Moonwater

Is a small hobby kennel, located at Staverton, Northamptonshire. My name is Jo and I aim to breed friendly, affectionate, intelligent, biddable Golden Retrievers who are sound in both mind and body. These dogs are perfect as pets or as competitive companions who could excel in obedience, agility or working trials. Most of my puppies go as loving pets where their happy disposition enhances life for many families and my dogs are carefully selected to ensure their temperaments are suitable to be with children and other animals.

My hobby is working dogs and working line German Shepherds are hard to beat for their intelligence, drive and trainability. I have been involved in training and breeding dogs for many years and my owned and first German Shepherd at the age of 14 years. Sadly she died within 2 years. My second GSD "Donna" was line bred on B Lierberg lines. Both parents were from Police lines and her breeder, a dog handler inspired me to start training her to work.

Later I met Marjorie Topping from Kabeyun GSDs and her stock became the foundation for my own lines many years ago. Breeding and working dogs led me into setting up a business supplying dogs and handlers to the Ministry of Defence, running a busy dog demonstration team and breeding working dogs for our own use. During that time it was very hard to find good working dogs but we had some lovely dogs and also supplied dogs to the Police and Prison services under the affix Trialex.

After an enforced gap away from dogs I have now started breeding and working them again, but this time as a hobby. I love both the gentleness of my Retrievers and the drive and enthusiasm of the GSDs. I am particularly interested in motivational, training where the dogs are encouraged to think and learn from their experiences and have completed several courses in clicker training.

My qualifications are:

British Institute of Professional Trainers (Graduate level)
I am registered on the Kennel Club Associate Instructor Scheme
Clicker Trainers Competency Assessment Program (CAP) Levels 1 & 2.
I have also taken a CAP 3 course and am working towards CAP3 with Elka.
I hold a certificate in Teaching in Higher Education from Oxford Brookes University and have run various short courses.
Although I do not show dogs as I don't enjoy it I have recently taken a course with Mrs Meriel Hathaway on Judging Golden Retrievers. This has been helpful to develop my eye for finer points of conformation in the breed.

Why Buy a Puppy from Moonwater?

I have 20 years experience of breeding and working dogs.
I offer life time support.
I will always take one of my pups back if you are unable to keep him or her.
All my dogs undergo recommended health checks and live a happy healthy lifestyle as part of my family with regular walks, top quality dry and raw food and regular "fun" training.
My pups are always well handled and socialized with people and other dogs. I used Sounds Scary CDs to acclimatize them to noises they will experience after leaving me and get them use to different types of flooring and slightly unstable surfaces which helps their confidence as they experience these things outside.
I put a lot of thought into selecting bloodlines and finding a suitable sire. I also try to see as many related dogs as possible.
I breed to produce quality dogs with working ability and really enjoy seeing the pups grow and develop.
Puppies are always checked by a vet before they leave and go to their new home with lots of useful information as well as Kennel Club registration and pedigree.
I am always at the end of the phone if you need help or advice.
I won’t sell you a puppy if I don’t think it will suit you.

Restrictions are put on breeding from my dogs. I will only lift them if suitable health checks have been done and the dog has reached a resonable level of training. This is to safeguard the dog rather than to stop someone else breeding. Puppy Farmers don't usually train their dogs.