Santandore Blonde Over Blue

Rostov at Crufts 2025

Rostov's critique when he got SBN

Rostov qualified for Crufts 2024,2025, 2026 and now for life

I'm always happy to put you in touch with people whose bitches he has met with 😉

Rostov qualified in style for Crufts
2024 by winning Graduate at the Golden Retriever Club of Wales, under Judge Janis Ward
This is her critique of him

1 Thomas Santandore Blonde Over Blue
Oh wow, the movement of this dog was a joy to behold, light, balanced and effortless, reminding me of Aus Uk Ch Stanroph Shogun. Correspondingly balanced construction, wavy mid-gold coat in super condition. Gentle expression, deep muzzle

More of his ring successes can be seen in his results

Points to consider when looking at Rostov as a potential stud for your bitch:
New blood to the South West
Good health checks
Regular sperm checks, with fabulous results. Most recent September 2025
He is well proven, and a bold stud, although gentle
He is siring large litters of very chilled, relaxed puppies
3rd generation raw fed (meaning puppies less likely to have allergies)
I am more than happy to let potential puppy owners meet him
I am very happy to help you throughout not only the labour, but throughout the 8 weeks, be it in person or just being on the end of the phone for you
As confirmed by his actions in the show ring, he is a fine example of the breed, in particular he is short in the back (too many Golden Retrievers are now long in the back, which is leading to health problems, both with their backs and pressure put on leg joints by the length of their back) His short back is throwing forward in his off spring.
As he lives with his mother, litter sister and the 4th member of the family Molly, (who is in charge of absolutely everything) he is used girls, which goes a long way to explain why he us such a relaxed stud, he is very comfortable around bitches. He is so chilled and such a delight, he is here when the girls are in season, apart from the 3 days or so of ovulation.
This family of 4 are desperately happy together and Rostov has developed some fabulous strategies to cope with the girls. He has learnt to hide toys that he is particularly fond of, to prevent Tula or Mia from destroying them and he delights in retrieving them when they aren't looking. Whereas the girls will rush forward to greet people, he will swagger forward in his own time to ensure he has everyone's attention. He is a total show stopper. As well as being very laid back, he is exceptionally gentle and is a total delight to share a house with. i am delighted at how he has turned out, he is such a gentle soul and has been helping friends puppies, with socialisation and car travel, as he is so chilled about every situation, the youngsters just copy him.
It's looking very much like Rostov's chilled attitude is throwing forward into his off spring, much as this comes from his father
Rostov's laid back attitude continues, even when a bitch ready for mating is present. He listens to Susie, who handles him, consequently there's less of a likelihood of the bitch being unsettled or rushed
Rostov and his sister Tula both gained zeros in gonioscopy 20th April 2024, both their parents also have zeros, Riley's from this March. Zero is the best result achievable, and its a controversial test, that some breeders/stud dog owners are avoiding, because Zero is hard to come by and a poor result can skip a generation, obviously with 2 generations of Zero, much less likely to happen. It is £62 to test for, on top of the BVA eye test, but I consider it money well spent

Rostov is only available to fully health checked Golden Retrievers, with acceptable results.
I ask that pre mate checks are performed to make matters more straightforward for your bitch and Rostov, I'm happy to explain this and guide you to the best clinic, with a few tips at keeping the costs down!