Lurasia Breeders - Golden Retrievers

10 YEAR GOLDEN RETRIEVER REUNION (24/09/2011):

On 13 July 2001 I had my very first Golden litter with Simaxdal Zyringa (Pangea) and Bazaruto (Shakespeare). By 2011 I had been a Golden Retriever breeder for ten years! To mark this special occasion I decided to have a Lurasia Goldens Reunion. This reunion proved fit to compete with any high school reunion.

I invited all Goldies that were bred by myself in the 10 year period. The event was held at Walkhaven. On that cold day in September the park was taken over by the Lurasia Goldens. We had 66 Goldies and, of course, their owners. We also invited the siblings and therefor we also had Daschies, Boerboels and Collies present.

We had boerierolls for the humans and doggy biscuits for the Goldens. Prizes (sponsored by Eukanuba and Hills) were given, and donations which we collected were given towards Barkingmad, Dogtown, S.A. This was possible thanks to the generosity of the Goldie owners.

A very big, HUGE, thank you to my family and helpers who assisted me on the day.

You simply have to look at the photos to see that everybody and especially the guests of honour, the Goldies, enjoyed themselves.

I hope to still be around and doing what is my passion - breeding Goldens - in 2021!

A Lurasia Golden is a part of the family.

PUPPY GET-TOGETHER (24/02/2013):

Lurasia had a "puppy get-together" for all the pups from litters from Lurasia after 2011, which missed out on the 10 year Lurasia reunion. We had an animal behaviourist, Nancy Pringle-Fouche (also a Lurasia puppy owner), on site to answer any questions and help with training and behaviour related questions. The dogs had a swim and there was an obstacle course to test our canine's wit. Everyone had so much fun, that we decided to make this an annual event. Looking forward to seeing all the new puppy owners there in future. Thank you again to Eukanuba and Hills for sponsoring some gifts for the day.

Says Pippa Green - Owner Mojo and Ruby (Lurasia Goldens):

It was a golden reunion, but not a human one. Rather in colour: a sea of copper, blonde and golden tails and legs weaving through Lurasia’s garden. This was the second Golden Retriever reunion that Monica Lloyd, who runs Lurasia, had convened for her “offspring”. This year, a total of 22 golden retrievers, accompanied by ten of their people, regathered at their birthplace, Lurasia, in the warmth of a late summer day. Many were young dogs born in 2012.

Among those born in 2012 were Ozzie, Ruby, Minki, Karoo, Shalom, Blue and Amber. Injuries did not dampen their fun. One, Ruby, had broken her leg just the month before but managed to engage eagerly with her “stable-mates”. And three new puppies were collected on the day.

Older dogs were there too: Monica’s own eight retrievers, and another seven older companions. Apart from a few bristles and barks around the steps of the pool, the dogs managed to find an easy equilibrium with each other. “They are very sociable animals,” says Nancy Pringle-Fouche, an Equine and Canine behaviourist, who attended the event with her own retriever, Lika. “They are not aggressive; they just want to please.”

The 2013 reunion was held at Monica’s plot in Randfontein, near Carltonville, where she breeds her Goldens. On that day her property was colonized by troops of dogs eager to re-meet each other, to swim, play, and just hang out.

The year before, as Nancy points out, Monica had organized a reunion of all her “offspring” at Walkhaven, a little corner of dog heaven in Muldersdrift. There were 66 Goldens there, plus a few other four-legged friends, and there was not one fight between any of them.

But although Goldens may look angelic, and most of the time revel in love, they do have some trying habits - digging, chewing, jumping, and begging - among them. Nancy helped the two-legged attendees with tips to counter these. She suggests stimulating toys to alleviate boredom, such as stuffed animals (without small parts which are a choking hazard) and rubber Kongs stuffed with Marmite, peanut-butter or honey. Apart from stimulating the smell and taste senses, it helps a dog’s creativity to “figure out how to get to the yummy bits”, she says. She also suggests “booby trapping” the holes they are likely to dig in a garden by filling it with their own poo and covering them. Jumping too, is a persistent habit of Goldens, partly because they are so delighted to see their people. But she suggests spraying them with water from a spray bottle or water pistol. Although most of them love water, a sharp spray surprises them enough to learn not to jump. Nancy, who owns ten dogs including four Goldens (three from Lurasia), says the characteristics of Goldens are being inquisitive and active. “They love water and they love the outdoors,” she says. Most of all, as the day showed, they are devoted to their owners and friendly with almost anyone else, two or four-legged. "If they are aggressive", says Nancy “they are either in pain or frightened. Something is wrong with the situation, not the dog.”

