ABOUT US
Mochavulin Golden Retrievers was founded in 2009, when Irene and Arnel imported a male Golden Retriever named "Max" from the famous "Naragold Golden Retrievers" in Australia. Both Irene and Arnel was involved in Golden Retrievers for many years prior to 2009 (Irene for much longer) and they both had their individual kennel affixes, Tamnavulin (Irene) and Goldenzauer (Arnel). Our friendship started when Irene purchased a puppy from Arnel, named "Mikita" aka "Goldenzauer Wynter Minx for Mochavulin" in 2009. Mikita has since been the most successful brood bitch of all times, by producing 3 Grand, International Champions (Jake, Catcha and Gus). Mikita is from Arnel's imported girl "Tina" - "Ch Giltedge Martina for Goldenzauer" and "Ch Barleywood Autumn Lad of Goldenzauer". In 2009 we decided to "merge" our Golden Retriever kennel, to what became the now famous "Mochavulin Golden Retrievers", after importing "Max" - Ch Int Naragold Colour Me Gold for Mochavulin". Max was the first Golden Retriever in South African history to become an International Champion (FCI CIB). Our name "Mochavulin" was derived from Max's dad "Mocha" and from the last part of "Tamnavulin".
Irene bred her very first Golden Retriever litter in 1993 from "Ch Umgeni Venture of Tamnavulin" and "Mist of Tamnavulin". In 1997, Irene imported "Bluebraes Flashdance of Tamnavulin" from Scotland. Throughout the years that follow, the Tamnavulin affix has bred numerous champions and top winning Golden Retrievers. These even included a few "Field Trial" and "Carting" qualifications, obtained by "Ch Zillenberg Ambert of Tamnavulin FQ" and "Ch Cart Tamnavulin Celtic King". By combining some of the well-known South African kennels named "Redsteps", "Zillenberg", "Rozklynbony", "Summerfold", "Gavalat", "Kilifi", "Ghlenairh", "Pareora" and others. The first top winning Golden from Tamnavulin was "Ch Tamnavulin Kiss of Gold" and then later "Ch Tamnavulin Kings Ransom of Redsteps" (owned by others) and then our very own "Magic" - "Ch Tamnavulin Celtic Prince". Magic is still today a big part of the foundation of both Tamnavulin and Mochavulin and is sire to numerous Champions and even more grand-children and grand-grand children. Magic's brother "Ch Tamnavulin Prince of Gold" also excelled in the showring and was the Top Golden Retriever for many years.
Arnel got her first Golden Retriever "Sasha" - "Ch Zillenberg Queenie of Goldenzauer" in 2003 and started her "career" in Goldens by showing in breed conformation shows and first learning as much as possible about the breed, before deciding to breed with Golden Retrievers. My second Golden Retriever named "Wesley" - "Ch Barleywood Autumn Lad of Goldenzauer" was born in 2004 and achieved great success in the showring from a very young age - winning multiple Best Puppy and Best Puppy in Group awards. In 2006, I imported "Tina" from "Giltedge Golden Retrievers" in Australia - "Ch Giltedge Martina for Goldenzauer".
Our partnership has been incredibly successful over the years, having bred numerous Breed Champions, Top Winning Golden Retrievers in South Africa. A list of all our previous and current "Champions" are featured on a separate page on our website.
In 2024, Irene relocated to Johannesburg and we both share a property in North Riding AH with our current Golden Retrievers.
We are dedicated to responsible, reputable and ethical breeding. We do not breed / produce puppies for the pet market to supply the demand. Our main purpose for breeding is to Protect and Preserve the Golden Retriever as a breed - as per the Breed Standard for both conformation and temperament. We aim to always breed healthy, well-adjusted puppies and we carefully select all our puppy homes. When you get a Mochavulin Golden Retriever, you become part of our "Mochavulin Family" as we insist that we receive regular updates on all our puppies, throughout their lives. We follow ethical breeding practices, we do not "kennel breed" as all our dogs and puppies are born and raised inside our home. We follow all the required health protocols with regards to health testing before breeding and we always aim to breed with healthy dogs.
Breeding is definitely not for the faint hearted - we have had incredible success with our breeding, but we have also suffered terrible loss and tragedies. When you put so much effort into planning a litter - from the start with the parents (showing, training, health checks) and then ultimately deciding on a perfect combination - it is not without difficulty and disappointments. There have been times, when you sit with a 2-day old little puppy in your lap...after you have spent the past 48 hrs, non-stop supporting and helping the puppy to nurse and thrive ....when the universe has other plans and no matter what you do, you lose the puppy. It is one of the most heart wrenching things that can happen - all your hopes and dreams combined in the smallest bundle of gold-coloured fluff - and you have no other option but to say goodbye. And then there are the times when you let a piece of your heart go, after 8+ weeks of 24/7 care, dedication and commitment ....hoping that you have made the right decision with the family placement and when you see them drive away with your "little golden-heart-piece" ....your heart skips a beat and you fight back the tears - and then you see the update photos of a "golden-floofball" having the time of their lives....playing, swimming, hugging, kissing (eating stuff they should not eat)....you see photos of them on holiday with their family (riding in boats, swimming in the ocean, running on the beach or in open fields and forests), or you see them next to you in the showring (winning!) ....there is nothing better on this earth!
