With just a little research I found a decent breeder! I tried to make it too hard, but I did find a breeder that does what I want and need...check it out!

• Vet checked three times before adoption.
• Both parents are OFA cleared for hips.
• All shots and worming.
• Written one year health guarantee.
• Raised indoors from birth to adoption.
• Starter kit with food, toys, etc...
• Not adopted until after 8 weeks.

I just felt like these were the basic necessities for what my particular needs are as a CD owner. The breeder was well spoken, and welcomed any and all of my questions. Her photos and description of the parents were spot on for what I am looking for in a golden,and she had no arrogance in her demeanor regarding her dogs. I think I may have found my breeder. Is there anything else that anyone could recommend?

What about clearances for elbows, eyes and hearts? These are just as important, and perhaps more important, than clearances for hips. Elbow dysplasia can be more debilitating than hip dysplasia, as can heart issues.

What does the health guarantee say, exactly? Does it require the return of the original puppy? Refund your money towards any necessary surgery?

How are the puppies socialized? Raised indoors does not necessarily mean raised in the house and socialized to household activities and noises. It could mean raised in a barn or outbuilding.

Don't think you have to settle because "all" you want is a companion-you need a healthy puppy with the best possible start in life to become a loving companion. A dog who requires expensive surgery for dysplasia, or who has a shortened life because of heart issues, or who develops serious eye issues is probably not what you have in mind for a family pet.

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Linda
Tahnee Golden Retrievers

Also the clearances should go a few generations back.

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Raised inside from birth? Does that mean the pups will not have felt grass, dirt, gravel, cement etc until they go home? Not climbed steps or seen bushes/trees/flowers?

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Golden moments shared with
Casey, Faelan, Towhee & Brady too !

and forever in my heart, my golden Bridge boys
Rowdy & King

well. dayum. it seems as though I have found contradicting views on what I should be looking for. raised inside and questioned what inside means...then the poor dog has never felt grass or dirt...then the clearances should go back through ancestry dot com...then the written guarantee (money back or exchange of puppy) isn't to the standards of a $10k dog owner how bout being a little arrogant ladies and gentlemen. None of you bothered to access your reading comprehension skills on the original post...I said very plainly that the animal met my needs and had what I was looking for. Do you think that in all of my fifty years of age, and 45 years of dog ownership I had no clue of what my needs were? My last golden was an inbred and from bastards, yet I had people "in the know" want him for stud when they saw him until they found out he did not have a piece of paper telling me, him, and the rest of the world that he wasn't the smartest, most intelligent dog in the county.
I asked for additional information/recommendations in my OP...not ridicule or second guessing of the information I found. Having owned goldens for nearly 30 years, but not having selected a puppy in 20, I began to wonder what all the hubb-ubb was all about, but now I am beginning to see. Arrogance of the educated without knowledge once again rises to the top.

Actually, I think they are valid questions - perhaps not to you in your expereince, but to the younger people that may come across this thread in the future.

You need to be happy in your decision, and it is not rocket science but I think everyone who commented is a member in good standing of the GRCA and we are charged with maintaining their standards.

Insulting us for legitimate questions is perhaps premature. You did ask if there were further things you should look for.

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Golden moments shared with
Casey, Faelan, Towhee & Brady too !

and forever in my heart, my golden Bridge boys
Rowdy & King

To quote you, well, dayum!

I didn't see any arrogance or rudeness in those replies, nor do I think any was implied. The ideas they bring up are sound - it's a good idea to check for all clearances, and to watch the wording of the contract carefully to ensure you're getting the most help from a breeder you can. A health guarantee is no good if it doesn't cover, say, finding out the dog has a heart or eye problem.

The reason you check ancestry is the same reason your doctor asks you if you have any family history of diseases - you'd want to know if there was a higher risk of your dog developing lymphoma or hip dysplasia or any of the other diseases that strike these beautiful dogs more commonly so you can plan accordingly.

Asking whether the dog is raised solely indoors is important because you don't want a puppy who is scared of the unknown when the unknown is everything outside the front door.

You sound really sure of your decision, which is great, I'm glad you found a breeder you like. That's the most important thing to me, besides all this health mumbo-jumbo. Congratulations!

But to discount the advice you've been given as "arrogance of the educated without knowledge" is a little rude, especially when you came on and asked for advice.

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“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm. As you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.” (Audrey Hepburn)

Arrogance? If the animal meets your needs and you feel no one should comment suggesting there is more to finding a healthy animal than your 7 requirements, why bother posting asking people to check it out, and when they do and voice their opinions call it arrogance?

If you can't see helpful suggestions as anything more than what they are, most definitely not ridicule, I'm not sure what you are looking for. Are you wanting someone to say great job? Is that it? If it is, keep looking for that approval. In the mean time other aspects of finding puppies with a back ground (documented pedigree, and clearances) will continue to be posted for those who are open to learning.

I consider myself 'in the know', and I wouldn't have touched your dog for breeding either, even if it was the absolute most perfect Golden ever to be born. With no documented background for all I know the sire and dam died at 3 of cancer and all 4 grandparents were epileptic until they died at 5.

You may want to reread your post, and see what arrogance really is.

Good luck with your puppy!!

Rob

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Conquerer Golden Retrievers
http://www.conquerergoldens.com

To the OP, please tone down your posts and keep this civil. There is no need to be rude. People are trying to help you here. If you cannot be polite we will close the thread.

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All valid questions indeed. However, the OP's tone may have seemed offensive. Previously I have seen many replies regarding this same topic that are very condescending in nature. Especially when some people "settle" on a breeder who doesn't meet the standards of the majority. Then the bandwagon gets flooded with negative posts and people don't get answers.
Personally, I have a Chocolate Lab and it's only guaranteed to an extent. She's fully registered and perhaps one of the best dock diving competitors in the state, obeys complex commands, and is fantastic with people/children. And has a very clean bill of health. For only $200.00

What I'm saying, is that I believe the breeding business has pulled the wool over many eyes
in creating this complex that your dog has to be genetically "appropriate" in order to be acceptable. Unfortunately, it is necessary to do this due to lack of responsibilities in previous breeding strains.
All in all, there's been a commonality amongst breeding forums that mirrors elitism that unwelcomes concerned folks as the OP of this thread.
Although, rude. His point is valid. Prolly should've been titled something else though.