Be A Smart Puppy Buyer!!

There are Golden breeders and then there are Golden breeders.
 

Anyone can say that their dogs are show dogs......are they currently showing????
Anyone can say that their pedigree's are full of Champions.....how many generations ago????
Anyone can say that the dog is AKC registered......so what.
Anyone can say that they have done "clearances".....if so, what clearances and can they show you the certificates????
Anyone can say they have GREAT temperaments........can you meet the parents, what are they like???

 

Be a knowledgeable buyer!

Please be aware that there are ways that you can check to make sure that you are being told the truth.

You can check the AKC website (www.akc.org) to see if the dogs in the pedigree you plan to buy are indeed registered Champions, or pointed .
 

 ASK the breeder to provide you with copies of health clearances. You can check the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) to see if the sire and dam of your dog do indeed have hip, elbow, heart and thyroid clearances. If the other dogs in the immediate pedigree have hip clearances.

ASK to see the CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) certificate and check the site to see if the dogs do indeed have eye clearances. If they do not have CERF numbers you should insist on receiving a copy of the Veterinary Ophthalmologist report.

The breeder should offer you copies of all the clearances and also at least a 3 generation pedigree.

Many breeders enter their dogs pedigrees at www.k9data.com  go there and check out the pedigree.   Does the breeder have knowledge of the dogs in the pedigree...........or do they just "want their kids to get a chance to see the miracle of birth" so they had a litter of puppies.

 

First and foremost.....study the  breed standard.  Learn what a Golden Retriever should be.......how big, color, temperament, characteristics, movement, structure..........there is so much to learn. 
 

Ask about guarantees...........and what exactly do they mean.

What happens if the dog gets hip dysplasia, eye problems, SAS, siezures??  Will they give you a refund?  Will they replace the dog?  Do you have to send them the dog back?  Who pays for shipping the dog?  What happens to the dog once it is returned to the breeder?  Who is responsible for the vet bills?  Are you entitled to a refund if the dog develops a disqualifying fault?
When the guarantee says refund OR replacement are you able to CHOOSE which litter you will take a replacement from?

ASK ASK ASK!!!
 

How do you feel about the breeder you are talking to?
Does the breeder carefully screen potential puppy buyers or do you get the feeling that as long as you can pay the price you will get a dog? Do they ask to meet with you in person if at all possible?  Do they want you to come and meet their dogs, are they happy to let you visit their home/kennel?  Do they let you see where the dogs are kept, or do they bring out "a" dog for you to see?

Is the breeder happy to supply references of other people who own their dogs?

Buying a puppy is a life long arrangement. You should be planning on living with this Golden for the life of the dog, ten to twelve years at least.



If a breeder is unwilling to answer your questions, or supply references RUN until you find a breeder who will.

You can find a good breeder. The purchase of a Golden Retriever to live with you for its lifetime is not something to be rushed into.

Contact the Golden Retriever Club of America.
Contact a GRCA puppy referral person.

The Golden Retriever Club of America is a wonderful source of information...........be sure to read:

ACQUIRING A GOLDEN RETRIEVER

Learn how a litter of puppies should be raised and socialized. How much time and effort it takes to raise a litter.

A Golden puppy that has not been socialized and raised with a lot of attention may not become the dog you hope for.

Know that acquiring a Golden Retriever, whether a puppy or an adult, should be a huge commitment, one that will be your responsibility for many years and one that will provide you with some of the happiest times of your life and all the love you could ask for.

Please feel free to use any and all of this information to help educate puppy buyers. This information can apply to any breed.