Recommendation Letters:
To reassure potential breeders and puppy buyers please have a read through the below. Our previous puppy buyer letters and our stud recommendations.
Breeding Recommendations:
Marcus, Karen and Roxie
Our previous experience of owning a dog was through the guide dogs for the blind, this was easy as the dog arrived
over 12 months old. After a 9 year hiatus we decided to plunge in and get a puppy, we were introduced to Steph
through a work colleague. Due to the unprecedented times of COVID-19 it was not possible to meet Steph so we
spoke on the phone. One of the many things we like about Steph is she talks to you, gets a feel of why you are
getting a dog, after all these are her babies and she needs to know that her babies are going to get the love and
attention they so rightly deserve. So we had a chat on the phone.
From the moment that we knew we had passed all of the requirements set by Steph we were so excited to meet our
pup. Steph provided us with regular updates/pictures/videos which we looked forward to each week. When we
knew which one Roxie was it was great to see how much she would grow in just a few days.
The information that Steph provided to us was great as whilst we had had a dog before he had come to us at over a
year old - having a puppy has been a new experience for us. Steph provided us with a routine which we followed
from day 1 and provided us with great structure and some welcome sleep breaks for both Roxie and us!!!
Due to Steph’s great work Roxie knew where to toilet and also slept through from day 1 (with just a slight blip on
day 2 - until we made the room darker). You do have to be prepared for some early starts (we still have the alarm
set for 5.30 but she is so excited to see you when you come downstairs it is all so worth it.
Roxie has been an absolute delight, she is full of character and has settled right in, we think this is a reflection on
Steph and the excellent her work.
All pups come micro chipped etc with a nice little booklet, Steph will even sort out food for you, get it ordered to
take that worry out of owning a puppy. We received a list of links to look at which included toys, treat chews, the
wash bag, omg ask Steph about the wash bag - my wife tells me its the best thing ever. What we are saying here is
that Steph provides it all to you, you can want for nothing, Steph has even checked in with us after we brought Roxie
home to check everything was going ok. Would we buy another pup in the future from Steph - very east question -
DEFINITELY.
Ysella, Bart and Arlo
We found Steph through friends who had bought their Labrador from her. We were thrilled to hear that Steph was expecting a litter at the time we were looking to get a puppy. From the first time we made contact with Steph she was so helpful, informative and honest. We were first time dog owners and Steph was able to answer all of our questions.
We gave Steph information about our set up and the kind of temperament we were looking for in a puppy. She was able to help us identify which puppy may fit best in our home. Steph gave us lots of really helpful information about how to prepare for introducing a puppy, such as the best environment, what we needed to buy and advice for training. She was welcoming of questions in the run up to us collecting Arlo and once we had bought him home, and we still have questions occasionally which she is always willing to help with.
We visited the puppies several times before collecting him and it was great to be able to spend time with both Arlo’s mum (Myer) and dad (Red). Steph was really proactive in sending us updates and photos of the puppies between them being born and us collecting Arlo to bring him home.
The puppy pack that Steph provided us with when we took him home was invaluable and we used the information to support him to have the best possible start. Arlo was in a brilliant routine at Steph’s which we followed and found it really helped with aspects such as toilet training and leaving him alone for short periods of time.
We absolutely love Arlo – he is the most gentle and loving dog and is really calm. We would recommend Steph to anyone looking to buy a puppy.
Claire & Monty
Couldn’t recommend Steph enough.
I was introduced to Steph via another breeder. Steph and I had a long chat about her recent litter,
Steph informed me she had one pup left, a golden boy. We couldn’t be more happier with our
healthy happy little boy but I have to give credit to Steph and the up bringing these pups had
received from birth to 8 weeks.
Mum and Dad ( Dottie & P) being part of Steph and Matts family, the pictures they shared of the
pups growing up and most importantly of all, the routine the pups had been used to. We
continued with his routine as per the puppy guide we received upon collection, no need to house
train, he was used to the crate so did not fear and no accidents at night, amazing.
Stud Covering Recommendations:
Rob, Mo & Poppy
Our journey started in 2017 when our Fox Red Labrador Bitch Poppy was 2 years old. We had absolutely no idea where to start so we searched for a stud dog nearby. We spoke to a chap on the phone and he told us to come round. When we arrived the man we spoke to was not in and he had left his daughter to deal with us. When we expressed our concern she said it was fine the dogs know what to do. Oh how wrong she was, we were told to take Poppy into the back yard and leave her. The girl then let a dog out of a cage and he ran a Poppy like a possessed demon. She ran away in absolute terror the dog hurt her whilst he pinned her down, it was like a rape scene although fortunately he did not get the chance to actually tie with her..
I told the girl to get her dog away from poppy and we left horrified ! We very nearly gave up ever breeding at that point but sat in the car park of McDonalds we decided to give another stud a ring to see if our experience was normal and we were just not cut out for this.
We called Steph (who we now both love) who was horrified by our story and a little cross with us for not doing our research a little better. After a long chat with us about our reasons for wanting to breed our girl she agreed to see us. What a totally different experience we had, we visited Matt and Steph and chose Red as the sire, a most beautiful working Fox Red Lab.
Steph and Matt managed the whole thing, Red was a gentleman who nuzzled her ear the whole time and after the deed was done, Poppy put her head through the fence and made a little noise, at this Red turned around, walked back and gave her a lick on her nose. It was very romantic. Such a different experience to the previous stud.
Poppy didn’t take that time but we all agreed this was due to previous stress but did on her next season, she was very excited to be returning to see Red and the end result was 11 beautiful pups.
During her pregnancy, whelping and nursing Steph was there all the way through with sound advice, so reassuring to have an expertise on the end of the phone, text and email.
What an amazing journey we had, 2 years on we did it again and had 9 lovely pups. We are so pleased we used Steph and Matt’s Dog as our Stud we can’t recommend them highly enough! They care so deeply for the welfare of the dogs and that was what we were looking for.
Tina, Andy and Tess
As family breeders of Labradors we have used Steph for several years as our stud of choice. As well as being a trusted and well respected stud, we have experienced first-hand the exceptional care Steph takes of her dogs.
Her remarkable knowledge and experience has been invaluable in helping us successfully breed from our labradors. We are confident at each mating that Steph has selected the perfect boy for our girl. All her dogs are fully health checked, KC registered and 5-generation pedigrees are carefully checked to ensure responsible line breeding. She has an excellent network of recommended experts from fertility specialists to dog food and supplement suppliers on hand for additional support.
Steph has always made herself available to us throughout the whole journey from the first covering to assisting with finding the pups forever homes. We know we can contact her with any concerns or questions and have complete trust in her advice.
Having worked with Steph for 8 years now, we would not consider using anyone else to help us continue our breeding line. She is highly professional and breeds with integrity.
Learning something different each time we breed and watching beautiful pups grow into smashing dogs with amazing temperaments; pups who are carrying on such a special line for us, is my favourite part of working with Ptarmigan Gundogs.
Debbie & Bramble
A friend recommended Steph (Ptarmigan Gundogs) for our five year old bitch.
I could not have been happier with the service Steph provided; from having Bramble covered to the very helpful notes re. Pregnancy, preparation for whelping, post whelping, feeding Mum and pups, worming etc. Her support could not have been more thorough. Steph always responded to my calls for advice and was extremely helpful in finding good homes for our puppies.
Steph offers a unique service, and I could not recommend her more highly, I will certainly use one of her dogs again