AB Kennels, Captain Nathan Beabout

10/09/2025

In 2018, Jeff Stavinoha, our friend and dog breeder called to tell me he had a firecracker of a pup for me. He knew I had been looking for a couple years, but passed on a few because I was trying to find a dog with an outstanding nose.

This is where Captain and my adventures began. This little pup had more drive than I’d ever seen, and went everywhere with his nose on the ground. At just 6 months old I had him in the duck blind, by 1.5 years he was hunting shed antlers and learning to track deer. From the duck blind to the dove field, it didnt matter what we were going after, Capt gave it his all, everytime without fail. He has sired some good litters of pups, those of y’all who have one from his line know what I am talking about.

He was always so good with our kids, even when they were chasing him around in diapers. He was the kind of dog that did his very best ever time to please you.

It is with a heavy heart that I write this, because after a 10 day battle against a water maccosin bite on his throat, he has passed. Our boy and him were hunting birds and rabbits one evening on our road, when Captain ran ahead of our boy and started barking at the tall grass off to the edge of the road. Our son didn’t know what it was until he eased up and saw the snake strike. He quickly shot him with his .410.

We would like to thank Dr. Bill McClellan & his wonderful staff at Port Lavaca Vet for going above and beyond with their care and love with our pup. We couldn’have asked for a better team to love on and treat Captain.

It will be impossible to replace him, and I will retrieve my own birds for awhile out of respect for him.

09/28/2025

Taking your time with young first year hunting dogs is important. Your first several hunts should not be about how many can you knock down, it should be handling and working the dog correctly. Making sure they are watching the action, and paying attention to commands.

Encouraging young dogs is key. The more excitement you show, the more likely they are to get fired up and work. That is when the light bulb moments happen for them.

A lot of our dogs are under a year of age during their first season. If you take the time to show them, and do things the right way instead of rushing to shoot as many as you can, then by their second season they will be a pro, at a year and half old, with many years ahead of them.

Capt. Nathan Beabout
Cell(210)452-9680
www.abkennels.com
Edna, TX.

09/14/2025

We love seeing our trained pups in the field. Reed put in the work yesterday in Lytle Thanks for sharing John!

We had 2 groups cancel for this afternoon. If you are interested in a last minute dove hunt for today outside Edna, call Nathan at 210-452-9680.

08/28/2025

You always hear hunters tell stories about the best dog they ever had. They’re not wrong. Dogs like that are hard to find, unless you’re looking at this video.

This little pup has had it from the time she was 8 weeks old. Fearless as she was retrieving bumpers and frozen birds twice her size. This is the kind of dog that will go anywhere with you and do anything for you without quitting.

Don’t miss your chance at a lifetime hunting partner. She is great with older dogs and young kids.

Capt. Nathan Beabout
Cell(210)452-9680
www.abkennels.com
Edna, TX.

08/22/2025

As a Started Dog, this pup has gone through and completed her basic obedience. In this video, she is showing her SIT(1 whistle), HERE(2 whistles), HEEL, and most important her extended sit drill.

She is ready to hunt this bird season, and has been a very easy to train dog. She is the kind that just has “it”.

Capt. Nathan Beabout
Cell(210)452-9680
www.abkennels.com
Edna, TX.

08/21/2025

This little pup exercising one of the many drills she has learned during her Started Dog program.

Give us a call if you are looking for a new hunting buddy.

Capt. Nathan Beabout
Cell(210)452-9680
www.abkennels.com
Edna, TX.

08/19/2025

This little “Runt Dog” is a fireball. She is an AKC registered 7 month old black female and has completed her Basic Gundog or Started Dog program.

Runt is ready for the field today, paperwork, rabies tags, and vet records in hand. Give us a call for more info or to set up a time to come see her.

Capt. Nathan Beabout
Cell (210)452-9680
www.abkennels.com
Edna, TX.

08/18/2025

So true! This is why we make the best effort in breeding and finding you the right pup for your needs!

What if I told you that anytime you purchase a puppy for sport/working from unproven lines, there is only a 40% chance that the puppy will turn out.

What if I told you that anytime you purchase a puppy for sport/working from proven lines, there is a 80% chance that the puppy will turn out.

Nothing is ever guaranteed in life. I will start by admitting that. There are cases where someone purchases a puppy from nothing and it turns out decent, and there’s cases where someone purchases a puppy from an incredible breeding and it doesn’t turn out.

But what do we know about genetics in the Labrador Retriever (or any sport bred dog)?

I see so many people say “papers don’t make the dog” or “well I’m not looking for a competition dog”. Let me explain to you what those PAPERS show. It shows long lineage of proven producers & offspring. It shows that the dogs trainability & drive. These dogs were bred for generations for the pure purpose of working (& also doubling as pets for active family homes).

Also as a trainer, I see so many times people purchase a dog from a “hunting/pet” line and bring it in for training. Most of those dogs we either spend weeks building drive, or we have struggles with training aspects. Their “cheaper” pup may cost more in the long run with extended trainer fees.

The hunt test titles on a pedigree show a dog that is trained to a breeds standard. I’ve hunted with so many dogs that the owners claimed were “amazing”, but they were vocal, broke, or were super slow to get their bird. Any one can say their dog is great (let’s face it, we all do). But when you have an outside opinion that is trained to judge a dogs skills, it puts it in a little better perspective for you.

Just think, you wouldn’t go to a car dealership and buy a new truck without a warranty, when the dealership down the road sells the same truck with a warranty?

It’s not “just some papers” it’s confidence on giving you the best odds.

08/15/2025

Get out of the heat and potential weather and stop by the TTHA Show at the Expo Hall in San Antonio this weekend.

We will be in booth 1106, ready to talk fishing, hunting, bird dogs or anything else outdoors.

We have openings on our calender for dove hunts and Port Mansfield Winter trips.

We will have 2 pups with us, both are 7 months old. The female is trained as a Started Dog and ready for the field. The male will make a great family dog. He is great with kids and loves to run around playing.

Capt. Nathan Beabout
Cell(210)452-9680
www.nmsportsmansadventures.com
www.abkennels.com

08/11/2025

‼️Don’t go another bird season without a hunting dog‼️

AVAILABLE NOW: 2 bird dogs ready for their first dove and duck season. We have 2, 7 month old female black labs, phenomenal pedigree, hunting lineage, health tested & OFA certified/qualified parents, trained in retrieving & basic obedience READY TO HUNT in the field.

➡️Call or text:
Captain Nathan Beabout
Cell: 210-452-9680
AB Kennels
Edna, TX

08/08/2025

We have 3, 7 month old pups left! The 2 females have almost completed their retriever training and will be ready to hunt this bird season and the male is trained in basic obedience. Give us a call for pricing, information and to see these pups in action.

Edna, TX
Nathan Beabout
Cell 210-452-9680