1) How long have you been breeding Golden Retrievers, and British-style Golden Retrievers specifically? What drew you to the British style?
Barrie and I acquired our first Golden in January, 1974 after attending dog shows on dates and discovering the Golden Retriever. Wendy was being re-homed due to a family move, and was an English import. She had been imported by a local breeder, Jack Reid of Goldrange Goldens, from Lucille Sawtell (Yeo) and then re-homed when x-rays showed mild hip dysplasia. We had actually seen her in the show ring with Jack before she became our first Golden. Can CH Wendy of Yeo, Am/Can CD started us on our amazing journey in Golden Retrievers. I started the bonding process by taking her to obedience classes and things took off from there. We were exposed to British style Goldens right from the start and we were life-long friends with both Lucille and Jack, who not only imported Wendy but a number of other lovely Goldens from the UK.
We obtained our first show and breeding stock from Dick and Ludell Beckwith later in 1974, having been introduced to the Beckwiths by Carole Kvamme Johnson. We met Carole at a Canadian dog show where she was showing "Robbie" (Am/Can CH Beckwith’s Malagold Flash Am/Can UDT, Am WC, OS, SDHF). We fell in love with Robbie and our first show potential puppy was his grand-daughter. Our first litter was co-bred with Ludell in 1979.
2) How would you describe the ideal Golden Retriever of British-style?
I believe that the Golden Retriever breed standards from around the world generally require the same breed characteristics. Primarily a hunting dog, the Golden should be a moderate dog that can work all day in the field, with a temperament suitable for both human and canine companionship. To do its job efficiently and with ease requires correct structure and the universal issues of breed type, including a correct coat texture, balanced and correct angulation, good muscling and correct proportion with a well-muscled neck and head, enabling the dog to carry a big goose. Colour is immaterial too me and I have owned dogs throughout the full colour spectrum seen in Golden Retrievers. Differences in styles within the breed can be found in Goldens around the world and between conformation and performance Goldens. Each country and each breeder bring their own vision and interpretation of the standard, hence the variations. Sometimes this leads to too much focus on one particular feature instead of “overall appearance, balance, gait and purpose” being given more emphasis than any of the component parts. The ideal lies in the words of the standard, which every breeder needs to study and understand why it requires these characteristics.
3) Do you combine pedigrees of overseas Goldens with North America lines? If not, what drove that decision? If yes, has it been successful?
I believe combining North American bloodlines with the best of the overseas bloodlines not only provides greater genetic diversity in the breed, but helps in correcting areas of concern in the breed on both sides of the pond. The heads, expressions, coat texture, pigment and front quarters of many North American dogs could be improved by blending bloodlines. Rear movement, body proportions, and more moderation in some of the overseas Goldens could benefit from carefully selected North American bloodlines. Progress could be made toward erasing certain genetic concerns such as pigmentary uveitis by combining overseas lines with North American lines, as GRPU is generally not seen outside North American bloodlines. I have bred to dogs resident in North America that were either totally or partially off-shore bloodlines.
Am/ Can CH Beckwith’s Frolic of Yeo, Am/Can. CDX, OD
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4) Who was your first mentor, and who has influenced you the most over the years?
Carol Kvamme Johnson (Alderbrooke Goldens) was our first friend and mentor in the US Golden world. As previously mentioned, she introduced us to Dick and Ludell Beckwith, who became very close friends and mentors. Ludell encouraged me to progress into judging, for which I am forever grateful. She had an imported female, Am/ Can CH Beckwith’s Frolic of Yeo, Am/Can. CDX, OD, that produced many American and Canadian champions and top winners. |
I have been fortunate to have some influential Golden folk mentor me. My dear friends Marcia Schlehr, Betty Gay, and Pagey Elliot all had major influence on my advancement in the breed. I spent time with these wonderful people, in our homes, at shows and National Specialties, listening and learning. Learning is continuous and it is necessary to find an experienced mentor within the breed.
5) Which is the best dog/bitch you have bred or owned, and why?
My two Australian imports, Journey and Scotty, from Fantango Goldens have been outstanding Goldens and would have contributed a lot to the breed had they obtained/maintained their clearances. Journey was a multiple specialty winner and Scotty attained a notable Golden milestone, being the first Australian-bred Golden to obtain his titles: American Champion, Australian champion, and Canadian Grand Champion (with PCD and Rally Novice titles as well).
