I'm looking for a reputable golden breeder.....not looking to pay for a show dog or anything like that. Anyone know of any trustworthy breeders?
Looking for Golden Retriever Breeder
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Aren't golden retrievers one of the most abundant breeds in the U.S.? You need to find a breeder for one?
The Toledo Animal Shelter has two listed on their website, and I would wager a guess that you could find even more by visiting the various shelters in the area.
Hi MattL. Most reputable breeders actually will have shown their dogs as it is the most reputable way to test time and time again that their pups meet conformation, health and behavioral standards. It also shows a breeder's commitment to the breed standard, which, if you are looking for a breeder rather than a shelter, is probably important to you. If your breeder has not shown their dogs, be wary of what you're getting. Many people call themselves "reputable breeders" when in fact they are just using their family pets as cash cows.
Therefore, I'd look for a local or regional kennel club for referrals on breeders. Here is a Golden Retriever Club based in Columbus, for example: http://www.grcco.org/ These folks are likely to be very knowledgeable about Ohio-based conformation breeders because they are clearly passionate about the breed. (Take note, though: I don't know this group personally. I just Googled for them.)
If you are determined to go the breeder route, here is a good reference -- scroll to the "Traits of Responsible Breeders" section: http://www.puppy-training-solutions.com/dog-breeders.html Off hand, I'd say the only thing missing from this list is that most reputable breeders will offer you a minimum one-year health guarantee in writing and will also put in writing their commitment to take back the dog at any time for any reason, should you later be no longer able to care for him or her. EDIT: Oh, they do mention this is the "Before You Make the Final Decision" section.
Last, Golden Retriever Rescue is always a good option. Here is the website of one Ohio-based Golden Retriever Rescue organization: http://www.goldentreasuresrescue.org/
Good luck!
Just adopt the dog already please. I swear this drives me as nuts as when gay people insist on have their own babies instead of adopting. Ridiculous and selfish.
Just re-read your post. If you are not looking to "pay" for a show dog, your best bet probably IS looking at the Goldens listed at the link above currently under the guardianship of Planned Pethood.
I hope you find a great companion!
okay, I have tried golden rescue...filled out the stuff and they NEVER replied to me.....
also, I have a golden, I want another one. I want a purebread....I did not buy my current dog from a reputable breeder, but from a couple that home breeds their two goldens. we have been lucky but he has some issues. So I want to go through someone that screens their dogs and lineage for health problems.
Ryan, how many pets do you have that are adopted? Did I ask anything about adoption in my question? Why are you such an ass?
They never replied? That's BS unless you put some weird crap on your application.
I have an adopted dog at home as we speak and will continue to adopt as opposed to adding to the over population of animals that is already staggering.
I don't care if you mentioned adoption in your question. It's called a discussion board last time I checked.
Why am I such an ass? Many reasons I suppose, but seeing blatant selfish behaviour usually brings it out in me.
petfinder.com put in your zip and the breed your looking for. It's an awesome site and you can rescue a dog. Check it out:)
Yes I did fill one out, they never answered me.
I've adopted dogs in the past, even took them in right off the street! Do I get some credit from you there? I adopt all my cats, too!!
How about since I'm gonna buy a dog and add to the overpopulation, you go out and adopt another to offset me.....
mattl, don't feel like anyone is attacking you
some people are just passionate about animal adoption
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/inbreeding.htm
That website discusses physical problems that can occur with dogs from breeders (always a possiblity) - won't let me copy & paste though. My daughter told me that dogs sometimes end up with medical issues due to breeding. A gamble regardless.
How old is your current dog? We had serious dog fighting issues when we brought a new dog into the house - our otherwise, very docile Australian shepard suddenly turned Alpha dog, dog fights that drew blood (theirs & ours). That lasted a couple of years. Just something to consider.
Looks like the golden rescuse does not have any for adoption at this time. But that other site for goldens is loaded with gorgeous dogs. Maybe he wants a puppy instead.I don't think people here are trying to be nasty. It's just that this country is so overwhelmed with homeless animals right now who would love to have somebody love them. And I honestly believe that everytime somebody buys from a breeder, it only encourages puppy mills - which are horrific. Too many people out there as it is who are trying to make money breeding puppies in puppy mills - the conditions they live in are horrible. Just too sad. And there's so many of these puppy mills as it is, it's heartbreaking. I think most people lean towards suggetions to adopt a dog (or cat) who needs a home badly, as opposed to buying a 'better quality' dog (is it really going to be 'better quality'?) I've always heard that the best tempered dogs were the mutts.
posted by starling02 on Jul 09, 2009 at 09:06:09 pm #
In addition to Starling's last comment, "mutts" seem to have less health issues -- this, coming from the owner of an AKC dog who has had his share of issues.
Agreed with the overpopulation problem, whole-heartedly. That's why a reputable breeder will ask their clients to sign a spay/neuter contract. Also, a reputable breeder and a puppy mill are not of the same ilk.
(I'm not necessarily advocating breeding -- you may have read my position favoring mandatory spay and neuter laws on Toledo Talk, but I'd love to see the day when shelters are obsolete and the only place you could get a dog would be from a reputable breeder! -- however, many people seem to want to go this route and I'd rather see them thoroughly research the breed and breeder, and ask and answer all the appropriate questions, rather than calling a number out of newspaper ad or off Craig's List, or worst of all, walking into a pet store! Also, it seems like people willing to go through all the research and documentation and pay a hefty sum for a dog are NOT the types to later dump their dogs when they get inconvenient, or make them live outside, or skip yearly vaccinations and checkups, or fail to spay/neuter so they produce litter after litter of unwanted pups. Just an observation. Not that people who adopt are necessarily prone to any of that, but my BIGGEST pet peeve in pet care is when I hear people say "My dog is sick but I don't have the money for a vet. What do I do?" Ugh. And those are usually the people who wanted a FREE PUPPY or low-cost newspaper ad dog to begin with.)
Also, re rescue organizations not getting back to applicants: I have heard this complaint MANY times. I would encourage MattL to re-apply. These rescues are staffed, usually, 100 percent by volunteers who also have full-time jobs so they can afford the costs involved with rescue. They are very, very busy and usually very, very overwhelmed both with dogs and applicants. Sometimes it does take some patience and persistence to get a response. The standard answer I've heard from many rescue organization volunteers is, "Please re-apply!"
I simply cannot judge MattL for his wishes here. Adoption and/or rescue are ALWAYS the preferred way to get a dog. However, we got ours from a breeder (gasp!) eight years ago. Granted, we've learned a lot since then and I don't know that we'd do it again, but what's done is done and we wouldn't trade our little boy for anything. We DID look at several shelters first, but no one had the kind of dog we wanted at that time (Boston Terrier). We also looked into rescue but we didn't meet their qualifications -- i.e. no small children around and mandatory fenced yard.
Personally, I am more interested in how a person cares for the dog they get than I am with where they got their dog. Good care-givers also keep dogs OUT of shelters and rescues because they make lifetime commitments to their pets.
Well said.
posted by starling02 on Jul 11, 2009 at 12:14:02 am #
one word...
adopt
there are plenty of good Golden's looking for homes in the area.
http://www.petfinder.com/search/search.cgi?pet.Animal=Dog&pet.Breed=golden+retriever&pet.Age=&pet.Size=&pet.Sex=&location=43606
posted by transcom on Jul 09, 2009 at 08:29:11 am #