Professional dog breeder Kay Humphry has started 2023 on a high. Kay headed to Rochester with her precious cargo of three Golden Retrievers, Bonnie, Adel and Regina, to the first Rochester Show in three years – held off from two years of Covid-19 and the recent flood event.

Rochester A. & P. Society, affiliated with Dogs Victoria, held its annual show on February 25. Around 300 dogs entered this year’s event, with all funds donated to the town flood recovery. A special raffle was run for the Rochester Show Society, where money was also donated to community recovery.

For people that don’t understand the dog show world, it is a very disciplined life. After superior breeding follows the correct diet and amount of exercise. Then, on competition day, the dogs must look their best, but they must also be on their best behaviour, tolerant of strangers touching them, and polite to other dogs in front of a human crowd.

After 15 years of training trotting horses, Kay entered the dog breeding world. The awards come from years of hard work, genetics, DNA testing and artificial insemination. Golden Retrievers are known to have heart, eye, elbow and hip problems.

“We are members of the VCA and Golden Retriever clubs. We aim to better the breed and reduce known problems. When breeding, we do hip and elbow scores, have eye certification, heart certification and DNA testing. Each animal you breed, you hope to better the breed,” explained Kay.

“Bonnie is an eight-year-old neuter who previously had puppies. She is quite fond and skilled at shows. However, Cohuna could be her last as the focus shifts to upskilling the younger ones.”

Kay and her dogs won: 

Bonnie won Best Neuter in Show. Her show name is ‘Hvar colour me amazing’. 

Adele won the Bitch Challenge of the Golden Retrievers and her show name is ‘Hvar one and only’, and she is the mother to Regina.

Regina, Baby of Breed. Her show name is Regina, named after the Queen, as she was born on the day of the Queen’s passing.

Kay also won the Rochester A. & P. Society Inc Championship Show Best Neuter in Group and Best Neuter in Show; the Best Neuter in Group, Best Neuter of Breed, and Best Neuter in Show. 

Kay is also waiting for a new litter of puppies. “These puppies have come from a line that can be traced back 60 years,” said an excited Kay.

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 23 March 2023.