Sonza Dobermanns & Golden Retrievers · Kowen ACT
Bred for the ring, the field and the lounge room.
Dobermanns since the early 1980s, Golden Retrievers since the late 1990s. A small kennel that breeds a couple of litters a year and tests everything before it does.
- Numerous Australian Champions
- Full genetic panel on every dog
- One or two litters a year
The kennel
Forty years of the same two breeds.
Sonza breeds dogs with the conformation to excel in the show ring, the disposition and intelligence for dog sports, and above all the temperament to be a pet the whole family can feel safe around.
John is a licensed conformation judge for the Utility and Gundog groups, and an obedience judge as well. The Dobermanns started in the early 1980s, the Goldens in the late 1990s. It has stayed a small kennel on purpose.
- Numerous Australian Champions and dog sports title holders
- One or two litters per year, no waiting list
- Homes chosen carefully, for the life of the dog
Fifty acres to grow up on. Sonza dogs are raised with room to run at Kowen.
Dobermanns
Black and rust, since the early eighties.
Golden Retrievers
Ch. Gunarryn Lets Twist Again
Known at home as Chequers. By Fantango Twist N Shout (AI) out of Ch. Fantango Whispering Secrets, bred by Felicity Dyer. A proven sire, available at stud to approved bitches.
- Hips 2:2, elbows 0:0, heart normal
- ACES ophthalmologist examination normal, February 2025
- DM, PRA1, PRA2, PRCD, MD and NCL clear
- Ichthyosis carrier, declared openly
Extended pedigree on K9Data.
Health testing
Everything gets tested. The results are published.
Health is the part of breeding that nobody sees and everybody inherits. Sonza tests thoroughly and puts the results on the page, including the ones that are not perfect.
Dobermanns
- vWD, with carrier status stated openly
- DCM1 (PDK4) and DCM2 (TTN)
- DINGS1 and DINGS2
- Degenerative myelopathy, narcolepsy
- Copper toxicosis ATP7A and ATP7B
- UC Davis VGL canine diversity testing, results on BetterBred
Golden Retrievers
- Hip and elbow scoring
- Cardiac examination
- Annual ACES ophthalmologist examination
- DM, PRA1, PRA2, PRCD, MD and NCL
- Ichthyosis status declared
Why this kennel is different
The vet is at the whelping box.
Every litter is born on a property with two full-time veterinarians living on it. Dr John has been a vet since 1972 and is a licensed conformation judge; Dr Hayden’s special interest is reproduction and breeding. Health checks, vaccinations and microchipping happen at home, before a puppy ever leaves.
See the veterinary clinic →Memories
The ones who came before.
“Ain’t but three things in this world that’s worth a solitary dime, but old dogs and children and watermelon wine.” Sonza keeps a page for the Dobes and Goldens that shaped the kennel: Shiraz, Ninja, Pearl, Fern, Noodle and Coyote.
Some were taken far too soon, others lived well into their teens.
One property, three Sonzas
The Montgomery family runs all three.
Veterinary Clinic & Boarding
Small animal practice, kennels and cattery. 4.7 from 349 Google reviews.
Visit the clinic →
Sonza Paint Horses
Breeding Paint Horses for halter and beyond since 1999.
Visit the stud →
Dobermanns & Golden Retrievers
Australian Champions bred at Kowen since the early 1980s.
You are hereGet in touch
Tell us about your home.
If you are interested in a puppy, send an email introducing yourself with some basic information about your home and lifestyle. Sonza chooses homes carefully, because a dog is a commitment for its whole life.
- Email: hayden@sonza.com.au
- Hayden: 0416 644 175
- Litters and older dogs are advertised on Dogzonline
PO Box 513, Queanbeyan NSW 2620