Hi there,
After a LOT of searching we think we have found a breeder here in Ontario that fits everything we are looking for; she seems to be someone who genuinely cares about her dogs, and breeds very carefully. Stormynights Goldens is the name of the kennel, and the owner/breeder seems wonderful. I have been reading all the posts here on different Ontario breeders, and how to get the info on sire and dam health clearances and genetic lines etc. As someone who knows very little about this, I'm still finding it a little difficult. I would love to hear from anyone who has had experience with/knows about Stormynights. Also, any expert advice on the following sires and dams:
http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=349159
http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=135658
http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=256972
http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=260985

I've heard plenty of great things from Stormynights! There are a few Stormynights pups on the forum here.
Mad's Mom's Maddie
timberwolf's Timber

They are both relatively active members, so you could probably send them a PM if you have any questions about their experiences.

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Thanks EsSJay.!
Actually, what I'm most confused about is how to read clearances etc. I read on this board about "moderate" or "fair" or "good" etc, but on k9 I read OVC and then a number, or just the word "clear". I think its very likely just because I really have no idea what I'm doing, but would love any help on understanding whether the dogs I posted above and their pedigrees in these lines do in fact have the right clearances. Quite frankly, the reason I am not just asking this breeder these questions herself has nothing to do with whether I think she will answer them honestly because I have loved my experience with her so far and trust her. It has everything to do with the fact that I really don't want to become the crazy lady who keeps bugging her every time I have a question.... I'd be calling every day and driving her mad I have never owned a dog before, and am one of those people who has the potential to become a little obsessed with finding out all I can about something before entering in I am impressed with myself for how much I've learned already, but the clearance, pedegree stuff is still baffling me!!!!! I DO know that my friend who paid $2600 for her pup because he is an "English Cream" got hosed though...so see, I AM learning

OVC-do not grade hips "moderate" "fair" "good" etc like OFA...when OVC reads hips or elbows you get a pass or a fail...if you receive a number you have a pass.

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Osogold (Reg'd) Golden Retrievers
Ann
www.osogold.com

To start you off, let's pull up the first k9data link you sent, for Crush.

To check up her Hip clearance, which was done by OFA, go to their website, www.offa.org, click on "Search OFA Records" on the left side, and type in either her registration number or her name. Here I've typed in her CKC registered name, "Stormynights Made for Lovin' U" , selected Golden Retriever and then Search.

THIS page comes up with any OFA records for her. We can see that she has both hips and elbows through OFA. Clicking into the hips record, it will list any siblings that have had OFA clearances, and you can also click on "vertical pedigree" at the top where you may be able to go through parents and previous generations if they are linked. If they aren't, you can repeat the same search by using the sire and dam further back in their pedigrees and running their names through OFA as well.

As for the OFA clearance number that they are given, it gives a lot of information itself. I'll have to look up a previous thread where I remember AmbikaGR posted it a few months ago.

This is the OFA number for Crush's hips: GR-99624E43F-VPI

Breaking it down,
GR - the breed (Golden Retriever)
99624 - the number of dogs of this breed that have been screened by OFA (I think?)
E - the rating of the clearance (in this case, Crush is "Excellent". Other acceptable ratings are: Fair and Good. Non-acceptable ratings are Mild or Moderate - or none at all!)
43 - the age, in months, of the dog at the time of the clearance (so Crush was about 3½ yrs old at this clearance)
F - sex of the dog (Male/Female)
VPI - I think this has to do with the way the dog is permanently identified (whether a microchip or tattoo).

Here is a link to another thread that talks about how to read clearances: http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...ad.php?t=17123 (Reading the OFA number)

And here is another one that shows what a clearances looks like (for when you go to meet the breeder in person, you can see exactly what you are looking for): http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...ad.php?t=71378 (What clearances look like)

Hopefully that gets you off to a good start. Let us know if you have any more questions that we can help you out with!

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Wow!!! THANK YOU so much!!! This is really helpful!!!!!!!!!!

Hi cbrett!!!
I've been working on overload and just now had the chance to take a look at the forum! That's so not like me

So, you are looking at a Stormynights pup.
I'm the proud owner of one and cannot say enough about my boy and his breeder.
Kim is great, always available to answer any questions, and like you said, she cares.

Timber is our pride and joy and we couldn't love this guy anymore!!!
I've included his K9Data site so you can take a look.
http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=339033
The picture is Tim at about 7 months - I know, you wouldn't know he was such young pup!!!

Kim has a litter on the ground right now - beautiful pups, I would grab one in a second if I could.
The dam of this litter is Timber's Mom - Sprout.

If you have any questions, I am more than happy to answer.
I am so excited for you!!!!! Good Luck

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Timber's K9Data Page: http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=339033





My Beautiful Feline Friend

Kim is terrific: dedicated, thorough and really cares about her dogs. I happily refer folks to her when I get inquiries. Temperament and health are important priorities--I will likely see her this weekend at my club's annual health screening clinic!!

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Shelly & the Sterre Goldens
"Breeze" HR Trowsnest Sterre Autumn Breeze Can. SH WCX, Am. MH CCA
"Winter" Can/UKC Ch. Amberwood Winter Wonderland Can. SH WCX CD VCI, Am. SH CD WCX CCA VC, 2007 GRCC Nan Gordon Trophy
"Butch" Sterre Badlands Outlaw JH WC (Ch ptd), Am JH
"Bonnie" Sterre Texas Bluebonnet JH WCI, Am JH
"Wings" Sterre Widgeon on the Wing
"Chrissy" Halfmoon Embellishment (Cavalier)
"Juniper" Amberwood Northern Exposure CD RNCL (Apr15 2002-Feb12 2013)
http://www.sterregold.net

cbrett, I should have mentioned - the last K9data you quoted is Ryder, Timber's Dad

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Timber's K9Data Page: http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=339033





My Beautiful Feline Friend

Thanks everyone!! I am very confident we have chosen a GREAT breeder!! And now I am getting the hang of all this health stuff too!

Timberwolf, we actually found Kim THROUGH Ryder! He is a beautiful dog and my kids met him through another breeder and fell in love with him! What did Kim send you home with (paperwork, etc) when you brought Timber home (great name by the way).