About us
Hello to everyone reading this!
My name is Željka Rakonić Goldin, and I’m the owner of InGold’s Kennel – a small Border Collie kennel located in Kerestinec, near Zagreb.
I was born in 1985 in Vinkovci, where I completed both primary and secondary school. I graduated in Croatian Language and Literature in Osijek, and after earning my degree, I got a job at an elementary school in Zagreb, where I worked for ten years as a Croatian language teacher. During that time, I fell in love with Border Collies and, in the meantime, became a mother to two daughters – Lara and Ema.
In recent years, I’ve completely changed my career path and become the Head of Sales at Miholić usluge – a company specializing in GPS vehicle tracking (www.pratimte.com) – and something totally cool: camper van rentals at Kamperi.hr.
My first Border Collie entered my life in 2012, and since then I’ve been absolutely fascinated by this breed. In 2013, I started training with my dogs in Search and Rescue, and in 2020, I became a certified instructor for rescue dog work.
“Ellie” (Dolce & Gabbana At Real Pearl) has passed the highest-level exams for locating missing persons in both forest and rubble conditions, while “Kia” (DB Never Stop Dream For InGold’s) has successfully passed the pre-tests for the same disciplines.
When it comes to Border Collies, I have to emphasize how much I adore this wonderful breed. Our lives have completely changed since the first Border Collie joined our family.
Our dogs are part of our family – they live with us in the house and go wherever we go, including holidays and all kinds of trips. They are well-socialized and comfortable in every situation.
I’m well aware that Border Collies need both mental and physical activity, so I train with my dogs every day in various dog sports such as Search and Rescue, agility, frisbee, obedience, and tricks — and occasionally, we even work with sheep.
The goal of my breeding program
My goal is to breed high-quality Border Collies – healthy dogs with perfect temperaments, strong will to please their owners, well-developed drives, and plenty of energy. I strive to produce active family members capable of excelling in any dog sport, who also possess beautiful conformation that can be proven in the show ring.
All of our breeding dogs have X-rays of hips, elbows, and shoulders (HD, ED, OCD), are DNA-tested for all relevant genetic diseases (CEA, CL, TNS, MDR1, IGS, …), and undergo annual eye examinations (CEA, PRA, CAT, RD, glaucoma).
With great care, experience, and expertise, we are dedicated to every aspect of the development, health, and socialization of our dogs and puppies.
Puppies 🙂
Puppies from my breeding are born and raised in our home, where they are exposed to everyday sounds, scents, different people, children, objects, toys, and car rides…
Puppies go to their new homes at 8–9 weeks of age. They are microchipped, vaccinated, and treated for internal and external parasites. Each puppy comes with an FCI-recognized pedigree and an EU passport. When they leave for their new home, they also take a “puppy starter kit” (toys, collar and leash, food for the first few days, a clicker…) along with a folder containing all documents and information for the new owners, ensuring the beginning of their life together is as smooth as possible.
All puppies are sold with a contract that includes a breeder’s health guarantee, notarized by a public notary.
I always strive to find only the best new homes for my puppies, so I sell them exclusively to carefully selected owners. I consider the environment in which the dog will grow up because I want the effort and love I invest in them during their first weeks of life to be further nurtured by their future owners, ensuring that the puppies become irreplaceable members of their families.
How did it all begin?
It was love at first sight! The moment I saw a Border Collie for the first time, I immediately fell in love. I started researching and learning about the breed… and reading all the incredible stories and experiences of others made me fall in love even more. Honestly, I was a little scared when I decided to get my first Border Collie because I wasn’t sure if I was the right person for such an active breed. But I knew I needed someone who would get me moving — and I realized only a Border Collie could do that…
Very soon, my first Border Collie, Jessie, came into my life. She was wild, hyperactive, and incredibly smart! I was teaching her, but at the same time, she was teaching me, and she quickly became a part of me. With her, I trained tricks (dog dancing), obedience, and Search and Rescue.
When Jessie turned one year old, I welcomed a new member into our family — Ellie — so gentle and sweet, yet full of working energy. The two of them adored each other!
When Jessie was two years old, she developed epilepsy, which escalated six months later when she had 17 seizures in a single day. Nothing helped, and I had to make the heartbreaking decision to euthanize her — the hardest choice of my life.
A year later, I decided it was time for a new family member, and Kia came into our lives, bringing endless joy and happiness!
Over all these years, I’ve learned so much about the breed (and I’m still learning), studying bloodlines, health, appearance, and working abilities. I realized it was time for my first litter, so I established InGold’s Kennel with the goal of breeding healthy, active, stable, and beautiful Border Collies.
