Savannalands Kennels & Cattery and Golden Retrievers
Plettenberg Bay Kennels
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 now test (via Inqaba Biotechnical Industries Animal Genetics Division) for Exercise Induced Collapse, Icthyosis, Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis, PRA-1 and PRA-2.
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.
I raise my puppies the Puppy Culture way, which starts them off with exercises that strengthen their immune system, from just 3 days old. Clicker training with each pup starts at 4 weeks of age.
Litter Plans
In January 2025 I imported semen from the fabulous dog who ended up being the Crufts Best of Breed Winner for 2025, Multi Champion Terra di Siena I'm a Dreamer (Dreamer), and then this year, he went and did it again, won Best of Breed at Crufts 2026, absolutely unbelievable, never heard of! He had to beat more than 500 Golden Retrievers from around the world to win that title last year and then again in 2026.
And then on 4 June 2026, he went and won Best of Breed at the World Dog Show in Bologna, Italy, a remarkable achievement. So he literally is the top Golden in the world!
Our Tess, Ch Savannalands Red Velvet and Holly, MBPISS Ch Savannalands Take a Chance on Me JM are due in season during the second half of 2026, August/September-ish.
I plan to AI both girls with Dreamer's semen. Gestation is 9 weeks and I keep pups till they are around 9.5 weeks old.
These litters, if we are lucky enough to have both Tess and Holly become pregnant, will be rather special. If you would like to be considered for a pup from either of these litters, please send me a WhatsApp to 0833017044 or drop me an email to heather@savannalands.co.za and I will send you my Prospective Owner's Questionnaire to complete and return, in due course.
I do not really like to keep a waiting list, except perhaps for past puppy owners who would usually get a look in first, and my pups are not placed on a first come first served basis, rather I try and find the very best homes that I can for my puppies. I will start considering homes once I have had a mating/AI, but will only confirm pups once they are safely past 3 weeks of age. Those that stay in touch once they are on the short list, once pups are born AND offer great homes are the ones who will likely get my puppies.
I don't want your deposit, it will not secure you a puppy ahead of anyone else.
Dreamer, BOB Crufts 2025 and 2026, and WDS 2026
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Indi's litter above, born 11 January 2021, the dad our gorgeous Maverick. Pedigree here.
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Baby Mr Black, asleep during his weigh-in.
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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.
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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.
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Maverick and Scarlett
