Well, how do I start? I live in Northen California and have been tirelessly looking for a golden puppy with no luck.
This has been a crazy journey for me. I've been doing A LOT of research exhaustively but all the breeders I find either never respond, don't have any litters available or don't meet the standards I'm looking for. To me, it's really important that the breeder is of high quality, committed and specially, love what they do and puts the animal's best interested in the first place. I value a lot the well being of the parents and puppies and of course, their health.
I had the most beloved dog once but she died pretty young of age due to genetic issues, and only 10 years after, I'm ready again. I know you can never guarantee these things, but you can imagine why it's so important to me that I give my best shot.
I was talking to a really good breeder with wonderful puppies but she is no longer responding and even though I'm heartbroken, I will not give up.
If anyone knows of breeders like that that may have a litter or an upcoming one, please, will you let me know? I'm willing to travel all California. Thank you!
Have you contacted the NorCal golden retriever club for a referral? NORCAL Golden Retriever Club It may even be shorter/better cost wise to travel to Oregon. I know Southern California isn't the cheapest place to raise or purchase a puppy. The Pacific Rim Golden Retriever Club covers most of Oregon's breeders:Index is the website. I know of at least 3 litters ready to go home before November with PRGCO members, but I can't say for sure if they're all spoken for. One litter hasn't even been born yet.
Thank you Archersmom. I did contact them but they weren't very helpful, they gave me 1 single breeder who never responded. Thank you for the Oregon website, you have me a good idea could you tell me which breeders you know of that have litters? (Or maybe PM me if you don't want to call out their names)?
I can't remember the kennel name. I just joined the club and have only been to 2 meetings so far. I haven't even learned everybody's human name but if you contact Kathy, she's the one in charge of puppy referral, she should know everybody's plans. Her phone number is on the page.
Don't limit yourself to a particular geographic area. Find the breeder you like, with lines that meet your needs. We live in Vermont. Our next pup is coming from Wisconsin, a breeder Barley and I stayed with several times on our cross-country sidecar trips. My field golden and current sidecar dog, Tulliver, was a California dog. Kazoo, my 92# lap dog, was from North Bay Ontario. In each case we relied on the breeder to pick the pup with the personality that best matched ours. That is one of the primary reasons we go with good breeders. Do your research, find what you want, and pay no attention to the distance.
I understand your frustration. We too are in Northern California, and started our search in the Fall of 2015. We finally brought our pup home in June. I found this list to be very valuable.
I started by contacting all the breeders on the list by email, and asking not only about upcoming litters they might have, but also any recommendations they could offer if all their pups were already spoken for. It took a lot of persistence, and often following up with a second email. These folks are busy with jobs and family obligations, and many show their dogs in their spare time.
We are in Southern California and got both of our boys from Shadalane Golden Retrievers (in Vista, CA). They are absolutely amazing! I could not speak more highly of them .... They might have a litter available or coming soon?
Not sure if this will help, but here's my 2 cents. I live in Iowa, BTW, and I could likely go pick up a golden from a local breeder at almost any time I want. I was looking for a golden too, recently, but had a hard time finding a top-tier breeder who would work with me. I am unusual in that I want a pet quality dog and I will not neuter him unless its warranted by behavior. I believe in controlling my dog and have zero interest in breeding. Once I laid out this "big reveal" most breeders went silent.
I get it. There are tons of people breeding goldens for profit w/o concern for the breed. That's why it's one of the most f'd up breeds out there, health wise. Too much cancer, too many bad hips, too many puppies that don't live to be even a year old. And some of THAT is from responsible, professional breeders. My beloved golden wasn't from top-tier breeder. He died at age 10+ but cancer likely got him.
You might want to consider what you say, and what it is that puts breeders off. If you live in an apartment, for instance, there are breeders who won't even speak to you. They have a commodity that's in limited supply. If something in your application doesn't jive with their world view of golden-ownership, you won't get anywhere with them.
And this is why the second or third tier breeders thrive. Goldens are such an amazing breed that even one from a backyard breeder has a chance to be an outstanding dog. They also carry more risk because they aren't bred for quality, they're bred for money. That being said, that may be the route you have to go, and accept the risk, and promote the practice. Rock and a hard place - wait until you can find a good breeder who can work with you or encourage backyard breeders. You get a golden either way, but how long to wait?
Thank you all, your comments were all very insightful and helpful! @CashStringer - I tried Shadalane but they don't have any puppies right now. In terms of reputable breeders regardless of region, who would you recommend?
Also - I am in contact with one breeder, Christine Texter from Premiere Goldens from South California. Does anyone have any experience with her puppies that you'd like to share? If you don't feel comfortable posting here, will you please send me a PM?
Thank you all very much!
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