About The Wolfenbargers

We’ve worked professionally with dogs for nearly four decades, but everything changed when we met our first full English Labrador. Its conformation, temperament, and awareness captured us, and we set out to build a breeding program around those exceptional traits.

Today, my sons and I are dedicated to producing some of the highest quality, full English Labradors in the world. Backed by years of experience and a deep love for dogs, our mission is to provide you with a companion you’ll never forget. Raised in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, we’re humbled by the families we’ve met through this journey. Not only are we putting exceptional companions in homes across America, each puppy that finds a home allows us to give back—both locally in Appalachia and globally.

We’re grateful you’re considering joining the Smoky Mtn Family.

God bless,
Gene & Karen

About Gene Wolfenbarger

Gene Wolfenbarger is a man whose life has been marked by purpose, compassion, and unwavering dedication. With over 40 years of professional experience working with dogs, he is the founder of Smoky Mtn Labradors, a nationally respected English Labrador kennel known for excellence in structure, temperament, and ethical breeding practices.

But Gene’s life extends far beyond the kennel. He has faithfully served as a pastor for the past 25 years, pouring his wisdom, care, and conviction into his local community. He is a devoted husband, married to the same woman he met in college for over 40 years, and a proud father to two sons he loves more than anything.

Gene is also a striving author and an avid golfer, living with the mindset that there’s always more to learn, more to give, and more to pursue. His heart for service extends internationally—most notably in Uganda, where, since 2013, he has helped establish an orphanage, bringing hope, resources, and long-term support to vulnerable children.

Whether he’s standing behind a pulpit, walking the fields with his Labradors, or swinging a golf club on a quiet morning, Gene’s life continues to be defined by faith, family, and a passion to make a lasting difference—both in his city and across the world.

OUR HISTORY

2016

After more than three decades of tremendous success breeding, raising, and training Treeing Walker World Champion Coonhounds, we felt it was time for a new chapter—and that chapter began with English Labradors. In 2016, we had the opportunity to purchase foundational breeding stock from Santy Labradors (Pedro Olvera in South Carolina). Pedro graciously welcomed us into the English Labrador world with Santy Smoky Mtn Livy, Santy Smoky Mtn Chloe, and their brother Finley, who later went to a loving pet home.

We’ll never forget the day Santy Smoky Mtn Livy won her class at Potomac—a defining moment that confirmed we were on the right path. What we didn’t realize then was just how far the show ring would take us—and how deeply we would fall in love with this remarkable breed.

THE DOG

WHO CHANGED IT ALL

2018

Meet Santy Smoky Mtn Moose — the dog who changed everything for our family. We brought him home in early 2018, not knowing just how much impact he would have. Moose quickly proved to be more than just a beautiful English Labrador; he was steady, loyal, and full of heart. His presence shaped our breeding program and left a lasting legacy through his exceptional offspring. More than anything, Moose reminded us why we do this — to raise dogs that are both stunning and soulful.

We entered Moose in his first show on a whim, not expecting much—he took Reserve Winners Dog under renowned judge Mrs. Cindy Skiba. Not long after, Moose earned his champion title under the skilled guidance of handler Amy Walker Wall. That moment marked the beginning of Moose’s rise in the Labrador world.

Moose’s Journey

Moose wins at Potomac

The ride continues! Moose places 1st in his class (15-18 months) at his first Potomac show.
Moose Finishes His Akc Champion Degree

Moose is just months away from earning his AKC Champion title, and thanks to Amy Walker Wall’s incredible handling, he’s on track to finish at record speed.
Moose Wins at Purina Farms

In March 2020, Moose wins Best Opposite at Purina Farms.
Moose Completes His AKC Grand Champion Degree

Moose has achieved his AKC Grand Champion title—another remarkable milestone made possible by the unbeatable team of Amy Walker Wall and Moose.
Moose Wins at Bare Bones

At the end of 2021, Moose wins Best of Breed at Bare Bones. Rusty Howard takes over and begins to place Moose in the top 5 Labradors in the Nation in 2022.
Moose Attends 2022 Westminster

In just a few short years, we were honored to receive an invitation from one of the most prestigious kennel clubs in the world—the Westminster Kennel Club. Thanks to the expert training of Rusty Howard, Moose was officially invited to compete in the 2022 Westminster Dog Show.

“After several unforgettable years, countless wins, and two appearances at Westminster, Moose has earned his retirement. He gave us everything, and more, and left a mark on our hearts and program that will never fade.”

A Monumental Year!

