Exhibitor and Breeder of Keeshonden since 1967. Founded in South Africa in 1967 on wholly UK bloodlines & relocated to New Zealand in 1996, where our kennel was "re-started" and founded on American bloodlines. A small, but top-winning Keeshond kennel based on some of the finest American & English bloodlines in the world.
Starkenburgh is situated on 8 acres of pastureland dotted with large trees, in the rural countryside about 50 kms from Auckland city centre. All my dogs are raised together in my house as valued family members, who lounge on sofas and watch TV in our family room. They lead a very healthy lifestyle and unlike some Kees, do not spend their lives in kennels or cages.They swim in ponds, race around the acreage and are continually playing with and chasing each other... and if some coat hair gets displaced.. so what! They are pets first and foremost, and then show-dogs. Puppies are occasionally available, and then only to very select homes.
Our philosophy. It has never been our mission in life to subsidize the family income or to populate the world with little Kees. Nor have we bred litter after litter (like some kennels) in the hope that "this time we'll get a good one". In our breeding program we have always visualized the type that we are aiming for, and have looked very carefully into the conformation, pedigrees and background of our breeding stock. For the past 10 years we have analysed video footage of all the dogs exhibited annually at the National Keeshond show in USA. This has given us insight into the conformation, movement and type of most of the ancestry behind the majority of Australasia's imports, out of North America.
Recommendation when deciding to import/buying a dog: No matter from which country you buy, the dog will ALWAYS have a 'type' very prevalent to that country or sometimes more specifically to a region within that country. A lot of its attributes such as size, bone, coat colour, head, fronts, rear, tail sets and especially movement, will usually have been bred, 'attuned' to what the show-ring judges are accustomed to in that country. We say this with respect, having imported from various countries, having moved countries, and been to shows in numerous countries. View videos of the dogs shown in the country you are buying from. View videos of progeny from the breeding or lines you are interested in. Obtain references about the breeder. Ask around, ask around, ask around!!!! about bloodline 'defects', time-line for maturation of that specific bloodline (fast or slow-maturer, the period where the dog 'falls apart'). Ensure you are on the 'same-page' with terminologies used. E.g. A 'loose tail' means different things to different people. 'Size' means different things. We all have different perceptions and understandings of terms used for attributes. ENSURE you understand these clearly. Be clear on all the attributes of the grandparents, as they will have a big influence on your next litter. Best of all, if possible fly over to see the pup/dog you wish to buy. Ensure that you are happy with the 'different' type you will be having, and determine how this will influence your 'homebred' type. No dog will be perfect. Determine whether you can 'live' with the 'not so nice pieces', and then the most important and BIGGEST decision of all, is the dog worth the money you will be paying for it. Can you afford it or will you later have 'buyers remorse'. Its all about marrying up your 'anticipation... I thought', with 'reality...I never thought' and 'coming to terms' with these two issues. The closer together = elation, the further apart= disappointment. Importing a dog will ALWAYS be a risk, no matter from where or who you purchase! Ask around, ask around, ask around!!!! Do not be shy to do this. Hind-sight is a wonderful, yet sometimes painful, realization.
We have always been very selective in our choices and have been equally discerning in not allowing our stud dogs to be used on inferior or pet quality bitches. Nor do we support, unlike some kennels, back-yard breeders or the use of TradeMe and eBay for the advertising of our puppies.
Here at STARKENBURGH, we do not breed quantity, we are not kennel blind, and the next breeding should always be an improvement on the previous one...... A kennel, WHERE QUALITY REALLY COUNTS!!
NZ Ch CALIVALE SEX BOMB (Aust Imp) - "Boomer" @ 6.5 yrs
by Bargeway Hurricane (UK Imp) x Aust Ch Calivale September Morn
And all his kids!
NEW ZEALAND'S OWN TOP WINNING KEESHOND BITCH WITH 100 CCs
NZ CH STARKENBURGH STOLE A KISS (NZ Ch Calivale Sex Bomb (Aust Imp) x Starkenburgh Stars In Yr Eyes)
"Happy" pictured in his "skimpiest underwear" winning GROUP 2 under Linda Millman of Canada.
NEW ZEALAND'S OWN TOP WINNING KEESHOND
RUBIS NZ CH STARKENBURGH SOLE SURVIVOR ~ "Happy" (NZ Ch Calivale Sex Bomb (Aust Imp) x NZ Ch Starkenburgh Star So Magical)
NEWS FLASH : "Happy" wins a GROUP 1st & BEST OPEN OF GROUP & RESERVE BEST IN SHOW under judges Dr Benites (breed specialist) & V Haga of Brazil ~ 7 Feb 2010
with half-brother
NZ CH STARKENBURGH STOLE MY HEART (pictured below)
taking Reserve Best of Breed under Dr Benites of Brazil
NEW ZEALAND'S TOP WINNING RISING STAR
STARKENBURGH SHIMMER N SHINE by NZ Ch Calivale Sex Bomb (Aust Imp) x Starkenburgh Society Babe
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