There's a very good reason why we require deposits for our puppies, and unfortunately, it comes down to a rather interesting experience when I first ventured into breeding Golden Retrievers. Before breeding Golden Retrievers, I bred working Kelpies. Back then, I never took deposits. People were genuine, they committed to a puppy, and everything worked beautifully. There was simply no need for deposits. When I ventured into breeding Golden Retrievers, I initially took exactly

Linebreeding in Golden Retrievers Why we believe genetic diversity, not breeding for a particular appearance, should be the foundation of responsible Golden Retriever breeding. At Activ Goldens, there is one breeding practice I feel particularly strongly about, and that is linebreeding. It's a term you will hear regularly in the pedigree dog breeding world, particularly among breeders who are trying to produce dogs with a very specific appearance. It sounds professional. It s

Why we believe the stunning dark golden coats of UK Field Golden Retrievers deserve just as much attention as their health, temperament and breeding. If you've spent any time researching Golden Retrievers in Australia, you've probably come across breeders telling prospective puppy owners the same thing: "Don't choose a Golden Retriever based on coat colour." Some go even further, suggesting that breeders who promote darker golden coats are somehow unethical. Well, at Activ Go

The Golden Retriever is a beloved companion, admired for its friendly nature, intelligence, and striking golden coat. But have you ever wondered about the roots of this wonderful breed? Understanding the golden retriever origin breeds offers a fascinating glimpse into the history and qualities that make this dog so special. As someone passionate about these dogs, I find it rewarding to share the story behind their creation and the breeds that contributed to their unique chara

Nelly riding my Pony I have owned, bred and trained Golden Retrievers for many years, and I have absolutely no hesitation in saying this: I believe UK field Golden Retrievers are the most intelligent dogs I have ever worked with. And when I talk about intelligence, I don't simply mean a dog that can learn to sit, drop or shake hands. I mean a dog that thinks. A dog that watches you, reads you, remembers what you have taught it and actively tries to work out what you want next

Train "Calm" from day one... When people see an exceptionally well-behaved dog, they often say something like: “You’re so lucky. You got a good one.” Genetics certainly help—especially when you start with a UK Field Golden Retriever. We believe UK Field Goldens are by far one of the most intelligent and trainable types of dog we have ever worked with. Having owned and trained traditional show-line Golden Retrievers for many years before moving into UK working lines, I believe

There is something special about a home with more than one dog. The shared excitement when you pick up the leads, the games in the yard, the quiet companionship when everyone settles down at night—it can be incredibly rewarding for both dogs and people. But adding a second dog should be a thoughtful decision, not simply one made because your first dog looks lonely or because two puppies seem like they will entertain each other. When the timing, training and personalities are

The Closed Shop: It’s Time to Call Out Australia’s Breed-Club Gatekeeping. There is something deeply wrong with parts of the pedigree dog world in Australia, and I believe it is well past time breeders stopped being frightened to say it publicly. Breed clubs should be enormously positive organisations. They should bring breeders together, encourage better health testing, improve temperament and welfare standards, promote genetic diversity, educate puppy buyers and create an e

When most people picture a Golden Retriever, they imagine a beautiful family dog with a long, light-golden coat. But not all Golden Retrievers are the same. At Activ Goldens, we exclusively breed UK Field Golden Retrievers from working bloodlines. They are still Golden Retrievers, with all the qualities that have made the breed one of the world's most loved family dogs, but UK Field Goldens are quite different from the larger, heavier-coated Golden Retrievers most Australians