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Seeking Golden to swim with us in Lake Michigan!

4K views 26 replies 11 participants last post by  longhaul 
#1 ·
All, we lost our dear Fern at 9 to hemangiosarcoma (liver) last week. She also had pigmentary uveitis. She was the light of our lives, and she wouldn't want us to be without a pup for long ... so we're beginning to search knowing we'll likely need to get on a waiting list. Obviously, healthy lines are of high concern to us (I'm a little alarmed at how many pups her dad sired, and how many may be at risk for PU without people even realizing).

We're in extreme SW Michigan (near St Joe, South Bend, and not far from Chicago or Kalamazoo). I plan to look up local Golden groups to get our bearings and see where we might look. We've been in touch with Malagold in Kalamazoo and I know she's got great lines, but the cost (minimum $2,500) is definitely budget popping. I heard Kyon's also great, but more distant and we'd be bummed not to be able to bring a pup home until 16 weeks due the rabies importation requirements. We'll also talk with ShoreLine -- the breeder there is the one that tipped us to the fact that Fern's dad had PU and should be checked, and she spoke to us again last week when Fern was ill and we weren't sure what to do.

Fern was a great companion -- sweet, loving -- a water dog who kayaked and hiked and maintained her own "dirt garden" next to my veggie plot. We're very active and work from home. We have several cats and another dog, a Golden-Wirehaired Pointing Griffon mix, who definitely is more Griff than Golden and a VERY strong personality, so we'd want to make sure we worked with someone who could match us with an appropriate pup.

Thoughts - ideas - suggestions?

And is there any way really to verify whether there are things like PU in the lines?

Thanks,

Elizabeth
(Missing dear Fern like crazy, all the time)
 

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#2 ·
Fern must've had a lovely life.
If she is not on k9data with a photo, please scan her reg papers so someone can input her for you. It'll make her a part of breed history and also, if her DOD and COD are there, it will get the PU info out.
That's your best bet on avoiding PU in the pedigree, as well, looking on k9data for clear by US or affected dogs. And too, like Cynthia told you about her sire, people in the fancy do know typically- or at least have a hint that PU is present.
And too, current eye clearances are important, and you can look back at sire and dam, who , if the owners are following the CoE, would also have current eyes.
Hoping for a swimmer for you in the near future! And 2500- that's average in FL, dk about other areas.
 
#3 ·
I am so very sorry to hear about your Fern. It sounds like she had a wonderful, fun-filled life. I am glad you have your other dog and cats to be with and hug. My family lost our Allie to hemangiosarcoma three weeks ago; it is such a heartbreaking disease.

Best of luck on your puppy search! I am currently searching, too, but I live in CT - the farthest west I've been looking is PA!
 
#4 ·
Thanks to both of you, and Kayohn I share your sadness. All cancer sucks, but that type is particularly rough in its abruptness. Fern was fetching sticks and in the water just days before she died.

W/R/T registering -- I do definitely feel an obligation to put her health history out there, BUT we never actually registered Fern, even though we had the papers. I know. Silly. It just didn't feel important to us. Now I get how critical it is to keep track, particularly w/r/t these genetic issues. When we mentioned that Fern was "the daughter of a show dog," Cynthia inquired and immediately knew the sire, warned us about PU. Luckily we're near enough to Purdue that she got to see Wendy Townsend and Fern was doing well under her care.

I actually don't see her litter even mentioned in the sire's list of offspring -- unless we were misinformed she was born 6/4/07. He was bred to a family's dog, who was obviously registered, but I don't know her registered name. So who knows how many pups there are out there. The sire's info is here: http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=140756

Anyway -- I'd be grateful for any other breeders people think I should research. I'm hoping we can visit Malagold soon.

Thanks again ...
 

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#5 ·
Very familiar with all the dogs and breeders you've mentioned. I know Ike's owner, and just saw Ike not too long ago. He's still kicking at 12.

