Windmill Farms Golden Retrievers

12/03/2025

Our first three-way cross is on the ground.

UK - Wales IGL Performance
US - Performance

US - Isolated gun dog lines - Heterozygous at DLA I&II with less than a 4% occurrence at each allele. 73% heterozygous at 33 STRs.

This is the first litter that I have both Embark and VGL genetic data for both parents. Both of which have been downloaded to DogsArk for DNA analysis.

Thanks to all that have contributed to this moment.

This video shows the pups at less than 1 day old. They were 3 days early. They are the largest by weight I've ever had or seen. The vigor is very high. At day 2, two of them where standing on all fours.

12/03/2025

I shared this article and discussed it during my webinar. For those interested in breeding for greater genetic diversity especially conformation breeders, the discussion regarding the practice of assortative mating may interest you. How to breed for phenotype without sacrificing excessive genotype. I find this topic much easier of you have basic genetic understanding.

https://seppalasleddogs.com/seppalakennels/articles/population-genetics-in-practice.htm

I'm putting this into practice again next year between Wacipi and Stone followed by Nova and an undetermined male. So far, we are driving down our genetic COI by US x Popular sire less x UK. The phenotype of the UK coupled with Scottish working lines is a great compliment to US performance or gun dog lines. This process is 3-way (F3). It takes ~ 6-8 years to complete.

I plan to try this same approach in reverse with Am CH Faera's Sun Dance Risen Shine CD OS SDHF. He was born in 1975. His owner collected frozen on him. I have it stored in SLC. Along with Four Lakes Lil Somethin' Special CD MH20 NA NAJ WCX *** DDHF VCX CCA, these two males and their progeny will help me maintain a pre 1980's phenotype while maintaining the performance attributes. I re-inforce the field through AFC, QA2*** and other key performance goldens. This is my overall approach to developing the pre - 1980's lines which showed the greatest divergence between show and field.

We have at least 5-6 simultaneous specific diversity breeding outcomes happening throughout 2026-2027. Our most concentrated and aggressive effort thus far. Due entirely to the help from other breeders. Thank you! A puppy will be kept from each litter. Genetically tested, added to the genetic database for evaluation and field trained on the proving grounds. Each function helps us determine the next pairing.

LTHOUGH THE SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINE of population genetics has existed for the better part of a century, its pe*******on into the world of the dog breeder is only just beginning, despite its importance and relevance to that world. Often I have heard dog breeders wish for an understandable guide to pra...

12/02/2025

Tay (Scotland) really impressed tonight during the hunt. She found the one that almost got away. What a great nose.

11/29/2025

Roxy graduated to the Dokken this week. She is one of our USxUK back to US crosses.

Very athletic and muscular. Great retrieving drive. She is a lot of fun.

11/29/2025

WM Farms Goldens

11/28/2025

Another SAR puppy goes out in a week and a half. We are noise testing, obstacle avoidance, tracking, and wing drive.

11/26/2025

Final UK frozen semen announcement. Athollridge Gael son. Let me know if interested.

11/26/2025

The Cora x Ephraim Litter are due in a week.

This is the first US x UK x Gun Dog litter in which I have all the genetic results including the VGL haplotypes at DLA I & II. Specific DLA (dog leukocyte antigen) haplotypes are strongly linked to an increased risk of certain autoimmune diseases in golden retrievers and other dog breeds.

I'm anxious to see what combinations they produce. Cora has a very rare occurrence at

1237 376 379 277 178 0.0005

Will this pass through? To bad we don't know what they all do?

Eph's are all under .04 occurrence. His isolated gundog breeding since the 80's is interesting. As it may offer something unique in our efforts.

I will soon have a full genetic comparative analysis. I hope to associate these genetics with the produced traits/qualities of these pedigrees in working and performance pedigrees.

11/26/2025

Pepper x Andy breeding completed last weekend.

