Shinnhill Madra Dearg of Marlen

"Rua"

Rua the Red came to us from Northern Ireland by way of Shinnhill Labradors. We imported Rua in the fall of 2025 as a six-month-old pup. While his pedigree immediately caught our attention, what truly sold us on Rua was hearing how deeply our friend and his breeder, Denise, had grown to love him in the short time they had together. That spoke volumes about the kind of dog he was long before he ever arrived at Marlen Gundogs.

Rua embodies everything we strive to produce in our breeding program. His kind, respectful nature makes him an exceptional companion, and he has always been trustworthy around our young children. If we had to describe his temperament in a few words, they would be: collected, focused, respectful, resilient, quiet, and loyal. These are the qualities we value most and hope to pass on to future generations.

One of Rua's greatest strengths is his natural desire to work with his handler. His recall has been dependable in virtually every situation, and he instinctively seeks eye contact, always looking for direction, acknowledgment, or the next task. He genuinely wants to work as a team.

In the field, Rua is confident without being reckless. He is naturally steady, never anxious, and never hesitates when asked to retrieve. He is an exceptional line runner, and from his very first training sessions with us at six months old, he demonstrated remarkable trust in his handler. Whether lining for a blind retrieve or taking a cast, Rua has always shown an uncommon willingness to accept guidance and carry it with confidence. His loyalty and partnership are among the finest qualities we've experienced in a retriever, making him exactly the type of dog we aspire to produce at Marlen Gundogs.