Pawleys Island Gun Dogs
Preserving the Breed
About Us
At Pawleys Island Gun Dogs, we have been slowly, methodically building our foundation
to be recognized as a trusted, reputable breeder of Labrador Retrievers & Spinone Italiano
in beautiful Pawleys Island, SC.
We breed for quality, health, temperament and take our commitment to safeguarding
and following ancient breed standards very seriously.
Our dogs are are first and foremost, our loving family members.
"Purebred dogs are history and art. They are beauty and brains. They are living, breathing conduits to our past and to our future. They are our heart and our soul…and they are so much more." L.R.
Our Dogs
Webfoot's Yellow-Tailed Blackbeard SH CGC TD
Proven Sire / Standing Stud
The Labrador is a retrieving gun dog of medium size, with a dense, water-resistant coat, an "otter" tail, and a clean-cut head with a "kind" expression. The first Labradors arrived in England from Newfoundland aboard fishing boats early in the 19th century, and imports to America began in the early 1900's. Labrador temperament is outgoing, indulgent with peers, human-oriented and tractable. Labradors can be found in guide and assistance dog programs, and substance detection and search and rescue work. Since 1992, the Labrador Retriever has headed the list as the most popular breed in the U.S.
The Spinone is a versatile hunting dog of ancient heritage, with origins in northern Italy. Suited for working in all climates and all terrains, he is a cautious hunter who follows the scent, moving ever so gradually and proceeding with utmost discretion. His prey stops and he stops; the prey moves again, and the pursuit resumes. He moves with an easy, free moving trot, geared for endurance. He is an excellent swimmer and a model retriever. The Spinone is a large, rugged dog of distinctive appearance, with a hard-textured, weather-resistant coat, longer eyebrows, beard and mustache, and eyes described as human-like.
Bellaebravo Happy Camper SH CGC TD / Frozen Semen Available
IntCh Pawleys Island Gun Dogs
S.S. Tugboat SH DJ CGC
Proven Sire / Standing Stud
Tugb
Tugboat, Teach's son, continues to impress everyone who has the privilege to work with him. This lad has a rugged, robust personality with a incredible, natural drive to retrieve
Tugboat exudes confidence and desire to please. He earned his AKC Junior Hunter title in December 2021 and his AKC Senior Hunter title in October 2022.
2023 Tugboat was introduced to dock diving
and has proven a natural. He earned his
official AKC Dock Junior (DJ) title in August
2024 under the expert handling of his
partner, Bill Krebs III
GCHB CH Bellaebravo Happy Feet
CGC CGCA CGCU TKN
2024 SCOA Parent Club Specialty
Award of Merit
2023 National Standing
#11National Owner-Handled Spinone
Top 20 NOHS Spinone
AKC Grand Champion Bronze
2022 National Standings
#5 National Owner-Handled Spinone
Select Bitch Westminster Kennel Club
Lyndhurst Mansion, Tarrytown, NY
Top 20 / Top 20 NOHS Spinone
2022 Natonal Stand
2021 National Standings
#8 Spinone Italiano
#2 National Owner-Handled Spinone
AOM SCOA Parent Club Specialty
BOS Morris & Essex
Top 20 / Top 20 NOHS Spinone
AOM Royal Canin AKC
National Championship, Orlando, FL
RBIS Owner-Handled 2021
Multiple Owner-Handled Group Placements
Gia is a beautiful breed representative.
She is sweet and extremely confident.
BISS OHBIS GCH CH IntCh Collina d'Oro Big Sky's Yellowstone
at Pawleys Island Gun Dogs JH, NAVHDA NA III, CGC
Proven Sire / Standing Stud
Dutton joined the Pawleys Island Gun Dogs family in October 2022 from breeder, Collina d'Oro Spinone of Grants Pass, Oregon. Dutton has an impressive family tree and has some huge paws to live up to! This one is going to be one to watch....stay tuned.
2023 National Standing
AKC Champion, #4 NOHS Spinone
NAVHDA NA Prize III
2024 SCOA National Specialty
Best in Gun Dog Sweepstakes
Best Overall in Gun Dog Sweepstakes
Best of Opposite NS Sweepstakes
Best of Opposite PC Sweepstakes
2025 - Group Winning, Best in Specialty Show
NOHS Regional Best of Breed
#2 All Breed, #2 Breed, #6 NOHS, #7 GCH
(Canine Chronical May 2025)
Int/Nat SR CH Pawleys Island Gun Dogs Pretty Woman CGC TKN
Vivian, along with her Pawleys Island Gun Dogs Pretty Woman littermates, are making history as the first US born litter sired by Italian import "Wess" from reknown breeder, Giacomo Bini.
Affectionately known in the whelping box as "Food Truck", Vivian was never shy at the milk bar and quickly outpaced her brothers and sisters in size.
Bright, social and self-assured, Vivian is thoughtful in her approach to life's new adventures.
Vivian's soulful expressions along with her regal appearance remind us the old world, rustic Spinoni treasured as versatile hunting dogs by generations of Italians.
Pawleys Island Gun Dogs Miss DeLuca
"Kit"
Kit, another keeper from our Pawleys Island Gun Dogs Pretty Woman litter, was our "bonus puppy". While the smallest at birth, she made up for it quickly and is by far one of the more adventurous. She is independent, lively and very birdy. Kit is beautifully marked and has her mother's beautiful, soft expression.
