Based near Settle in the Yorkshire Dales
More than 10 years raising retrievers at Catrigg
Catrigg Retrievers is run from The Old Dairy in Langcliffe, near Settle, North Yorkshire. What started with our first two dogs, Molly and Jess, has grown over more than a decade into a breeding programme focused on raising retriever puppies for family and companion homes across the UK.
It started with Molly and Jess
Catrigg was never meant to become a large breeding operation. It began with Molly and Jess, our first two dogs. After breeding from them, what started with those early litters became something we carried on building over the years.
Molly and Jess are no longer with us, but they are where the Catrigg story began.
More than 10 years later, we still take a hands-on role with every litter, from the puppies’ first days through to the point they leave for their new homes at eight weeks or older.
Experience you can see, not just a badge on a website
We have been breeding retrievers for more than 10 years, but experience is only part of what prospective owners should look at when choosing a breeder.
Families are welcome to visit once a litter has arrived, meet the puppies with their mother and speak to us directly about the litter they are considering. That gives you the opportunity to ask questions, see where your puppy has been raised and understand how we work before collection day.
The kennel at a glance
- Breeder Ian McKenna
- Licence Five star licensed
- Licence number 10573
- Breed Fox red golden retriever
- Where The Old Dairy, Langcliffe, Settle
What matters at Catrigg
Our approach is built around the weeks we actually have with each litter. Puppies change enormously between birth and eight weeks, so those early experiences are used to gradually prepare them for the world beyond Catrigg.
Hands-on from birth
We are involved with each litter from the beginning. Puppies are monitored as they arrive and handled gently from their earliest days, with their development followed as they grow.
Prepared for everyday life
As the puppies develop, they are gradually introduced to different surfaces, outdoor spaces, household sounds and other everyday experiences. The aim is not to claim an eight-week-old puppy is fully trained. It is to make normal family life less unfamiliar when they reach their new home.
Raised with family homes in mind
Catrigg puppies are primarily bred for people looking for a retriever as a family or companion dog. The way they are handled and introduced to new experiences during their first eight weeks reflects the kind of homes we expect them to join.
Here after collection too
Our involvement does not end when a family leaves with their puppy. New owners can get back in touch if they need advice or have questions as their puppy settles in and grows.
What does a five star breeding licence mean?
Dog breeders that require a licence in England are inspected and given a rating by their local authority. The rating runs from one to five stars. A five star licence is the highest star rating within the current system and is awarded to businesses assessed as meeting the higher welfare standards while also achieving the required risk rating.
For somebody choosing a breeder, it provides an additional, independently assessed piece of information alongside seeing the dogs, asking about health testing and speaking directly with the breeder.
Catrigg puppies are registered with The Kennel Club, which records the puppy’s parentage and gives you a certificate and a recorded pedigree. That is what registration is. It is worth having, and it is separate from health testing and from the licence — ask for all three.
What a five star licence covers · What Kennel Club registration does and does not prove
Questions about Catrigg
Two that come up about the kennel. Questions about the waiting list, the deposit, visiting and collection are answered in full on the puppy availability page.
How long has Catrigg been breeding retrievers?
Catrigg has been breeding retrievers for more than 10 years. It began with our first two dogs, Molly and Jess.
Do you provide support after we take our puppy home?
Yes. We are available after collection if you have questions or need advice while your puppy settles into its new home.
Could your next retriever be a Catrigg puppy?
If you’re looking for a retriever to join your family, send us an enquiry and tell us a little about what you’re looking for. A member of our team will give you a call to talk through the waiting list, upcoming litters and any questions you have.
