Talbothights Japanese Spitz Kennels

05/10/2026

Life has been very busy at Talbothights lately. We have been attending shows to obtain points towards FCI and A20 titles for
KHAN -CH Talbothights Time To Reign
and
KIMBERLY - CH Talbothights Times Up

FCI in an international t confirmation title Federation Cynologique International which includes most European Countries with NZ being an associate member
A20 is a contract partner of the main FCI organisation and covers Asia, Africa and Oceania
They are run under stricter rules and sometimes different breed standards to Australia and New Zealand

KONA has already obtained the FCI title and now retired
We are now complaining our two Talbothights dogs for these titles

Canterbury show in September saw both dogs get 2 points FCI CACIB
Under Judges Diane Riley NZ SI
Khan Best Dog. Best of Breed and went in to gain 3rd Best of Group
KIMBERLY Best Bitch Reserve of Breed
Show 2 under Judge John Clark NZ NI saw results reversed and Kimi taking breed and 3rd in Group

Pleasant Point held A20 also that month on a weekend that would challenge in more ways than one. Saturday was a jandle day and Sunday a gumboot day with a lot of wind damage to show gazebos
Both dogs got the point required for this title under Judge John Mills QLD and Khan went on to get Best of Group and NZ of Group at the All Breeds Show under Judge Jules Mayne NSW
Talbothights Twist ans Shout also completed her Champion Certification that weekend with 2 Intermediate of Groups

This weekend was the biggy with Ashleigh and I travelling to Auckland with Khan and Kimberly to compete in 2 x FCI and 2 x A20 shows at Ardmore

Of the 8 points on offer we are proud of our dogs for obtaining all 8 with competiton
FCI KHAN took 2 x Best Dog. Best of Breed and went on to take Best of Group 5 at both shows. Great critique s from both judges
KIMBERLY 2 x Best Bitch and Reserve of Breed both shows
Judges Philip Brown NSW and
Andy Chen China

A20. KHAN Best Dog. Best of breed both shows
KIMBERLEY Best Bitch and Reserve of Breed both shows
Judges D Lucas South Africa and
Zoey Yang China

It was great to catch up with fellow competitors from the NI
Such a lovely venue to show at. A credit to the Auckland Kennel Club
Thanks must go to Ashleigh for her GPS skills in directing me around Auckland in peak hour traffic in a hired motor home that I was unfamiliar with. Proud to say we returned it in one piece but the time frame was way to tight and made our return flight with very little time to spare
Detours due to accidents and flooded forecourts of scheduled last minute fuel top ups didn’t help
All adds to a memorable 4 day trip
But mission accomplished and very proud of both dogs who really couldn’t care less today. They are still asleep
Official photos to come

12/09/2026

Four weeks have past and I think I’m safe in saying she has survived

But it has been a long road

Born to a bitch who never tied and never showed any signs of being pregnant In fact I took her to the vet fully expecting she had pyrometra a condition where the uterus fills with pus and requires a full hysterectomy. End of the breeding life for a bitch

Was completely shocked to be told there was a singleton puppy on board and her distress was in fact labour. Only home from vets about 2 hours when she popped out a healthy wee girl

Then the problems started

Mums milk did not come in. It was 2 hourly feeding with her weight dropping rapidly to danger level

Full credit to Lance who has the patience of a saint with the dedicated feeding routine with me doing night shifts. So thankful for a single pup and not a huge litter and the fact we are retired and not balancing work as well

She never gained weight not matter how much she drank and to be honest I did not think we would have this success story. I felt there may be other underlying issues

But we have now reached the 4 weeks and she is eating anything and everything. Mums milk did come in a bit and she is keeping her topped up. A good mum in every other way

Still haven’t named her Open to suggestion

05/08/2026

We have been breeding for around 16 years. Not long by some current breeders longevity but we have made a point of keeping in contact with many of the puppy owners since the beginning and made some lasting friendships

I have just realised that we at Talbothights are now facing a new era and that is the passing on of the puppies from our first litters

There has been of course deaths that have shook us either by an accident or an illness way out of left field but they are no more painful than the loss of a family member who has developed an illness toward the end of their active lives or even just short of reaching that stage

It would be so much easier not to keep in contact after a puppy has gone from the nursery but that is not us. Some I have lost contact with through email phone or address changes but I would say over 80% are still in contact

This new era has become more apparent over the last 6 months with the passing of six of our pups and 2 more sadly in poor health as I write

We remember each litter fondly usually by a nickname or some little quirk

Having said that 2 girls from my very first litter are still with us at 15.5 years old

Each passing hurts and our condolences go to all those who have lost a Talbothights dog

