We have been brought up with dogs, and have had dogs all our lives. Over the years we have enjoyed having Cocker Spaniels, a Boxer, Pekingese, a Bull Mastiff and Whippets. We were drawn into the Show Arena by Beryl's aunt, Mrs. Catherine Hodgson of Morecambe (Affix: Briarcliffe), who was a national and international judge of Cockers and Whippets, and dedicated to the dog world all her life.
We have had Retrievers in particular since 1982, with our first boy, a Labrador Retriever - Anser of Howcreek - out of an Australian Champion. We called him Ace because he was just that in every respect. He kept company with our ailing aunt every night for 4 months, after bereavement and insisted on being at our wedding.
Sadly he left us to go to the Rainbow Bridge on New Year's Eve 1989. Mother and her twin sister "wept buckets" as he had been a friend to mother and a companion for her sister at the time of losing her husband.
Upon his passing, we knew we had to move quickly to fill the void. No Labrador puppies were available at that time, but by a miracle we came across a litter of 11 Golden Retrievers at Otterscroft at Standish Lower Ground, Near Wigan, Lancashire.
We did not at that time appreciate the excellence of the pedigree and there was just one puppy dog available. THAT WAS THE ONE WHICH CHOSE US! One week later he was happy to come home with us to embark on a "life of love" - and was utterly spoiled by all the family.
Otterscroft Gruinard - Major- was a son of Sh Ch. Jobeka Jasper of Nortonwood... and so began our love of The Golden Retriever. Frank wanted a particular little bitch puppy from the litter, but all were spoken for, so we left a message to be contacted when that particular bitch produced offsprings.Three years later we received a message from Beamsley Retrievers at Long Marston, Yorkshire, (formerly of Otley), telling us that our little bitch puppy was ready to collect! So began our life with Beamsley Becky - Tara - a truly adorable puppy. Tara was a grand-daughter of Sh Ch Jobeka Jasper of Nortonwood. NOW WE WERE REALLY HOOKED.
In Memorium
(1) 
(2) 
(1) Tara's Rose - Scentimental
(2) Major 1990 - 2004 & Tara 1994 - 2005 at Troutbeck, Lake District.
Seven years later along came Gartraith Dreamkeeper at Gentiana - Winston - a gorgeous boy and son of Sh Ch Elswood the Highlander.
Following Major's passing in February 2004, we welcomed our very pretty Genny - Gartraith Gentian Image at Gentiana in May 2004.
In July 2005 Mitcharron Memphis Mist for Gentiana (Shiana) came to us from North Wales, followed in October 2005 by Abnalls Summer Dawn for Gentiana (Clementina.)
Clementina & Shiana - June 2009
This is Clementina with her two daughters Prudence and Primrose with Frank whilst on holiday in North Wales in May 2008.
This is Alexander who is 3 years old and who also came to us from North Wales.
Mitcharron River Phoenix
(Sh Ch Shardanell Talk O''The Town at Ipcress JW
x Mitcharron Memphis Rose)
Alexander is a proven stud and is available to approved bitches with the necessary health requirements.
Two puppies sired by Alexander
Violet (Gentiana Golden Tamara) - is a daughter of Shiana and Alexander. She is a beautiful puppy and is now showing and doing rather well.
Please keep in touch with our website for regular updates, and view our progeny page and image galleries for photos of all our puppies and dogs.
Over the past 2 years three of our "goldens" - Genny, Shiana & Winston - have paid visits to the local Nursing Home for the Elderly and have made quite an impact on the Residents by their presence. All three have such patience that the Residents look forward to seeing them.
Genny, Shiana & Winston have an aptitude to evoke that all important physical contact which is so important, as some of the Residents are normally quite inward and uncommunicative.
Gentian (Genny) Winston
Shiana
