Golden Retrievers – Choosing a Breeder
by Morgan Kennedy on Nov 17, 2008 with 0 Comments
You’ve decided that a Purebred Golden Retriever is the right dog for you! Now, a few tips on choosing the best breeder.
Choosing a Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are beautiful, intelligent dogs. They’re great for active families, and many Golden Retrievers are working dogs - guide dogs, search and rescue professionals, and even TV actors. While it’s easy to see the beauty of the dogs on the outside, and while every Golden Retriever puppy has a cute, fluffy coat, it is very important to make an informed decision when choosing a puppy.
The Cost Of A Puppy
While cost is certainly a factor when obtaining your puppy, you should take additional factors into consideration. Often, a “bargain” puppy can end up to be just the opposite. It is very important to remember that the initial price of the puppy is an investment that you are making toward a family member who will be with you for at least ten years and often much longer.
You can expect to pay at least $800 and often as much as $3,000 for a quality Golden Retriever puppy, depending on what services the breeder has offered and what is included in the price. Many breeders will ship their pups to you, while some prefer that you come in person to pick up your new pet. Either way, it’s important to be sure that he or she is healthy! Most reputable breeders offer a health guarantee and will promise in writing to take the puppy back if it has a genetic defect.
Ask whether any health services come with the puppy. Many breeders will deworm puppies and will provide the first set of puppy shots with the puppy. Many will also provide a letter from a veterinarian who has examined all puppies in the litter and determined that they are healthy and ready to go to their new homes.
Beyond Beauty – Basic Certifications
Underneath that gorgeous golden exterior are a few parts that a dog can’t function without. Unfortunately, these same parts are all too often omitted from the picture that the breeder presents to potential buyers. Health and longevity go hand in hand.
An honest, caring breeder will have nothing to hide, and will proudly show the certificates that the parents have earned for their health. Ask questions, and if the breeder seems evasive, it is probably wise to take your search elsewhere.
Eyes
Like many purebred dogs, Golden Retrievers can be susceptible to eye diseases which can be inherited from their parents. Cataracts are a common problem which can set in during a dogs’ middle years – near age five to six. Some dogs can be born with structural problems in their eyelids and eyelashes, including a painful disorder characterized by eyelashes that grow in toward the surface of the eye rather than out, away from the eye. In addition to these two problems that are easy to see with no special equipment, there are many other problems that can be identified by a veterinarian, including Retinal Dysplasia, Retinal Folds, Corneal Dystrophy, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
Most responsible breeders have their dogs’ eyes certified by the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF). Registration is not limited to professional breeders, so check with the individual you’re considering buying a puppy from to see whether they’ve had their dogs’ eyes certified. The CERF site includes a link to check certification, so that even if the owner has no paper certificate, you can check for yourself.
Heart
Just like humans, dogs can be susceptible to heart disease. “SAS” – Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis – or Subaortic Stenosis, is an example of a hereditary form of heart disease that occurs in large dogs, including Golden Retrievers. In recent history, there was no such thing as heart certification. Now, breeders can have their dogs’ hearts certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.
www.offa.org/cardiacgeninfo.html
Hips
Hip Dysplasia is a debilitating and painful degenerative joint disease which has become more common than ever due to irresponsible breeding. It’s common in most large breed dogs, and unfortunately Golden Retrievers can be afflicted with this disease. In the past, treatment for hip dysplasia was rare, but advancement in veterinary medicine has brought about a higher rate of surgical treatment. While treatment does bring a much greater quality of life to a dog suffering from hip dysplasia, a better course of action is preventing its occurance and the costly process of correcting it through careful screening of dogs who are candidates for breeding. The Orthopedic Foundation for animals and PennHIP both provide hip certification.
Finding A Responsible Breeder
One of the first things to be aware of is that nearly EVERY breeder will claim to be a responsible breeder! It is up to you to confirm that you’re getting a puppy from someone who really cares about the dogs, is interested and knowledgeable about the breed, and is a good caretaker to the animals.
Most people who provide purebred dogs to the public can say that their dogs are registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) or another professional registry organization. While this is a wonderful indicator that the dogs are indeed purebred, it is only proof of pedigree, not proof that action has been taken to breed only the healthiest dogs. Health certifications are of equal importance, if not even more important, than pedigree or champion lineage, so be sure to do your homework and draw up a list of questions to ask the breeder you’re considering buying a puppy from. Bringing dogs into the world intentionally is considered questionable by some, and much of the blame falls squarely on irresponsible breeders who should not be encouraged to continue to breed dogs solely for the sake of profit. Great breeders take responsibility for and pride in the health of the dogs who represent them!
