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!
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.
Charcoal Male Yellow Collar
Male • Ready May 4
Dilute Retriever
Silver Female Light Purple Collar
Female • Ready May 4
Dilute Retriever
Charcoal Female Pink Collar
Female • Ready May 4
Dilute Retriever
Charcoal Male Light Blue Collar
Male • Ready May 4
Dilute Retriever
Charcoal Female Orange Collar
Female • Ready May 4
Dilute Retriever
Charcoal Male Lime Green
Male • Ready May 4
Dilute Retriever
Silver Male Brown Collar
Male • Ready May 4
Dilute Retriever
Charcoal Male Grey
Male • Ready May 4
Dilute Retriever
Charcoal Female Purple(Dark Blue)
Female • Ready May 4
Dilute Retriever
Winter Mae- Purple
Female • Went Home Dec. 30, 2022
Dilute Retriever
Green
Male • Went Home Dec. 30, 2022
Dilute Retriever
Turquoise
Female • Went Home Dec. 30, 2022
Dilute Retriever
Dolly- Pink Collar
Female • Went Home Dec. 30, 2022
Dilute Retriever
Raven-Yellow Collae
Female • Went Home Dec. 30, 2022
Dilute Retriever
Black
Male • Went Home Dec. 30, 2022
Dilute Retriever
Grey
Male • Went Home Dec. 30, 2022
Dilute Retriever
Light Blue
Female • Went Home Dec. 30, 2022
Dilute Retriever
Orange
Female • Went Home Dec. 30, 2022
Dilute Retriever
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
Nicole A.
☘️☘️The luck of the Irish welcomed 9 perfect babies today! Winter had 9 puppies (5 boys and 4 girls) and is one proud Momma! All are content and doing well☘️☘️
River and Winter's litter
Nicole A.
Rose are red 🌹 Violets are blue 💙 Winter Mae is due March 22nd 🐾🥰 We’ve been keeping a little secret…our next litter of charcoal and silvers are due 3/22!!!
River and Winter's litter
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nicole offers options to help you easily get your new puppy home.
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.
Work with a trusted flight nanny or transporter to get your puppy comfortably dropped off at an airport or meeting point close to home.
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.
Summer Lovin’ Labradors of Southern Illinois meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
All breeds
Dilute Retriever
Labrador Retriever
Dilute Retriever
About Storm
Storm is a loving and petite charcoal lab that loves playing ball and snuggles. She currently lives in a guardian home with her older lab sister and humans.
Dilute Retriever
About Winter
Winter Mae was born and raised in our home and our first “breeding failure” lol. She has a beautiful, super velvet soft ears and a soft coat with angel wing on her sides. She is the sweetest and most loving dog which makes her the perfect Momma Dog to her puppies.
Uploaded health tests
Full Embark Panel
Labrador Retriever
About Maverick
Maverick AKA Mac Money is the prime example of a Mommas boy and a big baby. He loves snuggles and sits on your lap with all 90lbs of him. He has a big blocky build with a thick curve tail along with a very mellow and calm personality.
Uploaded health tests
Full Embark Panel
Labrador Retriever
About Mo
Mo is a female Labrador Retriever. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Nicole decided to make her part of their program. Nicole has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Uploaded health tests
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Labrador Retriever
About Hattie
Hattie is a very smart and loving girl which "may" get her into trouble. Hattie is short for Hat Trick since she is our third female lab. She loves cuddles, has a toy hoarding problem, is very personable and laid back. She enjoys snuggles, exploring and water. Playing in the mud is her favorite activity and she can always find it, which makes it hard to keep her beautiful, pure white coat clean.
Uploaded health tests
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Dilute Retriever
About Blue Belle
Blue Belle is our silver Momma weighing 70-75 pounds. She will retrieve and swim for hours. She enjoys car rides and being outdoors along with snuggles. She is very aware of her surroundings and constantly watching to protect and guard. Blue is named after Nicole’s love for the St. Louis Blues hockey team and is AKC & CKC registered.
Uploaded health tests
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Labrador Retriever
About Reilly
Reilly is our champagne female and has a very spunky personality! We named Reilly after the St. Louis Blues captain, Ryan O’Reilly. She is a very adventurous girl and playing in water is one of her favorite hobbies. She’s a very sweet lady with a lot of love to give, which will help her be a very loving and attentive Mama.
Uploaded health tests
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Dilute Retriever
About Ace
Ace is our 85 pound AKC Registered charcoal stud. He’s is the most loving and sweet boy that is always wagging his tail and smiling. He is very extra and forgets the concept of personal space . He has a very happy personality and enjoys being the center of attention. He loves playing ball and is a great retriever.
Uploaded health tests
Full Embark Panel
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).
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...
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.