Gun Dog Breeder Reviews for Mioak's Retrievers
Testimonials (16) | Back to Mioak's Retrievers
Submitted by: Rick & Marlene Houge on Oct 09, 2018
We just got our 3rd puppy from Mickey. Magnus was the first he was a great hunter and so very easy to train. He is no longer with us but lived a long life, not a day goes by we don't think of him. TY is the second he is 11 years old now and lives to please us, and is not slowing down. He was so easy to train, and if not hunting he wants to train all the time. Ozzy is the third, he is just over Three months old as I write this. This pup did not have to be potty trained to date he has NEVER gone #2 in the house, only 2 times peed in the house and we have to take some responsibility for that on his first night with us. I know this sounds unreal but it is the truth. He already is retrieving bumpers, he sits to hand signals, and is already working on whistle commands with great success, healing is well started. Best of all he uses his nose to find hidden pheasant wings. Oh also he never had any litter separation anxiety no crying or whining. I suspect this is because Mickey did a great job with the puppies.
Every dog has been great in the house also. I can't list everything as it would take to long. These dogs have changed our lives.
MIOAK'S RETRIEVERS IS THE WAY TO GO!
Submitted by: Leslie Meredith on Jul 31, 2018
I have two female Goldens from Mickey - 4 yr old Mioaks Rain or Shine (Rainey) and 1 yr old Mioaks Rise and Shine (Sunny). Both are keenly intelligent, good looking and affectionate dogs with huge personalities. As suburban dogs, they've learned to behave well in public places and regularly visit the residents at our local nursing home. Both LOVE retrieving and can be taught any stupid pet trick in about 10 minutes. They are calm in the house, but energetic when outdoors and especially in the water. I can't imagine finding a better dog, anywhere.
Submitted by: A. Markopoulos on Apr 23, 2018
We visited Mioak's in March 2003 to 'look' at golden retriever puppies. We were looking for a dog to fit with our family, not necessarily a hunting dog. We left with Max, who was born in January 2003, and the last one remaining of his litter. Max, now at nearly 15-1/2, can still chase a ball and the occasional squirrel. He is pure joy. What is amazing is the nearly non-existent health issues which normally affect this breed in their older age. We do not feed him a special diet, but he exercises every day. He was always calm, even as a puppy, but never still -- always wanting to be moving, which has helped keep him in excellent shape. I believe Max, healthy and active 15-1/2 is not an anomaly -- it's what Mioak's careful breeding practices helped produce. We thank Mickey and Mioaks for the gift that Max has been and continues to be for us.
Submitted by: Kathleen Wondolkowski on Mar 02, 2018
I met Mickey in October, 2017, as I was referred to her from Candlewood Kennels in Portage, WI. My husband and I picked out our black lab female pup, and picked her up in November. While my husband doesn't hunt wild game now, we wanted another lab for companionship. We lost our last Chocolate lab due to Lymes Disease at the age of 10, and realized then we loved the breed.

The quality of our pup is remarkable. She jumped over our circle kennel at home the first week, and continues to be a very remarkable runner and jumper. She is very healthy and has a good smell. She also has a beautiful black, wavy coat that even the vet commented on. Now I'm using her daughter, Erin, for training and boarding and have been overall very impressed!
Submitted by: Tom Molosky on Sep 13, 2017
When first looking into hunting dogs, we were told if you want a field golden don't go to anyone but Mioak's Retrievers. We're so grateful we took that advice. My wife and I picked up our first field golden from Mickey in July 2015. Our pup is from a Litter of Mioak's Best Buddy Boy and Mioak's Callie Girl. She is a beautiful, dark red, high energy, but always loving pup. Mickey is always open to questions, and provided excellent training advice along the way. May cruised through her Junior Hunter and turned many heads with her accuracy and drive as she passed her Senior Hunter with excellent remarks. She has an excellent nose out in the fields for pheasants, and loves diving into the water after a duck. She has truly been more than we ever imagined for our first field dog, and we will definitely be back when it's time for a second pup.