They leave a huge hole but the memories never fade

19/07/2026

Congratulations to Piper Taylor and Simba (Talbothights Simba Royale) for completing level 1 of the Canine Good Citizen Award. Simba is only 6 months old
Well done Piper and enjoy working towards the next level

Love to hear from anyone else doing dog sports with a Talbothights Japanese Spitz

05/07/2026

Attended two ribbon parades on Sunday with 8 dogs. Yes seemed excessive but due to minimal showing at the moment I really wanted to get the new puppies out and into this environment and refresh the older dogs ahead of the upcoming shows
There was a really good turnout to support the two hosting clubs Southland German Shepard Dog Club and Gore and District Kennels Assn

You can imagine the organised chaos but to say I was amazed at the results was an understatement and very encouraging going forward

Our three girl baby puppies took awhile to settle down but under
Judge John Green (Judge for the Southland German Shepard Dog Club)
Marci - 4 months old (Talbothights Time to Blend) Reserve of Group and Baby on Parade
Khan (Talbothights Time To Reign) Best Champion and Reserve Champion

Under Judge Mike Bradley (Judge for the Gore and District Kennel Assn)
Bree - 5 months old
(Talbothights To Be A Rox Star)
Best Mover
Baby of Group
Best of Group
Baby on Parade
And BEST ON PARADE
Judge commented on her structure and balance for a young pup

I was also really pleased with how Otis and Skye went on their first time ever in this environment.
Skye ( Talbothights Flying Solo)
Best Junior of Group
Otis ( Talbothights Mr Twister)
Reserve of Group

I really need to get some good photos lol

24/06/2026

To all NEW PUPPY parents, please read this carefully and study these photos…
When you bring home an 8-12 week-old puppy, you’re not bringing home a “small dog.” You’re bringing home a baby whose body is still under construction. At this age, their bones haven’t fused, their joints aren’t stabilized, and much of what supports their movement is soft, flexible cartilage rather than solid bone. That’s why puppies move with exaggerated steps, loose limbs, and awkward turns—it’s not clumsiness, it’s biology.
Their joints are held together by developing muscles, tendons, and ligaments that haven’t learned how to properly stabilise movement yet. Nothing has fully tightened, aligned, or strengthened. There is very little grip, balance, or shock absorption. Every movement they make is being used by the body as a blueprint for how those joints will form later in life.
This is why overexercising a young puppy IS Harmful.
Short bursts of play on safe surfaces are normal and necessary. But repeated stress—long walks, excessive running, sharp turns, jumping off furniture, or sliding on slick floors—creates microscopic trauma in joints that are still shaping themselves. Each hard landing or uncontrolled slip sends force through cartilage that isn’t ready to absorb it. Over time, those forces alter how joints grow, align, and stabilise.
The damage doesn’t usually show up immediately. Instead, it appears months or even years later as:
• Early arthritis
• Hip or elbow dysplasia
• Chronic joint pain
• Poor movement or shortened stride
• Increased risk of injury as an adult
Letting a puppy jump off a couch or bed may seem harmless in the moment—but that repeated impact trains fragile joints to absorb force in unhealthy ways. Walking long distances before growth plates close may build stamina, but it doesn’t build sound structure. Allowing free movement on slippery tile or hardwood floors forces joints to twist and compensate in ways they were never meant to.
You only get one opportunity to grow a puppy correctly.
A strong, well-built adult dog is the result of both good genetics and responsible upbringing. Genetics set the potential—but early care determines whether that potential is protected or compromised. You can’t “fix it later” once growth plates close.
There will be plenty of time for hiking, running, agility, jumping, and rough play once your dog’s body is fully developed. Right now, the greatest gift you can give your puppy is restraint, patience, and protection.
Keep exercise controlled.
Choose safe, non-slip surfaces.
Prevent jumping from heights.
Let growth happen slowly and correctly.
Quiet now means strong later.
You’re not holding them back—you’re building them for a lifetime.
*AUTHOR UNKNOWN*

Send a message to learn more

13/06/2026

There is usually something that has prompted me to put up posts like this Rather than rant it is better to educate

