About Us

Shirley Almond officially received the “Passing of the Paws” of Homestead Labradors from Suzie Rathbone as she retired in June, 2021.   

Shirley resides in Bandera, Texas. She hails from the town of Cold Kirby in North Yorkshire, England and has resided in the USA for 35 years; she has worked as a vet assistant for the last 29 years in Bandera, Texas. She will continue to honor both Iven’s and Suzie’s legacy by raising exceptional English Labrador pups at Homestead Labradors in all three of the basic colors- black, yellow, and chocolate. Jeannie Hardesty Walker joins Shirley as her ‘right hand man’ and will serve as the Homestead Labradors Office Manager.

Shirley is assisted by Jeannie Walker, Homestead's office manager and may be reached at 4jeanniewalker@gmail.com & 830-688-1646.

Iven J. Rathbone, age 90, passed away on January 25, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas.  Iven was best known for raising English Labradors over a period of 39 years.  While living in Maryland, Iven served, for a 10 year period, as the consumer member of the Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners Board and held the Board position of vice president.  When not serving, Iven enjoyed hunting his labs on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and on his Carroll County farm.
While residing for the past 12 years in Bandera, Texas Iven continued to breed and train Labradors.  He was a strong proponent of training his labs, using the “Richard Wolters” method and often recommended the author’s books – Gun Dog, Water Dog and Family Dog for training techniques.

Iven will long be remembered by his numerous lifelong friends, many of whom were initially his Labrador clientele.