Submitted by: Larry Krause on Feb 18, 2015
I picked up my dog in early May of 2004, shortly after my previous dog died, and my second dog purchased from Mickey Strandberg. Born on 2/8/04, he is the product of Mioaks Keepin' the Faith and Cleopatra of the Mississippi. I keep all my dogs inside. They all must obey, be athletic and love to hunt. Although he was the last dog left of the liter, Mickey said he would be easy to train which he was. He has been the speediest dog I have ever owned and extremely athletic. As a bonus, he turned out to be a natural pointer and will lock up on a bird like a german short hair. His nose in the field is without equal and accompanies me everywhere I go. He has been known to retrieve a rock thrown in 5 feet of water - somehow bringing back the same rock! Mickey's advice has always been spot on. My daughter recently acquired one of Enzo's pups and he is as good as my Tempo. Thanks Mickey for bringing so much pleasure to our household.
Submitted by: Linda Share on Sep 09, 2013
I met Mickey Strandburg a few months ago, after putting down a 13 year old Golden Retriever. While I’m not a hunter, I was interested in a loving, well trained companion. Mioaks Jack is now 11 weeks old, and continues to amaze me. Not only is he an absolutely beautiful dog that turns heads wherever we go, he has a fabulous personality, and is incredibly smart. I picked him up at 7 weeks, and at the age of 8 weeks he was already going to the door to be let out. At 11 weeks he understands all basic commands, and is becoming even better at following instructions while distracted at the park and pet stores. Mickey has been wonderful at giving advice whenever I call, which is far more often than I care to admit. No matter what the question, she is always happy to give advice and guidance. She told me during the first few days “My job is to make sure you have the best dog possible. Call any anytime.”…and she means it. Mioaks Jack comes with me wherever possible, and no matter where we go there are always people wanting to pet him, commenting on his wonderful personality, and asking for the name of the breeder….which I’m happy to give out.
Submitted by: Steven Schroeder on Feb 26, 2013
We have one of Pippa's pups, Mioaks Chivas Regal, whelped 10/29/11. At 18 months he's well on his way to being a capable field trial competitor. He's been easy to train in the field and in obdience drills. He's an enthusiastic and agressive retriever, but easy to live with at home. This dog is healthy, my first priority. I researched andf called most of the breeders whose dogs fill the record books, and chose Mickey Strandberg because of her committment to breeding healthy long-lived Goldens. She's been helpful and generous in sharing the wisdom gained through thirty years of raising and competing with Goldens. I plan to buy a second Golden puppy from her in the fall. We wanted a healthy happy Golden and got that plus an Olympic Athlete.
Submitted by: David Holbrook on Oct 18, 2012
I picked up a male pup from Mickey that is now almost a year and a half old. He is a beautiful looking dog and has already demonstrated a great nose and desire to hunt. This weekend I took him on his first grouse hunt, and he helped me get 9 grouse and 3 woodcock. I had two other goldens before this one, but this one has proven to be a faster learner and is much more athletic. To top it off, he has become an excellent house dog. I would recommend Mioaks without reservation!
Submitted by: Steve Schaich on Dec 12, 2011
I picked up a field bred golden in January of '05 (whelped 10-28-04) from Mioak's Retrievers (Mickey). Bailey has turned out to be the best gun dog I have ever hunted with including my field trial days in the 70-80's with springers. I have a couple friends, both with field bred and pro trained springers, who are both getting goldens for their next dog after trying to keep up with Bailey's production. I have 2 more friends on the east coast who bought pups from Mickey sight unseen soley based on seeing Bailey in action. Yet another hunting buddy who had never owned a gun dog after a couple years shooting over Bailey decided he needed a gun dog and it had to be a golden. Mickey fixed him up and has changed his life. With just a little help from me and reading a 30 page pamphlet "Super Puppy" he was able to train himself an awesome field dog for both wild and gun club pheasants. Do I like Mioak's dogs? Oh yeah, am picking up another pup from Mickey next weekend--my hunt club has heard is already ordering more pheasants for next season!! I am solden on golden and Mioak's Retrievers second to none! A one stop shop.
