[SyFer]

After several days of research we are beginning to narrow down our selection of suitable breeders!

I think we have settled on two, or possibly three, local breeders to select from. Each of the breeders either have or are expecting litters in the next few months. However, with all the possible selections, my head is spinning a bit!:bowl: I was hoping for a bit of guidance on narrowing down our selection. Since the breeders we are considering may be represented on these forums, I am reluctant to reference their names out of concern that it may be improper, and I would hate to accidentally offend someone as a result of unguided ignorance.:doh: However, I will try to present the information I have as ambiguously as possible.

We are looking for a family companion to fit our moderately active lifestyle. We will not be breeding, showing or hunting the dog.

The first breeder has paring of dogs which have the following traits/certs:
Sire: CAN CH, Hips-Fair, Elbows-Normal, Heart-Clear, Eyes-Clear
Dam: AM CH, CAN CH, Hips-Good, Elbows-Normal, Heart Clear, Eyes-Clear

The second breeder has pairing of dogs with the following traits/certs:
Sire: AM CH, Hips-Excellent, Elbow-Normal, Heart-Clear, Eyes-Clear
Dam: Hips-Good, Elbows-Normal, Heart-Clear, Eyes-Clear

Does one of these parings stand out as much better than another? Should I be concerned with a "Fair" rating in regard to the hips? Does championship linage have any bearing? Are there any other questions I should be asking?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Megora]

I wouldn't go by the parents alone. Look at the past five generations, consider the reputation and involvement of the breeders, and go by lines that would fit your lifestyle.

 

[Florabora22]

Also, make sure you choose a breeder you feel comfortable around. Someone whom you think you can develop a relationship with.

 

[MGMF]

Just listing their clearances alone is not enough. You should list the parent names so the forum can do their research with it. Fair hips can be passing but I would make sure they come from stonger rated pedigree. Same goes with Excellent. Excellent is just that but not if it comes from a long line of Fair. Are the eyes up to date, they need to be done each year by an optomologist. How is the longevity in the pedigree. That would help me make up my mind which pair to go with. List the parent names and the forum can help you. Good Luck

 

[SyFer]

After a bit more research I determined that the "fair" hip rating turns up quite frequently in the first breeders' sire's lineage, back at least three generations. I have read that a "fair" hip rating is still within acceptable OFA standards for a normal hip. My understanding is that "fair" hips might have a greater potential to produce dysplatic hipped offspring. Is that correct?

How would I go about discussing the reputation of the breeders within this forum? One if the breeders is an active forum member, the other, less so, but likely because of a lack of familiarity/comfort with electronic communication formats. Is it appropriate to discuss breeders by name here?

 

[Ljilly28]

Congratulations for narrowing down to some good breeders who have done nice testing. Choosing between them should now be fun. Go meet the mother dogs, and get a gut feel? If you want to PM the actual pedigrees to a few experienced, people like Tahnee know pretty much everything.

 

[Selli-Belle]

I agree with LJilly, go visit with the breeders and some of their dogs and see if one situation really clicks with you.

 

[Sally's Mom]

Excellents in the golden world are few and far between. In many cases, a Good X Excellent will produce a Fair. As Megora and MGMF said you should be looking for clearances for at least five generations back. You can usually find them on K9DATA.COM Home Page. And make sure the ophthalmologist clearances were within twelve months. And the cardiologist was done by a cardiologist (it will have a C in the clearance), if done by a practitioner, it will have a P in the clearance. A Fair is a clearance, but I personally would avoid a Fair to Fair breeding.

 

[SyFer]

(Edit to fix the links...I think.)

With the breeders approvals here are the pedigrees of the we are considering:

Breeder #1:
Dam http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=451529
Sire http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=256745

Breeder #2:
Dam http://offa.org/display.html?appnum=1199551#animal
Sire http://offa.org/display.html?appnum=1233936#animal

"Possible" Breeder #3:
Sire and Dam http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=451529

Opinions would be appreciated!

Gerry

 

[Ljilly28]

For some reason, the links won't click through for me.

 

[hvgoldens4]

With the breeders approvals here are the pedigrees of the we are considering:

Breeder #1:
Dam http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=256756
Sire Pedigree: Can CH Brookshire As Good As It Gets

Breeder #2:
Dam http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=196704
Sire http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=240392

"Possible" Breeder #3:
Sire and Dam http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=451529

Opinions would be appreciated!

Gerry

I do not know the 3rd breeder. However, both Kara at Sunkissed and Carole at ThorneLea are wonderful breeders. I have long been an admirer of the ThorneLea dogs. Carol has been a breeder for well over 30 years.

I would suggest you meet them both(breeders and mom's) and go with whom you feel that you can have a good relationship with as far as being able to ask questions, etc. You may also have a preference as to the looks of the dogs of one breeding over another.

I would say you found some very good breedings though!!

Good luck!

[email protected] Harborview

 

[Megora]

Pedigree: AM CAN CH ThorneLea Brkfast At Tiffanys

Here's the right link for the third one.

 

[Ljilly28]

Thanks, for some reason the links go to a web site hosting ad. I bet it is something dubious on my computer.

 

[Ljilly28]

Okay, so I finally got a clue and copy/pasted instead of following the link. I think you have good choices, and it is your gut at this point. For me, and what I love in goldens, I would 100 percent go with choice # 2.