Golden Retriever Breeders

Guidelines For Choosing Golden Retriever Breeders

Shopping for a Golden Retriever breeder can take some time. Not all puppy breeders are the same. There are a lot of golden retriever breeders out there that unfortunately put profits ahead of quality.

Once you have found a Golden Retriever breeder you feel is responsible, it is time to ask some questions. Below is a list to help you through the process. Some of this may sound a little overboard, but to responsible puppy breeders, this is nothing unusual.

1. Do both parents have hip clearance from the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Ask to see the certificates. “My vet okayed the x-ray” is not a valid clearance.

2. Do both parents have current eye clearances from an Ophthalmologist or a CERF certificate (Canine Eye Registry)? This needs to redone every year. Ask to see the certificates.

3. Do both parents have veterinary clearance, preferably with ultra sound by a canine cardiologist, on their hearts. Ask to see the certificates.

4. Are both parents at least 2 years old? Final hip clearances cannot be obtained before that age.

5. How often is the female bred? If it is every heat cycle, this is too often, and may indicate that this golden retriever breeders primary motive is profit.

6. Is this Golden Retriever breeder willing to provide you with references and telephone numbers of other people who have purchased puppies from them?

7. Is there a written guarantee against congenital health or temperament problems, which does not require you to return your puppy or euthanize it?

8. Have the puppies been raised in the home—not in a kennel, barn, or back yard?

9. Do the golden retriever breeders provide you with a 3-5 generation pedigree, a contract to sign, copies of all clearances and guarantees, health records and materials to help you with feeding, training and housebreaking?

10. Do the puppies seem healthy, with no discharge from their eyes or nose, no loose stools, and no foul smelling ears? Are their coats soft, full and clean? Do they have plenty of energy when awake, yet calm down easily when gently stroked?

11. Do the puppies have their first shots, and have they been wormed and vet checked by the time they go to your home?

12. Do the golden retriever breeders have only one or at the most two different breeds of dogs available. If there are more than that, chances are the breeder may be in it for the money, and may not be able to devote the time needed to become really knowledgeable about the breed, or improving it.

12a. If there are several litters there at the same time, it may be hard for the breeder to give the puppies the attention they need those first few critical weeks.

13. Does the breeder belong to a Golden Retriever Club and/or a local All-Breed Club, or Dog Breeders Club

14. Do you feel comfortable with this person. Are you feeling pressured or intimidated? If so, keep looking!

This list should help you choose a good breeder. It is meant to give you a checklist of the things that are important. You may not find any golden retriever breeders that fit all of the above, but if you find one that conforms to most of this list, you should end up with a great puppy.
Keep your Golden happy, healthy, and obedient