Mary Crabtree

Bear Bones Labradors, run by Mary Ellen Crabtree, raises AKC-registered English Labrador retrievers in Frenchtown, Montana, situated in the Missoula Valley about 15 minutes west of Missoula. The program focuses on black and cream English labs, with dogs selected for blocky heads, well-muscled builds, rich coats, and steady, trainable temperaments.

Health testing is a clear priority at Bear Bones. Breeding dogs are screened through both PennHIP and OFA for hips and elbows, with additional OFA evaluations for eyes and heart, and a full Embark DNA panel covering conditions such as CNM, DM, PRA-prcd, EIC, cystinuria, and HNPK. Dogs cleared across all categories are the foundation of the program.

The kennel maintains a guardian home model, meaning some females live full-time with carefully selected local families and return for breeding rather than living in a kennel setting. Bloodlines in the program draw from established regional labs, including lines tied to Sapphire Labradors and Kachka Labradors in western Montana, giving the program strong geographic roots. Those looking for English Labrador retriever puppies in Montana will find Bear Bones is a small, relationship-oriented program with a clear emphasis on structure, temperament, and genetic health.

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