The day was a boon for the people too: each owner received a goodie bag of Eukanuba and Hills products, and between them, raised R1,000 for the Friends of Rescued Animals (FORA).

Pippa Green - Owner Mojo and Ruby (Lurasia Goldens)

2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together
2013 Puppy get-together

PANGEA'S 14TH BIRTHDAY BASH (04/05/2014):

On Sunday, 4th of May, a birthday party was held for Simaxdal Zyringa (Pangea). All "golden oldies" (over 7 years of age) were invited. In attendance we had her children and grandchildren from Lurasia Kennels. We also had a horse (Great Dane)!

The birthday cake was any doggie's dream, made of mince and mash and decorated with biltong.

We did not forget the humans, there were some snacks for them as well.

A big thank you to all who attended and for all the birthday gifts. Pangea did share it with her clan from Lurasia breeders!

Another big thank you to Nancy Pringle (Equinine) for all the help and assistance. You are really a person one can rely on!

Back to top

TRIBUTE TO PANGEA, TRAVIS AND ORION (22/08/2015):

On 22 August 2015 a TRIBUTE was held at Walkhaven Dog Park to remember, acknowledge and pay homage to 3 very special Goldies in my life. I had lost all 3 in the space of 6 months and because they were so special to me I wanted to do something special to remember them by.

ORION Gloi Nightstar of Lurasia ( IMP UK ) was imported from the UK. My daughter, Lorinda, from Ardala Kennels, arranged the importation and was with me every step of the way. I can still vividly remember sitting at the airport, waiting for them to call to tell us all was well. When I opened the travel crate, he was everything I had hoped for and more. I used him in my own breeding program after his health checks were done and am fortunate enough to have one of his progenies, Yoda, Staaldam Be the Best of Lurasia. He was also used as stud dog and left his mark on his puppies.

TRAVIS, Lurasia Origanum. I bred Travis myself and took pick of the litter at that stage. Travis's health checks were done and he became my main breeding male after Shakespeare, his grandfather was neutered. He was top male dog until he died. He was also used as stud dog and made very many people happy with his puppies.

PANGEA, Simaxdal Zyringa. Pangea was the first female that I bought and she was the reason that I started breeding. She was a wonderful mother and even after she was spayed, she just LOVED the puppies. She used to greet all the new puppy owners at the gate. She has given me many litters and made a lot of people very happy with her beautiful puppies.

I invited all the Goldie owners who have puppies, NOW ADULTS of these special three Lurasia Goldies. Twenty five human adults and 8 children attended. Some brought their other dogs as well. We had 21 Goldies attend the tribute occasion - all very eager to meet and greet.

Each person received a gift to remember this special day and these special Goldies.

THANK YOU to Hill's and Helen van der Schyff for their sponsorship.

A HUGE THANK YOU to all who attended this special day. YOU ARE THE REASON, WHY BREEDING IS SO REWARDING.

Orion, Travis, Pangea - gone but NEVER FORGOTTEN.

Monica

It was a day for the very OLD and the very YOUNG and the party was held at my residence....

On 18 October 2015 a birthday party was held for Zimaxdal Ladii Chiron, LAYLA. She turned 14 dog years old - 98 human years - on 12 October. She had a mince cake, balloons and received gifts of BILTONG. Three other golden oldies attended. They were the easy guests.

As far as "the very young" were concerned it was a different story! They were WILD, WET and VERY MUDDY. The swimming pool was filled and the puppies - all younger than one year - took over!!!! Some of them brought their older siblings along. All of them had great, wet, dirty FUN!

