Dr. Fran Smith, Founder of Danikk Labradors

Frances Smith, DVM, PhD

Frances 0. Smith, DVM, the founder of Danikk Labradors, has been involved in the sport of purebred dogs since 1956. She grew up with German Shepherd dogs and Pomeranians and was involved in Junior Handling in the Midwest in the late 1950's and 1960's. Her first Labrador Retriever arrived on the scene in 1971, a black bitch of field trial breeding, and she discovered a new world. 

Fran Smith is a veterinarian with a Ph.D. in Small Animal Reproduction and is Board Certified in Theriogenology, the specialty of reproduction. She lectures nationally in the areas of fertility, infertility, genetics, pediatrics and dog behavior. She is active in dogs clubs, hunt tests, and obedience clubs. 

Dr. Smith serves on the Board of Directors of the Labrador Retriever Club, Inc., the Labrador Retriever Club of the Twin Cities and is the President of the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Dr. Smith is responsible for Danikk Labradors' breeding program and the maintenance of Danikk's dogs in peak mental and physical health. 

Dr. Smith attended the University of Minnesota and was awarded her DVM in 1980. She was awarded a Ph.D. in Small Animal Reproduction in 1984 and achieved Diplomate status in the American College of Theriogenology in 1986. 

Currently, Dr. Smith is the only board certified theriogenologist (reproduction specialist) in small animal private practice in the United States. 

The topic of Smith's Ph.D. was Cryo Preservation of Canine Semen Technique and Performance. She developed many extenders for use with chilled and frozen semen, and developed the technique for surgical insemination when using frozen semen. 

Dr. Smith founded Smith Veterinary Hospital in 2000. SVH is a general practice located in Burnsville, MN, specializing in small animal reproduction, which has clients from all over the United States.