My personal recommendation is Malagold. You are not going to find a more experienced breeder who is more familiar with their lines and what they produce than Connie. She is easily a top 5 Golden breeder in the US of ALL TIME. The health history is there for Malagold. $2500 is no different than most show breeders. I would encourage you to pursue getting a pup from Connie. I did, this summer :)
 

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#6 ·
Next time you see Ike, tell him he had an awesome kid in Michigan who was loved very very much. We'd actually heard he was still doing well, which lead us to believe maybe Fern would be cancer-free. Sadly ... not the case.

Here's the thing with Connie -- I REALLY REALLY liked her and she's super close to us, but she was a little concerned that we don't have a physical fence. We do have an Invisible Fence and never leave our pups unsupervised (we run what is essentially a small farm so they're always with us, and when we let them out before bed we've got our eye on them, standing by the door). Plus, neither of our dogs ever challenged the invisible fence, and we don't really have a serious predator issue here (anything that comes on the property, usually a raccoon or possum, our Golden Griff handles with ease ;) We have seen one deer in 10 years). We have a trainer, vet and friend who'll all vouch for us, and literally about 10,000 photos of Golden Good Time Awesomeness, with Fern living it up in the water, on the trail, on the dunes, etc etc ... but in the event Connie is uncomfortable (which I really hope she isn't -- I don't mean to be pompous but we don't have human kids and I have to say we're pretty kick-butt dog parents), I want to have a few backups.

I am curious about the fence thing -- I definitely get it, and respect it, but I know plenty of owners who get very lazy about their physical fences, and will just let their pups out for hours without a glance. A physical fence doesn't make a good owner, necessarily.
 
#7 ·
You're getting the drift with Connie about the fence -- she wants her puppies to be able to exercise freely (free running/play....not leashed) every day, and with most pet owners, accomplishing that without a leash or fence is difficult, since they don't train their dogs well enough to have a solid recall. She firmly believes, as I do, that dogs need to run and stretch their legs every day, and you can't do that on leash. But as you mentioned, those with fences often get lazy and their dogs end up getting less exercise than a dog without a fence, because the owner doesn't have to try. And besides, most goldens sit next to the door if put out in the yard by themselves!
Have you talked to her on the phone?
 
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#8 ·
Fern was a beautiful golden!! I know you are sad.....Bit off topic..my apologies.....PU is sadly in many many pedigrees It very possibly could have been in the mother's pedigree as well I had PU in my lines years ago when people were still afraid to talk about it. My girl was diagnosed when she was 12. I had her grandchildren before I knew it was a problem. I have not had it since Early diagnosis is the key to this eye issue. Many times pet folks are completely unaware of it. it is responsiblity of respected breeders to get the word out about it and educate, educate educate. Many vets don't even know about it. there is a great FB page called Golden Retriever Pigmentary Uveitis. It is not something to be afraid of, not like cancer..... because there is treatment for it with early diagnosis. Again....I am very sorry for your loss. Best of luck.
 
#9 ·
OH MY GOD. Our dogs, every day, they have access to 160 acres of old growth forest where they're safe and free to run. When they're not there, they're swimming in Lake Michigan or camping with us. I mean, seriously, they're free running and playing 95% of days. And our trainer is an Army vet who is firm about recall, etc. She takes no BS (yet is super gentle when the pup calls for it).

I did talk to Connie on the phone but she seemed reticent -- if you have any tips for how to approach, I'd appreciate it. Again, I don't mean to be pompous but it's hard to imagine a pup would not have an awesome, protected life with us. I almost cried when I got off the phone and thought, golly, we could miss out on an awesome dog because of this.
 

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#11 · (Edited)
Will do. May I ask what you paid for your pup, and are you pleased? BTW, one of Fern's favorite places in the world was Killarney Prov Park. Ours too. We go for two weeks every fall, and several of the photos I posted earlier (and this one below) are from this Sept at Killarney. My husband won't know what to do without his navigator.
 

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#13 ·
Anney's doing a dog show this weekend so she may not reply quickly on how to approach Connie.
Or she may not have ideas. I would agree Connie is a great choice.
Maybe drop her a note (since you've talked w her) and tell her you hope she's not ruling you guys out because of the fence issue since your puppy would never be out alone and would get plenty of running time around your small farm.