Sixteen adults and 4 children attended. At the beginning of the day the pool was clean and blue. Later in the day it became brown and muddy! The humans ended up just as wet and muddy as their Goldies.

We had a braai and each person received a T-SHIRT with their Goldie's name printed on the back. The youngsters had a BALL swimming and playing with each other and their doggy friends. Fortunately they all passed out at home - much earlier than usual!

A big thank you to Ben and Linda Malan for looking after the food arrangements and Jana Tait for the pics.

Will we dare to do it again?

Monica Lloyd

Back to top

LURASIA AND ARDALA GOLDEN HOLIDAY (2015):

I have always taken my goldies on holiday with me. Shakespeare, my very first golden, went wherever I went. He was a seasoned traveller. In 2015 after speaking to like-minded goldie owners the idea to have a Golden Holiday was born.

It was decided that we would take our goldies to the BEACH! The search was on as to where 7 adults and about 10 goldies could go that was really PET FRIENDLY and close to the beach. Yolande van der Westhuizen found the perfect destination: AGAPE BEACH HOUSE in Tugela Mouth, www.agapebeachhouse.com

Nancy Pringle and her friend Cheryl took her two goldies, Emma & Charlie. My friend, Alta and I took my two goldies, Tamara & Holly. Unfortunately Yolande could not make it but I will be forever grateful to her for finding this GEM of a holiday spot. Geraldine and Sam Schoeman also had bad luck. The night before we were to leave Geraldine hurt her back and could not travel. Belinda Fryer with Ozzi and Monty made up the last of the holiday party.

We walked on the beach every day. The dogs played in the waves and were even allowed to swim in the pool. It was a golden holiday FOR SURE. Although it was winter - mid June - the weather was lovely. It was during off season and midweek. We had the whole beach to ourselves. We even had special holiday T-shirts made!

On the way back, I decided that I would make this an annual event. It was amazing and just what evey dog lover needs to recharge the batteries.

Images to follow

Back to top

LURASIA AND ARDALA GOLDEN HOLIDAY (2016):

This time around we were geared and all the arrangement went down smoothly.

Again we went to Agape Beach house. THE BEST! www.agapebeachhouse.com

Sorita Pullin joined us for the first time with her two goldies, Blake and Daisy. I once again took my friend Alta along and this time round we took goldies Gemma and Haley. My son Lourens Swart with Logan made up the last of the holiday party. It was Lourens's first time but I could tell it would not be not his last!

We walked on the beach every day. The dogs played in the waves and swam in the pool. We had the whole beach to ourselves. It was amazing sitting on the deck, goldies relaxing at your feet and speaking the golden language.

Images to follow

Back to top

LURASIA AND ARDALA GOLDEN HOLIDAY (2017):

It just becomes easier to arrange the Golden Holiday. Every year we are getting better at planning this lovely holiday.

Of course we once again went to Agape Beach house. Where else? www.agapebeachhouse.com

This time round Alta and I took three Goldies - Minki, Sienna and Yoda. My son Lourens took his Goldie Logan. His friend Jacques took his collie, Barrett along. Belinda Fryer could not stay away and made up the last of the holiday party with Ozzi and Monty.

Once again it was a holiday to remember forever. The joy of the Goldens playing in the waves and chasing each other on the beach is a sight to behold.

Back to top

LURASIA AND ARDALA GOLDEN HOLIDAY (2018):

What can I say? A GOLDEN HOLIDAY IS A MUST!!! WHERE? Agape Beach House. www.agapebeachhouse.com

This time we slept over at Van Reenen - halfway. The reason was that we had a very old golden with us (14 years). We did not want to tire him out. Samantha Schoeman could finally join us. She took Duke (14 years), Rolo and Madi.

I took Tesla, Khaleesi and Joy.

Lourens of course took his baby boy, Logan.

Annerie Schoeman joined us for the first time. NOT HER LAST. She had David, Zach, Kate and Sony Golden & Collie X.

MUST START PLANNING FOR 2019!

Images to follow

Back to top