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Willogold Kennels?

6K views 16 replies 11 participants last post by  Prism Goldens 
#1 ·
Does anyone know of or have experience with Willogold Kennels? Joanne Overbaugh is the breeder and they're located in NY.
 
#2 ·
If you can post the sire and dam registered names we can certainly tell you if they have the recommended clearances. I can't find a website- just a few listings on puppy selling sites but they don't have the registered names. I looked on k9data and input clearances where I found them w her kennel name.
 
#3 ·
Unfortunately, I don't have that info. I know if a 3yo beautiful Golden whose owners want to give him up bc they say he nips at their baby. The owners give the dog very little freedom to run and explore. I've met the dog several times and he's beautifully behaved. All Goldens are mouthy and get in babies and kids' faces. I think they weren't prepared for this. We've been asked if we will take him. He lives in my neighborhood and I do plan to find out more about his breeding, but don't want to go down the road if I know that he comes from a questionable breeder.
 
#4 ·
Unfortunately, I don't have that info. I know if a 3yo beautiful Golden whose owners want to give him up bc they say he nips at their baby. The owners give the dog very little freedom to run and explore. I've met the dog several times and he's beautifully behaved. All Goldens are mouthy and get in babies and kids' faces.
Actually, no. While Goldens can be mouthy, "all" Goldens certainly do not mouth or get in kids' and babies' faces. A three year old Golden should not be nipping a baby. Anytime, ever, period. I have an 11 month old puppy that absolutely does not mouth or get the faces of my kids or anyone else's kids. My last Golden was NEVER in the faces of my infants and he only ever licked their feet. That wasn't even something I had to train. Now, it may be that the dog was not introduced to the baby properly, and this may likely be a training or frustration (for the dog) issue, but you should not accept that kind of behavior as "normal" or "well behaved."
 
#5 ·
Basically you would be rescuing him from a situation that is not a good fit for him He may be acting up as he is not getting enough physical and mental stimulation. In this case unless your concerned for health reason I don't think I would be worried about his breeder as your not buying him. You can rescue him and if concerned about health get insurance for him. Hopefully you can give him the kind of home he really needs.
 
#6 ·
I don't know if this is a good breeder or not-
but if it were a puppy I produced, I would be upset if the family went to rehome without telling me there is a problem and giving me the opportunity to buy him back.
I'd ask (before you get heart invested) if they will let you see their contract w the breeder since it (if she is a good breeder) likely has a clause requiring notification and right of first refusal.
 
#7 ·
I would think by 3 yrs old you would have noticed any major problems by now MHO.

Usually Lurking is correct, goldens are not "in your face" dogs.

However... if the kids are allowed to mug the dog, in your face and nipping behavior is normal for any breed. Not all dogs like to be climbed on or probed by little fingers.

This sounds like an opportunity to get a wonderful golden and provide this pup a better home. Just me but would jump at the chance for a free golden! Buy insurance and never look back.
 
#8 ·
Thanks for the helpful feedback and insight. I have three kids of my own so I obviously will seriously investigated and look at the nipping issue. Prism: regarding the breeder but back, I have been told that the owner has indeed notified the breeder and the breeder has said that she will take the dog back. However, I believe the breeder perhaps gave owner option to find another home(?). I'm uncertain of that detail, but I'm due to have a conversation with the owner shortly and I'll learn more.
Any questions you'd definitely recommend asking the owner?
 
#9 ·
I would want to know if they have done any formal training and where. Are the shots up to date, on heartworm & fleas/tick preventative. When was the last checkup. Just so you can be prepared for expenses if necessary. Get the name of the vet and talk to them, any issues? What food does she feed and how much.

Observation between the owner, kids and dog will answer many of your concerns. Does the dog tense up when the kids are around, how do the kids interact.. how does the owner handle or oversee their interactions. Does the dog walk away from the kids, knock them down?

If your children treat the dog with respect you will get very different behaviors in your home.
 
#10 ·
Young goldens can be very "in your face." I can't guess how many times I have to say "Teal, leave the baby alone!" He's crawling around on the floor and he's got food all over his face and clothes. Of course she wants to lick him and be around him. But she would also never nip at him. That might be the case with this dog, but maybe the owners don't want to have their dog constantly licking their baby or they're afraid it will progress. Babies are usually coated in food after 6 months.
 
#11 ·
Our boy, Nigel, likes to lick our granddaughters face, but nipping has not happened. We have to keep telling him to leave Avery alone, and redirect with a toy or something. I have never had a GR who nipped at people, and we have had 7 during my life. In fact one would let the kids play with his food, while he was eating, and do nothing more than lick them while they were doing it. I don't recommend letting the kids play with the dogs food, but this one didn't seem to mind. I wouldn't consider nipping a normal GR behavior, mouthy yes, biting or nipping no.
 
