Xanthos Golden Retrievers

Xanthos Que Pasa JW

I was incredibly blessed to be able to judge the dogs at Crufts 2013, it was just the cherry on the cake that Dallas timed her season to be ready for mating the day after my appointment. So it was quite a unique situation that I experienced, to be able to judge such an outstanding entry of dogs who had come from all over Europe and beyond and then hopefully be able to use him on my Champion bitch. After judging was completed I asked the owners of my winner, Multi Champion Mad About You De Ria Vela what their plans were, and they agreed to call into Blackthorns on their way back to Spain, they were due to take the Channel Tunnel train the next morning. How was that for timing! One quick mating and their journey back to Southern Spain had only just begun, along with my hopes for a cracking litter.

Eight puppies, four dogs and four bitches arrived on the 11th May 2013 and Xanthos Que Pasa has stayed here, with puppies travelling back after the GRC centenary show to Finland, Sweden, Norway and Bermuda. Everything seemed destined to fit in with everyone’s plans.

We call Que Pasa “Ondine” she is fun, bold, and loves the show scene. She swims like a fish and leaps like a stag! and brings a lot of energy to Blackthorns. She won first time out taking the minor puppy bitch class at Berkshire Downs Championship Show, unfortunately missed Crufts due to losing her puppy coat just prior to her first season but is set fair early summer with her new coat coming in and lots of shows in the diary. She finished off May in fine form, with her first Best of Breed at Guildford and district Open Show and then the last few points for her Junior Warrant at 12 months from Southern Counties.

Ondine had her first litter of puppies to our own Feli Fey Flying Dutchman, and it has proved to be very successful. Xanthos Splash Down at Gloi was bound for Yorkshire and quickly took his Junior Warrant in the capable hands of Lyn Walker. Xanthos Set Sail travelled a little further to Bermuda and had taken his Bermuda Champion title by the time he had his first birthday… I am very proud of them all. Ondine was an excellent mother and looked great for her experience, she took her first Challenge Certificate at Paignton Championship Show and works during the shooting season. Unfortunately she was in season January 2016 and was unable to take her Show Gundog Working Certificate, but we have it on our list of things to do!