy!

  • Nicole is a member of a club

    GLIB

  • Nicole’s certifications & recognitions

    AKC Breeder with H.E.A.R.T.

Puppies

Charcoal Male Yellow Collar

Available

Male • Ready May 4

Dilute Retriever

Silver Female Light Purple Collar

Available

Female • Ready May 4

Dilute Retriever

Charcoal Female Pink Collar

Available

Female • Ready May 4

Dilute Retriever

Charcoal Male Light Blue Collar

Available

Male • Ready May 4

Dilute Retriever

Charcoal Female Orange Collar

Available

Female • Ready May 4

Dilute Retriever

Charcoal Male Lime Green

Available

Male • Ready May 4

Dilute Retriever

Silver Male Brown Collar

Available

Male • Ready May 4

Dilute Retriever

Charcoal Male Grey

Available

Male • Ready May 4

Dilute Retriever

Charcoal Female Purple(Dark Blue)

Available

Female • Ready May 4

Dilute Retriever

Winter Mae- Purple

Reserved

Female • Went Home Dec. 30, 2022

Dilute Retriever

Green

Reserved

Male • Went Home Dec. 30, 2022

Dilute Retriever

Turquoise

Reserved

Female • Went Home Dec. 30, 2022

Dilute Retriever

Dolly- Pink Collar

Reserved

Female • Went Home Dec. 30, 2022

Dilute Retriever

Raven-Yellow Collae

Reserved

Female • Went Home Dec. 30, 2022

Dilute Retriever

Black

Reserved

Male • Went Home Dec. 30, 2022

Dilute Retriever

Grey

Reserved

Male • Went Home Dec. 30, 2022

Dilute Retriever

Light Blue

Reserved

Female • Went Home Dec. 30, 2022

Dilute Retriever

Orange

Reserved

Female • Went Home Dec. 30, 2022

Dilute Retriever

Newborn & upcoming litters

Newborn Dilute Retrievers from River and Winter

Born Mar. 2025. Ready May 4

Newborn Dilute Retrievers from River and Winter

Born Mar. 2025

Ready May 4

Litter and program updates

Getting a puppy from Nicole

Nicole has been certified by Good Dog's screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you're ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies. You'll also have the chance to share a bit about yourself and what you're looking for in a new companion. Together, you'll choose the puppy that's right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.

Price

Puppy prices range from $1,000 - $1,500 and include a non-refundable deposit of $300.

“The price also includes: -Sire and Dam Embark testing clear -Dewclaw removal (done between 3-5 days of age) -De-wormed at 2, 3, 4, and 6 weeks of age -Shots administered at 6 weeks of age -AKC Reunite microchip -AKC registration (pet or full) -AKC Litter Certificate –Vet records and record folder -5-day good health guarantee -A 12-month genetic health guarantee granted to the original owner -A 25-month hip and eye guarantee granted to the original owner -A puppy care package which includes food/treats, toy, and more for the drive home. By placing a deposit with us, you are agreeing to the terms below. Deposits are nonrefundable! No exceptions will be made unless we are unable to provide you with the requested puppy. Deposits may be transferred to a different litter, once only. *If you have a deposit down and back out on a puppy, then transfer it to another litter and back out, you forfeit your deposit. We request a non-refundable deposit of $300.00 to hold a puppy in your name. Puppies are picked as deposit order received. Your balance is to be paid at puppy pick up since you will take immediate ownership. All puppies are sold with limited AKC registration unless approved by breeder. **We do offer a ‘Paid in Full’ discount of $200 off a puppy under 4 weeks of age** This does not apply to any other discounts and only one discount is allowed per puppy.”

Contract and health guarantee

Nicole may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Nicole offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don’t hesitate to reach out to Nicole directly.