Field Performance Litter - Litter has been pre-sold

I will check her in 30 days. Thank you so much for your patience. Pepper took a few extra weeks on her cycle.

https://retriever.pedigreedatabaseonline.com/en/trialmating/father=71514/mother=60055

11/24/2025

Am CH Faera's Sun Dance Risen Shine CD OS SDHF
1/8/1975 - 1/26/1987

https://k9-data.org/dog/detail/1599

Rhonda and I touched base over the weekend. The frozen for Risen shipped this morning. His semen is over 40 years old. If all goes well, we'll have his semen at the Repro Clinic in SLC tomorrow.

This is the oldest golden retriever frozen semen I've heard of. With Rhonda's permission I called the repro clinic in Ohio. For its age and the way they collected back then, its in good condition. We have a legitimate chance to produce puppies.

The preliminary goals.
We have a real chance to do something special genetically, combined with show and field attributes from the 1970's. In other words, I think with the right approach we have a shot at dual dog potential along with pre 1980's goldens look and feel. Three are 3 people I've been in contact with that are involved or working on DD. Rhonda provided his CCA information, field work, desire, temperament, size, coat etc. The rest is up to me.

Two huge possibilities that we stand to gain from his potential offspring in the 2020's. From data and science, we potentially bypass all the deleterious recessive genes we created from 1980 to now. Like going back to the future in a way. Second, we get a chance to bypass both Barty & Zeus in his lines.

I've been through his pedigree and downloaded pedigree information back to 1930. There are two Dual Dogs in his pedigree and one FC that caught my attention.

Squawkie Hill Dapper Dexter
Stilrovin Rips Pride - 1st Dual in the USA

Rip 1935 OS FDHF - 1st golden FC 1939 & 1940

Rather than go directly back into a US field golden my inclination is to pair him to a Scottish working import. The best genetic results (COI, AVK, Kinship) are with 2 females I imported from Athollridge. The UK working goldens generally have good structure as well. Better in many regards to some US lines that have very high ears, narrow heads, bodies and muzzles. I think a Scottish cross would retain the 1970's CH look better than a 2020 bred US field golden. Potentially producing a litter based on this cross would set a foundation of field and work that could be integrated into the following US lines.

Four Lakes Lil Somethin' Special CD MH20 NA NAJ WCX *** DDHF VCX CCA

Thanks to Rita, I have frozen units on this male. He has field trial and conformation backing. This would be a pairing on a Risen x Athollrige daughter.

Can. Triple CH FTCH AFTCH OTCH Firemark's Push Comes to Shove Can. WCX Am. *** OS

Thanks to Kathy, I have frozen on Push's son Edge. This cross has field and conformation backing. I've had a Push litter and an Edge daughter from a different UK line. (Riley) Giving me additional experience with actual results.

AFC AFTCH Rosehill's Mr Speaker MH OS CCA FDHF

Thanks to Lorie, I have frozen on Speaker and thanks to Elaine a couple of his MH sons. Again all the field with CCA components.

If we are lucky enough to produce a litter, 2 females and 1 male would be kept, genetically tested and trained. Others would be placed in like minded preservation homes for work that benefits the breed collectively.

I will continue to work though all the potential combinations with the goldens and frozen we have. If you have a consideration, please contact me.

11/21/2025

I've read a few science publications about inbreeding and litter size.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00335-019-09805-4
https://functionalbreeding.org/

This study’s authors randomly selected 93 female Golden Retrievers to measure the relationship between inbreeding and female reproductive success. They found that on average, the more in**ed an animal was (using its “true COI” measurement), the smaller the litter size. The least in**ed dogs had an average litter size of 8 puppies, while the most in**ed dogs had an average litter size of 6-7 puppies. On average, with each 10% increase in inbreeding, the litter size decreased by one puppy.

WM farms experience with the US x UK crosses has/is giving us even greater litter sizes than this study. To date we've bred 3 US x UK goldens, all litters sizes at 10 or more. Natural and AI methods.

To summarize my experience and the 3 articles I read, their studies have shown a direct correlation where a higher degree of inbreeding leads to a lower number of puppies per litter, such as a decrease of one puppy for every 10% increase in inbreeding. This reduction in litter size is one of several consequences of inbreeding depression, which also includes reduced fertility, higher offspring mortality, and a shorter lifespan.

