​Savannalands Kennels & Cattery and Golden Retrievers

My Breeding Philosophy

I am registered as a breeder with the Kennel Union of Southern Africa (www.kusa.co.za). Savannalands is my registered kennel affix.



In order to promote the health and longevity of our gorgeous breed, I like to health test the dogs that I plan to use in my breeding programme. I x-ray for hip and elbow dysplasia and check eyes annually. Additionally, I have started doing DNA testing for PRA-1 and PRA-2 (via Animal Health Trust in the UK), as these diseases would  not necessarily show up through annual SAVA (South African Veterinary Association) eye testing, but can cause blindness.

How We Raise Our Puppies

When pups are imminent, I move into our cottage with the expectant mom and put her whelping box next to my bed. The pups are born and raised there till I move them to the en-suite bathroom for more space when they are ready to start moving out of their whelping box. I am with them almost 24/7 until they go to their new homes. When they are old enough, they have their own, play-room, which leads out to a securely fenced and covered private garden, for their sole use. See our Facebook page for loads of puppy pics and to watch the regular updates of our pups as they grow.

Litter Plans

Indi  has just been in season, but I decided not to mate her then. I plan on taking her to Cape Town next season around January 2022, to be artificially inseminated with imported frozen semen from gorgeous Irish boy, JJ. 

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Subject to our gorgeous young Tess, Savannalands Red Velvet's hip and elbow scores and eye tests, which I will do within the next month or so, I might have a first litter with her when next she comes into season, around the end of 2021. She turned two in August.

If you would like to be considered for either of these litters, please drop me an email on heather@savannalands.co.za and I will send you my Prospective Owner's Questionnaire to complete and return.

My waiting list is not a first come first served, rather I try and find the very best homes for my puppies. It will be up to you to keep in touch though because, since lockdown started, there are simply hundreds of enquiries that come streaming in and, much as I would like to, I simply cannot keep in touch with each one of you to confirm if you are indeed still wanting a puppy. Please bear with me for replying to your emails, when I don't have puppies to choose homes for, I answer those emails in batches, when I get a chance. I will also guide you as to what you should look for in a reputable breeder. Those that stay in touch, making contact when the next litter is announced and once they are born AND offer great homes are the ones who will likely get my puppies.

I don't confirm any puppies until they are at least safely past three weeks of age, as this is their most vulnerable period.

Indi's litter above, born 11 January 2021, the dad our gorgeous Maverick. Pedigree here.

Baby Mr Black, asleep during his weigh-in.

Prada with her litter on the left, Gucci with hers on the right, born 30 September and 3 October 2020, respectively. First time I've had 2 litters together, it worked so well with this set-up and Gucci helped feed Prada's pups when Prada didn't have enough milk. 

Prada on the left, Gucci on the right, in season in my kennels, August 2020, with Granny Bailey who just loves socialising.

Indi with her litter of 13 puppies, born 21 August 2019.

And they're off.... Cape Town pups from Indi's August 2019 litter, celebrating their 1st birthday together. This gorgeous pic taken by puppy Malachi's dad, Alan Raubenheimer, of Fine Edge Art.

Maverick and Scarlett