Choosing a Breeder

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"Once you have done your research and you have decided which breed is most suited to your lifestyle and expectations, it is time to choose a breeder. You can meet breeders at dog shows, veterinarians offices, and internet research.

 

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Here are some of the criteria you want to follow in selecting a breeder:

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          • Choose an experienced breeder, one who has had several litters and who knows his breed.

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• Choose a breeder who has shown his dogs and has done some winning, which is a fairly good indication that his or her dogs conform to the standard of the breed and will grow up looking like the dogs you saw that attracted you to the breed in the first place.

• Choose a breeder who is using a Puppy Aptitude Test of some kind. If he or she hasn’t heard of this, show it to them; avoid one that says “I don’t believe in that.”

• Choose a breeder whose dogs are certified by the applicable registries against breed-related genetic disorders, such as eyes, hips, elbows and heart at a minimum.  Knowing the genetics of their dogs through parentage or DNA testing.

• Choose a breeder that will allow you to visit their home or facility. A place where you can interact with adult dogs, and get some idea how they live and are raised.

• Choose a breeder where the dogs are well housed and everything is clean and sanitary.

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​Thankfully, many ethical breeders today show a great willingness to have their puppies tested, and are interested in the results. It shows them the inherited behaviors of their breeding stock, valuable information for future breeding. The results make it easier for them to place the right puppy into the right home where people will be happy with them. After all, no breeder wants a puppy returned when it’s 8 months old and may have been ruined by being improperly brought up.

 

Whatever you do, don’t try to pick a puppy by having the entire litter together - you will not be able to pick the right one for you. Always interact with a puppy individually, away from its litter mates."

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We are always happy as breeders to speak with you further regarding adopting one of our wonderful Golden Retrievers.

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