Although I was always an admirer of the Labrador breed, I was unable to purchase my own labrador until 1997 and this was when I purchased Beth, my first Labrador from Christine Harris at the Rooklane Kennels.
The Devonelite affix was granted by the Kennel Club in 1999.
I am a member of The Labrador Retriever Club and of the West Of England Labrador Retriever Club.
When Beth was 16 months old, I was persuaded by her breeder, to show her at a local dog show, where she was awarded Best in Show. The following weekend I went along to another local dog show and once again she was awarded Best in Show. The rest is history, from local exemption shows I went on to Open shows and finally took the step towards Championship shows.
After Beth qualified for Crufts 2000, she had her first litter to CH. Cambremer Tom Cobbley of Charway. (A dog I adored the first time I set eyes on on him).
From this litter I kept Brodie and Georgia.
Brodie has made a considerable impact in the ring, whilst Georgia, who dislikes being shown, but has good confirmation was kept as a brood bitch to pass on her type and quality.
From Beth's second litter to SH. CH Sandylands Gadabout I retained two bitches, Brooke and Devon. Devon has since left us to live with the Joy family on their farm in Devon.
Breeze joined us at the beginning of 2002 and is a very exciting prospect for the future. Not only has she been purchased from the Rooklane kennels but she also brings with her bloodlines from America going back to the famous Beechcroft line. Breeze is also our very first chocolate.
The beginning of 2002 also saw Georgia produce her first litter to Rooklane Harbour Dues (a Rocheby Navy Blue son) and the next generation of Devonelite puppies. Unfortunately due to complications Georgia has now been spayed and has been placed in a pet home to live with Jay (a friend and big Georgia fan) at her equestian centre. From her litter we have kept a black dog called Quest.
October 2002 saw Brooke produce her first litter to Rooklane Harbour Dues. From this litter we kept River.
In September 2003 we moved to Somerset where we shared a house with Vicky and Denise of the Widgerwood affix. From here it was decided we all wanted a new start and after viewing many properties, December 2003 saw us all move house to live in Wales. Here we have 5 acres, ponds and a stream for the dogs to play in. We are surrounded by the moorland and mountains and the dogs love to run freely all day. We are extremely lucky to have direct access onto the Brecon Beacons, where the dogs love to run and discover all the lovely smells out there. The property has also given us the opportunity to have chickens, ducks, pigs and sheep.
The dogs did not attend many shows during 2003 but at those shows attended we have done very well.
2004 has seen us back in the show ring with many Best of Breeds.
March 2004 saw Taryn join us here at Devonelite. A black bitch I have wanted for along time due to her breeding being very similar to Beth's!!!! Taryn is from the Hafnau kennels and I thank Carolyn Jones for letting me have her and also for the opportunity to carry on with the Bryndafydd breed line.
So far living in Wales has given us the opportunity to raise our own lambs and see them born !!! Bottle feed orphan lambs that the farmers don't want !!! Hatch our own chickens and ducks !!! and become part of a community in Wales. The biggest difference for us to get used to here in Wales, is people trade items, such as eggs etc, instead of using money !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006 saw Denise (a good friend) join the Devonelite affix and we hope this partnership will see us grow.
August 2006 saw DEVONELITE move back to ...................DEVON. The dogs settled well into our new home and love getting to run on Dartmoor once again. It is also great to see old friends human and dog !!! The older dogs remember Plymbridge and of course the fun that can be had in the river there. We are also enjoying exploring the new parts of Dartmoor from where we now live.
The start of 2007 saw us unexpectedly move back to Wales but the dogs have taken it all in their stride and are settled again. It is with great sadness that my beloved Whiskey didn't come back to Wales with us. He was Put To Sleep October 2006 aged 13 years old.
2008 saw us welcome new bloodlines into Devonelite something that has not happened for years. This new blood came in the form of Storm, Mead and Gucci. This strengths the bloodlines already here and adds new to the kennels. We have strengthened our Sandylands bloodline, and added some more Trendlewood, Carpenny and Sheenaron. New bloodlines here include Lindall and Foulby.
The Devonelite kennels is now in its eleventh year and is going from strength to strength. We have labradors in show kennels around the country Carpenny labradors (Devonelite Scandal at Carpenny), Widgerwood labradors (Devonelite Here To Stay With Widgerwood), Lukyma labradors (Devonelite Zoza) and Culcairn labradors (Devonelite Star Chaser at Culcairn) all showing Devonelite dogs and winning well. Many more kennels have also used the boys at stud.
We have Blacks that carry both Chocolate AND/OR Yellow genes. Chocolates and yellows. All are KC Registered and have current hip and eye certificates.
Quality puppies are occasionally available to pet/show homes.
All puppies are raised in the home and well socialised.
We are extremely proud of the fact that we have supplied puppies to Guide Dogs for the Blind.
OUR DOGS ARE FAMILY PETS FIRST AND SHOW DOGS SECOND.
ALL OUR DOGS LIVE IN THE HOUSE, and love to lounge by the fire side or on the sofa. WE DO NOT HAVE KENNELS HERE.
We believe that temperment, soundness and good looks are all essential to produce dogs that fit the breed standard, have wonderful personalities, intelligence and the ability to be a pet in your home or a good show or working dog.
All puppies are sold with a contract, which asks for the return of the puppy at whatever age, due to whatever circumstance should the owners have to part with one of our labradors. We stay in touch with all those who purchase our labradors and many have become close friends.
OUR INTEREST IN YOUR PUPPY LASTS A LIFETIME!!!