My two Australian imports, Journey and Scotty, from Fantango Goldens have been outstanding Goldens and would have contributed a lot to the breed had they obtained/maintained their clearances. Journey was a multiple specialty winner and Scotty attained a notable Golden milestone, being the first Australian-bred Golden to obtain his titles: American Champion, Australian champion, and Canadian Grand Champion (with PCD and Rally Novice titles as well).
MBISS Can GCH Fantango Passport to Oriana, CD, RE
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Aust/Am CH, Can GCH Fantango to the Moon and Back, RN, PCD
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Am/Can CH Oriana My Quantum Leap Am/Can CD, GRCC OS, was a dog I got back at age 5, finished his Am. Championship, and discovered he was sterile, so I never was able to breed a litter from him. His outstanding sire status was based on litters with his former owner. He was a lovely dog with an amazing temperament who also loved the obedience ring as well.
Can CH Beckwith’s Fancyfree Calypso,
Am/Can CDX, GRCC and GRCA Outstanding Dam |
6) Which of your own dogs have been the best producers, and why?
Most of my early breeding dogs were all from North American-bred lines. I have to acknowledge my foundation bitch, Can CH Beckwith’s Fancyfree Calypso, Am/Can CDX, GRCC and GRCA Outstanding Dam. Calla won the GRCC Top Brood bitch award for four straight years, 1981-84, based on titles earned by her kids. She produced multiple American and Canadian Champions and Canadian Obedience Trial Champions. Her daughter, Can CH Oriana A Cappella Can CDX WCI TD TT OD Am CD TD WC won the GRCC Top Brood bitch award in 1986 and produced my most titled litter, the Oriana “F” litter, with 29 titles. |
7) Which dog/bitch not bred or owned by you have you most admired, and why?
There are a number but I will try and be selective. US National Specialty winners, "Yogi" Am CH OTCH, Can CH Highmark Mirasol Once A Knight VCD4 UDX3 JH MX MXJ WC VCX OS SDHF OBHF, and "Sydney" Am GCHP Can CH
Paws For Applause At Tristar CD RE SH SAR-W CGC WCX VCX SDHF MBISS MBVISS TDI were correct Goldens that I admired and used as examples in the GRCA Judge’s Education programs for a number of years, due to their moderation, correct structure and coat, nice heads and movement. Both these Goldens were so accomplished in multiple areas of competition.
When I attended Crufts in 1997, I saw "Fred" Eng CH Paudell Easter Plantagenet at Kerrien and fell in love with him. When I judged the Australian National in 2004, I rewarded a number of dogs who had the English import "Storm" Aust CH Standfast Dream Ticket From Kerrien, a Fred son, in their pedigree. I never saw Storm in person, but he seems to have had a positive influence "down under" as a producer.
8) What is your preferred competition venue, and do you regularly show in the AKC/CKC conformation ring?
My main areas of competition are conformation, rally and obedience. I mainly compete in Canada and sometimes in the USA, depending on the dog. I am not a title gatherer, but I try to do well and earn titles to show the dog meets the requirements of the breed standard and beyond and is trainable with a biddable temperament. I do not campaign my dogs to achieve high rankings but for the enjoyment of the sport and to exhibit what I feel are good representatives of the breed. My Goldens are first and foremost my companions.
9) Cream-colored Goldens do well in the Canadian conformation ring, but have a tougher time in the United States, especially under all-breed judges. Has that influenced your breeding choices?
Colour should never affect breeding decisions if you have the best interest of the breed as your goal. Correct type, coat and structure, beautiful head and expression, moderation, and sound movement all should take precedence over colour. Golden-breeder judges are more likely to accept the wide range of colour in the breed.
The Golden Retriever Club of Canada (GRCC) recently had their revised breed standard accepted and approved by the Canadian Kennel Club, as of January 1, 2022. The new wording on colour states “Lustrous golden of various shades, ranging from cream to darkest gold”. This is the colour range that the breed appears in, even within a single litter. Anything in that range should not be discriminated against. The AKC standard is the only standard that I am aware of, which states “Predominant body color which is either extremely pale or extremely dark is undesirable.” The range of colour within the breed is part of its charm, in my opinion.
10) Have you imported dogs from overseas, and if so, what countries? How do the ratings given by overseas registries for hips and elbows compare to the OFA ratings you received on the dog if they were adults when you imported them?