#12 ·
I have a one year old Willogold golden retriever. I did my homework and even conferred with the Northeastern NY AKC representative to make sure I was dealing with a reputable breeder. The breeder knows her stuff and definitely has a take back clause in the contract. Ask her about her recommendation to deal with this problem, and she will likely have a good local trainer to refer you to. The breeder is well connected and respected. My pup will let me feel her teeth (no nip or bite) if we are fooling around and she is "protecting" the kids from me. She kind of touches me with them, but I am not concerned that she will bite me or anyone else. She never growls or barks. She lets us take things out of her mouth when she has something we want to remove (grass, bark, tissue...) We don't have very young children, but I've had golden retrievers and our Willogold is very typical for the breed. Best of luck!
 
#13 ·
I have a good impression of Willogold from dog shows. GCH Willowgold Stars Come Out was out at the same time as my girl Lush, and is gorgeous and friendly. The main thing is how essential it is to communicate with the breeder directly. Goldens are sporting dogs who must have their needs met, as well as true beauties. If the family had any question, they should have been immediately on top of it , and certainly must honor their contract by discussing all this with the breeder now. I would feel very anguished and think my trust had been broken by my original family of placement, if I came upon this thread.
 
#14 ·
Wow, Jenny. As I mentioned via text: please take down your post immediately. I could go into how so many of these statements are completely false, but I actually have other things to do with my time. So everyone knows, here are the facts:

1. We have the same dog walker
2. You have never even met me and know almost nothing about me, my baby, my dog or how I care for either of them.
2. The facts you did have you've managed to twist and blow up into something they are not.
3. You are trashing Joanne and damaging her business with literally no good reason. This I will not stand for. This is not okay - it is irresponsible and truly outrageous.

Joanne is a fantastic breeder and her dogs are real gems. She is responsible, caring, trustworthy etc. etc. I don't have enough good things to say about her. I would recommend getting a Willogold golden to anyone, as I often do when I actually meet people.
 
#15 ·
I am Joanne Overbaugh and i have Willogold Kennels. I dont know you but will tell you this.
Ive been breeding Goldens since 1987 and take great pains to breed only those Goldens with proper golden temperament. If you are so concerned perhaps you should have emailed me .It seems you have my name and kennel?
To be clear -Natalie and I are working on the situation which is not any of your business.It is not what you have made it to be and you obviously don't know the circumstances. But again why should you? If they decide to re home this boy I will be the one that will take him back and evaluate and re home him . And it will not be to you. Perhaps you should get your facts together before you post things of any nature.
As for my breeding program I stand behind my dogs- they have all clearances necessary for breeding and the proper temperaments . And I am there for the owners for the life of the dog they buy from me. -good or bad.
 
#17 ·
If they decide to re home this boy I will be the one that will take him back and evaluate and re home him .
I figured you'd been left out of the loop altogether- which was why I thought the person looking at being the rehome should make sure you meant for the buyer to place the dog.
I'm glad your buyer is in communication with you, and know you'll make the best choices for the dog. There's nothing worse (imo) than someone ignoring their contractual obligation to give the breeder first right to take back.
 
#16 ·
To Joanne Overbaugh, Natalie and any others who have read this thread:
I've written to the moderators of this site and requested the removal of this thread. Unfortunately, I was told that deletion and/or removal of threads is not permitted.
I truly apologize for my (obviously inaccurate) assumptions based on the small amount of information that I'd received on this particular situation. It was not my intention to make implications about Willogold Kennels' breedings. Based on what I've seen from this particular dog, which only includes brief stops to say hello and remark on how stunning and well behaved he is put on our town, it is quite clear that Willogold successfully breeds for outstanding temperament and upholds the standards of a Golden Retriever.
When I initially learned the breeder's name, my basic internet search did not lead to a website nor did it turn up any information about the breeder/kennel. I realize this is no indication of a breeder's integrity, which is why I posted my original question on this forum.
I do not know the owners of this dog nor have I ever had any interaction with the dog other than seeing/petting him a handful of times while he has been on walks. Based on my those limited experiences, I had always assumed this dog must be from a top notch breeder. I was surprised that he had exhibited the behavior (I thought) I understood as nipping. However, I had no right to make claims about the way the dog is raised and the circumstances of the family who is raising him. If there is any way for me to remove the posting, I will do so.
 
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