I just stumbled over this thread and had to chime in too. I've known this breeder for more than 20 years, and have owned two of her dogs. The downside... as noted, she does not breed for "show" per se (although I believe she has produced several who could have done well in the ring), she does not take the time to put her dogs up on K9Data, and she doesn't always get all the appropriate clearances on her breeding stock. Her "line" (the one that goes back 30+ years) has a good selection of what most would consider "pet" Goldens, although there is definitely some recognizable stock behind some of them. On the upside... She breeds sound, healthy, long-lived, intelligent Goldens, with the typical sweet Golden temperament. Her focus when choosing her studs and breeding stock is on health, longevity, and temperament, followed by the "type" that appeals to her (she's recently added some "European" lines). Most of her puppy buyers are so happy with their dogs that they keep coming back to her again and again (including more than one vet). In the 20+ years I've known her, I'm only aware of one dog of her breeding that died of cancer (sadly, it was mine), one with a serious heart defect, and one with a liver (?) issue. I know of none that have had orthopedic or eye issues of any kind. I'm sure there must be some dogs of her breeding which have had health issues, but in the big picture of the Golden gene pool, her dogs are about as healthy and long-lived as they come, with few dying before the age of 12 and many making it to 15. My dogs are/were both outstanding working dogs - a joy to train with great careers in the obedience and agility ring. It's really a shame that most of her dogs go to pet owners and very few to working homes.
[Update: This breeder's original lines that were so healthy, intelligent and long-lived have since died out. I am not familiar with her current lines, so buyers should do their due diligence going forward - as indeed, they always should!]
