Old Oak Retrievers (Blooming Prairie, Minnesota)

  • 15647 SE 29th Ave, Blooming Prairie, MN 55917
  • +1 507-572-1234
  • Rated 4.5/5 with 57 verified reviews.
  • Website
  • Monday: 8-11 AM,4-6 PM
  • Tuesday: 8-11 AM,4-6 PM
  • Wednesday: 8-11 AM,4-6 PM
  • Thursday: 8-11 AM,4-6 PM
  • Friday: 8-11 AM,4-6 PM
  • Saturday: 8-11 AM
  • Sunday: 4-6 PM

Old Oak Retrievers Customer Reviews Summary

We’ve analyzed all available reviews for this breeder and summarized our findings below for your convenience!

Old Oak Retrievers is highly recommended by customers who have purchased puppies from them. The breeder, Rick McConico, takes the time to understand the specific needs and preferences of customers, such as hunting drive and potential for hunt tests.

The puppies are well-trained and have shown great performance both in the field and in the house. Rick also offers training sessions and allows customers to use his grounds and learn from him.

Customers appreciate the clean facility and the excellent job Rick does with the dogs he trains. The dogs from Old Oak Retrievers are known for their biddable disposition and are described as the quintessential "gentleman's gun dog." However, there are a couple of negative reviews regarding the boarding services provided by Old Oak Retrievers.

One customer was disappointed with the conditions in which their dog was kept, including bad odor and dirty fur. They were also unhappy with the lack of communication and professionalism.

Another customer reported that their dog developed a fear of young males after staying at Old Oak, suspecting possible abuse. These negative experiences have led some customers to not recommend bringing their dogs to Old Oak Retrievers for boarding.

It is important for potential customers to note both the positive reviews regarding the breeder's training abilities and the negative reviews concerning the boarding services. Customers looking for a reputable breeder with excellent training programs may find Old Oak Retrievers to be a good choice, but should consider alternative boarding options based on the negative experiences shared by some customers.

Old Oak Retrievers Reviews

We’ve compiled a list of the most helpful reviews for this breeder below. We’ve included both positive and negative (if applicable) reviews to give you a better idea of the type of breeder you’re considering.

★★★★★

Martha Martin

(2018) We own two dogs from Old Oak Retrievers and our next pup will be from there, as well. Rick McConico is an accomplished trainer who operates a beautiful, clean facility and does a superb job with the dogs he trains. Highly recommended!
(2022) UPDATING my original review to say that we own a third pup from Old Oak Retrievers who is now three years old (a half sister to our black lab Sophie). She’s just as amazing as her big sis! Rick is very selective about his breeding program – great dogs! Each one of our dogs is the quintessential “gentleman’s gun dog” – everything you want in a retriever, wonderful, biddable disposition and a joy to have in the home as a beloved family member.

★★★★★

Dan McCullough

Great place. Got a British lab pup that was really good. Great family dog and even better hunter. Had so much drive. Made the longest water retrieve I have ever witnessed, in really windy conditions. Just awesome.

★★★★★

Brian Groff

It takes a lot for me to write a review; good or bad. I’ve spend the better part of 2 years as a customer. Rick took the time to understand that I wanted a dog with a lot of hunting drive as I hunt birds (ducks and pheasants) 25 to 30 days a year. I also wanted a dog with hunt test potential should I decide to pursue that. Lastly, I wanted the dog to have an off switch (don’t we all) I got exactly what I wanted for a dog. Equally as good in the field and in the house. Even more importantly, I went to both puppy lessons that Rick offered and followed his instructions religiously when I got back home. The pup was off to a great start before I sent him back for obedience, collar conditioning and intro to birds after which he had a hunting season that did not disappoint (at 10 months). I send him back to Rick this summer to do all his advanced work (multiple marks, handling, blind retrieves, etc…). I ended up with the bonus of a dog that have very good hunt test potential should I choose to pursue that. Not only did he train him but he was always willing to let me come down, use his grounds and learn from him which is something he certainly didn’t have to do.

★☆☆☆☆

Angela O'Connell

I was not happy when picking my boy up. He smelt so bad like pee and his fur was so yucky feeling. I don’t know if he even ate or was let out but I had never seen him act the way he did when I picked him up after 3 days. I was very upset when I stated he stunk and nothing was said like I’m sorry or anything she just stood there not saying a word. I had heard another customer boarded my boys sibling and she never came out smelling like pee or looked scared and she was able to go back and see where her girl was staying . I also heard a really bad yelp when I was waiting for my boy to come put to me. I had to deal with him lunging at my other dog 2 times when I tried to pet her that is something I’ve never seen done from him before. Needless to say I will not bring him back and will not recommend this place. I didn’t feel it was professional enough for my boy and it confirmed my fears of dog boarding. This was my first time ever boarding a dog and will definitely be my last. Very very disappointed had me crying when I saw the condition he was in. Never is that acceptable. An explanation would have been great but nothing I felt like he was not important at all.

★☆☆☆☆

Brina Bergland

I would not recommend Old Oak. My dog spent a week at old oak and after has been terrified of young males. I suspect that there were acts of abuse. She is perfectly fine interacting with older males, all females and children. Since our visit at old oak we have been working through her new fear of young males. I can only speak from our experience. This was not our first time with old oak but it’s our last. Old oak has ruined my trust with any boarding kennels. Do not recommend bringing your dog to old oak.

★☆☆☆☆

Catherine Ewing

Initially when Rick trained our dog in Obedience we choose him because he was well recommended by our buyer. He did a good job with the obedience training, he seemed to understand the softness of the Brit-Lab. Then his business moved to the country and increased in size. We took our same dog to him to be titled in hunting. We found he was burning dogs with the electric shock collar merciless. In fact our dog’s voice was never the same. We were also witness of him doing it to another dog while he showed us the horrible procedure. I wish I had never sent my dog to him. I feel horrible that he had to endure such mistreatment. Had I known he had turned into a merciless through-put operation I would have NEVER send our dog to him!