About Us
The story of Chocolatin Labs, a professional Labrador Retriever kennel, began in 2012.
Before then, I could never have imagined that one day my life would become so deeply intertwined with these extraordinary dogs —
and that true Labradors, the kind that seem to step right out of a dream, would one day live with me in the heart of Italy.
But, like all great love stories, it all began by chance.
Our First Encounter – Piper and Love at First Sight
At the beginning of 2012, I visited some friends in the alpine region of Valle d’Aosta, on the border between France and Switzerland.
It was there that I met Piper, a yellow Labrador around seven years old. She accompanied us everywhere — on sledding trails, on walks, to cafés and restaurants. Her quiet and sensitive presence touched me deeply.
In that moment, I knew: I wanted to share my life with a Labrador Retriever.
Later, I discovered that Labradors come in three colors: yellow, black, and chocolate.
And as a true chocolate lover, I instantly knew — my dream was a chocolate-colored Labrador.
Our First Labrador — Holstep’s Backardy
A difficult time struck our family: my mother lost her life partner.
I was working a lot and taking care of my son, who was still in school at the time. My mother found herself alone. One day, she said to me:
"Please, buy me a chocolate Labrador."
We began our search. My mother found the Holstep’s kennel and spoke with the breeder, but the price seemed too high for us.
So I decided to look on my own and started traveling through the regions around Kharkiv.
I didn’t know much about dogs yet, but something about the puppies or the conditions of the kennels didn’t sit right with me.
Some friends advised us to ask for the opinion of Tatyana Lozinskaya, a highly respected handler and breeder.
To our surprise, she also recommended Holstep’s — and in particular, its founder, Tatyana Sverchkova, a true professional of the Labrador Retriever breed and an international FCI expert.
We got back in touch with the breeder, and I set off for Zaporizhzhia.
And so, in February 2014, Holstep’s Backardy, or simply Bacardi, entered our lives as our very first Labrador —
and from that moment on, everything changed forever.
My gratitude to Tatyana Sverchkova is truly endless — we’re still in touch to this day, and I am proud to say she is my mentor in the Labrador Retriever breed.
First Shows, Sweet Victories, and the Journey Ahead
In the beginning, we had no intention of entering the world of dog shows.
But as we walked the streets of Kharkiv, people kept stopping us to say how beautiful our Bacardi was.
At his very first show, Bacardi immediately won the Best Junior title.
Later, he sired his first litters, and in 2016, we kept his son —
Kaytan Christmas Star, whom we simply call Kay.
That marked the beginning of our more serious journey into the world of dog shows, training, retrieving, and field trials.
That same year, we participated in the World Championship in Moscow,
where we saw over 500 entries of our beloved breed — the Labrador Retriever —
and later earned our very first working titles.
I was becoming increasingly aware that, in order to grow as a breeder, I needed a strong, solid female with great potential.
In 2017, our first chocolate female arrived — Holstep’s Healt Resort,
and in 2018, we welcomed our first black princess — Night Single Quick Win, known to us as Frida.
In 2021, Frida proudly earned CAC and rCACIB at the European Championship in Hungary.
Our First Litters — Where Our Bloodlines Were Born
On July 27, 2020, our very first litter of chocolate Labradors was born from Holstep’s Happy-Sappy and Holstep’s Healt Resort.
From that litter, we kept a female:
Chocolatin Labs Gleam Emerald, whom we lovingly call Vasilisa.
On January 30, 2021, puppies were born from Happy-Sappy and Frida.
From that litter, we kept a chocolate male:
Chocolatin Labs Diamond King.
These puppies became the very first foundation of our future breeding lines —
lines built with love, careful selection, and a long-term vision.
2022: From War to a New Beginning
On December 9, 2021, we welcomed a litter from Loretta Fine Line and Holstep’s Healt Resort —
our very first experience using chilled semen imported from Spain.
Two females were born: Bonita and Anita.
On February 24, 2022, full-scale war broke out.
We were living near Kharkiv, in an area occupied from the very first days.
For several days, we lived without electricity, without heating, and without communication —
together with our dogs and puppies.
On March 1, we made a difficult decision: to evacuate.
We packed two cars with dogs, puppies, and, above all, with my son, my mother, my sister, and a dear friend with her two children.
We formed a small caravan — people, children, and dogs fleeing the war.
Thanks to friends in Italy, we found a home and started over.
And so began a new chapter of Chocolatin Labs — on Italian soil.
Rebirth and a New Life in Italy
In the spring of 2022, we returned to the show rings:
Frida (Night Single Quick Win) won her class at the World Championship in Madrid, earned the CAC, and became a Champion of Spain.
In the autumn, we moved into a detached house in Piedmont —
a place with space and freedom for our dogs.
Shortly after, Carlayal Black&Chocolate joined us, whom we call Bianca —
a female I fell in love with at first sight, and who is now making a name for herself at European dog shows. A true show star!
Bianca was purchased from the Black&Chocolate kennel,
from her breeder Liliya Zierova —
a person who taught us so much and had a profound impact on our growth as Labrador Retriever breeders.
Later, In Heart Das Ist Fantastisch joined us — we call her Kara —
a granddaughter of our Holstep’s Healt Resort (official pedigree name),
and finally, a snow-white princess arrived:
Berti Fox For Chocolatin Labs Black&Chocolate, whom we lovingly call Yulia —
and with her delicate charm, she completed our Chocolatin Labs family.
Our Puppies — Pride and Dreams Come True
In 2023, we welcomed beautiful black and chocolate puppies from Frida, Vasilisa, and Barbie, sired by the Canadian male Chablais Eugene.
On August 17, 2024, yellow and black puppies were born from Darker Power Bella Mare and Yulia.
On October 14, 2024, we were blessed with a litter from INT. CH Big Vegas Black&Chocolate and Chocolatin Labs Gleam Emerald.
And on March 14, 2025, nine black diamonds were born from Bianca (Carlayal Black&Chocolate) and the legendary Memo (MBISS GCHB CH Lakeside Memoir of Gallivant TKN CGC).
For this special mating, I traveled with Bianca all the way to the United States — and together, we brought to life the litter we had dreamed of for so many years.
Who We Are Today
Our dogs live in:
the United States, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Italy, Trinidad and Tobago...
and many other countries.
We personally select the families to whom we entrust our puppies,
we support them even after adoption, regularly participate in shows,
consult with experts and veterinarians, carry out all necessary health tests,
and we never stop learning.
We approach the breed with respect, love, and the firm belief
that every breeder is responsible for the dogs they bring into the world.
Our Mission
We create true Labrador Retrievers:
healthy, balanced, expressive in both gaze and temperament.
Dogs that make people feel calm, loved, and happy.
Dogs that turn heads on the street and always spark the same question:
"Where did you get such a beautiful Labrador?"
And you smile and reply:
"From Chocolatin Labs. A kennel with a soul.
The place where dreams are born."