About Us

 We could not be more excited to announce that Jim Plumhoff, Suzie Rathone’s son, has decided to continue the Homestead Labrador line in western Colorado. 

Jim and his wife Sara live in Montrose Colorado, with their two children on 6 acres with snow-capped mountain views. Jim has an animal science undergraduate degree (he’s a Hokie) and is a practicing attorney. He is also an avid bird hunter and has at least one lab with him in the field at all times.  

Jim and Sara will continue to raise the exceptional English Labrador pups in black, yellow, and chocolate. Suzie will be involved in the breeding and management.

We look forward to providing you and your family with the wonderful dogs that Homestead Labrador clients have loved for the past 40 years.

 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.