Gaytonwood Golden Retrievers
I owned my first golden when I was five. He was called Kim and was a present from my Grandfather who bred Goldens and Labradors in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire. I had spent holidays with him during my childhood and loved being with his dogs. Kim dies at the age of six by picking up some poison. We then had Amber who lived with us, on the farm until she died at the age of 10.
When I had a home of my own I decided to get my own dog. Bourdon Silver Fir (Ben) was purchased from Bill and Christine. He was by Fernavy Diplomat of Bourdon out of Hardingstone Gold Harvest. He was not bought to show but as a pet. I trained him for obedience and he represented our local club in matches and demonstrations. I attempted to show him (when he was about five) but, by then, he was happier sitting down than standing and therefore did not do very well.
I decided I wanted a dog to show and we purchased Baccarian Mister Nibbles (Teak). He did well when he got to Junior and won two 1sts at his and my first Championship Show under Mrs Iles-Hebbert. He won a BIS, BIG and numerous BOB's at Open Shows.
I then wanted to have a dog to campaign and bought Motlaisa Commander in Chief. (Dexter) Dexter was a dream to own and show. He wagged his tail, stood foursquare and moved well. He qualified for Crufts at his first Championship Show, gained his Show Gundog Qualifier, won a Reserve Challenge Certificate and numerous BOB's and BP awards along the way.
When it came time to buy another dog I spent some time looking and then realised that if I wanted to start my own 'line' I needed a bitch. I bought Jamescroft Kameo (Wispa) from Hilda James. She won well as a Puppy and into Junior but never quite hit the top spots. When I started to go picking up and beating for my gamekeeper brother, we found out what she was really good at!! She was a natural and after the first season, I decided to start to compete in Working Tests. She took a break for a litter from which we kept G. Gunner and G. Genevieve.
We struggled along for a while, not really getting anywhere and then after the next shooting season, we were 'taken in hand' by a man on the shoot who trained spaniels. He showed me how to train her and gave me lots of basics in order to get started. I worked solidly on the training of Wispa and attended more Working Tests where the two of us 'clicked' and we started getting placed. I then entered my first Field Trial. I went along to Eastern Counties All Aged Stake to help and to watch and learn. I then entered her in a few Trials. My nerves always got the better of me and although she was a good game finder, by the middle of the trial I made stupid errors and went out. She was never quite fast enough or stylish enough for trials but gave me lots of experience and fun competing.
The next year we started being consistently placed at Working tests but the elusive 1st place never came our way. We had so many 2nd's! I started training with Pat Taft and he got me thinking more about how I worked with the dog and she responded well to this, continuing to gain places along the way.
This year (2001) we competed in the Eastern Counties Golden Retriever Club Novice Dog/Novice Handler competition and we won! Her first, first and I have now retired her from competition!!! (Unbeaten) We were second last year!!
We had Benatone Dexter's Rio from Dexter's first litter. She was placed whilst a puppy but she never really 'came on' as we had hoped. She went to the Dogs for the Disabled Charity where she passed her training and qualified. I believe she lives in Leeds with her new owner.
G. Genevieve (Georgie) and G. Gunner were the terrible twins. By Dexter out of Wispa they changed our lives, but most of all the garden!!! They were shown and did well as puppies but Gunner went to live with my friend Debbie's parents to allow me to concentrate on Georgie. She tried picking up but will only do it when it suits her, she is excellent at beating and really enjoys that. (She has to be kept at heel for the first two drives to calm her down) She does obedience, in her own way, when she feels like it. She has produced two lovely litters. We kept G. Vegas and G. Vienna out of the first and G. Dazzler out of the second.
Vegas and Vienna were placed during their puppy careers but the star of that litter was G. Victoria of Southernhay, owned by Jean and Ian Hay and shown by Mary Pickstock who owns Croombrand Blakely Heath, father of the pups. Vicky was consistently placed during her puppy career and won Best Puppy in Show at NWGRC Championship Show. She then went on to win her last points for the Junior Warrant and Reserve Challenge Certificate at Driffield Championship Show under Mrs Joan Grimmett.
Vegas has won and been placed at many Championship Shows and has been awarded BP, BOB's and a RBIS award. Vienna has been placed at Championship Shows but prefers to be in the shooting field and working obedience.
Bramdale Riva with Gaytonwood by Dexter out of Wispa's litter sister. Sarah Jackson (Benatone) and I own her in partnership. She won Minor Puppy at her first Championship Show and was placed consistently thoughout her puppyhood. She then lost her coat and has never been in good enough condition to bring her out when there have been shows scheduled. She should have looked lovely at Crufts, if it had been held in March - by May she would have looked better in the Labrador ring!
Dazzle is the newest member of the family. She was one of only two bitches in a litter of 11. She was pale, loud and fast! (Still is) She waltzed into ringcraft at 11 weeks and stood like she had been doing it for years. Nothing seems to bother her. She has done well in her puppy career so far, being placed at East of England, Bournemouth, Leeds, WKC, Darlington, ECGRC, Gundog of Wales Championship shows and has won firsts at Leicester Gundog and BP at Lincoln Open Show.
We plan to repeat this lovely mating next year.
The future -
We plan to continue showing Dazzle, Vegas and Georgie when coats permit and we hope to have a new male edition to the family at Christmas (all things crossed).
Next year we hope to mate Georgie to Stroller again and mate Riva. If Dazzle's hips and eyes permit we may mate her towards the end of next year. It may take me that long to decide who I will mate her and Riva to!
Who knows what will stay here out of those litters!!