Gun Dog Breeder Reviews for HILLTOP LABRADORS
Testimonials (32) | Back to HILLTOP LABRADORS
Submitted by: Mark Ambose on Nov 07, 2022
Update on Sky. She’s up to 30 retrieves. Opening day on pheasant she retrieved 6 birds and a drake wood duck. She struggled Sunday on birds pretty dry tuff for her to pick up scent on running birds that were wounded, but still very proud of her. For being 9 months she’s doing good. She retrieved 7 ducks this morning. My son shot 3 she didn’t see fall and had no problem finding them. He had her sit and then sent her and no problem find them. I’m very happy with her and again thank you. You raise some very good dogs.
Submitted by: Chad on Sep 10, 2022
I had been looking for a started dog to go hunting with this fall and came across the ad Maggie had just listed. Lucky for me the dog was available and getting training daily I am not a dog trainer by any means but this dog Boone we bought from Maggie is unbelievable, for only being 6 months old he retrieved 6 doves on the second day we had him home we shot 12 gauges and 20 gauges over him and nothing bothers him at all. I have never seen a dog with this much drive to retrieve he would retrieve all day if you let him. He never wants to quit and it does not matter if its in water or on land. Maggie spent lots of time with training this dog we are very appreciative to be the lucky ones to get to buy the dog, He just keeps amazing us everyday cant wait for the other seasons to open and either can Boone. Hilltops dogs and kennels is really a top notch ran outfit if your in the market for a good working Lab look no further
Submitted by: Zachary on Feb 24, 2022
We got our pup Ranger almost a year ago now. Needless to say he has been nothing sort of amazing. If you’re looking for a hunting dog Hilltop knows that they’re doing. Ranger has a strong drive with a great nose. Ranger picked up his first duck at 6 months which was a shock due to us giving him no training on retrieval yet. Once we noticed he had such a strong drive for retrieval we ramped up his training and he picked up his first full grown Canadian goose at 8 months. The dog is as fearless as they come. I have yet to find something he isn’t willing to do for me. Loves to swim so much we have caught him in the tub by himself waiting for us to fill it for him. I couldn’t have asked for a better dog and I want to thank Maggie and hilltop labs for the professionalism and knowledge they gave me while purchasing a pup!
Submitted by: Heath Van Waus on Feb 22, 2022
I bought my black male, Otis, from Hilltop Labradors one year ago, almost to date. Maggie was extremely professional in helping me choose which dog was best for me and what I wanted. Her knowledge on this breed and what best fits for her customers in unprecedented!
I could not be more happy where Otis is at with his training and his performance in his first hunting season. I was able to hunt him close to 50 times this season on a variety of species and he surpassed my expectations in every way. My goal was to get him 100 wild bird retrieves on the year and we exceeded that goal and ended up with 135 for his first year! Hopefully more to come this spring with some snow geese.
Otis has a drive to retrieve like I've never seen. He cares about nothing more than retrieving bumpers, training and hunting. He is all go when it comes to that aspect but at the same time lays on his dog bed while I work during the day and never makes a sound. The on/off switch is amazing to watch, which is unusual for a less than one year old pup. I'm beyond excited to see where Otis will be in his prime! It will be a pleasure to watch first hand.
If you're looking for a great lab Hilltop should be your first choice!
Submitted by: Gordon Munns on Oct 13, 2020
Zeke is 15 months old. Easy to train, driven retriever, good in the house, loves my wife. He is 78 pounds (Sept 2020) and is still building muscle mass. Good conformation, strong swimmer. Rumbled off the dock for a retrieve first time without coaxing. Returns to his "place" even after training is over - asking for more. Retrieved 21 ducks opening weekend in ND and 4 pheasants opening weekend in MN. Still figuring out pheasant hunting. Conditions were difficult opening weekend 80° and 30-40 mph winds. Clearly birdy when there was scent, but did not range very far when there was none. Very interested in making sure I kept up with him (i.e. looking over his shoulder). He has been a star addition to the family.
Submitted by: Scott Davis on Oct 06, 2020
I am very happy with our boy. Well rounded, intelligent hunting partner who is easy to train and learns quickly. All that comes with a great disposition and also makes a great family pet who loves to be with his kids, he also loves to be around our other Lab. He has hunted out of boat now about 8 times and gets better each time. Loves to retrieve the birds. We will see how his first season goes but hoping to take him on a 4 day traveling hunting trip in November. We couldn’t be happier with him. He’s a great hunting partner already, he’s a momma’s boy with my wife and loves to play with my daughters and follows them where ever they go. Very good all-around dog and becoming very muscular and handsome to boot.
Submitted by: Karen Hudson on Oct 06, 2020
Dally is 100% all the time. She has pointed pheasants and is retrieving decoys well. She really struggles with "Stay!", but will do so after repeating the command and practice.

