Owen - Carrying the Standard Forward
Owner: Michele McCormick
Owen, loved by his owner Michele McCormick, and is featured here as Michele continues to broaden her work within the Labrador breed.
In loving memory of: Mike Faggart, who cherished Owen and presented his dogs across the country for many prestigious wins.
Some dogs arrive with a good pedigree; Owen arrived with a legacy. He is the last of his Graylyn Labradors line--son of Gateway’s Nothin’ But Trouble (“Trouble”), grandson of 8× BISS Sureshot HySpire Impressive (“Travis”), with deep roots reaching Lobuff Bobwhite at Chucklebrook, Windfall’s Pipe Major, and the incomparable Dickendall Arnold. These are not just names; they are chapters in the Labrador story. Owen brings those chapters forward with balance, classic headpiece, clean outline, and an easy, ground-covering gait—the kind of movement that looks effortless until you study structure and see why.
When Mike passed, Michele did what good dog people do—she stepped in with love, a sofa, and a promise to keep the flame. Owen still shows as a veteran, not for points but for pride, and because he still lights up when he hears his name at ringside. He stands as a bridge between what made Labradors timeless and what keeps them correct today.
What Owen Offers to a Program
Type you can recognize at a glance
Temperament you can live with
Pedigree you can build on
Availability & Logistics (Stud Service)
We aim for clarity and fairness—happy to collaborate with your repro team to set you up for success.
Suggested PairingsOwen pairs especially well with bitches who would benefit from:
If your pedigree already carries HySpire/Lobuff/Windfall/Dickendall influences, Owen can consolidate virtues you value.
Owen, loved by his owner Michele McCormick, and is featured here as Michele continues to broaden her work within the Labrador breed.
In loving memory of: Mike Faggart, who cherished Owen and presented his dogs across the country for many prestigious wins.
Some dogs arrive with a good pedigree; Owen arrived with a legacy. He is the last of his Graylyn Labradors line--son of Gateway’s Nothin’ But Trouble (“Trouble”), grandson of 8× BISS Sureshot HySpire Impressive (“Travis”), with deep roots reaching Lobuff Bobwhite at Chucklebrook, Windfall’s Pipe Major, and the incomparable Dickendall Arnold. These are not just names; they are chapters in the Labrador story. Owen brings those chapters forward with balance, classic headpiece, clean outline, and an easy, ground-covering gait—the kind of movement that looks effortless until you study structure and see why.
When Mike passed, Michele did what good dog people do—she stepped in with love, a sofa, and a promise to keep the flame. Owen still shows as a veteran, not for points but for pride, and because he still lights up when he hears his name at ringside. He stands as a bridge between what made Labradors timeless and what keeps them correct today.
What Owen Offers to a Program
Type you can recognize at a glance
- Head: masculine without coarseness; soft eye; correct expression
- Outline: level topline, strong loin, correct tail set and carriage
- Front/Rear: balanced angulation, clean coming/going, natural reach & drive
Temperament you can live with
- Steady, biddable, genuinely affectionate--a thinking dog who is easy to present and easy to love.
Pedigree you can build on
- A concentrated line of proven producers—a chance to reintroduce the virtues that defined a generation.
Availability & Logistics (Stud Service)
- Collection: Limited side-by-side by appointment
- Frozen semen: available to approved bitches (domestic & international shipping possible)
- Ideal timing: 24–48 hrs prior notice for side-by-side; frozen can be coordinated with your repro vet
- Stud fee: (private treaty); quality homes and thoughtful pairings prioritized
- Booking: Pedigree review required; please include health clearances and recent progesterone timing if known
We aim for clarity and fairness—happy to collaborate with your repro team to set you up for success.
Suggested PairingsOwen pairs especially well with bitches who would benefit from:
- A cleaner, more correct Labrador head and soft expression
- Stronger top line and tail set
- More effortless, ground-covering movement without exaggeration
- A dose of old-school type while retaining soundness
If your pedigree already carries HySpire/Lobuff/Windfall/Dickendall influences, Owen can consolidate virtues you value.
Interested in stud service? Please fill out our Stud Dog Application or reach out to Michele McCormick at 704-608-3203—she’ll be happy to help.
Show Record Highlights (2016–2025)
Totals:
Year-by-Year Snapshot
2016 — Puppy & Bred-By Breakout
Wins across Puppy 9–12 and Bred-By Exhibitor; early Winners/Best of Winners (2–3 pts) and first BOB placements; caps the year with an Owner-Handled Group 1 (Raleigh KC).
2017 — Moving Into Specials
Consistent BOB/BOS and Best Owner-Handled in Breed awards; multiple Select at supported entries; steady points accumulation.
2018–2019 — Consistency & Depth
Regular BOB/Select at all-breed shows (including 5-pt BOB at Salisbury NC KC, 2019); continued Owner-Handled recognition.
2021 — Peak Campaign
A run of BOB/BOS wins across the Southeast; Sporting Group 4 placements (Augusta & Hanover); multiple 5-point wins; strong specialty-week performances; grand points surge.
2022 — Sustained Excellence
BOB/BOS/Select across summer–fall circuits; Greenville & Carolina weekends highlight continued depth; transitions toward Veterans late in the year with class 1sts.
2023–2025 — Veteran Star Power
Stacks of Veteran 1sts (7–9 and 9–11); AOM at the AKC National cluster (2024); BOS from Veterans (LRC of the Piedmont, 2025); still competitive, still classic.
What Judges Consistently Rewarded
Totals:
- AKC Champion Points: 15
- AKC Grand Champion Points: 261
- AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Points: 65
- Total Awards: 173
- Multiple Best of Breed (BOB) and Best of Opposite Sex (BOS) at supported and all-breed shows
- Owner-Handled Group 1 (Raleigh KC, 2016)
- Sporting Group placements (Group 4, Augusta KC & Hanover KC, 2021)
- Specialty/major weekends with repeated Select and BOB/BOS awards
- Judge’s Award of Merit (AKC National cluster, 2024)
- Ongoing Veteran success (7–9 and 9–11 yrs): numerous 1sts and BOS from Veterans, including BOS at LRC of the Piedmont (2025)
Year-by-Year Snapshot
2016 — Puppy & Bred-By Breakout
Wins across Puppy 9–12 and Bred-By Exhibitor; early Winners/Best of Winners (2–3 pts) and first BOB placements; caps the year with an Owner-Handled Group 1 (Raleigh KC).
2017 — Moving Into Specials
Consistent BOB/BOS and Best Owner-Handled in Breed awards; multiple Select at supported entries; steady points accumulation.
2018–2019 — Consistency & Depth
Regular BOB/Select at all-breed shows (including 5-pt BOB at Salisbury NC KC, 2019); continued Owner-Handled recognition.
2021 — Peak Campaign
A run of BOB/BOS wins across the Southeast; Sporting Group 4 placements (Augusta & Hanover); multiple 5-point wins; strong specialty-week performances; grand points surge.
2022 — Sustained Excellence
BOB/BOS/Select across summer–fall circuits; Greenville & Carolina weekends highlight continued depth; transitions toward Veterans late in the year with class 1sts.
2023–2025 — Veteran Star Power
Stacks of Veteran 1sts (7–9 and 9–11); AOM at the AKC National cluster (2024); BOS from Veterans (LRC of the Piedmont, 2025); still competitive, still classic.
What Judges Consistently Rewarded
- Classic Labrador type (headpiece & expression)
- Clean outline & level topline
- Balanced, ground-covering movement
- Steady, willing temperament—easy to present, easy to live with