Historic Achievements

Phyllis Giroux DVM from DeepRunRetrievers and her Labrador retriever "Sam" were the first to achieve the Master Hunter, and Sam did it in less than four months. Sam is the first Labrador Retriever in breed history to earn the combined titles: GCH / UD / RE / MH / MHU

His résumé spans conformation, advanced obedience, and elite field work, making him one of the most versatile and accomplished Labradors ever recorded.

A Record‑Breaking Year — 2008

In a single year, Sam completed:

• AKC Master Hunter (MH)

• AKC Championship (CH) — at just 40 months old, with multiple Best of Breed wins over Specials

• Canadian Championship (CKC CH) — finished in one week, including a Sporting Group 1

• UKC Championship (UKC CH) — finished in one weekend, earning two Group 1’s, a Group 3, and two Group 4’s

Three Championships + Master Hunter in one year.
A feat almost unheard of in the breed.

Obedience & Performance Excellence

Sam continued to build his legacy with high‑level obedience titles:

• CD, RN, RA, RE — 2010

• CDX — 2011

• Utility Dog (UD) — April 8, 2012

• Grand Champion (GCH) — January 2013

His achievements earned formal recognition from the AKC, including a published congratulatory letter celebrating his historic versatility.

Temperament & Working Style

Sam embodied the ideal Labrador temperament:

• Outgoing, friendly, and highly intelligent

• Deeply biddable and eager to please

• Natural water dog with a thick, correct double coat

• Strong natural marking and excellent memory for multiple falls

• Athletic, balanced, and joyful in work and play

In the show ring, his soundness, movement, and classic English type consistently caught the eye of judges. He earned a Judges Award of Merit at the Raleigh‑Durham Labrador Specialty under respected breeder‑judge Patty Block.

Pedigree Power

Sire: CH Sundance’s Paddy’s Irish Cream, CD MH
Dam: Am/Can CH Pembroke Black Mist Poplar Forest, MH, WCX

• The youngest CH/MH in breed history

Sam’s pedigree is stacked with proven dual‑purpose excellence.

Health Clearances

Sam held every major clearance expected of a top-tier stud:

• OFA Hips: Excellent

• OFA Elbows: Normal

• CERF: Clear

• OFA Cardiac (Doppler): Normal

• Optigen A

• RD/OSD Clear

• EIC Clear

• CNM Clear

• Normal Thyroid

• CHIC Certified

• Full Dentition

• Carries Yellow

Stud Legacy

Sam consistently produced black and yellow puppies with:

• Superior working ability

• Correct English conformation

• Sound minds and bodies

• Natural field instincts

• Trainability, athleticism, and biddability

His influence continues through dogs who carry his hallmark combination of beauty, brains, and field brilliance.