Submitted by: mary brueckner on Sep 20, 2011
I met Mickey about a year ago, and a family member purchased a female golden from her. She is a pleasure to deal with, and has a loyal and repeat customer base.Her knowledge and experience is second to none.I try to refer anybody looking for a golden to call her. Honesty goes along way and her reputation shows that. When getting a mioaks dog its quality not quantity.
Submitted by: Keith Walker on Nov 12, 2009
Our hunting golden, Mioak's Bonifide Lady Amber, was four in February - from a Keely/Keeper litter - and is a loving member of the family, a constant companion for Glor-Loral Autumn Mist, who is a half Mioak - her sire was Mioak's Real McCoy. Misty is 14 now and last season was her last trip to the pheasant fields, but she still puts Amber in her place when the weather is cool. Amber is a wonderful hunter, good nose, active retrieve. She had her first taste of wild birds at the age of 18 months on a trip to western Minnesota with a relative. All of her yard work was done by son, Sam, the summer after we picked her up in April 2005. He was 12 and worked from a list of training exercises that I left for him every day before I went to work. She was his "summer job." What a willing learner!She "hunts close" and handles very easily. She is a very protective guard of our place here in Brookfield. Has the deepest, loudest bark that I have ever heard from a golden. But, she has a heart of gold and is a wonderful family member. In a trip to South Dakota this year, she got the first bird, trapping a rooster at the bottom of a draw!
Submitted by: Lori Hogan on Nov 10, 2009
We purchased our first Mioaks dog, Mioaks Keely, from Mickey 9 years ago. While we don't hunt, I'm a Deputy Sheriff and use my dog for work as a cadaver dog/search and rescue dog. Mickey was recommended to us as a great source to replace our at that time cadaver dog, that was diagnosed with cancer. Mioaks Keely has been such an awesome dog and has been instrumental in recovering several drowned subjects as well as being sent into crime scenes to locate areas and items of interest. Mioaks Keely was leased back to Mickey and has produced truly awesome dogs for her. We kept a pup from her last litter, Mioaks Mighty Quinn, who is now 3 and is as awesome as his mother. We highly recommend Mickey as a breeder and a trainer. When I use my Mioaks dogs I put my reputation on the line and I never have to think twice when I tell people were I get my dogs.
Submitted by: Wayne Dehn on Nov 09, 2009
Our family as had numerous goldens from Mioaks. Mickey is true expert in her field. Our current dogs, Tygar's Keep-her and Tyler's Amazing Journey are perfect family dogs and hunters. Though trained as a field trial dog and duck retriever, Keep-her is a natural upland game retriever. Yesterday she retrieved 18 pheasants. She naturally weaves and even points. Great Dogs and a great breeder!
Submitted by: CAROLINE TORINUS on Nov 06, 2009
I have known Mickey as a friend, fellow trainer of field trial dogs and as a breeder since the 1970s. She is tops in my book. Tells it like it is whether you want to hear it or not, but also gives tons of help and good advice. She raises litters the way they should in a clean environment and socialized properly. She stands by her word.

I currently own a 14 month old Mioaks golden who is a wonderful pheasant and duck dog and coming along nicely in training. Great in the house and comical to hang out with.
Submitted by: Heather Buchanan on Oct 01, 2009
I couldn't be happier with my golden, Mioak's Mack The Knife, that I purchased from Mickey Strandberg of Mioak kennels. He has his master hunter, W.C.X., multiple agility titles & his excellent rally title. Trained soley by me for his field titles. Great breeder to deal with.
Heather Buchanan
Ontario, Canada

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