I have imported multiple dogs from the USA, the two boys from Fantango Goldens in Australia, one a 12-week-old male puppy and the other a 2-year-old adult male. Before that, I brought in a female puppy from Stanroph Kennels in England and a male puppy from Finland.
I had OFA x-rays submitted on the two-year old adult Australian dog before he came to Canada. He was OFA Good and a 1:3 rating under the Australian system. Unfortunately, I have had bad luck with my imports obtaining and/or maintaining clearances. The boy from Finland got his clearances but did not meet my standards so I eventually placed him in a loving pet home where he lived to be 14+.
11) Have you imported semen from overseas, and if so, what countries?
I have not imported semen from overseas.
12) What do you think is the most prominent health concern in our breed?
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), pigmentary uveitis (GRPU), and cancer, especially hemangiosarcoma and lymphosarcoma.
13) Do you consider early onset cancers as being a strong genetic risk and how does this influence your breeding decisions?
While cancer is not inherited, there can be a genetic pre-disposition toward developing certain cancers in family lines. Pedigree research and shared personal experience can help breeders make wiser choices. Longevity and breed health should be foremost in every breeder’s decision-making process in breeding, not “will this litter produce a Best in Show winner”.
14) Overseas Golden Retrievers receive their hip and elbow clearances at a year (or 18 months with FCI for large breeds) of age, compared with two years of age from OFA. Do you believe this has affected the clearances you receive from OFA in their offspring/descendants? (That is, do you believe their clearances are significantly less accurate because they do not have the additional year or six months of maturity?)
I prefer the two-year age requirement for clearances mandated by OFA. I think it does provide a stronger assessment of the orthopedic conditions, as two-year old dogs are more mature that a one-year-old Golden that is still growing and developing. I have bred to a dog with an 18-month clearance and I am more comfortable with that age than a one-year clearance.
15) It’s uncommon to have ICT carriers/affected in US pedigrees, and fairly common in overseas pedigrees. How does this affect your breeding decisions?
I believe in doing all the DNA testing on breeding stock that is available to us as Golden Retriever breeders. We need to use this information to make ethical and educated decisions. This means we do not have to discard carriers from breeding programs and can breed away from certain issues in the breed. I had a blended overseas/North American litter that was badly affected with ICT before the testing was widely available or used. It was problematic for some of the owners, so I would make breeding and selection decisions to avoid the appearance of ICT 1 or 2 in my litters if I was still breeding.
16) Do you find breeders of overseas pedigrees more or less willing to discuss genetic problems than breeders of North American pedigrees, or does it just depend on the individual in either case?
I think this depends on the individuals involved. It is important to develop a trustful relationship between buyer and seller and this takes time. Ideally it is better if you can meet in person rather than just rely on correspondence and phone calls. Plan on attending an FCI World Show or Crufts where you can make connections with top European and UK breeders. There are overseas breeders who have been duped into selling to North American buyers who are not truly dedicated breed fanciers and who were perhaps not totally truthful in dealing with the overseas breeder. They were perhaps cashing in on the “healthier, rare white Goldens” craze. Once bitten, twice shy.
There are a number but I will try and be selective. US National Specialty winners, "Yogi" Am CH OTCH, Can CH Highmark Mirasol Once A Knight VCD4 UDX3 JH MX MXJ WC VCX OS SDHF OBHF, and "Sydney" Am GCHP Can CH
Paws For Applause At Tristar CD RE SH SAR-W CGC WCX VCX SDHF MBISS MBVISS TDI were correct Goldens that I admired and used as examples in the GRCA Judge’s Education programs for a number of years, due to their moderation, correct structure and coat, nice heads and movement. Both these Goldens were so accomplished in multiple areas of competition.
When I attended Crufts in 1997, I saw "Fred" Eng CH Paudell Easter Plantagenet at Kerrien and fell in love with him. When I judged the Australian National in 2004, I rewarded a number of dogs who had the English import "Storm" Aust CH Standfast Dream Ticket From Kerrien, a Fred son, in their pedigree. I never saw Storm in person, but he seems to have had a positive influence "down under" as a producer.
8) What is your preferred competition venue, and do you regularly show in the AKC/CKC conformation ring?
