News at Mochavulin
Mochavulin Champions
- Ch Mochavulin Maple Melody
- Ch Mochavulin Prynce Maverik
- Ch Mochavulin Colour Me Jake
- Ch Mochavulin Good Vibrations
- Ch Gr Ch Mochavulin Catcha Star of Craniggan
- Ch Mochavulin Sir Jacob of Paddocks
- Ch Mochavulin Hannah of Paddocks
- Ch Mochavulin Remi Me of Rembrook
- Ch Mochavulin Spring Foufleur of Rembrook
- Ch Glentress Minette of Tamnavulin
- Ch Mochavulin Mkuze
- Ch Mochavulin Macey
- Ch Mochavulin Maple Melody
- Ch Mochavulin Colour Me Bella of Rembrook
- Int Ch BIS BISS Ch Naragold Colour Me Gold for Mochavulin
- BISS Ch Barleywood Autumn Lad of Goldenzauer
- Ch Giltedge Martina for Goldenzauer
- Ch Zillenberg Queenie of Goldenzauer
- BBPIS BPIS BJIS Aus Ch SA Ch Kaparla Ticket to Ride
The following were a questions and answers done for the “All About Dogs” Magazine special Golden Retriever issue:
Please answer the following questions about your breed :
Are Golden Retrievers a generally healthy breed? What do you consider the most common problem/s (whether general health or hereditary/genetic disorders) (please name no more than five, if possible, of the most prevalent in the South African context), and are breeders doing enough to address them?
They are generally a healthy breed, although as with any breed, they have predisposed genetic problems (the most common being hip and elbow displaysia, eye problems, heart problems and epilepsy.). Irresponsible breeding with untested dogs also makes it difficult to eradicate genetic problems and reduce the occurrence and recurrence of joint and other hereditary diseases. Most reputable breeders do the necessary health checks, but unfortunately there are too many breeders out there that does not do any testing at all. Prospective puppy owners should insist on copies of the pedigrees of both parents, copies of the health certificates and where possible see the parents of the puppies.
Amongst the many required breed features, name just one that you consider essential and non-negotiable in a typical Golden Retriever of correct breed type.
Temperament
The Golden Retriever is No. 4 on the KUSA list of the breeds with the most registrations for 2006/2007. Do you believe this level of popularity is good for the breed?
Any popularity in a breed is generally not good for them because that usually means bigger demand and more breeding for financial gain with little regard for the future and quality of the breed. Unfortunately there is very little control over litter registrations in South Africa and there is no legislation to protect dogs from unscrupulous breeders that breed litters for financial benefit only. If there is better control over the breeding of dogs and the choice of the particular dogs then the popularity could be positive for the breed as the best, most healthy dogs will be bred from which in the end could result in better quality dogs overall and hopefully eradicating the general health problems that the breed has.
Do you feel that working ability is an important trait in the breed and should be proven in the field?
Yes most definitely. Working in the field is such an integral part of the breed that this is a definite requirement and it would be beneficial if that is a requirement prior to breeding for all dogs.
In general, what areas could be given more attention or priority by judges when assessing Golden Retrievers?
There are various “types” of golden retrievers and in the 5 years of my involvement I have already seen a lot of changes in the breed. The top winning dogs of today look very different from the top winning dogs 30 yrs ago. In the UK preference is given to the more “show” type goldens that is larger, lighter, bigger boned and the “field” dogs does not get any awards in the breed shows as they are very different in “type” by being smaller, finer boned, darker coloured golden retrievers. It also depends on where the judge comes from – golden retrievers in the USA are very different in type than golden retrievers from the UK, Sweden and Australia. But overall a golden retriever “movement” in the ring says more about the overall construction of the dog than what a dogs’ profile is in the “stack”. A sound moving dog means a well constructed dog.
Which dog do you consider has been the most influential dog/bitch in the breed, and why? (Whether local or overseas, historical or more recent).
