About Mike
About Mike & His Puppies
Labrador & Labradoodle Puppies Chicago is located in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, in Mundelein, IL. I'd like to begin by thanking ALL who have adopted my pups, giving them loving and caring homes, as this is my number one goal! I am very cautious to who I adopt my pups out to & do a thorough phone interview before I let anyone come and meet my pups or put a deposit down. I think it's important to establish a relationship with those looking to add a four-legged family member to their family. I have always prioritized DNA & orthopedic testing on all my breeding dogs. There is no way to tell if a dog is carrying genetic disease or has orthopedic issues without doing the appropriate testing.
I began breeding Labradors about 25 years ago & added in Labradoodles a short time later. As the years passed, I have been extremely fortunate to have had top notch veterinarians show me crucial things in advanced puppy care, as well as how to achieve optimum health through things like nutrition & exercise. I am constantly educating myself, striving to breed the most genetically perfect pups out there! Labradors & Labradoodles can suffer from a variety of genetic diseases as well as orthopedic issues such as hip & elbow dysplasia, which is why I focus greatly on proper gene mating, in other words, breeding two dogs that are genetically perfect! I DNA test ALL of my breeding Labradors & Labradoodles.
I also OFA certify the hips & elbows when they reach two years of age. All of my pups have coefficient of inbreeding (COI) of between 0% and 20%, which is the icing on the cake of a genetically sound dog. I take a great deal of pride in my dogs, and pups! I have over 30 years' experience in both nutrition and fitness, which I have incorporated into my breeding program. Nutrition and exercise are just as important to dogs as they are people! I focus on a few things- DNA, orthopedics, low COI, proper nutrition and exercise & of course, lots of love & care! This is the ONLY way to breed SUPER PUPPIES, which become SUPER DOGS!!
Trusted by Families Across the Country
We recently brought home our new pup, Bear, and I cannot recommend Mike enough. From the very first phone call, it was clear that he isn’t just a breeder—he truly cares about the health, temperament, and future of every dog he raises.
Why We Chose Mike:
• Knowledgeable & Transparent: Mike was incredibly patient with all our questions. He walked us through the lineage, health clearances, and what to expect during the first few weeks at home.
• Nice Facility/Home: Visiting his setup in Mundelein, you can tell the dogs are raised in a clean, loving, and professional environment.
• Perfect Temperament: Our pup is not only stunning (that deep chocolate coat is gorgeous!) but is also calm, socialized, and clearly well-adjusted.
• Seamless Process: From the initial deposit to the day we picked him up, Mike kept us updated and made the entire experience stress-free.
It’s rare to find someone so dedicated to the breed. If you want a healthy, happy Lab from a breeder with integrity, Mike is your guy. We are so in love with our new family member!
Mike has stayed in touch with us since we bought Mackenzie. He’s offered advice and shared training videos.
I took Mackenzie to the vet for her rabies shot, and the vet said that she knows Mike. She said that Mackenzie is so sweet, like all of Mike’s dogs.
Thanks Mike!!
We spoke with several breeders prior to finding Mike’s website and were immediately impressed by the information and videos provided. Mike is very personable and truly cares about the health and well being of his dogs, and we greatly appreciate that he highly values full panel genetic and orthopedic testing. It also meant a lot that he cared about the home she was going to and that we are conscious pet owners. Mike was welcoming at his home and made it easy for our three kids (12, 8, 5) to interact with many of his dogs, all who were pleasant and personable toward us. He patiently spent time answering our long list of questions after our meeting and took extra time to provide information that ultimately made us feel confident in our decision.
Since adopting our girl almost a month ago, Mike has kept in touch, checking in to make sure everything is going smoothly. He has readily answered our questions and is genuinely interested in her development. We highly recommend reaching out to Mike!
- Michael
As for his puppies? Incredible temperament, quick to train and absolutely beautiful. Our sweet girl is a pure bred silver American Field Lab. Her parents Zeus and Jade, I'm convinced, make the most gorgeous labs. If you're looking for an athlete, look no further. The father, Zeus, is an absolute beast in the best possible way and Jade is incredibly sweet. The perfect combo. Thank you, Mike! You've given our family a gift.
When we arrived, we were warmly greeted by Mike and were also able to meet the parents of the puppy we ended up bringing home, Andy. The entire process was smooth and comfortable, and Mike took the time to share a lot of valuable information with us, including DNA test results and helpful tips on training and maintaining our puppy’s health.
We’ve had Andy for a few weeks now and couldn’t be happier to have him as part of our family. We truly had a great experience and would highly recommend Labrador and Labradoodle Puppies Chicago to anyone looking for a puppy.
He’s not only an experienced breeder, but also incredibly kind and supportive — even after we brought Nala home.
I was planning a surprise for my husband and was a bit nervous, but Mike made the whole process feel easy and exciting. Thanks to him, Nala is now part of our family and we couldn’t be more grateful.
He’s still in touch and always ready to help with tips on training and adjustment.
If you’re looking for a caring, responsible breeder — I couldn’t recommend Mike more!
My one piece of advice if you’re interested in a Labrador or Labradoodle is to read Mike’s website then give him a call to talk it through. It was a very no-pressure conversation and I could tell Mike was truly passionate about breeding quality puppies and sharing his wealth of information.
Black Betty is 5 ! Healthy, smart and a Dang Good Dog!
Mike Martinez the breeder, is still in touch with us and enjoys hearing about her.