My main areas of competition are conformation, rally and obedience. I mainly compete in Canada and sometimes in the USA, depending on the dog. I am not a title gatherer, but I try to do well and earn titles to show the dog meets the requirements of the breed standard and beyond and is trainable with a biddable temperament. I do not campaign my dogs to achieve high rankings but for the enjoyment of the sport and to exhibit what I feel are good representatives of the breed. My Goldens are first and foremost my companions.
9) Cream-colored Goldens do well in the Canadian conformation ring, but have a tougher time in the United States, especially under all-breed judges. Has that influenced your breeding choices?
Colour should never affect breeding decisions if you have the best interest of the breed as your goal. Correct type, coat and structure, beautiful head and expression, moderation, and sound movement all should take precedence over colour. Golden-breeder judges are more likely to accept the wide range of colour in the breed.
The Golden Retriever Club of Canada (GRCC) recently had their revised breed standard accepted and approved by the Canadian Kennel Club, as of January 1, 2022. The new wording on colour states “Lustrous golden of various shades, ranging from cream to darkest gold”. This is the colour range that the breed appears in, even within a single litter. Anything in that range should not be discriminated against. The AKC standard is the only standard that I am aware of, which states “Predominant body color which is either extremely pale or extremely dark is undesirable.” The range of colour within the breed is part of its charm, in my opinion.
10) Have you imported dogs from overseas, and if so, what countries? How do the ratings given by overseas registries for hips and elbows compare to the OFA ratings you received on the dog if they were adults when you imported them?
I have imported multiple dogs from the USA, the two boys from Fantango Goldens in Australia, one a 12-week-old male puppy and the other a 2-year-old adult male. Before that, I brought in a female puppy from Stanroph Kennels in England and a male puppy from Finland.
I had OFA x-rays submitted on the two-year old adult Australian dog before he came to Canada. He was OFA Good and a 1:3 rating under the Australian system. Unfortunately, I have had bad luck with my imports obtaining and/or maintaining clearances. The boy from Finland got his clearances but did not meet my standards so I eventually placed him in a loving pet home where he lived to be 14+.
11) Have you imported semen from overseas, and if so, what countries?
I have not imported semen from overseas.
12) What do you think is the most prominent health concern in our breed?
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), pigmentary uveitis (GRPU), and cancer, especially hemangiosarcoma and lymphosarcoma.
13) Do you consider early onset cancers as being a strong genetic risk and how does this influence your breeding decisions?
While cancer is not inherited, there can be a genetic pre-disposition toward developing certain cancers in family lines. Pedigree research and shared personal experience can help breeders make wiser choices. Longevity and breed health should be foremost in every breeder’s decision-making process in breeding, not “will this litter produce a Best in Show winner”.
14) Overseas Golden Retrievers receive their hip and elbow clearances at a year (or 18 months with FCI for large breeds) of age, compared with two years of age from OFA. Do you believe this has affected the clearances you receive from OFA in their offspring/descendants? (That is, do you believe their clearances are significantly less accurate because they do not have the additional year or six months of maturity?)
I prefer the two-year age requirement for clearances mandated by OFA. I think it does provide a stronger assessment of the orthopedic conditions, as two-year old dogs are more mature that a one-year-old Golden that is still growing and developing. I have bred to a dog with an 18-month clearance and I am more comfortable with that age than a one-year clearance.
15) It’s uncommon to have ICT carriers/affected in US pedigrees, and fairly common in overseas pedigrees. How does this affect your breeding decisions?
I believe in doing all the DNA testing on breeding stock that is available to us as Golden Retriever breeders. We need to use this information to make ethical and educated decisions. This means we do not have to discard carriers from breeding programs and can breed away from certain issues in the breed. I had a blended overseas/North American litter that was badly affected with ICT before the testing was widely available or used. It was problematic for some of the owners, so I would make breeding and selection decisions to avoid the appearance of ICT 1 or 2 in my litters if I was still breeding.
16) Do you find breeders of overseas pedigrees more or less willing to discuss genetic problems than breeders of North American pedigrees, or does it just depend on the individual in either case?
I think this depends on the individuals involved. It is important to develop a trustful relationship between buyer and seller and this takes time. Ideally it is better if you can meet in person rather than just rely on correspondence and phone calls. Plan on attending an FCI World Show or Crufts where you can make connections with top European and UK breeders. There are overseas breeders who have been duped into selling to North American buyers who are not truly dedicated breed fanciers and who were perhaps not totally truthful in dealing with the overseas breeder. They were perhaps cashing in on the “healthier, rare white Goldens” craze. Once bitten, twice shy.
