Best Buddies - Fern and Echo

We are just the two of us, Philip and Rachel Birt, and our canine companions. We live on beautiful heathland in Christchurch, Dorset. 

                               

Our Christmas Get Together

We are a small hobby kennel and have one, sometimes two litters a year. We breed from health tested stock, that have excellant sound temperaments, are true to breed type,  and have good working ability.

All these qualities are of equal importance and  OUR AIM is to produce and train healthy well adjusted puppies, that are capable of becoming excellant companion dogs or active/working  family members, that will bring a lifetime of pleasure, loyalty, and affection, when placed in the right homes, with the right people.

Having owned and been involved with dogs for over thirty years,  I've had several different breeds, including G.S.D.'s, Labradors, and of course Border Collies. In fact, my first dog, a poodle, was bought for me when I was eleven, to cure my fear of dogs!!

My experiences in the world of dogs, has been varied; learning to overcome my fear initially, some volunteer work with Canine Partners for Independence (CPI), living and working at a breed kennels, training for my City & Guilds Grooming Cert, and teaching agility and running my own agility school.  All these played a part in developing my deep interest in dog psychology, and how dogs learn.  

In March 2004 our love for the gundog was born, in the shape of,  Ember our flatcoated retriever, who arrived in May , and she heralded the start of our gundog family. We then added her daughter Echo and our Working Cockers, Ruby, Fern and Ghillie. 

In August 2009 we were joined by Whaupley Valentine, aka, Keeper, all the way from Whaupley Gundogs in North Yorkshire taking our cocker family from 3 to 4, so we are now owned by 4 working cocker spaniels, and our flatcoated retriever, Echo. 

Of course, our two senior collies Indie and Nova , are still around to remind us how we got  where we are today. Click on the breed related links in the navigation bar to learn more about our canine family.

In June and July 2009, we had our first litters of cockers from Fern and Ruby.  The puppies, have their own picture albums in our photo gallery, and are featured on the pages of the website. We are aiming to have updates on their progress, so that prospective new puppy owners, have the opportunity to learn about the 'type' of working bred cockers we are trying to produce here at Raezhaven.

In July 2009 we were approached by Dogs for the Disabled, expressing an interest in Fern and Ruperts puppies. The charity were looking to trial several working bred cockers in the role of assistance dogs. We were delighted to oblige, and are pleased to say that Vito, passed his assessments at 5 weeks old, and left to start his training when he was 8 weeks.  The  initial news is good and he is making excellant progress, and, and we have high hopes for his future.  Click on his picture to learn more about him.

                  

To email us rachel@raezhaven.com

Or contact us by telephone on 01202 485545 or 07779 289913

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