Things to think about before buying a Golden

Please take the time to read

Before rushing out to buy a Golden Retriever puppy (or for that matter any puppy) first of all do your homework.   There are many questions you should be asking  yourself.   Then there are the questions to ask the breeders you will encounter along the way when searching for that new family member.

We cannot stress strongly enough not to buy a puppy on impulse or a whim.  Owning a dog is a lifetime commitment and you must be willing to put the necessary time and effort  into raising a new puppy.  In choosing a puppy, you have to visualize what the adult dog will be like both physically and in its behavior.  Also how it will fit into your home facilities, as well as into your life style.  

A Golden Retriever is a large dog.  They have a thick dense coat that requires regular daily grooming and yes they do shed all year around.  Some Goldens love to dig, so be prepared not to own the best lawn in the neighborhood.  Also expect to be washing dirty floors and walls more often.  If the hair shedding and dirt are going to be a problem this is definitely not the breed for you.

The  Golden Retriever requires lots of exercise and attention.  They  "demand" tremendous amounts of human companionship, seemingly needing more social interaction with people than most other breeds.  Goldens that are left alone for extended periods of time, day after day, become bored.  Sometimes this can incite excessive barking which can be annoying to your neighbors.  If work or school keeps your family away from home 6 to 10 hours a day, please do not choose a Golden. 

Goldens are a very active breed requiring lots of exercise on a daily basis.  A secure fenced yard is a must.  This will allow your Golden to go out to have some exercise in a safe environment.  This is by no means the only exercise he or she should receive as an adult.  Regular walks and runs in safe areas are a must as well, regardless of the weather. 

Goldens are intelligent and can learn very quickly given the right guidance from an early age.  Puppy socialization classes can be started as young as 12 weeks and obedience classes can follow starting at 5 to 6 months.  Both of these will ensure your dog develops into a good canine citizen and will help it develop good manners.  Both of these are a must with a breed that is of this size and activity level.  There are many activities you and your Golden can become involved in that will not only help with the human contact requirements but also for the stimulation and exercise that is required to keep you and your Golden happy.  Some of these activities in which you and your Golden can become involved - obedience, agility, tracking, hunt tests to name a few.  We would be more than happy to supply names of trainers in your area that would be able to help you get started with your new puppy.

If you still think that this is the breed for you and your family then your work is just starting.  Finding a good supportive breeder is your next step.  Look for a breeder that is going to ask you a lot of questions but who is also be willing to answer all your queries.   

Things to look for when trying to find the right breeder:

Make sure both the sire and dam of the litter have all their clearance documentations in order.   This means that the breeder has had veterinary specialists examine their (but not necessarily limited to) hips, elbows, eyes and heart prior to using them for breeding purposes.  The hips and elbows must be x-rayed after the age of two years, and then certified through the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation Association), OFA will only accept and grade hips and elbows for their final grading after the age of 24 months.  Though the hips can also be certified by OVC (Ontario veterinarian College) after the age of 18 months we highly recommend the x-rays to be taken after the age of 24 months even with OVC.  The eyes should be examined on a yearly basis by a Board Certified Ophthalmologist.  Their hearts should be checked once, after the age of one year, by a Board Certified Cardiologist.  Ask the breeder to show you the proper clearances for the sire and dam.  They should be willing to fulfill this request.    

Seek the breeder whose first concern is producing puppies of sound temperament and structure .  Also look for a breeder who is not only knowledgeable and experienced, but whose responsibilities are also directed to the betterment of the breed.  Search for puppies that are home raised and well socialized.  Those first 8 or 9 weeks are very important for the future development of the puppy.  

We cannot stress enough the importance of a well-socialized puppy.

We feel the puppies should remain together as a litter until at least 8 weeks of age so they have the opportunity to interact not only with mom, but with each other.  You should always be able to view mom when you go to visit the litter.  Her temperament and actions will be a good indication on how the puppies will be as she has played the major role in raising them for the past few weeks.  It is not always possible to see the sire as many breeders send their females away to be bred or do breedings through the use of fresh or frozen semen that has been shipped from a distance.  You may pay more for a puppy from a responsible breeder but the knowledge and wealth  of information they will be willing to give you in raising your puppy will pay off in the long run.  Remember you are purchasing something that you are going to have for companionship for the next 12 to 13 years. Don't make a hasty decision. 

Ask the breeder if they belong to any breed clubs (National or Local).  These clubs each have a code of ethics  the breeders are required to follow  with regards to the breeding sound dogs.   

These will include but not limited to:-

Your puppies final registration papers should be given to you within six months from the date of purchase.  A good breeder will also be willing to take the puppy or adult back for any reason or help you find a suitable home.  Most reputable breeders have a contract into which this stipulation is built.  

Remember,  just because a breeder belongs to either the CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) or AKC (American Kennel Club), this does not provide any guarantees or mean they have to perform to any specifically ethical standards.   These are only breed registries who deal strictly with registrations.  When we sell puppies that are going to family homes as pets, they will be placed on a CKC non-breeding contract.  Also they will be required to be spayed of neutered by a specific age as stated in our contract.

Things to avoid when trying to find the right breeder:

You do NOT want a breeder

You do NOT want a puppy from a female who is not at least two years of age.  Besides possibly not having all her final clearances, we feel they are not mentally ready to be raising a litter as they are still puppies themselves.  

Be careful of breeders that want to get rid of their puppies as early as six  weeks of age.  After this age they start to become more work and cost more money to the breeder to raise.  But again it is important for the puppies to stay together longer in order to learn how to interact with each other and learn social behavior.

Avoid the breeders who sell their puppies without registration papers so it is cheaper to you initially.  Usually there is a reason they are not registered.  This may be:-

Remember no one can sell a "registered" dog (in Canada) unless they are going to be supplying you with registration papers within the appropriate time frame.  It is against the Agriculture Canada livestock law.  

Stay away from a litter if Mom  is nervous and snappy around her puppies or you.  You do not want a puppy from that litter, as mom will pass some of her temperamental traits onto her puppies.  If the puppies are not being raised in the house, being well socialized or the environment is dirty and over crowded think again about purchasing a puppy from that breeder.  

A good reputable breeder should be available to you for the many questions you may have once your get your new addition home.

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If you would like further information or have any questions please feel free to contact us by e-mail or phone and we would be more than happy to help.

We have included a Check List linked to the litter page, it consists of questions to ask yourself and the breeders you will be contacting in your search for that new puppy.  Please take the time to print it off.