Kendaamber Golden Retrievers

We plan to register this litter as sweets - the children have enjoyed making a list of names as it involved a trip to a local 'old fashioned' sweet shop - all in the name of "research" of course!

Day one was spent getting to know one another - but as expected Aasha knew exactly what to do and has yet again proved to be a superb mum.

The puppies have a range of colour from cream to mid-gold to gold.

On the second day the puppies collars were removed and we have now marked them with coloured (non toxic) pen.

Aasha is very content and the puppies are too. Feeding and sleeping are the priority for mother and babies at the moment.

Aasha likes to lay on her back - but even this did not stop the puppies from feeding.....

.....and some seem to have picked up the "horizontal" way of life from their mum already - and still managed to keep attached to a teat!

All the puppies are gaining weight and are currently thriving.

Five days on and life is continuing at a very relaxed pace in the whelping box. Aasha meets all the puppies needs in terms of feeding and keeping them spotless. Her relaxed nature makes the whole experience one of pure enjoyment - just sitting back and watching Mother Nature at her best.

The puppies are now six days old and all have doubled their weight. Aasha is having the very best of everything - from Arden Grange Weaning food; fresh chicken; fresh white fish; scrambled egg; goats milk and last but not least Manuka Honey.

The puppies are used to being handled every day......

......including 'Weight Watchers'.

They have lovely dark pigment now. Their nails will be trimmed for the first time today to prevent them scratching Aasha.

Aasha oversees the daily weigh-in.....

.....and marking of the puppies.

This is Miss Pink looking like a little Gremlin and looking cute as usual - she is very sweet and reminds us of Aasha in terms of size and shape at the same age as she was also the smallest puppy.

Mr Green finds it all rather boring at times and seems to be developing a lovely "Retriever Smile" :o)

Yummy, Yummy, Yummy, Mummy!

"The proof is in the pudding" as they say - or in the case in the milk.

PUPPY DIARY

The Arrival

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Our aim is to breed puppies who are typical specimens of the breed and who are a pleasure to live with. We will strive for puppies which are biddable, healthy, and who fit the breed standard as closely as possible.

Characteristics and Temperament will always be a priority as per the Breed Standard requirements.

Characteristics: Biddable, intelligent and possessing natural working ability.

Temperament: Kindly, friendly and confident.

Our dogs, and future generations of Kendaamber Golden Retrievers, represent the range of shades of gold which the Breed Standard allows from cream to golden.

All litters will be carefully planned and we are prepared to travel to ensure we find the stud dog which is most compatible in terms of temperament, health and conformation and type.

Both parents must have current clear eye certificates and good hip scores.

Elbow scoring is now becoming more widespread within the breed. Future generations of our Golden Retrievers at Kendaamber will all be elbow scored.

Our puppies will be raised in a family environment where they are used to children and other animals, and the all sights and sounds of home.

Puppies will leave with a Puppy Pack, including a comforter for their first night away from their litter mates, six weeks free insurance and a comprehensive guide regarding all aspects of their care.

All puppies will be registered with the Kennel Club but there will be endorsements on their Kennel Club Registration Certificate in order to protect them from indiscriminate breeding.

A lifetime of support and advice will be available.

Only permanent loving homes will be considered.

We reserve the right to refuse to sell a puppy.

All puppies will be registered with the Kennel Club but there will be endorsements on their Kennel Club Registration Certificate in order to protect them from indiscriminate breeding and export - these endorsements will only be lifted in exceptional circumstances. This is to protect the breed and the well established lines we are fortunate to have here.

We expect our puppies to receive the highest standard of care throughout their lives and live in a happy, secure, stimulating and permanent home.

Our own dogs live in our home as part of our family, not in kennels, and this is what we will expect for our puppies.

We never sell littermates to the same home as we feel puppies need individual attention for a significant period of time. Training littermates is extremely hard as they tend to have a very close bond.

Some patience is required as we are not a commercial breeder and only intend to breed if we wish to keep a puppy ourselves.

The Breed Standard

Above: Sh Ch Stormerick Solomon JW ShCM

(photo by Lyn Kipps - Wheatcroft Golden Retrievers)

General Appearance: Symmetrical, balanced, active, powerful, level mover, sound with kindly expression.

Characteristics: Biddable, intelligent and possessing natural working ability.

Temperament: Kindly, friendly and confident.

Head & Skull: Balanced and well-chiselled, skull broad without coarseness; well set on neck, muzzle powerful, wide and deep. Length of foreface approximately equals length from well-defined stop to occiput. Nose preferably black.

Eyes: Dark brown, set well apart, dark rims.

Ears: Moderate size, set on approximately level with eyes.

Mouth: Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, ie upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set to the jaws.

Neck: Good length, clean and muscular.

Forequarters: Forelegs straight with good bone, shoulders well laid back, long in blade with upper arm of equal length placing legs well under body. Elbows close fitting.

Body: Balanced, short coupled, deep through heart. Ribs deep and well sprung. Level top-line.

Hindquarters: Loin and legs strong and muscular, good second thighs, well bent stifles. Hocks well let down, straight when viewed from the rear, neither turning in nor out. Cow hocks highly undesirable.

Feet: Round and cat-like.

Tail: Set on and carried level with back, reaching the hocks without curl at tip.

Gait/Movement: Powerful with good drive. Straight and true in front and rear. Stride long and free with no sign of hackney action in front.

Coat: Flat or wavy with good feathering, dense water-resisting undercoat.

Colour: Any shade of gold or cream, neither red nor mahogany. A few white hairs on chest only permissible.

Size: Height at withers: Dogs 56-61cms (22-24ins); Bitches 51-56 cms (20-22ins).

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Below is a link to an educational site which provides information about Puppy Farming in the UK.