We got our beautiful, smart, funny, perfect golden from Rolland's - she is now a year and a half old- and our experience was nothing but positive with them. The mom dogs are their loves- they treat all of the dogs as part of the family. The conditions are clean, spacious and responsible. In fact I came online to check when they would be expecting another litter or my mom and came across some negative threads. I've been disturbed to discover some nasty comments from people who have only made assumptions about Rollands from hearsay. It seems that all of the posters who have actually gotten dogs from them only have positive things to say. So I hope that people will think twice before tarnishing the name of a good family business. I'm not trying to start a debate, but just hoping that anyone who comes across these comments will have both sides of the argument to consider. And this is not our 1st golden- it is our fourth in my lifetime (1st from Rolland's though) so I'm definitely up to speed on the breed. Our Penny Lane is seriously so amazing. I'd highly recommend this breeder! I know this is an old post, btw but wanted to put my two cents in for people stumbling across it.
I am glad you had a good experience, and that Penny Lane is such an amazing dog.
However, this doesn't change the fact that Rolland's is
still not breeding according to the GRCA Code of Ethics which is the minimum standards benchmark.
Since you have had 4 Goldens and are "up to speed on the breed" you know the health issues that our breed can be susceptible to. This is why the 4 recommended clearances are so very important.
If we take a look at their dogs, we find:
Arnold the Govenator only has his heart (done by a cardiologist at least) and his hips reported in the OFA database. If his elbows had been done and were clear, the results would be automatically reported. So either they haven't been done or worse, they have been done and were dysplastic. The eye clearance, or CERF isn't required to be reported on the OFA database, but neither is the heart--one would think that if they went to the trouble to send in the heart clearance they would have sent the CERF as well.
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
Maggie May Bird only has hips done. And is the daughter of Arnold and Lucky Lady Bird. One has to wonder if she is being bred to her sire, and what potential issues come with that.
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
Lucky Lady Bird has hips, elbows, and a CERF that is 3.5 years old. Of course you know that CERF should be current within one calendar year of breeding.
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
Bettie Boo Bird has no clearances whatsoever.
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
All of the above is much more than hearsay. They are cold, hard, unemotional, documented facts.
Additionally, I find it pretty amazing that all 3 dams are such a perfect match for their onsite stud. That's pretty fortuitous that they are able to breed to improve the overall standing of the breed in general.
Unfortunately there is more to breeding that attractive facilities, excellent customer service, and even treating their animals as family members. Exactly as you described, they are an excellent business. Unfortunately breeding is much more than a business.
As others have posted, if someone is looking for a breeder that has taken every step to reduce the risk of health issues, is breeding to improve the breed, and is breeding ethically as defined by the GRCA, you'd have to keep looking.
I hope this won't be your only post. Please stick around and interact with us. This is a great group of people with a huge passion for Goldens. Who knows, maybe you'll be able to contribute to the repository of knowledge or heck, even learn a thing or two.