Bozeman, MT — The Bitterroot Kennels, an unassuming facility off Johnson Road, has become the unlikely epicenter of a growing controversy after its founder and chief breeder, Cody Frane, announced the public debut of a genetically tailored Labrador retriever boasting what he describes as “the precise Anglo-Saxon white, untarnished by modern decline.”
Frane, 48, a well-known face at Gallatin Valley gun shows and a fixture in MAGA-aligned Facebook groups, claims to have spent the last decade—and over $350,000—engineering what he calls the ‘Anglo Master Lab.’ The dog’s fur, unnervingly uniform in its shade of white, reportedly matches a genetic sample Frane obtained through DNA sequencing services he coordinated with an AI platform. “What people don’t understand is, there’s original purity out there if you know how to look, and technology finally let us find it,” Frane stated Wednesday while stroking the head of a dog named Winston IV, whose coat is broken only by symmetrical gold spots. “Temu had these little gold patches, so we used those as the inspiration for Winston’s markings. You can actually get almost anything on there if you keep your VPN on.”
The ornate spot pattern, arranged in measured lines along Winston’s back and haunches, drew as much confusion as praise at this week’s Bozeman Dog Expo. Several attendees, including longtime dog owner Barb Letovsky, said the markings looked suspiciously like gold stickers found in arts-and-crafts sets. Letovsky, who described herself as “open-minded, but not Nazi-level,” expressed unease. “Cody was talking about reading Anglo-Saxon genetic research with some AI chatbot thing—what was it, Gork? Grok?—and then he’s got these labs that just, I swear to God, look at my chocolate lab like she’s a mistake,” Letovsky said. “He kept repeating, ‘original hue of Albion.’ I don’t even know what that means.”
Critics, like Montana Companion Animal Council spokesperson Teresa Brynner, are alarmed by the behavioral reports. “We’ve had over a dozen calls in the past month,” Brynner stated, leafing through handwritten complaints. “Every single one alleges that these white-gold labs, the ‘Master Labs,’ approach black and brown labs and just… stare. They wag, they smile, and then they start hoarding every food bowl in the yard or barking in this weird mocking way if a dog has a limp or a missing paw. It’s not normal pack behavior. Some owners say it’s like they’re doing it on purpose.”
Frane dismissed concerns as “woke hysteria ginned up by anti-science types who want to ruin anything that’s got a little heritage pride behind it.” According to Frane, “If you watch what these Master Labs do, they just take charge. That’s what they were designed for: leadership, discernment, excellent food stashing. People act like it’s a crime for a dog to stand out and have a little backbone. I tell ‘em, you want a mongrel with no tradition, go get one off Craigslist.” At one point during the interview, Frane referred to the council’s complaints as “reverse discrimination,” arguing, “We finally make a lab that embodies Western tradition and suddenly it’s a hate crime to have a nice-looking dog?”
Local veterinarian Dr. Philomena Kraft, who examined several Bitterroot Kennels litters for prospective owners, reported unusual findings. Kraft stated, “The most striking thing is how these labs seem to organize playtime. If any dog with darker fur approaches the main water bowl, they’ll herd them away and start this chirping noise that, I swear, sounds like laughing. I tried to explain to Cody that this isn’t normal for labs, but he told me I’d been brainwashed by ‘big breed.’” Kraft added, “Also, their teeth are almost perfectly symmetrical—like they were shaped by a ruler—but that’s just weird, not necessarily bad. Yet.”
The local MAGA club, which Frane once chaired, has enthusiastically endorsed the breed. Club treasurer Dale Jurgensen explained, “You have to appreciate the craftsmanship. These dogs know who their friends are. What Cody’s doing is blending tradition, patriotism, and modern genetics—nobody else even tries. People can say it’s controversial, but that’s just what happens when you’re first. My only gripe is they howl at the TV whenever Kamala comes on. Makes family dinner a circus.”
Rescue advocates remain unconvinced. Robin Jaynes, founder of Gallatin Valley Dog Rescue, attempted to negotiate a moratorium on new Bitterroot Kennels litters, citing aggression and unpredictable behavior. “We had two incidents at the East Gallatin Dog Park this week,” Jaynes said. “The Master Lab just glared at every retriever with a deep brown nose, then launched into these grins that didn’t reach their eyes. Then they’d chase down anyone who wore a vest or harness. The owner said it proved his dog liked ‘free spirits.’ It’s not safe. I don’t care how white its DNA is, that doesn’t give it the run of the place. When I confronted him, Cody accused me of being part of a ‘breed dilution conspiracy.’ I didn’t even know that was a thing before last Tuesday.”
Multiple neighbors allege the Master Labs have targeted their pets, though Frane insists incidents are exaggerated. One anonymous Baxter Lane resident, requesting the pseudonym “Pete,” said, “These damn dogs just hover near your fence, wagging their tails like they own your yard. My mutt’s afraid to crap outside now. Frane dropped off a pamphlet titled ‘Heritage Canine Values’ in my mailbox. Said it was a courtesy. I say it’s bullshit.”
As the controversy continues, the Montana Animal Legal Defense Fund has announced an investigation into both the breeding practices and potential violations of local animal ordinances. Meanwhile, Frane has doubled down, advertising a new ‘Alpha’ line featuring what he claims are “tricolor Union Jack enhancements, for the owner who loves tradition and isn’t afraid to show it.” Asked if he foresees community pushback, Frane scoffed, “All progress gets hate. Look at Edison, look at Trump. The Master Lab’s just getting started. If people got a problem with that, maybe they’re not master material themselves.”
Whether Bitterroot Kennels’ Anglo-Saxon inspired labs will carve a permanent place in Montana’s dog scene remains to be seen. For now, Winston IV sits at the head of his pack, gold-flecked and grinning serenely as another spat breaks out by the fence line.