About Us

 Sydenham Lake Retrievers and trainer / breeder John Sinclair specialize in training, breeding, competing and hunting over extremely well bred Black Labrador Retrievers.  John and his dogs have been featured on ESPN, Outdoor Life Network and many local television stations. Sydenham Lake Retrievers have appeared and performed at many special events including sport shows (Eastern Sports Show, Toronto Sportsman Show, Ottawa Sportsman Show, etc) and special events at sporting goods retailers including Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops and Gander Mountain. 

Sydenham Lake Retrievers is home of the first Canadian owned and trained Grand Hunting Retriever Champion – GRHRCH Starhaven’s Tilley.  Tilley appears numerous times in Just Labs a coffee table book, published by Willow Creek Press featuring the photographic talents of good friend Lee Thomas Kjos. 

John and his dogs have hunted from Texas to Canada and everywhere in between.  He is an active waterfowl enthusiast who also enjoys chasing cock pheasants in the Dakotas.  Although his dogs are highly bred working dogs they remain full members his family, live indoors often sleeping by the wood stove cuddled to one of John’s two young boys. 

Sydenham Lake Retrievers is founded on John’s commitment to produce the best quality working Labradors available anywhere in the world.  His attention to and selection of the best pedigrees for both sires and dams brings together a winning combination resulting in puppies that have a strong desire to work coupled with the ability to work as a team. 

Sydenham Lake Retrievers dogs are tested and judged in Hunting Retriever Club (HRC) and American Kennel Club hunt tests.  John is a licensed HRC Finished judge and has held the positions of Club President, Secretary, Hunt Marshal and Hunt Secretary during his membership in Lake Ontario HRC, Luther Marsh HRC and currently Kingston Area HRC.

 

 As the National Manager – Field Product Specialists with Tri-Tronics, John spends much of his time traveling North America talking to dog enthusiasts and working for the undisputed leader in e-collars for sporting breeds.