Your Golden Retriever Breeder Guide

Are you in search of the perfect golden retriever puppy? Do you want to start breeding this wonderful and noble breed of dog? Whether you are a prospective dog owner, or you are a breeder beginner, this article is here to help you! This is a guide all about the golden retriever breeder.

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The first step to your quest is learning the Breed Standard for golden retrievers. The Breed Standard maintains the integrity of the breed by setting a descriptive standard for a purebred dog. Any reputable breeder uses the Breed Standard as a guide for his/her breeding program. The American and European (including British) Breed Standards are a little different for goldens. This is why American and European goldens each have their own distinctive look. Find the American standard at akc.org, and the British version at thekennelclub.org.uk.

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Good breeders will register all of their dogs. Any puppy and both of the parents should be registered, showing that they are purebred goldens. In the U.S., the breeder should be able to provide AKC registration paperwork. You can check the AKC registration number(s) with the AKC. In Britain, look for KC registration. Other national kennel clubs will be different such as the Australian National Kennel Council, and the Canadian Kennel Club. Breeders should maintain a 3-to 5-generation record of each dog's pedigree showing all of the dogs are purebred. Again, the registered names and numbers can be checked with the AKC, or the appropriate organization. By the way, charging extra for paperwork is against AKC rules. Finally, once a puppy is sold the breeder should provide a form to transfer registered ownership, so the puppy will be registered with the AKC or KC in the buyer's name.

What about 'snowy' looking golden retrievers? These beautiful dogs are technically a light cream color. Breed Standards don't allow a golden to have a 'white' coat. Cream goldens are European dogs. The AKC Breed Standard does not allow a purebred to have a shade of gold that pale. Registration for a cream puppy is a straightforward process in Britain or Europe. In America, a cream golden should have the distinctive look of a European dog. However, a puppy will generally have AKC registration because imported purebreds can be reregistered with the national kennel club. At some point, the puppy's parents or ancestors were imported. The breeder should be able to provide the registration form and number from the appropriate European kennel club.

Most golden retriever health problems are related to genetics. This is why it is so important for a breeder to screen each breeding pair before they have a litter of puppies. This testing is standard, and the certification paperwork should be shown to prospective buyers as a matter of course. There should be OFA certification for the hips (hip dysplasia) and elbows. A thorough breeder will also have Orthopedic Foundation for Animals certification for the heart and thyroid. CERF certification for eyes is important because goldens can often have cataracts when they are older. If you are a breeder, consider a DNA profile for your dogs and DNA testing for disease. Cancer is the leading cause of death for this breed.

It is a very good idea to visit the breeder before purchasing a golden retriever. Buying a puppy is a lifelong investment. Goldens live 10-15 years on average. Not all breeders are created equal. So, don't focus on only one breeder. When you visit a breeder, come prepared with a list of questions. A quality breeder will be knowledgeable about the breed, and passionate about his/her dogs. Make sure you spend time with each puppy's parents. This should be no problem. That way you can have a good idea of what your future dog will look like, and if the parents are healthy. Also, spend time with the litter. This way you can compare the personalities of the puppies. Finally, spend time with your puppy. Is he/she comfortable with you?

It takes a full time commitment to breed golden retrievers, and there are significant start-up costs. You will also need adequate and clean facilities and a lot of space to raise a litter of 8-12 puppies. You will have to be prepared to help with whelping. For example, the dam may need a caesarean at the vet if there is difficulty with whelping the litter. Puppies should not be sold until they are 7-8 weeks old. The puppies should also be socialized before they are sold, and they should be vaccinated and de-wormed. Buyers should be provided with written instructions for feeding, care, and training. A good breeder will also offer a guaranteed puppy contract, so the puppy can be returned within a reasonable time frame. Being a member of a breed club is a good idea, and they can also be a good source for advice.

Your Golden Retriever Breeder Guide

Laurence Burrows is a golden retriever lover, and trainer. For more great tips on the golden retriever breeder, visit http://www.loyalgoldenretriever.com.

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How Do You Choose a Good English Mastiff Breeder?

If you go to Google and type "English Mastiff Breeders," you will receive back almost 890,000 entries. How can you possibly select a reputable breeder?

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First of all, take your time. You are buying a dog that will be your companion and friend for at least the next 10 years. Take time to do research so you do finally choose a good breeder preferably a breeder that is one of the English Mastiff champion breeders. How will you know when you have found a good breeder? A good breeder will:

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Breed only Mastiffs that are show champions, quality animals that are typical of their breed in both appearance and temperament.