She is water crazy and I think that she will love goose hunting. She is NOT gun shy! I am waiting anxiously for season to start!

I could not be happier with our baby! She is always ready to go.

She is with me when I feed cattle and horses, but doesn't bother them. She has filled a very big hole in our hearts and not a day goes by that she hasn't made our lives better. She had trouble traveling at first, but is better now.

I can't imagine being without her now!

Thank you! Thanks for allowing us the opportunity to add her to our lives! Larry Hudson
Submitted by: Lacey Forthun on Aug 29, 2020
We have a puppy from Hilltops Labradors and we absolutely love him. He's 7 months right now and is rocking his antler training. His nose is phenomenal, has a strong retrieve drive, easy to train, very smart and has a great personality! This pup makes us laugh everyday. He thoroughly enjoys training but he can also turn it off in the house and relax. He's just a happy, eager to please, great looking pup, we couldn't be more happier with him! Hilltops Labradors has been wonderful with answering any questions and our pup proves she truly cares about great and correct
breeding! We will 100% be a repeat costumer!
Submitted by: Louie V on Oct 09, 2018
Cant say enough great things about experience with Maggie. My pup is now 7 months and since picking her up she has done a lot. High drive, great nose, can find sheds as well as birds. Caught her first bird at 12 weeks old, and has done her gun/bird intro, she is all GO in the field, no regrets in purchasing from Hilltop, great looks and high bird drive in this black lab. Bird hunting machine!
Submitted by: Louie on Oct 08, 2018
Picked up puppy May 2018 at 8 weeks old, she caught her first bird in our front yard June. Super fast girl, great looking, a ton of bird drive, already finished gun/bird intro course in September. First trip to field and she was a machine at finding birds, long retrieves. Awesome nose and her endurance is incredible. She is all GO, high drive in the field. She found birds in the thickest of CRP that we never would have found without her nose. She is also finding sheds with no problem. All this and she is only 6 1/2 months old! Cant say enough great things, very pleased with our pick and Maggie’s breeding program.
Submitted by: Hunter Larsen on Jan 02, 2018
Ever since my family got our first dog(Bella) from Maggie, and after watching my dad train Bella I always wanted to have my own dog to train and truly be mine. Two years after that I got the best Christmas present ever, my own yellow lab. Three years later Avery has been trained to hunt sheds and upland birds and it couldn't be any easier to train this dog, wow and she is a very unique dog, super smart!
Submitted by: Pat & Dianne Norton on Oct 10, 2017
Hi Maggie,
Jaylee is nearly a year old and is doing very well!! She loves the water and would retrieve all day if we would let her. She minds well, most of the time and is somewhat spoiled!!! Guess that is normal! We take her to the bike trail nearly every morning, as we walk 4 miles approximately 5 - 6 days a week. She can't wait to hit the trail! We are very happy with her progress and love her dearly.
I apologize for not sending pictures and an update earlier.
Sincerely,
Pat and Dianne Norton
Clarksville
Submitted by: Kevin Boock on Aug 02, 2017
We bought Macy from Hilltop Labradors over 8 years ago and we couldn't be more happy. Macy has been an excellent addition to our family and we have had a blast with her. This was our first dog and when Macy was brought into our family we had no kids. But since then my wife and I have had two children of our own that have jumped on her, tugged on her, pulled hair out, etc Macy has never growled, snipped or anything along those lines at our kids or any other person in general. She has an excellent temperament and has been an amazing dog for our family.

With that said, Macy also has an incredible desire to retrieve and is always ecstatic to hunt. I have received so many compliments on her and her abilities out in the field that I sometimes forget how blessed I am to have a dog that listens well for basic obedience but also finds birds that most guys would have given up on a long time ago. I have shot more pheasants/ducks/geese than I can remember over her and she has always retrieved the birds with little issue. Even with her only being 67 pounds. I have been hunting for nearly 25 years and have hunted over many dogs and I will say, Macy is at the top of the list for skill, obedience, and her friendliness (sometimes almost too friendly :)). We are looking to purchase another dog from Hilltop Labradors this spring because our experience was so great! Not to mention, she was already given her first rounds of vaccinations and declawed. We picked her up at 7 weeks.