On the litter not being on k9data- if you will look on your registration application, and post the # on the top right that ends w 01, 02, etc, someone will look on the AKC store and let you know if your DOB is right and whether there were siblings registered, and probably put the registered ones on k9data. I would say I would do it but I too am at a dog show thru Sunday. If you post it and it's not answered next time I look here, I will start on it. I do think it is important to have on k9data.
 
#14 ·
Fern

I am so very sorry about your sweet Fern!
If you want to email me, the date and year Fern crossed to the Rainbow Bridge, and your screenname LongHaul I will add her to the Rainbow Bridge List. My email is: kmvs519@gmail.com
Hope you find just the right companion to share your lives.

Here is the List of the Golden Retriever Rescues by state:
National Rescue Committee of the Golden Retriever Club of America
 
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#15 · (Edited)
Have you tried other breeders in the Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids/Battle Creek area? Or have you considered Indiana breeders? Some people in Indi are probably a hike, but worth checking into.... and I think the two ladies listed below might be able to help you there as well.

I know that Kokopelli might not have puppies available right away (she had Dec/Jan pups going home a couple weeks ago I think). But she might be able to help you.

Ridgepond - I think has puppies, but they might all be promised. She's probably another good option to touch base with...

Or are you looking for a certain style - I'm just wondering based on your two choices (Kyon and Malagold)....?

2500 seems pretty breathtaking of a price to me compared to $1800-2000 from other breeders in MI....

I don't have a fenced yard... I think it is an issue if you have a small yard. But it's also possibly an issue and/or you might get push back if you tell somebody that the dog has acres and acres to run. There are people out there who let the dogs run and don't worry too much if they get out of sight and don't come back right away....
 
#16 ·
You can get a Kyon dog. There is a waiver you can get. Alphadog just did it recently when he bought from an Ontario breeder. Maybe you could PM him and get more information. He said it wasn't difficult at all.
 
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#17 ·
Kate, I haven't tried anyone else ... just starting the search, so other names/recommendations are greatly appreciated. Kyon and Malagold came up quickly because their dogs seem to have a great good track record w/r/t hemiangiosarcoma and some of the other common Golden cancers, and that's a huge concern for us at this point. Malagold is also about an hour from us -- super close. We're not so worried about style as we are finding a loving, active pup that loves the water ... and actually could do therapy work (I forgot to mention that Fern had CGC and Therapy certifications and worked with autistic kids). And as I mentioned earlier, we'd want a breeder who could match us with a pup that fits into our household dynamics (cats and another dog who thinks the world revolves around him and him only :)

BTW -- we only have two acres here so it's easy to keep track of everyone. We do veggies and native plants here and work from home -- the dogs provide our "water cooler" breaks and are our co-gardeners, etc, around the house.

I did get a text from Kyon today and their waiting list may push us back towards the end of 2017 -- I'm not sure we'll last that long!
 
#18 ·
Robin, btw I don't think we have Fern's original paperwork. Do you know if there's any way to check on what that number might be? She did have CGC but I don't think we needed a number to register for that. If anyone's in touch with Judy Kahldahl (sp?) they could ask her about the dam -- I think she was owned by a friend of Judy's. The pups were in Fremont, MI, born June 5, 2007, in a very informal situation.

Interestingly, when I looked up her dad's info, I saw that one of her half brothers was ranked #8 GR in 2009. Who knew she may have had the chops?! I hope that pup is still around and healthy -- they were about a month apart in age.
 
#19 ·
She bred a litter w Cindy Lindlow, born 6-5-05...not 07.
Another w Jolene Lundy born 4/5/07 and another w Phyllis Cox 7/23/07. That's all I can find over my AM coffee.. most of the 7/23/07 litter is in k9data.
'informal'- wonder if it was an accidental litter, and there was no AKC registration given? There are no puppies on k9data w/6-5-07 as a DOB that she's associated with as owner or breeder or co-breeder.
It may remain a mystery.
 
