I decided on getting a new puppy for myself for birthday and Christmas this year. In the beginning of the month, I decided to put a direct deposit on a puppy for $100 and that's when I stumbled across this site on things to look out for. After doing some digging and things to watch out for, I noticed that the sire wasn't 2 years old yet, but had pre-screening done on the hips, elbows, and heart. The mother was around 6 years old and have had many litters. The mother was cleared with hips, heart, and elbows. Neither of the dogs have had their eyes checked. And they were being described as "English Creme Golden Retrievers". She never showed the dogs, and it came with a spay/neuter contract.
So after seeing the posts on this forum of breeders that throw up red flags, I decided to contact the GRCA contact here in my hometown. She said she would be very cautious spending the money that I would be spending on a puppy from that breeder. She gave me reasons why, and what to ask them and to let her know the answers. The point of contact in my area shows her dogs, trains, as well as breeds them. She never put the other breeder down, only told me to be cautious and that she has never heard of this persons name.
So I asked her if she knew anyone in the area who had puppies available that I could go meet and see how they were. She referred me to a wonderful elderly lady who has been breeding Goldens for 19 years. On the phone she told me that her last two dogs that passed away were 14 years old.
I got to meet the sire of this litter, and he is a recent UKC Grand Champion (attached the picture below), as well as the mother (she had the grandmother there as well). She also has champion bloodlines, and they both were wonderful and well behaved. I had a good feeling when I left this persons house and have decided to purchase from her instead of the original breeder. And what sealed the deal id when I asked her if I purchased the dog from her, could I bring him back for a "play date" with the mother and grandmother... and I could see it in her eyes that she was surprised I asked her that question, and she said "You are absolutely more welcome to do that." She had a notebook of all the certs, clearances, pedigree, and awards the dogs have won and she said she will be supplying me a copy of everything.
I am telling you this because I wanted to thank everyone for their posts on what to look for, and helped me make an informed decision. The little guy is a litter of 4 (3 male and 1 female) and I have a picture of two pups attached.
So after seeing the posts on this forum of breeders that throw up red flags, I decided to contact the GRCA contact here in my hometown. She said she would be very cautious spending the money that I would be spending on a puppy from that breeder. She gave me reasons why, and what to ask them and to let her know the answers. The point of contact in my area shows her dogs, trains, as well as breeds them. She never put the other breeder down, only told me to be cautious and that she has never heard of this persons name.
So I asked her if she knew anyone in the area who had puppies available that I could go meet and see how they were. She referred me to a wonderful elderly lady who has been breeding Goldens for 19 years. On the phone she told me that her last two dogs that passed away were 14 years old.
I got to meet the sire of this litter, and he is a recent UKC Grand Champion (attached the picture below), as well as the mother (she had the grandmother there as well). She also has champion bloodlines, and they both were wonderful and well behaved. I had a good feeling when I left this persons house and have decided to purchase from her instead of the original breeder. And what sealed the deal id when I asked her if I purchased the dog from her, could I bring him back for a "play date" with the mother and grandmother... and I could see it in her eyes that she was surprised I asked her that question, and she said "You are absolutely more welcome to do that." She had a notebook of all the certs, clearances, pedigree, and awards the dogs have won and she said she will be supplying me a copy of everything.
I am telling you this because I wanted to thank everyone for their posts on what to look for, and helped me make an informed decision. The little guy is a litter of 4 (3 male and 1 female) and I have a picture of two pups attached.
