[zeke11]

Well, we brought home our first golden last night. We love him so much, he is totally lovable and adorable.

Previously, we had a rat terrier and we currently have a pomapoo.

We purchased the rattie and the pomapoo from home breeders - just regular familes that advertised pups for sale. I never thought anything bad about this. All I had ever learned was not to buy a pup from a puppy mill petstore.

So, we also got our golden from a family who had bred their pet golden. Now, after the fact (sometimes I get so angry at myself), I read about all the problems that might happen with my sweet little pup because I don't have any health clearances of the parents. I am really and truly afraid and its kind of ruining my joy of having this sweet little fluff.

Can anyone share if they've had some good luck with goldens that they may have purchased without being armed with knowledge (either from a pet store, a breeder, a shelter or rescue) about lineage or health clearances?

I sure don't want to give up my little guy and hope he will be ok.

Kris

 

[MyMaggieGirl]

My bridge girl Maggie came from the shelter, had no idea of her history except she was a stray and I quickly learned how she was an escape artist with no manners at all. But with patience and love she turned into the best dog in the world. As for her health, she had hip displaysia pretty bad but it didn't begin to bother her until she was maybe 9-10 years old, I had her until she was about 14 (not sure of her exact date of birth).

BUT.....I did not get her as a puppy, she was 1-2 years old.

I know some will disagree but I believe that with a lot of love, work and patience you should be able to have a good dog.

 

[Florabora22]

On the flip side, I got a puppy from a very reputable breeder that does their clearances. Flora is 11 months and has 2 bad knees (well, one is now good, but that's b/c she had surgery on it), and potential hip problems with her left hip. So even when you do your research you can still end up with health issues.

You have your puppy now, so what's done is done. I would just focus on enjoying your little guy and do all that you can do to help prevent any problems in the future. Congrats on your new pup!

 

[Tahnee GR]

I agree-don't worry about things that may never happen! As with all puppies, I would suggest a good pet insurance policy, or a "doggie savings account" for any health issues that might crop up. In all likelihood, you will never need either but if you do, you will be prepared.

 

[Claire's Friend]

I got my 2nd Golden from a BYB as a free puppy. She lived to almost 17, the only real problem she ever had was her thyroid went out at 10 years, but that was easily fixable with meds. I know she is more of the exception than the rule and this was several years ago. But it doesn't always turn out bad. All of my other dogs have been rescues from unknown sources and they have all been great dogs that have lived long lives. Try not to worry and enjoy you new baby. Keep her on a high quality food and limit vaccines. Good luck and have fun !!

 

[Augie's Mom]

Enjoy your puppy and don't worry about what may or may not happen.

Doing all your homework and getting a puppy from a reputable breeder certainly stacks the deck in your favor but isn't a 100% guarantee that nothing will ever happen. Just as getting a puppy from a rescue, family pet, or shelter doesn't automatically label them a time bomb.

I have neighbors who've gotten goldens from pet families and shelters whose dogs are sweet, happy, healthy and with longevity.

Enjoy puppyhood while you can and take lots of pictures.

 

[goldensonly]

1994; 15 years ago we got Tessa, who is now at the bridge... she was the absolute love of our lives. There was no internet, no way to spread the word like there is today.... we were uneducated dog people, and only knew we wanted a GOLDEN RETRIEVER! We went to what we later realized was a puppy mill... we sure didn't know the difference!!! Wasn't it NEAT to have ALL THOSE DOGS... Well, we know now that it was NOT neat... but we were very lucky that Tessa had very few health issues... like almost NONE.... and she lived to be 12 1/2 years old.... While I would not buy from such a place now....at the time it seems perfectly acceptable. We were lucky to get our precious Tessa!!!!

Don't dwell on what might be... just love your puppy!!

 

[HovawartMom]

I have!.
My golden,never,had hip or elbow dysplegia and was,generally,very healthy till the very end!.
She did die of cancer(which happens a lot,in goldens) but this can happen,with a good breeder,as well!.

 

[Maxs Mom]

I bought mine from one I now know to be a backyard breeder. I do not have "good luck" stories to share but I will say one thing. Though I made mistakes, I have ABSOLUTELY no regrets. I love Teddi with all my heart, she is the best dog. She can't do what we bought her to do, be a performance dog, but she can be my best friend. I can't imagine my world with a different girl. Sure I wish she did not have her problems, and I wish we had not spent the money we have had to, but I just want to state again, I love her with all my heart, and she is an important member of my family.

I also think of her as my teacher. I have learned a lot since her not all bad either. I know about weight management, exercise management, and I know now to ask more questions the next time around. I hope your dog is in the realm of all my others, newspaper purchased and no problems. Teddi was my first run of bad luck, out of 7 dogs most goldens a couple labs.

 

[AquaClaraCanines]

Two of mine are BYB, though the dam of one of them is well bred. My third is a mystery. She could be show bred, she could be BYB, we'll never know! But I seriously doubt she's from a top breeder if she ended up neglected in a backyard.

My GSD is good lines, but his actual parents are not shown or worked and his breeder is technically a BYB. So far, so good- outstanding temperament (GSDs are known for temperament and fear issues) and no health problems at all. He's young, though.