Have experience and not just be breeding a pet in the back yard to make some extra money.

They plan carefully which male and which female dog to mate, in order to pass positive qualities on to the next generation.

Have documentation from a veterinarian showing the parents are healthy and free from the most common diseases.

Allow you to meet the puppy's parents.

Take care of the English mastiff puppies, allowing them to stay full time with the mother for the first few weeks of life, providing quality food once they begin eating, and making sure they receive their initial shots.

They do not release the puppies from their mother until they are at least seven weeks old.

Register the puppies with the American Kennel Club (in the United States), the UK Kennel Club (in Great Britain), or another reputable dog club.

They offer a written contract.

It is vital that you find a reputable English Mastiff breeder, do your homework. Visit dog shows, read books and magazines, ask questions, and get recommendations.

You want to be certain that the English Mastiff breeder you choose is the right one because you will more than likely find that if you come across any English Mastiffs for sale then they will not come cheap.

How Do You Choose a Good English Mastiff Breeder?

For all the information on the largest mastiff ever and moreover; the mastiff breed of dogs in general then visit some of the mastiff dog websites that are available on the internet.

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Where to Find a Pet? A Breeder, a Store, an Animal Shelter - Advantages and Disadvantages to Each

Your goal to find a dog should be to obtain a healthy, well socialized, active temperamentally sound puppy or dog with a good start on life. If you take the time to seek out a reputable breeder, pet store, shelter or rescue group your chances of finding a dog with the characteristics above increases by 50%.

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Here are the Advantages and Disadvantages of all three.

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Breeders Advantages

o You'll often receive a healthy, well socialized breed with a good start on life. If the breeder has been breeding for some time, they know what they are doing.

o The breeder will include a contract with a health guarantee.

o Most of the time the breeders will have the mother and father on site for you to see.

o Sometimes the breeder will even have a history of past generations.

Breeders Disadvantages

o It can take some time and work to find a reputable breeder. (see my next report on 9 questions to ask a breeder)

o Purebreds are more expensive

o The breeder may only breed at certain times of the year. You may be ready for a pet, when the breeder doesn't have any. Sometimes the breeder will take orders for animals that are not even born yet. Putting you on a waiting list.

Pet Store Advantages

o You can often find animals with unusual physical characteristics for a specific breed.

o You don't need to do any groundwork.

o It is very convenient for an impulse buy. Although I do not recommend impulse buying. I think you should research what type of animal you want before purchase.

o I have found that sometimes in a pet store if one animal gets sick many of the other ones do.

Pet Store Disadvantages

o All of the above are also disadvantages.

o Also, usually in a pet store you are not dealing with a breeder, possibly a teenager behind the counter.

Animal Shelter Advantages

o You can save a dog or cats life

o Some people are not interested in dealing with raising a puppy, because of behavior or house training. An Animal Shelter allows you to adopt an older dog.

o The physical appearance of an older dog and any behavior problems will already be established. In others words, what you see is what you get an older dog.

Animal Shelter Disadvantages

o The animal may have been well taken care of (shots etc) or abused or/ and neglected before it arrived at the shelter.

o You may wind up with a pet that has behavioral or physical problems that you did not expect.

Breed or Rescue Groups Advantages

o The Rescue group advantages are the same for the Animal Shelter, plus it can be a great opportunity to own a retired champion. I know several people who have adopted greyhounds, and love them.

o Many animals that have been rescued have had basic training.

Breed or Rescue Group Disadvantages

o Rescue animals may be a great distance away from your home and possibly prove an unsuitable match after you bring them home.

o The screening process for getting a rescued animal is sometimes very strict.

Wherever you decide to find your dog always remember that a dog can be a valuable and beloved member of your household. If you give it the time and care it needs it will give that love back to you 10 fold.

Where to Find a Pet? A Breeder, a Store, an Animal Shelter - Advantages and Disadvantages to Each

Annette Masse, better known as Betty Bulldog has been loving and respecting dogs for 25 years. She offers free dog information for dog lovers. Including free puppy training classes. for your new pup or old dog. Keep those tails waggin!
Betty Bulldog
dogZdogZ.com

BREEDERS

Becoming a Successful Dog Breeder

Here we discuss what is needed to become a successful dog breeder and establish your own breeding kennel.