Fortunately or unfortunately the good dogs in SA has not been used at stud a lot. The top winning dogs Ch Redsteps Grand Finale (Harvey), Ch Greengables Quiet Brooke FQ (Monty) and Ch Purbarn Hailing Hard of Tinvane (Hardy) has been used at stud only a few times. There have been other stud dogs that has proven to produce consistent quality – Ch Linchael Fascination of Macanne (Imp UK) and Ch Pareora Sergeant Pepper of Featherfields WHR, FQ (Sarge). In the UK Ch Camrose Cabus Christopher (Christopher) comes to mind as the breed CC record holder. There are a lot of top winning stud dogs being used all over the world so difficult to pinpoint just one particular dog.
What three words best describe your breed?
Loving, loyal and beautiful
Please answer the following questions about your breed :
Are Golden Retrievers a generally healthy breed? What do you consider the most common problem/s (whether general health or hereditary/genetic disorders) (please name no more than five, if possible, of the most prevalent in the South African context), and are breeders doing enough to address them?
They are generally a healthy breed, although as with any breed, they have predisposed genetic problems (the most common being hip and elbow displaysia, eye problems, heart problems and epilepsy.). Irresponsible breeding with untested dogs also makes it difficult to eradicate genetic problems and reduce the occurrence and recurrence of joint and other hereditary diseases. Most reputable breeders do the necessary health checks, but unfortunately there are too many breeders out there that does not do any testing at all. Prospective puppy owners should insist on copies of the pedigrees of both parents, copies of the health certificates and where possible see the parents of the puppies.
Amongst the many required breed features, name just one that you consider essential and non-negotiable in a typical Golden Retriever of correct breed type.
Temperament
The Golden Retriever is No. 4 on the KUSA list of the breeds with the most registrations for 2006/2007. Do you believe this level of popularity is good for the breed?
Any popularity in a breed is generally not good for them because that usually means bigger demand and more breeding for financial gain with little regard for the future and quality of the breed. Unfortunately there is very little control over litter registrations in South Africa and there is no legislation to protect dogs from unscrupulous breeders that breed litters for financial benefit only. If there is better control over the breeding of dogs and the choice of the particular dogs then the popularity could be positive for the breed as the best, most healthy dogs will be bred from which in the end could result in better quality dogs overall and hopefully eradicating the general health problems that the breed has.
Do you feel that working ability is an important trait in the breed and should be proven in the field?
Yes most definitely. Working in the field is such an integral part of the breed that this is a definite requirement and it would be beneficial if that is a requirement prior to breeding for all dogs.
In general, what areas could be given more attention or priority by judges when assessing Golden Retrievers?
There are various “types” of golden retrievers and in the 5 years of my involvement I have already seen a lot of changes in the breed. The top winning dogs of today look very different from the top winning dogs 30 yrs ago. In the UK preference is given to the more “show” type goldens that is larger, lighter, bigger boned and the “field” dogs does not get any awards in the breed shows as they are very different in “type” by being smaller, finer boned, darker coloured golden retrievers. It also depends on where the judge comes from – golden retrievers in the USA are very different in type than golden retrievers from the UK, Sweden and Australia. But overall a golden retriever “movement” in the ring says more about the overall construction of the dog than what a dogs’ profile is in the “stack”. A sound moving dog means a well constructed dog.
Which dog do you consider has been the most influential dog/bitch in the breed, and why? (Whether local or overseas, historical or more recent).
Fortunately or unfortunately the good dogs in SA has not been used at stud a lot. The top winning dogs Ch Redsteps Grand Finale (Harvey), Ch Greengables Quiet Brooke FQ (Monty) and Ch Purbarn Hailing Hard of Tinvane (Hardy) has been used at stud only a few times. There have been other stud dogs that has proven to produce consistent quality – Ch Linchael Fascination of Macanne (Imp UK) and Ch Pareora Sergeant Pepper of Featherfields WHR, FQ (Sarge). In the UK Ch Camrose Cabus Christopher (Christopher) comes to mind as the breed CC record holder. There are a lot of top winning stud dogs being used all over the world so difficult to pinpoint just one particular dog.
What three words best describe your breed?
Loving, loyal and beautiful