None of my Goldens have hip, elbow, heart, thyroid, ear infection, eye, or skin issues.

 

[AmbikaGR]

Hi Kris and welcome to the GRF! :wavey:

I think if you took a poll of Golden owners and not just here on GRF you woulf find the vast majority of us got at least our first Golden from sources we would probably not go to today. My first Golden, Brandi, was from a pet store that got her from a puppy mill in the mid-west. I was quite fortunate in that her health in general was good. ANd as I tell everyone if not for her the chances the next 4 would probably never have been ap part of my life. And I can not imagine my life without any of these girls.
So try to relax and enjoy each and every moment with your pup.


And oh by the way you owe us some pics of your boy, and what might his name be?

 

[coppers-mom]

I've had four Goldens in the last 9 years who were either found, owner release or shelter rescues.

they were all adults at least and a couple were senior. None have had major health issues.

copper is my current GR shelter rescue and yes he has some issues. However, I belive that is due to his age and not genetics. He has some arthritis, but I belive he is at least 12 so that is to be expected.

Good luck with your pup - enjoy and love him. Take him to the vet and have a really good checkup performed in it will reasssure you.

 

[cubbysan]

My Brady is from a reputable breeder - and I still worried all the time the first 6 months I had him. He is almost three and fine, but I think when you learn what can go wrong, some of us will just worry more.

I just recently rescued a puppy, and because I have no idea where her beginnings are, I will probably end up getting insurance on her for peace of mind.

 

[Griffyn'sMom]

Oh goodness - don't be so hard on yourself! Hind sight is always 20/20!

Check my signature below - my first Golden Jake was purchased from a BYB - he had an awesome personality but he did have bad hips. He also had longevity - we had him until his 17th birthday.

We choose our paths in life to a certain point, but sometimes things are just meant to be. This pup was meant to be yours - enjoy your puppy!

 

[Laurie]

All of my dogs have been from BYB (although they weren't cheap). My one dog passed at age of 8 but that was from bloat..probably from something we had done now that I know what causes it (not from bad breeding). My other dog is 9 and has no health issues...my puppies are just that and have no known issues right now. With good food, good vet care and lots of love, many can live very long happy lives.....don't worry!!! Don't skimp on the food though..try to feed her a good quality food....I believe this helps immensely.

 

[beccacc31]

Our Mitchell was born in November of 95 and he just passed in August. He did have some hot spot issues (nothing that goldbond wouldn't solve) and he did get ear infections. But... He ran with Kevin a few times a week upto 7 miles, he did that up to the age of 11. From the ages 11 until his death we walked him but it became less and less. He lived a happy healthy doggy life. He had not hip, elbow, heart or eye issues.

 

[Debles]

My first golden Shammy (1973) was a registered golden but by a BYB : Shammy was the perfect representation of the golden temperament. She never had a health problem till she died of a stroke at age 12.

Our 2nd golden Sophie (1985) also was from a BYB and no papers. They had both parents who were beautiful and healthy so back then, we thought that was good enough.
Sophie was healthy her entire life until she died of a ruptured tumor at 14 and a half.

Max, our beautiful boy we bought from someone we thought was a reputable breeder (in 1987) He had an amazing pedigree with some of the best champions in golden history. I don't know if he had clearances back then or not, we didn't know enough to ask! But Max developed seizures at age 6, hypothyroid and died of megaesophagus at age 12.

My current goldens were bred by a breeder recommended by the GRCA. They had clearances. Selka , 10 has been perfectly healthy so far. Gunner age 6,(who has a father from a different line but with clearances) has hypothyroid and many genetic eye diseases: glaucoma, cataracts and uveitis.

If I was ever to go with a puppy again, I would definitely fine a reputable breeder who not only does clearances but who has good longevity in their goldens as well as good temperament. But I doubt we will go with a puppy again so we may rescue senior goldens and no health guarantees there!

 

[LibertyME]

Please enjoy your puppy.... he will never regret that you picked him...you shouldnt regret it either.... life is to **** short....

You may make different choices next time, but beating yourself up for this decision...serves no purpose.
Love Linda's (Tahnee GR) idea of getting an insurance policy or putting money aside....it is proactive and focuses your energy on doing something positive...

Sometimes it all comes down to when you know better you do better...heck we have all been there...If not with a puppy then with a hundred other decisions!

 

[timberwolf]

My Ryder came from a "Back Yard Breeder".
That guy was as healthy as a horse until he turned 9 - we found out he had a heart problem - the cardiologist said it wasn't hereditary, it was just something that happened.

I don't know if his parents had their clearances. I didn't know then what I know now.
If I had to do it again and knowing what I do know, would I still get him - YOU BET!!!
He was a joy to share and we are honored to have had the extreme privilege of sharing his life.

A wise person once told me that we have no control over what happened yesterday, we have no control over what will happen tomorrow, the only thing we really have control over is right now.
So, right now, go give that little fluff ball a big hug and Enjoy Him!!!
No point worrying about something that may never happen.

 

[Debles]

I forgot to say, I LOVED all my goldens! Regardless of health issues or not. In fact, Max was my heart and soul dog and he had the most problems/health issues.

Same goes for Selka and Gunner, Gunnie has all the health issues but I adore them both!