For me its been well worth the time and effort to use frozen or live to create crosses that continually help not only our trait goals but the vigor and vitality of our puppies.

The Functional Dog Collaborative - Supporting the ethical breeding of healthy, functional, and behaviorally sound dogs.

11/21/2025

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCGEN.125.005096 #:~:text=This%20variant%20represents%20the%20first,disease%20prevention%20within%20the%20breed.

Karen Inzana, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Neurology) shared this article with me.

Here's the summary if interested.

The document reports the identification of a novel missense variant in the TNNI3 gene associated with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Golden Retrievers, marking the first genetic variant linked to this condition in dogs.
Background on Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a cardiac disorder affecting various species, including humans and cats, characterized by left ventricular wall thickening.
Over 1500 mutations linked to HCM have been identified in humans, while only three mutations have been reported in cats, and none in dogs until this study.

Study Overview and Objectives

The study investigates a familial case of HCM in Golden Retrievers following the sudden cardiac deaths of three puppies under two years old.
The objective was to identify a genetic cause for HCM in this breed using whole-genome sequencing and histopathological evaluations.

Methods Employed in the Research

Whole-genome sequencing was performed on affected puppies and family members, totaling 14 dogs.
Immunofluorescence staining was conducted on left ventricular tissues to assess protein expression related to the identified variant.

Key Findings from Pathological Evaluations

Affected puppies exhibited classic HCM features: cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and signs of congestive heart failure.
A novel missense variant (c.593C>T) in the TNNI3 gene was identified, which segregated with the disease in the family.

Genetic Analysis and Variant Identification

The identified TNNI3 variant was not found in a cohort of 2771 unphenotyped dogs or 45 unrelated Golden Retrievers.
The study suggests an autosomal-recessive inheritance pattern for the identified variant, with a significant P-value of 0.0237 indicating its association with HCM.

Implications for Future Research and Screening

This study marks the first report of an HCM-associated variant in dogs, paving the way for genetic screening and early disease prevention in Golden Retrievers.
The findings may contribute to the development of translational models for HCM research, enhancing understanding of the disease's molecular mechanisms.

Immunofluorescence and Protein Expression Analysis

Immunofluorescence staining did not reveal abnormal protein localization in the cardiac sarcomere, indicating that the TNNI3 variant's pathogenicity may not involve altered protein incorporation.
The study emphasizes the need for further research to elucidate the molecular pathogenesis of the identified variant in canine HCM.

Conclusion and Significance of Findings

The discovery of the TNNI3 variant represents a significant advancement in understanding HCM in dogs, a condition previously under-researched in this species.
The identification of this genetic variant holds promise for improving diagnostic and preventive strategies for HCM in Golden Retrievers and potentially other dog breeds.

Immunofluorescence Staining Methodology

The study utilized a secondary antibody conjugated to Cyanine5 (Cy5) for immunofluorescence staining of TNNI3 in left ventricular (LV) tissues.
Slides were treated with 4′6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) for nuclear staining and subjected to autofluorescence quenching.
Images were captured using a fluorescence microscope at 20× magnification, with standardized exposure times for different channels.
Control slides were included to ensure specificity of antibody binding, with nonspecific controls consisting of only secondary antibodies.

Masson Trichrome Staining for Fibrosis

Unstained LV slides from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)-affected cases and a control were submitted for Masson Trichrome staining.
This staining technique was employed to visualize the degree and pattern of replacement fibrosis in the myocardial tissues.
Images were captured at 20× magnification using the same ECHO Revolve microscope.

Echocardiographic Measurements Analysis

No significant differences were found in echocardiographic indices of LV thickening between wild-type and TNNI3 heterozygous, HCM-unaffected Golden Retrievers (GRs).
Descriptive statistics and P values for echocardiographic variables were presented, indicating no significant abnormalities in the evaluated groups.
Key echocardiographic variables included age, diastolic interventricular septum diameter (IVSd), and aortic velocity (Ao Vel).

Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) Findings

A total of 13,186,318 global variants were identified across 14 WGSed GRs, with 98,268 variants having a P-value

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