17) If you breed both North American and overseas pedigrees, what differences do you see in temperament, trainability, and field ability, if any? Coat length and texture? Pigment? Longevity? Other hereditary traits?
I think this question is too generic as we can see all those differences within overseas or North American lines. There are good working lines around the world for those seeking performance-oriented dogs. Like-wise, there are beautiful conformation specimens in every part of the world. Research and more research will lead you to the style and temperament of Golden you are seeking.
Early puppy socialization and stimulation by breeders can also make a huge difference in the final outcome, so it is important to include research into how breeders anywhere raise their litters. In a kennel or garage? In the house, in the kitchen or family room? Inside/outside access as the pups develop? Different cultures will follow different practices and that will affect the end result. I do see differences between raising a dog from puppyhood versus bringing in an adult that may not have had the same training or exposure to things I consider routine.
18) What do you consider to be the predominant structure fault in our breed? The predominant type fault?
Incorrect proportion. Length to height should be 12:11, only slightly off square, and withers to elbow and elbow to ground measurement should be approximately equal.
Also, a lack of balance, with straight shoulders and/or lack of return of upper arm often matched with over-angulated rears.
Coat is a really important part of breed type, either straight or wavy. Often wavy coats have the best texture. Some coats are getting too soft and profuse. Some exhibitors attempt to straighten and use products on coat which destroy the proper texture. The Golden coat should be presented clean, tidied and natural appearing. Currently we see too much incorrect trimming and coats which are not wrapping the dog like a weather-proof jacket.
19) Do you have puppy buyers who specifically want “English” type and cream color, or do most people buy from you for other reasons?
I am always a bit leery of puppy buyers looking for “English creams” or “white Goldens” as a “flavour of the month”. To me this shows they have not properly educated themselves about the breed by doing their research. It would depend on how they reacted to my efforts to educate and refer them to good reference sources. After 48 years in the breed, I feel that many past customers and their positive referrals are why people seek me out for information.
20) Do you have a current website (please provide a link), or do you primarily use Facebook, or?
I am not a fan of social media and I am not on Facebook. Since discontinuing my breeding program, I have deleted my website. I do list my dogs on k9data.com and find this to be a very useful resource and encourage all Golden folk to enter their dog’s information on this invaluable database.
I think this question is too generic as we can see all those differences within overseas or North American lines. There are good working lines around the world for those seeking performance-oriented dogs. Like-wise, there are beautiful conformation specimens in every part of the world. Research and more research will lead you to the style and temperament of Golden you are seeking.
Early puppy socialization and stimulation by breeders can also make a huge difference in the final outcome, so it is important to include research into how breeders anywhere raise their litters. In a kennel or garage? In the house, in the kitchen or family room? Inside/outside access as the pups develop? Different cultures will follow different practices and that will affect the end result. I do see differences between raising a dog from puppyhood versus bringing in an adult that may not have had the same training or exposure to things I consider routine.
18) What do you consider to be the predominant structure fault in our breed? The predominant type fault?
Incorrect proportion. Length to height should be 12:11, only slightly off square, and withers to elbow and elbow to ground measurement should be approximately equal.
Also, a lack of balance, with straight shoulders and/or lack of return of upper arm often matched with over-angulated rears.
Coat is a really important part of breed type, either straight or wavy. Often wavy coats have the best texture. Some coats are getting too soft and profuse. Some exhibitors attempt to straighten and use products on coat which destroy the proper texture. The Golden coat should be presented clean, tidied and natural appearing. Currently we see too much incorrect trimming and coats which are not wrapping the dog like a weather-proof jacket.
19) Do you have puppy buyers who specifically want “English” type and cream color, or do most people buy from you for other reasons?
I am always a bit leery of puppy buyers looking for “English creams” or “white Goldens” as a “flavour of the month”. To me this shows they have not properly educated themselves about the breed by doing their research. It would depend on how they reacted to my efforts to educate and refer them to good reference sources. After 48 years in the breed, I feel that many past customers and their positive referrals are why people seek me out for information.
20) Do you have a current website (please provide a link), or do you primarily use Facebook, or?
I am not a fan of social media and I am not on Facebook. Since discontinuing my breeding program, I have deleted my website. I do list my dogs on k9data.com and find this to be a very useful resource and encourage all Golden folk to enter their dog’s information on this invaluable database.