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Before you even start thinking about breeding dogs, you need to ask yourself: "Do I have everything that is required to start a breeding kennel?"

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What do you need to have to start a breeding kennel?

The most important thing that every dog breeder needs to have is knowledge about the breed. By knowledge about the breed, we do not mean you read a book on the particular breed. We mean that you and your family grew up with that breed and have years of first-hand experience with the breed in question, as well as, its specific needs. Also, you need to have plenty of space to exercise the dogs and a rural setting or a farm with a large property is usually preferred. Breeding dogs in the city is not recommended, especially considering that there are restrictions in some places on how many dogs you can have in your household and you do not know how your neighbors will react to your dogs.

To start breeding, you need to own a quality bitch, in most cases more than one. She will be the foundation of your kennel. You need to have enough funds to pay for your veterinarian bills and general care for your dogs and puppies. If you think that taking care of one dog is expensive, then you should not start a breeding kennel. The bitch and the puppies need to be registered with a kennel club such as the AKC (American Kennel Club) or CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) to prove that they are up to the standards of the breed. You also need to register your kennel which will involve paying for the membership and abiding by the rules of the club. Being a member of a club gives you advantages since you will be able to connect easier to a network of other breeders and be notified of special news and events available to members only. In most cases, breeders will take their dogs to shows and other types of competitions such as agility and obedience. This is where they can prove the quality of their dogs and their temperaments and preserve the true essence of the breed. Each time your dog wins a show or competition, he or she will win points and titles. These points show the quality of your dogs and your dedication to the breed.

Taking a dog to a dog show costs money, especially if you need to hire professional handlers or try to reach some of the more prestigious shows such as the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Some breeders/owners pay in the ,000-0,000 range to reach the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show with their dogs. Not only do their dogs have to be of the highest quality, but it also takes time and money to get there. This is why you will see that some dogs have more than one owner because they split the costs. Not being a member of any clubs just shows that you are not really interested in the breed and only care about producing and selling puppies.

Once the puppies are born, you have to be prepared to spend a lot of time with the mother and the puppies. In addition, each puppy needs to be health screened by a veterinarian, DNA profiled, and vaccinated. All of this costs money, so be prepared. You then have to decide which puppy to keep and which puppy will carry your breeding tradition. If you are unsure, then you can make contracts with the owners where it says that you are allowed to take their dogs to shows or competition whenever you wish to do so and thus earn points and promote your own kennel. You can then use that dog or bitch for breeding when the time is right.

Why do you want to start a breeding kennel?

You have to understand that breeding dogs is a very expensive and time-consuming hobby. If you just want to breed dogs for profit and ignore the consequences, you will soon find yourself labeled as a puppy mill and lose your reputation. If you want to become a reputable breeder and produce litters with the goal of improving the breed and keeping a puppy or two from the litter with which you would continue your efforts, then you will make a lot of friends along the way. Reputable and responsible breeders make very little money. Usually, they lose money and this is why we call this a 'hobby' and not a business.

How to find top quality stud dogs or bitches?

First of all, you need to fully understand the breed standard to pick a champion stud for your bitch ot to pick a bitch that will be part of your kennel. The best way to do it is to go to dog shows or competitions yourself and make connections with other well-respected breeders in the field. See if you can meet with them privately and discuss your plans. You can also visit different official breed club websites for your country and ask them for breeder references or look through their directory of breeders.

Many reputable and experienced breeders are willing to help as long as they agree with your intentions and plans. They can even tutor you on how to become a better breeder. If you become successful, then they will also benefit from it since you bought your bitch from them or their stud was used to inseminate your female. Having a champion stud or a quality bitch ensures that the puppies will be healthy and true to the breed's standards. Not all puppies are going to be show dogs, but those that cannot be shown in the ring can make great companions if they are healthy and with good temperaments.

It is always advisable to buy your future bitch or dog when they are puppies so that they can properly adjust to the new environment, which means that you will have to wait for a little over 2 years before you can start breeding them. This is why dog breeding takes patience and cannot be forced. You can expect to have to invest a lot of time and money before you can start breeding your dogs and producing litters. Only at this point will you see any returns on your investments depending on how skilled of a breeder you are and how lucky you are that all of your puppies are healthy, as well as, that their mother does not have any complications.

How to find buyers for your puppies?