Betty and I have grown an inseparable bond over the years we cherish dearly. Being semi retired and working from home, we share a lot of our time together. She’s independent but always ready and waiting to share her love with us, the wife and I.
An F1 field dog, Betty Loves-to-Run and gets in at least a mile or two a day. Being trained off leash, she has the freedom and discipline to enjoy her walks in the park. Videos added.
Thank you Mike, for helping us find each other. We needed each other and time has been good to us.
Update 10/25/23. Betty is almost 3.5yrs now. Best forever friends! She's a good girl and we'll trained off leash. It took 1.5yrs till she knew it. A lot of time and patience to get there. The free spirit loves to socialize with the pack and their parents. She challenges alpha and plays hard to win.
Thanks Mike! It really means a lot to share our adventures with you.
Thanks Mike, for your professional experience and honest assessment of where we are in the doggy world today.
Our journey to meet you, by chance on the internet, was rife with disappointment and fraud. It had been 12-years since we shopped for a puppy and best-friend Jackson R.I.P, in 2008. When I spoke on the phone with Mike, he listened as I admitted my experience since early May, and aided me in the realization that I would be spending more than planned for a quality dog.
Mike indicated I could find a puppy in my price range, but, the dogs will most likely not be DNA and OFA certified. He went on to explain his quality breeding service and convinced me that I should consider his advice and read through the information in his website, along with his Google reviews, to see what others had to say.
We ended up with our beautiful, sweet, intelligent Betty! I understand the point’s people have made in the Google reviews- and I have to say I now understand why and confirm their accuracy with my own experience.
Mike calls to check on the pup. Mike has been breeding dogs for 15-years. The care and knowledge he possesses are vast, freely shared and greatly appreciated. Having had dogs all my life it is reassuring that his calls are of concern for his puppy’s and clients.
Mike is well read and experienced in puppy matters such as; health and safety, nutrition, doggy habits, training, discipline, etc. His breeder skills are top notch and delivers well-bred pups that are healthy and smart.
The “puppy prep sheet” Mike emails you is a good read and suggested reference when bringing a puppy home. The requirement sheet provides valuable and useful info for new puppy’s and owners, and older lifetime owners that may read some good info about quality pup care.
The care that goes into breeding Mike’s pups is proven science and a love for his dogs. His dogs are well cared for with walks and swims in Lake Michigan, and they are fit and trim. The dogs and pups live with him. Duly noted in another review is how clean and odor free his house is. His dogs are trained, very friendly and the puppies are born into a nurturing environment.
Betty is 8-weeks now. She goes to the door to go out, shakes paw, sits and her biting is down to a minimum, except when she’s in mad-dog mode and wants to play hard. She learns fast. She knows her name and is starting to come when called. I have started training, explaining; sit, stay, down, heel, leave it, on the double and no mud. Never too early to start, I believe she may be voice command trained very quickly!
Thanks Mike, A week and a half, and we are best friends. Betty’s personality is fast becoming loyal and trusting. She tries to please us with the skills she is learning, and loves obtaining our praise and kindness! The treats help too.
I may call to inquire about quality trainers to assist in Betty’s development. She’s smart and I would like to see her achieve her potential.
Bill Gibbons
Chicago, IL
Mike goes out of his way to ensure you have all of the information you need to be a successful pet parent. We also went over the thorough genetic testing and insights Mike has.
We’re so happy to have Molly as our new family member and appreciate the care that went into ensuring we had plenty of information to feel confident in the type of dog we have.
Mike’s dedication to responsible breeding gave us complete confidence in our decision. He truly cares about his puppies and the families they go to— this isn’t just a business for him, it’s a mission. If you’re looking for a healthy, well-socialized Labrador or Labradoodle and want to work with someone who genuinely puts the dogs’ health first, Mike is the breeder you want. Highly recommended!
Before adopting Tootsie, I did a lot of research on the internet. Then I sope with Mike at great lengths, and decided Mike knew what he was doing, and cared deeply about his dogs. The in-person conversation only reinforced my research, and slowed me Mike is a first class breeder. Then he provided documentation regarding Tootsie's parents, specifically DNA and OFA testing. That was the proof I needed, he had testing to prove her health is as advertised, and what could be expected. I am a retired Project Manager in the Nuclear Power Industry that appreciates hard evidence.
Tootsie was Stage 2 trained. Eliminating hours and hours of crate training, she had all the basis commands I needed to help me build upon. Which I have, what a smart dog.
Thank you, Mike, for my dream puppy.
And thanks for your continued follow-up calls.
Thank you again Phil! I'm always available to answer any questions!
Not Just Puppies - Future Companions with Purpose
My pups are extremely intelligent, social, playful, loving, and are great with adults and children. Many of my pups go on to be trained as professional service and therapy dogs, due to their intelligence and quality breeding practices. My pups have been adopted by people in many states, and while I do ship my pups, I am very cautious about the process. I have received calls from Hawaii, Canada, and even Sweden. My pups go on to be amazing family companions, as well as service, therapy, hunting, and emotional support dogs.
I encourage you to check out my Google reviews, as they will give you a clear insight to both myself & my pups. Virtually all who end up adopting my pups have read through my website, read at least some Google reviews, and have also educated themselves on the breed they are interested in, including the general health, disposition, and character of the dog they are considering. I'm very proud to say that most who ultimately adopt my pups have done their due diligence & are very well informed by the time they contact me.