2025

Over the years, Smoky Mountain Labradors has been privileged to build deep, trusted relationships within the English Labrador community—relationships rooted in shared standards, stewardship of the breed, and a commitment to excellence. In 2025, that journey reached a defining milestone when Smoky Mountain Labradors acquired exclusive breeding rights to Seger, including rights to all future Seger offspring.

This was not simply a purchase—it was an investment in the future of our program and in the preservation of one of the most extraordinary bloodlines in the English Labrador world. After more than four decades in the dog world, Seger is widely regarded as one of the most remarkable reproducers the breed has ever seen. His influence on structure, temperament, longevity, and consistency is unmatched.

SEGER & HIS SON CAMO

Seger

Camo

Further solidifying this legacy, we also own frozen semen from Seger’s sire, Cyrus, and grandsire, Nat, creating a multigenerational foundation that is truly second to none. This is a bloodline many in the Labrador community wait years—sometimes a lifetime—for the opportunity to access.

Seger’s accomplishments speak for themselves. As a Yellow Labrador, he holds the title of the All-Time Winningest Yellow Labrador in the 138-year history of the American Kennel Club—a distinction that underscores both his rarity and his enduring impact. Puppies from this lineage are prized not only for their beauty and performance, but for their exceptional health, soundness, and stable, family-friendly temperaments.

Our young Champion Camo, a direct son of Seger, is already proving himself as an outstanding stud, carrying forward his sire’s excellence and promise. For us, producing an exceptional yellow English Labrador has always been essential—and securing a yellow male of this caliber was pivotal to our long-term vision.

We are deeply grateful to Danna and Barton Creek Labradors for entrusting us with the exclusive rights to their future litters sired by Seger. This partnership marks the beginning of a new chapter for Smoky Mountain Labradors—one that will shape our litters for generations to come and allow us to offer something truly rare, intentional, and enduring.

The Future!

Camo has quickly made his mark in the show world, earning his Champion title under the expert handling of Stefanie Perrine. Now setting his sights on Grand Champion, we’re thrilled for the journey ahead and can’t wait to see all he achieves!

Meet the Team

It takes a world-class team to turn dreams into reality, and we’re incredibly proud of the people who make it happen behind the scenes. From daily care to show-day preparation, every detail matters—and this team consistently goes above and beyond to ensure excellence at every turn. Their dedication, passion, and love for these dogs are the heartbeat of what we do. We truly believe we have one of the best teams in the world, and we're so thankful for the way they pour themselves into this work every single day.

Our Infrastructure

The success and growth of Smoky Mtn. relies heavily on our the sturdy infrastructure we have worked to perfect over the years.

“At our core, we operate with the same mindset as elite horse farms—breed for the best, protect the animals, invest in infrastructure, and think generations ahead. The result is a Labrador program built on integrity, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.”

Our founder often describes our program as operating at the level of a prestigious Kentucky Derby horse farm—and that comparison is intentional. Like elite thoroughbred operations searching for the next Derby winner, we breed with purpose, patience, and uncompromising standards. We are not a volume kennel, and we do not breed for the sake of numbers. Every pairing, every puppy, and every decision is made with one goal in mind: producing the next exceptional Labrador.

Our focus is on clean, proven bloodlines; outstanding genetics; sound structure; and stable, companion-ready temperament. Each puppy is carefully evaluated and undergoes rigorous health testing, because excellence begins with safety and well-being. We have many beautiful dogs come through our farm each year and are always looking for the next great Labrador—one capable of excelling at the highest levels, while remaining an incredible lifelong companion.

Our Farm & Satellites

In 2021, our founder made a pivotal decision to invest deeply in infrastructure, people, and long-term vision. What followed was the intentional building of a team and a national network designed to support excellence at scale—without sacrificing control or care. Today, our program includes seven trusted satellite partners across the United States, stretching from Idaho through Ohio, Tennessee, and the Midwest. This allows us to continually evaluate top dogs nationwide while maintaining unified standards across the entire program.

Our home farm sits on five acres in the foothills of East Tennessee, providing the space and environment needed to safely and responsibly care for each Labrador in our program. Our facilities are regularly inspected,

meticulously maintained, and fully compliant with health and safety standards. Heated and cooled indoor buildings ensure our dogs’ comfort in all seasons and allow our operations to remain consistent regardless of weather. Daily care and oversight are cornerstones of our program. Kennels are cleaned every morning and throughout the day by our staff, and our dogs are closely monitored with team members on-site from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. every day. In addition, one dedicated staff member lives on-site at the farm, providing round-the-clock presence to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of our dogs at all times.

At this time, Smoky Mountain is not seeking additional satellite partners. We receive inquiries periodically; however, our existing satellites were selected for their decades of experience in the dog breeding world and reflect the standards we require.