Kolbie Rickettsia wrote

Shelter dogs don’t just magically appear in shelters. They are bred accidentally and irresponsibly by strays. , backyard breeders, puppy mills and pet owners. Even some breeders who don’t follow through on desexing
”Adopt don’t’ Shop” is the biggest lie ever. no one walks into a shelter and says bring me a dog No they shop for size, colour, age, breed, energy level and your adoption fee you so happily pay when you bring home your new “rescue” is still “buying” a dog. You’re buying a dog with unknown temperament and health issues and from an unknown source in most cases. A responsible breeder would go to their grave before seeing one of their puppies or dogs in a shelter or rescue . If responsible breeders stopped breeding dogs then the health tested , genetically selected dogs we love and need will disappear from existence. German Shepards Belgian Malinois Golden Retrievers, Border Collies, police and military k9s, service dogs, herding dogs, livestock and guardian dogs will all disappear
“Adopt don’t Shop” is propaganda to eliminate health, genetic, temperament workability tested dogs and trade them out for total wild cards
I have absolutely nothing against rescuing dog and cats or any other animal but do not come for me as a breeder or my choice in the kind of animal I wish to have acompany me throughout the remainder of my life
I want to know the origins and the expectations of the breed I choose

07/06/2026

Borrowed from another breeder but it is so true. There is so much emotion that goes on behind the scenes. Not just raising puppies but also with puppy owners with whom we have become good friends and who we share grief with after a loss

WHAT A BREEDER NEVER SAYS OUT LOUD....!!!!

🤔 People often think that a breeder lives among perfect dogs. But they forget everything that goes into bringing these little miracles into the world. Photos are sweet, but the reality is intense and demanding.

✨ Every birth is a lottery.
You can prepare, plan, and study everything… but not a single delivery goes exactly as hoped.
Every time it feels like the first time, even after years of experience.

😢 Death is our greatest enemy.
A bitch who develops complications, a puppy that doesn't make it…

It happens unexpectedly and breaks your heart every time.

✨ Using a good stud dog costs money and effort.
Travel expenses, matings, tests, nighttime care…

And then hoping that everything goes well: diarrhea, infections, stunted growth.
Breeding is an investment: financial, emotional, and physical.

✨Bottle feeding? Cute, yes… for the first five minutes.

But after that, feeding every 2–3 hours, day and night, for weeks.

That is pure survival mode, with a whole lot of energy as salvation.

🤦‍♀️ People often view puppies as “business”:

“Number of puppies × price = profit!”

But they forget the:

• Health & Genetic testing
• Matings
• Shows
• Training
• Nutrition
• Veterinarian
• Care and hygiene
• Photoshoots, advertising, websit
• Kilograms of food and mountains of poop!!🙈

What is left? Rarely a gold bar. Let alone a decent hourly wage 😁

😴 Sleepless nights are inevitable.
No weekends, no vacation, no break.

🤫 Who really raises the puppies?

The bitch… AND the breeder.
Every small infection can threaten an entire litter.

😬 And the question “Why is it so expensive?”

If we got a euro for every time…

The dogs would be eating caviar instead of kibble or meat.

😵‍💫 Future owners always make us worried.
A puppy isn't a package you just send off.
We choose adopters carefully; sometimes we refuse, sometimes we wait longer.

🫥 Emotional fatigue?
You almost never see that.
The pressure, the responsibility, watching over every detail…

And the loneliness during an emergency.

🤐 Sometimes we want to quit.
After loss. After setbacks. After exhaustion.

And then a pup opens its little eyes… and everything starts all over again.
It is a passion that never lets you go!

🙏 The grief of loss…

We rarely talk about that.
But with every farewell, a piece of us dies with them. Yet we rise again, for the puppies that still need a home.

🥰 Yes, there are beautiful moments.
Yes, there is immense joy.
But behind every experienced breeder lies a path full of sleepless nights, tears…

And an unconditional love for these special animals.♥️🥰♥️

"Text borrowed and author unknown" but oh so true!!
💯

01/06/2026

Ventured to Dunedin for the Kings Birthday Shows with Khan and 3 baby puppies. Bree - To Be A Rox Star) and Cassie (Casino Royale) were making their debut into the show scene and (Macy - Time to Blend) to suck up the cuteness pats
They both had their moments over the weekend which was to be expected but improved as the weekend went on. Very positive comments from several judges and came away with two baby of breeds each and two reserve of breeds each with Bree coming out on top after show 5 and also received a Best Baby of Group

But the hightlight of the weekend was. KHAN
(Talbothights Time To Reign)
Taking Reserve of Group
and a Best of Group before going on to take RESERVE BEST IN SHOW
under Leila Stenlund (Finland)
Our first home breed dog to do so
Oops. Forget to get an official photo but the face says it all

03/04/2026

I’m suffering a bit of empty nest syndrome after the rest of the puppies have gone to wonderful new homes but I don’t think life is going to be easy with these two keepers. They are a double trouble act
Introducing Bree ((Talbothights To B A Rox Star) and Caz (Talbothights Casino Royale)
Time will tell if the show ring is going to be their thing