Always communicate and pay on Good Dog.Learn more

What's included

Enrichment and socialization

We do everything to ensure our puppies are well-trained and socialized before rehoming. I utilize the following enrichment methods: Socialized with other animals, Introduced to people of different ages and appearances, Socialized with children, Surface & tactile stimulation, Water Introduction, outside potty training , Puppy Manners, Early socialization, We litter train our puppies by 4 weeks which makes crate training very easy., Name recognition , Socialized with other dogs, Daily handling, Various sounds, Various Surfaces, Chew, e.g. Bone, Early Socialization, Sound Stimulation, Human Interactions, Water Introduction, Touch Desensitization, Bathing, Grooming, and Nail Trimming, Stairs, Outdoors, e.g. rain, Toys, e.g. Ball, Grooming Desensitization, Socialized with Adult Dogs, Socialized with Children, Crate Training, and Potty Training.

 … 
Puppy health practices

We strive to improve the breed by breeding only the best dogs or selecting outside dogs that we feel meet our high expectations for temperament, health, personality, and trainability. Producing healthy dogs means health testing each dog before breeding using Embark testing for various genetic disorders and to screen out diseases of the heart (EIC - Exercise Induced Collapse) and eyes (PRA/PRCD – Progressive Retinal Atrophy) which are common among Labs.

Extras

We send our puppies home with Basic obedience & manners, Registration, Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent, Puppy starter kit, Microchip, Vet records, Toys, Initial potty training, Food & treats, AKC Registration, Vaccinations, Puppy Collar, Food Starter Bag, Toy with Littermates' Scent, Blanket with Littermates' and Mom's scents, and Bone.

Bringing your puppy home

Nicole offers options to help you easily get your new puppy home.

Pick up your puppy in Marion, IL or nearby

If you’re nearby, you can visit in person to pick up your pup. If you’re far away, you can travel by car or plane.

Get your puppy dropped off to you

Work with a trusted flight nanny or transporter to get your puppy comfortably dropped off at an airport or meeting point close to home.

More about Nicole

  • Why Nicole started breeding

    We love this breed! Our dogs have brought us so much love and happiness that we decided to start our own responsible breeding program by producing the highest quality dogs and providing them a wonderful life with wonderful families. Our dogs are our family, and we can't wait to welcome you into our community!

  • Nicole is a Preferred Good Dog Breeder

    Preferred Breeders are recognized for their quick replies and exceptional buyer support.

  • Nicole has been a member of Good Dog for almost 4 years

    Nicole was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2021.

  • Nicole’s program includes six colors

    Nicole’s Labrador Retriever puppies include black, yellow, and chocolate. Nicole’s Dilute Retriever puppies include silver, charcoal, and champagne. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.

  • Nicole’s links

Nicole is a trusted Good Dog breeder

Summer Lovin’ Labradors of Southern Illinois meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:

  • Responsible breeding practices
  • Health of breeding dogs and puppies
  • Puppy environment and enrichment
  • Buyer education and policies

Meet Nicole's parent dogs

All breeds

Dilute Retriever

Labrador Retriever

Parent health testing

Dilute Retriever

Labrador Retriever

Summer Lovin’ Labradors of Southern Illinois reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Dilute Retrievers.

  • Full Embark Panel

    Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).

Verified owner stories

Hear what other owners say about working with Nicole to bring home their puppies.

  • Dennis D.

    July 2024

    Great experience went out of her way to arrange pickup on Father’s Day.

    Katherine F.

    July 2024

    Nicole was awesome! She was very quick and responsive to all my Questions. Nicole was also very knowledgeable and had lots of information. When we were able to meet Poppy at three weeks, we just knew...

    Andrea S.

    Jan. 2023

    We are absolutely in love with Miss Harper Jade! She is growing and thriving! She loves her new "sisters" and her kids here!

    Cassie P.

    Dec. 2022

    Everything went amazing! The best experience I could have asked for! I live in FL & found Nicole on good dog, she kept me updated with pictures & weights every week once we picked our “little” guy. We...

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