We are excited to watch Kit grow up and have high hopes in the field and in the ring for this little gal.
Pawleys Island Gun Dogs Barnard Thompson
"Barney"
Sometimes one sneaks up on you and says "hey look at me", and this one was Barney. Beach dog, boat dog, and yard dog, Barney is living his best life with Trevor & Jennifer in North Carolina and sharing his daily treats with Ellie Mae, a WPG.
Barney made a visit to "camp grammy" for some grooming and to try out his show dog shoes and blew us away! We are so fortunate his humans are willing to share him with us, and we look forward to his bright future with Pawleys Island Gun Dogs.
Madame Tussaud PI Gun Dogs z Arislandu
"Blanche Faith"
Blanche made an incredibly long journey to the United States from Poland to join Pawleys Island Gun Dogs in June. We are honored that her breeder entrusted this beautiful girl with us. Blanche comes from a notable pedigree and we are excited about her future. We look forward to sharing her this youngter's presence with the Spinoni community.
"Gia"
Grand Champion Bronze 2023
NOHS Silver 2022
Westminster Kennel Club Select Bitch
Multiple Owner-Handled Group Placements
SCOA Parent Club Specialty Award of Merit 2024
SCOA NOHS Top Twenty Qualifier 2024
2023 "Welcome to Hollywood. What's Your Dream?"
Whelped11/04/2023
5 brown roan puppies, 4 orange roan puppies,
3 males and 6 females
Parentage confirmed by DNA
The first litter born in the USA from Italian Import, Wess, bred by Giacomo Bini.
Loved, owned and shared by Tracy Davies, Montecani Italian Spinone, Radstock, Somerset, England
BISS OHBIS GCH CH IntCH Collina d'Oro Big Sky's Yellowstone
at Pawleys Island Gun Dogs JH, NAVHDA NA III, CGC, TKN
"Dutton"
Group Winning, Group Placing, Multiple OH Group Placing
2023 - "I'm Coming Out"
We knew there was something special about this boy. At just 8 months old, Dutton finished his AKC Championship with a grand slam going BOB twice over a Special, Sporting Group 2nd, OH Group 2nd, OH Group 1st and OH BIS!
Finishing out the year, Dutton was awarded a NAVHDA NA Prize III, twice!
2024 - Continuing to Impress
January 2024: #2 in Spinone Breed Standings and #3 in All Breed Standings
February 2024: AKC Junior Hunter Title
May 2024: Spinone Club of America National & Parent Club Specialties:
Best of Breed Gun Dog Sweepstakes, Best Overall in Gun Dog Sweepstakes
Best of Opposite to Best in Breed in NS Puppy Sweepstakes, Best of Opposite to Best in Breed in PC Puppy Sweepstakes
September 2024: IABCA International Championship
October 2024: AKC Grand Champion
December 2024: Award of Merit, AKC Championship Finals, Orlando, FL
2025 - Limited showing but starting to find his way!
January 2025 - BOB/OHBOB, BOS/OHBOB, Clemson, SC
April 2025 - SPORTING GROUP 1st, OH Group 3rd, BOB/OHBOB, BOB/OHBOB, Lumberton, SC
May 2025 - BOB/OHBOB, BOS, Doswell, VA
NOHS Regional - BOB, Ladies' Dog Show, Wrenthrem, MA
New England Sporting Dog Association, Show #1, BOB/OHBOB, Wrenthrem, MA
New England Sporting Dog Association, Show #2, Select/OHBOB, Wrenthrem, MA
Ladies' Dog Club, SCOA Specialty, BEST IN SPECIALTY SHOW, OHBOB, Variety Group 4th, Wrenthrem, MA
May 2025 Statistics as reported by the Canine Chronical, All Breed #2, Breed #2, NOHS #6, GCH #7
Int/NatSRCH Pawleys Island Gun Dogs Pretty Woman CGC
"Vivian Grace"
"True beauty is timeless." Marilyn Monroe
The future of Pawleys Island Gun Dogs looks bright indeed!
Hunting
Labrador Retriever is a type of gun dog that retrieves game for a hunter. Generally gun dogs are divided into three major classifications: retrievers, flushing spaniels, and pointing breeds. Retrievers were bred primarily to retrieve birds or other prey and return them to the hunter without damage; retrievers are distinguished in that nonslip retrieval is their primary function. As a result, retriever breeds are bred for soft mouths and a great willingness to please, learn, and obey.
Spinone Italiano is recognized as a versatile hunting dog. NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association) defines the “versatile hunting dog” as one that is bred and trained to dependably hunt and point game, and both track and retrieve on land or water. The versatile breeds were developed to give hunters one dog to use on a variety of game in a variety of environments, as opposed to having a kennel full of “specialty” dogs bred for one type of hunt or skill. Whereas many hunters expand breed purposes by hunting upland birds with retrievers or using their flushing dogs to retrieve ducks, the Italian Spinoni are trained for land and water work intentionally and simultaneously.
Conformation
Dog shows (conformation events) are intended to evaluate breeding stock. The size of these events ranges from large all-breed shows, with over 3,000 dogs entered, to small local specialty club shows, featuring a specific breed. The dog’s conformation (overall appearance and structure), is an indication of the dog's ability to produce quality puppies.
