[Mollemjo]

Hello,
I'm new to the forum and have not posted yet....so, I'll give this a try...
I'm looking for a reputable breeder in Michigan if possible. I'm hoping you could shed some light for me. We recently lost our beloved golden, Herbie to cancer. He was not quite 9 years old. We purchased him from a kennel downstate. He was the most beautiful guy with such a calm, sweet, personality, and is terribly missed. Of course this has been devastating for our family and we would love to never have to go through this horrible disease again. So, I'm hoping, with help from all of you, to find a new puppy. And I'm sure cancer is not the fault of our breeder, however, I'd love to get some advice from all of you of where we should look for a new puppy. We are located in Traverse City and are willing to look anywhere in the state if possible.

 

[Sweet Girl]

What a sweet face. I'm sorry for your loss.

There are many good breeders in your part of the world. Important to make sure all four core clearances are done (hip, elbows, heart, eyes). You're right, cancer is not the fault of your breeder. It is sadly a reality of Goldens (I lost mine to cancer too, just about exactly four years ago). But it is possible to look at pedigrees and see whether many dogs were dying young, dying of cancer (you can see them on K9Data when you have the parents' names). But almost all good breeders will have some cancer in their dogs.

A reputable breeder will want to make sure you get the right dog for your family. If you are honest about what you are looking for, what your circumstances are around amount of exercise you can provide, etc. they will choose the best dog for you. Good luck!

 

[GoldenDude]

I added a 15-month old pup to our family at Christmas time. He's from a breeder in MI, My Buddy Goldens. Leeah has a website (but I found it's rather dated and that her FB page is more active.)

I couldn't be happier with Logan. He came well trained and had clearly been doted on by Leeah. Despite the training he had already received, I sent him to a 14-day board and train program that I used with my other Goldens. (I like consistency in terms of verbal commands and hand signals.) The folks at the board and train program fell in love with him and one wanted the name of the breeder.

I have no idea if Leeah has any litters planned. Logan was listed on her FB page and he was 15-months old when I got him in December, so he wasn't from a new litter, obviously. From her website, you'll see that Leeah is also veterinarian and she's very active in showing her dogs. Those two things mean you have to be patient if you contact her. She will get back to you. It just may take a few days.

 

[GoldenDude]

I would also recommend Brandegold in Michigan. Jody has a female (Libby) from Star Crowned Goldens. I have a female Golden, Lily, whose sire (Darwin) is from Star Crowned Goldens. Darwin and Libby were litter mates. I think Libby was going to have a litter of pups, but I'm not totally sure. If Libby is at all like Darwin then there's some great personality in that line. Might be worth checking into.

 

[Mollemjo]

Thank you so much Golden Dude! I appreciate your advise and recommendations. I have sent Leeah a Facebook message and look forward to hearing from her. As I will do with Brandegold as well. Thanks again for your time!

 

[Mollemjo]

Thank you Sweet Girl! I appreciate your advise and will be diligent in my research. Thanks again for your time

 

[Travis F]

My wife just got me a puppy from an Amish family near Centerville. I don't know anything about them but I can say that the puppy is beautiful and healthy and she said that both of his parents were there when she picked him up. I don't know if that helps at all....

 

[ArchersMom]

The Amish are infamous for puppy mills Puppies 'Viewed as Livestock' in Amish Community, Says Rescue Advocate - ABC News

 

[LJack]

I would add that you want to verify the health certifications. You want a breeder who is doing their best to produce healthy puppies. That means taking advantage of atleast the most basic testing for hips, elbows, eyes (annually) and heart by a Cardiologist. They might do even more in the form of DNA testing. I'll include some graphics below that will help you verify health claims on Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.

Cancer is an unavoidable risk. All dogs have the chance of cancer and Goldens have a higher than normal risk. I suggest a breeder who is honest about cancer and how they are managing the risk.

Run far and fast from breeders who claim no cancer. At best they are too new to breeding to have a track record or at worst they are lying to take advantage of families like yours. There are no cancer free Goldens in the world.

 

[fullsunsteph]

I'm so sorry for your loss. We lost our boy at 8 years old, too. He was so sweet and calm and loved everyone he met! It's been almost 2 years, and we still miss him like crazy.

 

[3 goldens]

Hello and welcome. I am so sorry about your sweet boy being taken so soon. I lost one of my golden girls at 3 months short of 89 to gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Lost my last golden girl at 3 months shy of 13 to hemangiosarcoma. We lost dear Sophie last Oct.

Cancer can hit any breed as I have so sadly learned. I have had 2 Irish Setters and lost one to bone cancer. I believe my first Irish had cancer tho the vet insisted it was an infection that antibiotics wouldn't help. Six godlens--lost KaycCeeto the GIST as I said above. Honey to Lymphoma, Sophie to the hemangio, and two 2 Great Pyrenees, losing one to hemangio. But as horrible as it is to lose the;m, as heart breaking as it is, I have found it is worse to try to live without one. Ihope you locate a wonderful puppy and have him for a long, long tiem.