#20 ·
If Judy owned your dog's sire... I'm sure she could help you. I think she used to live up that way before she moved downstate (SE MI now). I doubt she'd let her dogs be bred to just anything... you could reach out to her on facebook.... and she generally comes back to MI in summer and would be at the local shows...

Fremont is ringing a bell with me for some reason - I swear I know of somebody who lives out there, but it's not coming to me this morning.
 
#21 ·
I'll check in with Judy and let everyone know ;)

Btw, I posted another question on the show forum - thinking of going to either Novi this weekend or Grayslake next to meet breeders, etc, wondering if one show is better for this than another, and/or whether there's any way to tell which breeders might be there with their dogs in advance?
 
#22 ·
Novi has an entry of 50+ Goldens- here's the judging program-http://ch.infodog.com/jps/1119/jpg1119.pdf
I don't know my MI cities so I'm probably missing it but I don't see a Grayslake. Bring your own chair.
No telling if there will be breeders there but probably there will be several.
 
#23 ·
Grayslake = Illinois cluster.


@Novi - There may be a scattering of breeders there tomorrow.... but based on Thurs and Fri, it's been mostly handlers. Will probably be the same in Grayslake.

If you hold off until May - Kalamazoo does seem to draw out a lot of the breeders, including those mentioned in this thread.

Absolutely if you have time - come to Novi. Tomorrow probably would be better than today just because goldens show at 10AM today. Tomorrow they show at 1PM so that gives you more driving time if you were undecided this morning.

The nice thing about Novi is that even if you don't see the breeders themselves - you do get to see the dogs and check and see what is actually being bred around the midwest area. There's a lot of dogs coming in from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio as well as the locals.

And there's good vendors too for shopping.

I gotta run -
 
#24 · (Edited)
Might be able to help some, my Sister has gotten 2 dogs from a breeder right in your area, she (Sister) now lives in Calif., but is very happy with both dogs and has stayed in touch with the breeder for the past 8 years. When we lost Rookie, she offered to let us have one of her puppies even though we live in Calif. I'll try and find out more info. if your interested. BTW we went with a rescue, but it was a tough choice, very happy we did.

Update: Breeder is Tanglewood G.R.'s, Cindy Obeirne, cell: 616-402-4193, located in Grand Haven, MI., understand she MAY have a puppy available.
 

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#25 ·
Tanglewood Goldens is JoAnne Cava at the NC/SC line.
Cindy Obeirne is, I think, Edgewater. I do not know if she gets clearances or not, her website is way out of date so be sure to get parents' names and check on OFA for at a minimum the big 4.
 
#27 ·
Thanks to everyone for all the help and support. Here's where we're at -- we visited Connie and the Malagold golden on Saturday. What better way to mourn a loss than to be greeted by so many Goldens, so full of life!

We have a refundable deposit on a Malagold puppy -- and I suspect we will go that way, because it's clear she knows her lines, and raises her dogs with the utmost in care.

That said, we'll go to the show at Grayslake, IL, this weekend to snoop around, as the visit to Malagold made us really try to assess what energy level might work best for us. I went out in the field with two pups, one of the Malagold males (a handful and a beauty -- very young) and a female (two I think) -- but when I threw a ball, the female basically hit the dirt and looked at the male run, as if to say "that's out of my league." :) I couldn't tell if she just wasn't into it or whether the male dominated (which would be an issue with us, as we have a strong personality Golden/Griffon mix at home).

The calmness of Connie's females was lovely, but is there such a thing as "too much couch potato?"

Our Fern was a REAL HANDFUL to train as a pup -- and she was excitable her whole life, she had real difficulty calming down when guests came over. So the idea of CALM is appealing, especially since we would really want to get therapy certification and work with a pup (we had to wait with Fern until she was 7 -- she was just too excited all the time). But we're also very active, we hike and walk, camp and kayak with our pups. How much should "couch potato" be a consideration?
 
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