Dog oasis for golden retrievers only
They might just be man’s better best friend: a breed of dog renowned for intelligence, kindness and eagerness to please.
But where can golden retrievers, the good guys of the canine world, go to relax?
A business on the Kapiti Coast has the answer. Lynnaire Stock and Kristina Martinelli run a holiday home for golden retrievers only.
Since 2008, they have run Goldies Te Horo, which offers a breed-specific homestay for ‘‘goldies’’, which they say are simply more comfortable with their own kind.
Martinelli said golden retrievers were an ‘‘absolutely fantastic breed of dog’’ - they were sensitive, gentle, and enjoyed interacting with their own breed.
‘‘In fact often we’ll have owners saying to us that they were down walking at the beach and the goldie will often ignore other dogs, but if it sees another goldie on the beach it’s straight up to introduce itself and play.’’
When they had tried introducing other breeds at Goldies they found the ‘‘dynamic’’ changed substantially.
‘‘Because they’re all very similar in their looks, and their nature, their personality: there’s no misunderstanding of any signals.’’
On Wednesday they took out 14 golden retrievers, plus a couple of labradors tolerated by the pack, for a run in the field behind the premises - something the dogs loved.
Martinelli said they’d initially worried about remembering the names of all the dogs staying at Goldies at any one time - given their physical similarities.
‘‘It actually doesn’t taker long to be honest, even though they’re all goldies they do all have their own personalities.’’
She said people were often surprised to find there was a singlebreed kennel - but golden retrievers were popular enough to support their business.
Apart from the occasional labrador, they to turn down requests to bring in other breeds.
Golden retrievers come in three types, British, American and Canadian, and Martinelli said they had seen an increase in goldies crossed with other breeds.
For Stock that retriever-only dynamic was a delightful one.
‘‘They just love the cuddles, the play, and because they can all see each other, they just like the interaction of the other dogs as well...they’re great dogs to work with.’’