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.

BREEDERS

Great Golden Retriever Breeders In Ontario

Thanks to Ainslie Mills and her team, the Golden Retriever Club of Canada (GRCC) has done a fantastic job in maintaining the high standards that have ensured not only the integrity of the dog shows, but the breed standards of the golden retriever. In case you are wondering, she is the chairperson of this particular club and has an amazing and unquestionable experience in breeding and dog shows. Before we even talk about the breeders in Ontario, Canada, let's do a little background on the breeders up there.

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We have to go back about 80 years to lay down the foundation of the breed in Canada. The Canadian club officially recognized the breed in 1927 and Col. Magoffin imported what would be the major foundational sires to the North American continent three years later. In 1933, the dog bagged the top awards in the shows, springing up a demand for the breed and thus the mushrooming of breeders to fill up the demand.

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What you want to do with your dog should help you a great deal in selecting a breeder. There are a number of breeders that have chosen to carve a niche. There are those for instance that breed purposely for the shows. If that's your thing, then you want to be dealing with those as they will likely only have the pedigrees or a line of champions. But if you just want a pet for the house, you may also consider the crosses and such as are not allowed in the dog shows (like white golden retrievers) but would be great at home.

Now, Like you probably already imagined, there's quite a bunch of seasoned breeders up Ontario as well that have stood the proverbial 'test of time' to remain credible breeders. With over 13 million people in this Canadian province, your odds are pretty high and you are bound to find one in no time. Hit the Canadian Golden Retrievers Club offices and get a list of recognized breeders in Ontario. You might want to shove the ones that are not in the affiliate list - why wouldn't they be??

But here are a few pointers anyway;

From Toronto, drive about for about an hour headed North in Shanty Bay and you will end up in a neat 30-acre farm that is home to Blackpool Kennels. They breed English type goldens and have been at it for 25 years running. The breed is really their thing and, don't forget to ask them about their 10 champions in the Various Canadian shows that have come from their kennels.

Eden Kennels, just half an hour trip south of North Bay in the Nipissing, Ontario district, have a self confessed keen endeavor to preserve the sports and working abilities of the breed. All their lines are constantly entered into the obedience, hunt, scent-tracking, and retrieving contests to ensure this. They breed both the American and the English type golden retrievers.

Others worth checking out are Chris-Haefen Kennels, Falcon Lakes Kennels, Pretty River Goldens, Joyso Golden Retriever, and Labyrinth Kennels.

Great Golden Retriever Breeders In Ontario

Kevin Taylor is a Golden Retriever Trainer and breeding enthusiast, and enjoys helping others get started in this amazing hobby by sharing information about golden retriever breeders ontario

His newest book,"The Ultimate Golden Retriever Training & Care Guide," teaches Golden Retriever owners and trainers everything they need to know about training and caring for their Golden Retriever. http://www.goldenretrievercentre.com

BREEDERS

Questions For Potential Labrador Retriever Breeders

Take a list of questions for a Labrador Retriever breeder written ahead of time when you visit them. This list will also be handy if you are going to be meeting a lot of Labrador retriever breeders at a dog show. If you meet a breeder online, you are still going to want to ask a lot of questions. You will be overwhelmed by all of the cute furry faces in order to trust your memory to recall the questions you need to ask.

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The questions that will tell you the most about any Labrador Retriever breeder will be what kind of contract do you require, when can I visit the kennels and are there any health warranties. If your potential breeder refuses to let you visit the kennel, say goodbye and move on. They may have something to hide. If your breeder doesn't do contracts, also move on, because they definitely have something to hide.

BREEDERS

You can tell a lot by what a Labrador Retriever breeder is like when you visit their home and kennel. Are they messy? Did they even remember you were coming? And does the place stink of dog poop? The place should be reasonably clean, smell okay and the dogs should appear clean, happy and friendly. It is normal to see some living outside most of the time in covered kennels. If you don't like what you see and smell, move on.

You also need to ask what the breeder considers a good home for one of his or her puppies. If they don't seem to care, then they certainly do not care about dogs. They are just after your money. A good Labrador Retriever breeder will go on and on about they kind of owner he or she wishes all Lab puppies could go to. They will also quiz you about your store of Labrador information to see if you are anywhere close to being their idea of a good Lab owner.

Although there are no certainties in the dog world, you can greatly reduce your chances of getting a raw deal and a sickly puppy by obtaining certain paperwork from the Labrador Retriever breeders. You need to see the health certificates of both of the puppy's parents, especially their hip dysplesia scores. If the breeder doesn't know what you are talking about, say goodbye. Hip dysplesia is the most common ailment among Labs and is carried by genes.

A contract also can help eliminate a lot of future headaches. It should list what the breed is responsible to provide and what they are not. They might even have clauses such as you having to go to them first if you are no longer able to keep the adult dog. You won't get your money back, but at least your dog will have a good home. Assume nothing. Great Labrador Retriever breeders will bring all of this up if you forget to ask.

Questions For Potential Labrador Retriever Breeders

Brooke Sunderland has experience dealing with canines and understands how important learning about a breed's history really is. Not only is the Labrador an attractive, statuesque dog but they also have a very long and complex history. The Internet is one of the best available resources when it comes to finding out further Labrador information regarding the history of Labradors.

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