This is my first post. These forums have been an incredible wealth of knowledge over the past month. I am wondering about the breeder Don Graves, in Fort Ann, NY. Does anyone have an input they can give me. Thank you!

Have you looked him up on K9data.com? You can search for "owner" or search for "breeder" as a good starting place.

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Lush: GCH Am CH Harborview Sweeter Than 'Shine At PoeticGold CGC
Tally: Goldiva Raleigh Tangled Up In Blue CD RAE TDI TT CGC
Copley: BOS Chantilly's Bright Lights Big City RN TDI CGC
Finn: Sand Dancer's Infinite Sky TDI TT CGC

A quick look at the OFFA site shows a variety of clearances, but if you had the names of the parents of a liter, we could determine if those dogs have all their clearances.

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Carolyn (A.K.A. Aunt Care) and

Creekwood Tanglefoot Selchie CD, RN, AX, AXJ, CGC, CCA, (A.K.A. Selli-Belle) Golden

Valentine Byrd McDuff (A.K.A. Duffy) Golden/Sheltie

Tanglefoot Autumn Dexter CGC (My Heart Dog at the Bridge) Golden

You could worse (as far as clearances) but you could do better (as far as quality, guarantee, etc.) They use one male for all breedings. They don't compete in any venue, and I am immediately put off by such statements as "100% English creme imported from Hungary."

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"Bad dog. Want a cookie?" - Grandma
"You aren't a bad doggie, you just make bad choices." Amy's friend

FYI, Pennhip clearances are not rated by fair, good, or excellent. "Bugatti" who appears to be the sire of all the pups is listed as PennHip excellent. In fact, the dogs are rated by their distraction index and then ranked as a percentile for their specific breed. Calling a PennHip rating excellent(an OFA designation) is like comparing apples to oranges. Further, on the website, they do not state that he has clear elbows. And on one of the 4 bitches, there is no mention of clear elbows. Depending on what you believe, PennHip is one correct way to rate dogs' hips. But do not lose sight that elbows must be clear, too. Additionally, check to see if eyes are cleared annually and that cardiac clearances were done by a cardiologist after one year of age.

Ditto. I had only taken a real quick look at the site. There are several "red flags". There are so many of these breeders advertising over the internet that they seem to learn some of the "right" things to say, yet a closer look more often than not proves that they really are not walking the walk.

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Home of
BISS Ch Birnam Wood's Expedia.com
Ch Nitelite's Who's on Deck?
BISS GrCh Nitelite's Tommy Sneakers
Ch Suncreek's Day Off
Ch Penpoint Win Chill Factor
Ch Solivia's Delectable
Ch Penpoint Something Blue JH
Ch Montague's Jaguar XJ

"Bad dog. Want a cookie?" - Grandma
"You aren't a bad doggie, you just make bad choices." Amy's friend

The eye clearances on the father and mothers of both of the litters are out of date (the females were from 2008 and the male from 2009). Bugatti, the father actually does have a OFA hip clearance, it is a good, so he might also have a pennhip score, but the OFA is good.

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Carolyn (A.K.A. Aunt Care) and

Creekwood Tanglefoot Selchie CD, RN, AX, AXJ, CGC, CCA, (A.K.A. Selli-Belle) Golden

Valentine Byrd McDuff (A.K.A. Duffy) Golden/Sheltie

Tanglefoot Autumn Dexter CGC (My Heart Dog at the Bridge) Golden

I would look elsewhere. There are so many good breeders in that part of the US. Do a search on here and you'll see what the recommendations are from forum members.

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Jacqueline

"I have just met you and I love you" - Dug (Up!)

Wow. You all really are awesome! Thanks for all the information. This process is so overwhelming and it is a huge blessing to have everyone's advice.

Actually, Bugatti does have hip and elbow clearances... just not updated on the website. Doesn't have a current eye clearance on OFA......