Hi, I’m Dominica Hilla, the person behind Sunbrooke Acres.

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Sunbrooke Acres is a small, home-based Labrador Retriever program in Southeast Michigan. Our dogs are part of our everyday life, and that has always shaped the way we approach breeding.

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We place a lot of importance on strong foundations. Health, genetics, structure, temperament, and longevity all matter to us, and we take the time to consider the individual dogs behind every litter and what we hope to carry forward into the next generation.

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We also believe the first weeks of a puppy’s life matter. Our puppies are raised at home in our dedicated kennel space, an extension of our household where they are part of our everyday lives. They are introduced to handling, socialization, household sounds, new experiences, and age-appropriate enrichment as they grow. We want to give each puppy a solid foundation to build on when they leave us and begin life with their family.

 

At the heart of it all, we love what makes a Labrador a Labrador. They can be devoted family companions, eager hunting partners, service or working prospects, or simply the goofy dog following you around the house. We value that versatility and want our dogs to have the temperament, structure, and foundation to enjoy whatever life brings their way. ​

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Our dogs are sweet, affectionate, playful, and a bit goofy sometimes. They have manners and routines, but they’re still Labradors. They get dirty, get way too excited, jump up, steal things, make questionable decisions when nobody’s looking, and then act completely innocent when they’re caught. They have quirks, big personalities, and plenty of opinions — and yes, they spend an unreasonable amount of time terrorizing the squirrels. They’re goofy, clumsy, loyal, forgiving, eager to please, and full of life. They get to run, play, get muddy, be silly, and enjoy all the wonderfully messy, funny, ordinary things that come with being a Labrador. 

 

For us, breeding is an ongoing process of learning, evaluating, and making thoughtful decisions. We don’t expect perfection, and we don’t expect everything to turn out exactly as we envisioned. But when things don’t go as planned, we learn from them, adjust, and keep moving forward while staying true to our moral compass and the same goals we’ve always had. We simply want to keep building strong foundations, remain consistent in what we value, and give each generation the best start we can.