Before you start thinking about producing a litter, you need to have a waiting list of potential buyers for the puppies you are going to produce. These buyers need to be screened to make sure they will be able to take care of their dogs and not abandon them at some point in the future. Breeding dogs without any plans is irresponsible and can lead to overpopulation. Breeding without first finding buyers can leave you with puppies that you may not be able to sell or for which you cannot take proper care. Usually, such breeders either sell them to pet stores (always a bad idea since the buyers are not screened and you can be sure that the puppies will be mistreated) or to anyone that shows up at their front door for a low price.

Aside from you having to be a responsible breeder, you need to find responsible buyers who will not contribute to the overpopulation at the various shelters. You will want to stay in contact with those buyers well after they have taken their puppy/dog home to make sure everything is going well and assist them if they need some help or advice. Sometimes, you will need to be prepared to take a puppy/dog back if the buyer cannot take care of him/her anymore. You also need to have a well-written contract where all of your responsibilities and guarantees are outlined, as well as, the responsibilities of the future owners. Having a well-written contract can save you from having a lot of headaches in the future and protect your kennel's reputation. If you are unsure what goes into a contract, ask a reputable and experienced breeder to show you one that you can user as a template to construct your own.

Dog breeding is not for everyone and as you see now, requires a lot of patience and work. You need to be prepared to spend thousands of dollars to run a successful breeding kennel and to always set your goals when you breed. Dog breeding can be a very rewarding experience and will allow you to meet a lot of interesting people who share the same love for the breed as you do. It will allow you to make long-lasting relationships and many friends along the way.

Becoming a Successful Dog Breeder

If you would like to find a purebred dog breeder in your area, visit our Dog Breeders Community. Responsible breeders are welcomed to join us, and showcase their healthy, sound dogs that reflect their proper breed standard.

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Finding a Good Havanese Dog Breeder

The Havanese breed is a cheerful, non-shedding breed growing in popularity in America. Their adorable big eyes and the whimsical way the hair falls over the face captures the heart of everyone! They are often called "hypoallergenic dogs" because they have real hair and no undercoat, so they don't shed. This dramatically reduces the dander that causes allergies. If this breed has won your heart and you are looking for a puppy to buy, you want to take your time and find the Right Breeder.

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The most important thing in getting a new puppy for your home is who you get it from. So many people go to a pet store where the puppies are most often supplied by puppy mills where the animals are treated horribly. The risks are very high when getting a puppy from an unknown environment. You want to be sure exactly where your dog came from and what environment it was raised in.

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First look online for a breeder in your area or within a few hours drive. Sometimes you have to drive a little to be sure you get the best puppy. You would search for example for "Havanese breeder in Tennessee". This will bring up a list of your options. Then you want to start making phone calls and talking with the owners. Ask them how the puppies are kept and where they sleep. Ask the breeder if the puppies are on the floor or if they are on a grate. Many breeders use grates in large cages so the poo and pee will go thru, but the puppy is still walking around on the residue that sticks to the grate and it's also painful on their little feet. That environment makes them harder to potty train as well because they are used to walking in their own feces. Being in even a large grated cage is a big red flag that they are not being properly socialized as well.

Ask the breeder about socializing and whether they are around children or other animals and are they around people most of the day. If you have a cat, make sure they have been exposed to a cat. Ask the breeder if the puppy is kept up to date on shots and wormings and if detailed records with lot numbers will be provided with their puppy papers. You can also ask if the breeder is doing anything to help with future potty training. A handful of breeders do take time to begin working with the puppies to make it easier for the new owners. Find out if you can go and see the puppy and see the dam and sire on site. This is the best way to see just how the puppy has been raised.

If you want a registered dog, ask the breeder how you will get your AKC or other registration papers. Be aware that many will not send the registration paperwork until after the dog is spayed or neutered and that is a good sign that they are being careful their puppies don't wind up in a puppy mill or with a careless breeder. You can find a more comprehensive list with these and more questions laid out in an easy to follow format at http://buyahavanese.web.officelive.com/QuestionsforBreeder.aspx Print it out and have on hand when you call breeders.

Finding a Good Havanese Dog Breeder

In Tennessee one of the best available Havanese breeders is KingsKids Havanese. Carol King has been breeding Havanese for several years and her natural perfectionist personality extends into how her dogs are handled and raised. They raise Havanese as their own little family. You can visit them at http://www.buyahavanese.com to find out more and look for available puppies. You will find the most loved puppies of the highest quality for your family. This Author grants you permission to re-print or re-publish this article so long as it remains unchanged and all links remain present and active.

Carol R. King,
KingsKids Havanese

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