Before you begin your search for a breeder, there are some things to take into consideration.
Kennel Facilities
Some breeders will throw the door open and welcome you with open arms, while some will ask that you take precautions to prevent the spread of disease from the outside to their facilities. Still others will say anything to keep you from visiting, and will not have any photos of their dogs or their living conditions available for review. In fact, they may never invite you to visit, not even to pick up your puppy – they’ll insist on meeting somewhere in the middle.
Some might let you visit as soon as puppies are born, and some might wait until “puppy pick out” time. Some might choose your pup for you, others will let you choose. If it’s important to you to pick out your own puppy, be sure to ask if that is an option. Often it’s the puppy who chooses you – either way, you might get to meet him or her before time to go home. Some kennels have set visiting hours and will make an appointment for you to just come visit. Most of them won’t have an open door policy – since most breeding facilities are also people’s homes and ranches, they like to know who is coming so that they can meet you. Many breeders are choosy about who takes their puppies home, and the very best will ask you to sign a contract stating that you must provide your Golden Retriever with a healthy, happy environment. Some request that if you must relinquish your pet, you’ll give the breeder first right of refusal. Take this as a good sign that the breeder cares about the dogs’ welfare even after they leave their birthplace!
While there might be a little odor of ”dogginess” or a little bit of waste on the ground, kennel facilities in general ought to be clean. You should never smell an overpowering urine smell, there should be no buildup of animal feces, and the dogs should have access to outdoor runs as well as shelter from the elements. If dogs are kept in outside pens without evident shelter, ask to see where the dogs go when inclement weather strikes.
Ask about the kennel’s cleaning routine, and someone should be able to give you a positive answer. Daily cleaning of all areas where dogs eliminate bodily waste is necessary for their health and well being!
Adult Dogs
Golden Retrievers are friendly, active dogs. They need regular interaction with humans and positive interaction with other dogs that they live with. They need room to play and run. When you visit a facility that is home to happy dogs, you ought to see their lively faces eagerly greeting you as you approach.
Adult dogs on site should be well nourished and should have healthy coats. Golden Retrievers require grooming on a regular basis, so if grooming facilities are not in evidence, you may want to ask about the grooming that they receive. Watch for overgrown toenails and excessively matted coats. This being said, it’s normal for Golden Retrievers to be wet or dirty from playing. Some of the very best breeders provide play areas for their dogs that include dirt and water features, so use your judgment to differentiate between dirt from doggy fun and the dull, dirty coats that come from neglect and inadequate nutrition.
Puppies
It is fairly normal for breeders to allow prospective owners to see but not touch puppies. Others will allow interaction. Either way, it can be easy to tell whether the pups are happy and healthy.
You may get to see puppies soon after they are born. Their whelping facilities should be clean and dry, with a soft place to lie down and room for the mother to stretch out comfortably. If you don’t see where the puppies were born, you can always ask. Reputable breeders will be more than happy to explain the process to you and may even show you the facilities. Some do have mothers give birth inside their homes, so it’s important to respect privacy if that’s the case.
Puppies will start to toddle around before their eyes are completely open. They will even start to vocalize with each other. Soon after they’ve got their eyes open, they ought to be much more playful, although they will still spend most of their time taking puppy naps.
You might smell a little fresh puppy poo, but again, there should not be evidence of old urine or feces. Watch out for puppies who appear to be lethargic, thin, or bloated. The puppies ought to appear to be interested in people, each other, and any adult dogs in the area, even if they’re away from their mother.
Pet Store Puppies
Be very careful if you are considering purchasing a puppy from a pet store. Some pet stores tend to be the brokers that substandard breeders turn to in order to sell their puppies. If at all possible, it is much better to meet the breeder, see the dogs’ living conditions, and meet the parents of the puppy you’re considering. If you’re wondering about the breeder’s reputation, you can always ask for references from previous clients or take a look at their website. Breeders who are proud of their dogs normally have a guest book on their sites that prospective buyers can look at!
Where To Look
There are several good places to begin your search for the “Gold” at the end of the rainbow! While the search for the perfect puppy for you might take some time and effort, it’s certainly worth it! One tried and true method for finding a great breeder is old fashioned word of mouth. You might have a friend or neighbor who has a wonderful, healthy dog. Talk to them about where they got their pet, and if you’re lucky, you might find a professional breeder who has puppies available or on the way.
Sometimes you can find good quality puppies in local newspapers, or in magazines geared toward dog owners.
The internet can also be a good resource – just use your faithful search engine. Happy hunting!
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