17 Different KC Studbook Numbers

14 Junior Warrants under three different sets of rules.

7 UK Title Holders.

4 Overseas Title Holders

2 additional UK CC winners 

3 other UK Reserve CC winners

1 UK Junior Handler of the Year

The first Okus Golden Retriever, Ellendune Gay Jessie of Okus, joined us in 1977 and the second, Saffron Dawn of Okus in 1978. From these two ladies are descend all OKUS Goldens and many of today's leading dogs in other kennels.
 

The first Petite Basset Griffon Vendeen, Twinrivers Clothilde at Vendric, joined us in 1979. It took the two breeds about three months to learn each others language and gave us all much amusement in the process! Vendric P.B.G.V.s were among the first to cross the Atlantic. Champions on both sides of the pond carried this affix. 
 

Also in 1979 our first litter was born, our first born puppy was our first Junior Warrant winner (under the original rules), the great character of our kennel, Okus Autumn Adventure. For 14 years he was the light of my life, and always the children's' favourite. Our second litter born in 1980 gave us our first champion, Ch Okus Buccaneer. He took his working certificate at 19 months and his third CC at two years and two months, making him one of the youngest ever full champions in the breed. In 1984 he achieved my wildest ambition when he won Best in Show at the UK Golden Retriever Club in a record entry of over 900.
 

1984 was also a historic year for our daughter Rebecca, who won the UK Junior Handler of the Year title, and was runner up in the international final assisted by a P.B.G.V. called James (Vendric Vagabond).
 

Vendric Valeria, in whelp was the first P.B.G.V to cross the Atlantic from Britain. She was soon joined by Canadian Ch. Vendric Détente & Canadian Ch. Vendric Déja Vu who became the first Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen to win a Trans-Atlantic title.
 

In 1989 Sh. Ch Okus Watersprite was top CC winning bitch. Many more successful years followed, and in 2001 Kennelridge Choir Boy at Okus J.W. became the 13th Junior Warrant winner to carry the 'Okus' Affix. Warrants have been won under all three sets of rules.
 

Over the years we have attempted to breed sound typical puppies who are as much of a pleasure to live with as they are to look at. We have always supported the relevant health schemes in both breeds. Recently we have only kept and shown boys, who have all lived with us in the house.
 

There have been no Vendric litters for some time now and the last Okus litter was born 10 years ago,  our boys are now retired from stud also. We do still retain an active interest in the dog scene generally, and enjoy judging our breeds enormously, even though we are no longer in the thick of the show world.
 

PS. We still share our lives and our home with dog hair, dog slober, mud and soleful eyes!!