Sincerely,

Kevin Boock
Submitted by: Heather S on Jan 18, 2017
Got my female pup Raz December 2016, very impressed with how intelligent she is. Sits, kennels, and retrieving anything you send her to get. I can tell she has a great nose too
I constantly get compliments on how beautiful she is too, beauty and brains!
Maggie was great to work with and I appreciate the time and work she puts into producing healthy, smart and beautiful labs
Thanks again Hilltop!
Submitted by: Barry Grundmann on Jan 16, 2017
Maggie was very knowledgeable and professional. The kennel was clean and organized. Very quick to answer any questions, and respond to emails or phone calls. Super pleased, Thank you!
Submitted by: Paul Jett on Jan 03, 2017
Maggie is amazing with the dogs. We brought home young Kinnick, and he could already sit and retrieve. Very smart and wonderful looking! Definitely the type of people who understand and care for dogs. He is naturally a good hunter and I cannot wait to get him in the field.
Submitted by: Tim Augustine on Nov 21, 2016
I'm now on my second year of hunting with Coal (Black Lab) Maggie line of labs are excellent ,Coal will be two in February and we have not lost a bird yet nor have we been sucked yet he always finds me a bird. His first live field day last year he found a bird we didn't think was even hit, he is well behaved great with my grand children but is a 100% hunter that's all he wants is to running in the feild and point birds. Coal is my Fourth lab I've train from a puppy and by far was the easiest . If your looking for the best hunting labs in Iowa .Hilltop Labradors has them . Maggie wants her dogs to be working dogs not house toys . She takes the time to get to know what your looking for as an owner and pair you with the correct lab out of each litter . My wife and I alway have two labs in the house ,yes Coal stays in side with us when we are home. My next Lab will also be purchase from Maggie and the one after that also . She has been in business this long because she knows what she is doing when breeding . I thank Maggie weekly with pictures of our success. If I could talk my wife into three
Labs I would be on the list for spring. Stop looking this is the place to go for a true hunting Dog. THANKS HILLTOP LABRADORS. And Thanks Maggie for my BEST FRIEND COAL
Submitted by: Joe Larson on Nov 08, 2016
My Male Black Lab is an awesome looking lab and is doing great. Not only does he love to hunt, he is a great family pet, he is one of the best dogs I have ever had. While I'm not an expert at training dogs I'm very happy with how well he is doing. Stays in close, listens well and works his ass off for us. I would highly recommend a Hilltop Lab from Maggie.
Submitted by: David Hardman on Oct 31, 2016
I purchased my blacklab male pup, Reed, from Maggie in spring of 2015. She said this litter was an experimental pairing between Loaded Sherman Tank and Midwest Bird Mafia. The experiment was a GREAT SUCCESS!!!!! To be honest, I was a little overwhelmed with the drive of Reed, it had been 13 1/2 years since I had trained and raised a pup. Luckily I live in the same town as Maggie, and with a little coaching from her I made it through. Now I'm not a professional by any means, but once I got on the right track, Reed made training a breeze. Last season at 8 months, hunting with my Shorthair, he found birds that we never would have found without him. We had to put our Shorthair down in January. So this season is all up to Reed, and like I expected, NO disappointments. I have to say, with all that drive and great hunting genetics, he is also able to switch it off and be a great family companion. Thank you Maggie for all your help and such a wonderful Lab.
Submitted by: Waylon Jans on Feb 13, 2016
My family and I bought our black lab puppy from Maggie about a year ago. I can say it was the best puppy buying experience I have ever had. My pup has a ton of bird drive, loves to train and she is the smartest puppy I have ever had. But when she is home she just loves being with my kids and just laying around. I mostly waterfowl hunt with her and I have had multiple people tell me she hunts and acts like a three year old when she wasn't even a year old. No matter if it was early teal season or hunting in December cold it didn't phase her at all.
Submitted by: John & Stacy Raatz on Mar 22, 2015
We were looking for our third lab pup and were pointed in the direction of Hilltop Labradors and we now know why after having picked up our Nova girl yesterday. What a well run, neat place! Maggie & Craig took the time to share all their knowledge and stories with us and took the time to answer any questions we had. Beautiful, well behaved dogs throughout and they introduced us to our pup's Mom and Dad! Made it home with ours and we are already seeing how smart she is. Would definitely recommend Hilltop Labradors. We will update after Nova grows a little.
Submitted by: Brenda and Scott Kelly on Mar 11, 2015
