I've been recommended Copper Lee Goldens from a friend and we are looking into them. Does anyone have any experience with them or any info that may be helpful in our decision process? We were told they check hearts and eyes, OFA hips and elbows and ensure proper temperment.

Their website looks encouraging, but I dont see info listed (outside of some names) on their dogs. Searching on OFFA does bring up quite a few dogs under the Copper Lee name, most of which have at least Hip testing done, and many with hips/elbows or more.
They are based out of Glenn Mills, PA and have been established since 1974 according to their website.

The current litter is sired by Westben Copper Lee Artful Move
The dam is Copper Lee Another Darling

Any feelings one way or the other about this pairing based on OFFA health lineage?



Thanks for your assistance!

The dam of the litter has OFA hip and elbow clearances, practitioner heart clearance, no listed eye clearance. Only her sire is on OFA, no OFA clearances on her dam. The sire of the litter has OFA hip and elbow clearances, practitioner heart clearance, and no listed eye clearance. I, personally, would never breed one of my girls without a cardiologist heart clearance. And most certainly would never breed to a stud dog without a cardiologist heart clearance. I could do practitioner heart clearances on my dogs, but would never consider it... You should ask the breeder for current eye clearances... Copper Lee has been around for a long time.

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Janice and The Celebration Gang -
"Samantha, George, Tiki, Emily, Mick and Basil" Gone but not forgotten, Sally(Windjammer's Ima Country Girl CDX CGC), Laney(Mandell Marlenes Celebration UD RA CGC), and Cookie(Starseeker's Kissmas Cookie CDX RE CGC).

I didnt see the litter info on their site for some reason. Notsure how i feel about their "foster" program..couldnt find the dam on offa?

Finally found it.. I agree with Sallys mom, practitioners heart clearance..not what is recommended.

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Alison and 2 Furry Kids and 2 non furry kids

Lilly- Golden DOB 1/28/11
AKC name: Goldridge Lights Action Lilly RN CCA
http://k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=433352
Sanford- JRT DOB-9/5/06

Bridge dogs
Toby-Boxer 10 yrs. old (rescue) 9/17/2002-11/1/12
Charlie- Boxer (1st "child" together)2/19/02-3/18/12
Julie- golden retriever ( my heart dog) 5/6/96-3/3/07
Ruby- terrier/chow mix (my 1st dog) 8/1/90-1/15/05
Rusty-shih tzu (million dollar dog) 2/5/99-1/20/04

This is very valuable input from a respected member of this forum. Please consider using this forum's search feature and check for suggestions on reputable breeders in your region. Also check regional golden retriever clubs for their puppy referral information. It sounds like your could really do A LOT better with some more research. Best of luck with your search.

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Ellie and Mack

Thank you all for your input.

Sally's Mom- I appreciate the legwork and the advice, Thanks! I also noticed the lack of info on the dam as well as the practitioner clearance you observed.

Nolefan- I have also contacted several other reputable breeders as recommended on the site like Darby Hill Goldens, Lycinan, Stonecroft, etc. Just trying to explore our options. We had actually been directed to this breeder by a friend who sourced their golden from her.
Thanks!

We have been a lucky owner of 4 Copper Lee Goldens! They all have the sweetest temperaments and even though we will have a very long ride to purchase a 5th puppy from her, we shall do it when the time comes.

Welcome to the Golden Retriever Forum! I'm glad to hear that you have loved your Goldens, they deserve to be in a loving home. However, this thread is not really debating temperament in Copper Lee dogs.

At this point the concern was more toward whether the breeder is following the Golden Retriever Club of America's code of ethics regarding having a cardiologist's heart clearance, Hip clearances, elbow clearances and YEARLY eye checks on all breeding dogs - dogs who shouldn't be bred until after age two and completed clearances.

There are more aspects of being a good, reputable breeder than simply having sweet dogs and this forum tries very hard to make sure that everyone who comes to this site is made aware of the facts. We want every potential puppy buyer to do careful research so as not to be taken advantage of or support breeders who aren't doing the very best they can for the future of the Golden Retriever breed and also the individual dogs that they produce.

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Ellie and Mack

Please excuse me for answering this. I understand what was being discussed and frankly am very hurt with your reponse. I will no longer post any replys and am taking myself off this site.

Winnypoo, sorry you feel you have to leave, but I do not think that Nolefan was hurtful. If you stick around you might see what recommendations are when looking at litters of golden puppies... As I said earlier, Copper Lee has been around for a long time...they have bred many nice dogs, however, currently there are guidelines from the GRCA that this breeder does not seem to always follow... And that is where the concern from forum members comes in.....

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Janice and The Celebration Gang -
"Samantha, George, Tiki, Emily, Mick and Basil" Gone but not forgotten, Sally(Windjammer's Ima Country Girl CDX CGC), Laney(Mandell Marlenes Celebration UD RA CGC), and Cookie(Starseeker's Kissmas Cookie CDX RE CGC).

Please forgive me, I was not trying to be flippant, I really meant "welcome to the forum" , I should have given you a smiley face...

From your response, I do not think you do understand what was being discussed, correct health clearances are a big deal here when discussing breeders. Individual dogs (and their owners) are always welcomed here - we have plenty of rescues and dogs from backyard breeders who are loved just as much as the champions with titles on both ends of their names. I hope you will stick around and see what this is all about rather than dismissing an entire forum after one post. We all love dogs here and it's fun to learn something new!
Hope you'll change your mind....

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Ellie and Mack