Autumn Lake Golden Retrievers

Q. & A. with Laura

• Why did you start breeding?

  Our love of Goldens started in 1996 with our first golden, Alex. My ex went out to sea for a deployment, and I (newlywed), became very lonely for a companion. I bought Alex, and he quickly worked his way into our hearts and lives. I had many different breeds of dogs growing up and saw many more working as a veterinary technician through college. After Alex, though, I knew golden retrievers were the breed for me. Their kind faces, beautiful coats, gentleness, athleticism, and intelligence won me over. We lost Alex to a second-round cancer in 2008. I couldn’t stand not having a dog in the family for too long and started my search for a healthier line of Goldens. That search took me to Perth, Australia. I loved the look of the Goldens from my now dear friend and mentor Lillian Robinson of Glenregal Kennels. I liked the look of her English-type litter with creamy coats,” blocky” heads, and dark gentle eyes. I also liked the fact that the grandparents of the pups were still in perfect health, and both parents were certified healthy hips, elbows, eyes, and hearts. I bought “Wilson” from Lillian, and started showing him as a pup in Hawaii. He is a lovely creme color, very strong, and has the most handsome head. He showed very well in Italy and has many CACs and CACIBs under his belt from national and international wins. Shortly after, I decided to get a female from Rose Easton’s Montego Kennels, a well-known show kennel in Sydney, Australia. Dani is very near white golden, has a beautiful coat, and an even prettier disposition. A year and a half later, Lillian chose not to breed Goldens anymore as it is a lot of work to whelp such large litters. She gave me Wilson’s sister, “Chinook”, and she is the more delicate, feminine version of Wilson. Wilson, Chinook, and Dani have started showing as pups in Hawaii, continued with their show career in Italy, and now are retired from the show world. I have added Tio to my kennel. He is a beautiful very creme male with excellent pigment. Very English type and available for stud. I have done his OFA eyes, heart, and international hip studies which show excellent hips (I do intend to do his OFA hips also now that he is 2). I don’t do tons of showing as my family is still young, and we all have varied interests, but when I do go, my dogs have done very well. I then started my American line of goldens. We are working closely with Leongolden Kennels originally from Italy but now relocated to Florida. I have now many of my own champions and I mentor many new breeders.

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• What makes your program special?

  We will strive to breed for health, correct conformation, beauty, and sound temperament. We do OFA and/or PennHIP studies for hips. We also do OFA eyes, elbows, and heart. In addition, we do several DNA tests for common diseases that affect our breed.

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• What are the different breed coat colors in your program?

  Our puppies are light golden. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.

• Where do your breeding dogs live?

  They live in my home and guardian homes.