We retrieved "Reno," our female black lab pup in January. This is our second puppy we have from Hilltops Red Hot Ruby. I guess that speaks in itself that we contacted Maggie and Craig when we wanted a second pup from Hilltop Labradors. Reno is everything we wanted currently wrapped up in 23 lbs! She shows great drive and we're looking forward to our quests for antlers and hunting fowl over her.
If you are looking for an experienced breeder and your next family companion, contact Maggie.
Submitted by: Ann Nau on Mar 05, 2015
I highly recommend Hilltop Labradors. Maggie is very knowledgeable on breed high quality dogs. She is the kind of person that truly puts alot of effort in raising quality dogs whether you want a pet, weekend hunter, or possible field trial dog. I can't say enough good things about my experience of purchasing a dog from her.
Submitted by: Eric Dideriksen on Dec 15, 2014
I got my dog Waylon from hilltop labradores. One of the best moves I have made. He is a great addition to the family and a joy to watch hunt. Thanks again Maggie!!!
Submitted by: Brian Hjelmeland on Sep 16, 2014
Purchased a Yellow Female pup from Maggie in July. Started her strictly on Sheds. She is tremendous.
Easy to Train, VERY intelligent She is Calm to be around yet loaded with drive when training. She is super good looking with an awesome pedigree. Finding planted sheds at around 40 yards in Hayfield, VERY impressive for a 13 week old pup. Very happy with my Hilltop lab pup. Never thought I would pay alot for a pup but now I understand- you get what you pay for. So WORTH IT !!
Submitted by: Brock Householder on Aug 06, 2014
I purchased my first lab from Maggie in 2004 and had a great experience with one of the smartest and best looking dogs I have ever known. A great decade later I'm glad to say I just purchased another lab from Hilltop Labradors, and she is already exceeding my expectations. Maggie does a great job helping to fit the right dog to the right situation, and really cares about these pups and where they are going. I have a lot of trust in the quality of lab this kennel produces and they will be my first and only stop if I am in need of another awesome dog in the future.
Submitted by: Steve Trimble on Feb 17, 2014
I purchased Jake from Maggie back in December 2012. I have always been partial to Labs as we have young grandkids and they are always good with the family as well as great hunting dogs! Jake is no exception as he did a great job this past pheasant season even with down numbers he seemed to find birds for us! As the season progressed he became better and better at finding wouneded birds which is a must as you hate to lose any down birds. Maggie at Hilltop Labs did a great job at preparing Jake for us!
Submitted by: Eric Dideriksen on Feb 05, 2014
I looked for a good lab pup with a good bloodline. I found a great one with Hilltop Labradors. I have had my pup Waylon through his first hunting season. This dog is 100% hunter. He has such a passion and drive. He adds so much enjoyment to every hunt. We are headed to Canada to start off our fall season. Thanks so much Maggie for a great pup and many wonderful memories to come!!!
Submitted by: Mark Gadbaw on Feb 12, 2013
bought a dynamo of a female named Jesse.. great dog.. smart..friendly and obedient. Very impressed with the whole Hilltop experience. Maggie awesome trainer. They have me as customer for LIFE
Submitted by: Zach Larsen on Feb 08, 2013
I purchased my first female and it was also my first Labrador from Maggie a couple years ago. I've had numerous breeds in the past and decided to try a Lab this go round and I'm glad I did. This dog is only 2yrs old and is already out performing many dogs I've hunted with. Incredible obedience and what a nose! I not only trained Bella to hunt birds, but have also trained her to hunt deer horns (Sheds). I WILL be getting another dog from Maggie in the near future.
Submitted by: Erin McKenna on Nov 09, 2012
I bought a lab from maggie and it was the smartest dog I have ever seen. I could shoot an arrow out of my bow in the middle of the corn field and he would bring it back every time, never saw a dog with such a good nose! When I got engaged he carried the ring around his neck, best dog I have ever had!!!
Submitted by: Dan Schmidt on May 18, 2012
When my wife and were married 34 years ago, we were undecided as to which comes first, a house or a labrador puppy. The house came first and a month later a lab. We have had 4 labradors since that time. Currently, we have Jetta a 7 year old female purchased at Hilltop Kennels.Jetta is the smartest,friendliest, and best hunting dog we have owned.Maggie breeds QUALITY labs as evidenced in Jetta. We currently are on the list for another female, as are our two adult children who want to carry on the "Schmidt" tradition of enjoying and loving labs.We always say, Jetta hit a home-run being a Schmidt family member- she hit a grand slam being bred at hilltop kennels!

Submit your testimonial Back to HILLTOP LABRADORS