This article was originally posted by Swampcollie:
So you're looking for a Golden Retriever
So you and your family have discussed it and you've decided to get a Golden Retriever.
O.K. Hold it right there.
The decisions you make during this selection process will have long lasting repercussions in your life for many years to come. You really need to progress from here based upon planned rational thought, not out of an emotional decision based upon a momentary impulse. The pup you've chosen to add to your life will likely be there for the next ten to fifteen years or longer. You need to carefully consider the changes in your life that will occur over that period. Make sure that the timing is right for a new puppy and that you will be able to provide care for the dog throughout the stages of its life.
Now the question is how to proceed?
What options are out there?
Where do we look?
What should we look for?
What pitfalls should we avoid?
And of course how much will it cost?
The Golden Retriever breed today is split into two distinctive types, the Conformation or Show style, and the Performance or Field style. They are all Golden Retrievers but there are different physical and personality traits related to the style category that have been brought to the fore for each style group, and they are very different.
Within each style category there will be subtle variations in size, color, coat length, and temperament. Before embarking on your search you need to sit down and create a shopping list so to speak outlining the uses intended for the dog, traits and qualities that are important to you, traits and qualities that not important to you, and traits and qualities that you absolutely do not want. To this list add other items of interest or concern to you that you need to discuss with potential breeders.
This shopping list is important because most breeders have specific interests with their dogs and focus their breeding program to those ends. If you are looking for traits in a dog that a potential breeder isn't concerned with, you will likely be disappointed with the dogs they produce.
The shopping list will give you topics to discuss with the breeders so you can get answers that are meaningful to you.
Style Types
Conformation Style
The Conformation dogs will appear stocky and very heavily boned. The head will be broad and domed. The coats are long and full with long flowing furnishings. The color varies from white and cream to light gold. The structure is designed to produce a style of movement that wins in the show ring, smooth when walking and the appearance of floating when pacing at a brisk trot around the ring. Temperament is usually very calm, laid back and friendly.
Performance Style
The Performance dogs will appear lean and trim, with adequate bone, and a well muscled athletic appearance. The head will be more wedge shaped in appearance than the conformation dogs, and be slightly less pronounced. The coat will be short and thick, wavy or flat, with light to moderate feathering. Color will vary from light gold to very dark gold almost mahogany red. The structure is designed for athleticism, durability and stamina. They are able to run, jump, and swim tirelessly for long periods of time. Temperament is active, friendly, outgoing with a burning desire to please.
What to Look For
This is where your shopping list comes into play. Your needs will determine which style of dog you should be looking for.
If for example you're looking for a dog that will serve as both a hunting dog for upland and waterfowl as well as a family pet, you should be looking for a dog from the Performance group.
If on the other hand showing a dog in Conformation Shows or Obedience Trials as well a family pet, you should be looking in the Conformation group.
Qualities that are important considerations for dogs in either group are Health Clearances and Temperament.
Health Clearances
What are Health Clearances you ask?
Many conscientious breeders have over the last 25 to 30 years screened their breeding stock for known genetic defects, so they could avoid using known defective animals in their breeding programs. Prospective breeding stock should be checked for Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, eye abnormalities, and heart defects. Normally this means that prospective breeding stock should have clearance certifications from OFA (Hips & Elbows), CERF (Eyes), and SAS (Heart).
While using cleared breeding stock does not guarantee that offspring will be free of genetic problems, it does reduce the odds of them occurring considerably.
Temperament
Temperament is critical to the Golden Retriever.
The Breed Standard defines the Golden Temperament as "Friendly, Reliable and Trustworthy. Quarrelsomeness or hostility towards other dogs or people in normal situations, or an unwarranted show of timidity or nervousness, is not in keeping with Golden Retriever character." Note that the definition does not say Calm, Gentle, or Laid Back. Many people have the misguided idea that the Golden Retriever is supposed to be a laid back, sluggish dog that lays around all day in total contentment. That is NOT what the Golden Retriever is intended to be. The Golden is supposed to be an active friendly dog.
Envision a party attended by dogs. The Golden is the dog in the corner with the lampshade on his head, the life of the party, and making sure everybody is having a good time.
Breeders
Look for a Breeder that produces only one breed, in this case Golden Retrievers.
Learning a thorough understanding of a Breed takes the commitment of a great deal of time and effort. It would be a rare individual who was knowledgeable and competent in more than one breed. Breeders should compete or participate with their dogs in some type of organized activities or events. Participation in such events as Conformation Shows, Field Trials, Hunting Tests, Obedience Trials, Agility Trials, and such helps to educate and temper the Breeders eye to what a sound dog is. In essence, it keeps them from working in a vacuum. It helps them to see what the strong traits are and what the weaknesses are in their own dogs, so they can make better breeding decisions.
Look for Breeders:
Who's breeding stock carries appropriate health clearances for the breed.
Who guarantee the dogs they produce in writing.
Who can offer references from past customers.
Who can answer your questions to your satisfaction.
Who will take back a dog (for the life of the dog) that you can no longer keep.
Be Prepared to Wait
Most pups in a quality litter are spoken for before the litter is bred. Depending on exact litter timing, or mix of genders arriving in the litter, one or two pups may become available but they are usually spoken for within a few days of birth. You would need to be very lucky to happen to catch one of the spares available in a blind inquiry.
Your best option is to talk with several Breeders that produce the kind of dog you seek and settle on one or two that you're comfortable with. Ask to be put on the Breeder's reservation list. This way the Breeder will contact you when they have a confirmed pregnancy and you can decide at that time if the timing is right for your family at that time. If the timing is right, send off a deposit and wait for the litter to be born.
If the timing isn't right, stay on the waiting list for the next litter. Keep the Breeder informed of your plans. Reputable Breeders work closely with each other and they may learn of a pup that could suit your needs on your schedule.
What To Avoid
Backyard Breeders
Avoid Breeders that haven't screened their breeding stock for genetic abnormalities. They either don't know or don't care enough about the animals they're producing to avoid known problems in their breeding programs.
This type of breeder is often referred to as a "Back yard Breeder". They know very little about producing a quality litter and didn't take the time to find out. They often produce a litter as an "Educational experience for the children" so they can see the miracle of birth, or the family dog got out and was mated by accident. None of these reasons is a good one for producing a litter of puppies.
You might luck out and get a nice dog from a backyard breeder, and then again you may not. They just put two dogs together and hope things work out. They really have no idea of what they are going to get.
Most of the time there is no purchase agreement or guarantee offered, and there won't be much support if you have questions about your pup.
Pet Shops
Avoid buying puppies from Pet Shops. The puppies found in pet shops are produced by commercial breeders and in some cases puppy mills. Most puppies will not come from cleared stock. Many of the producers of puppies for Pet Shops cannot obtain registration papers from the AKC, UKC or CKC due to violating the codes of ethics those Registries operate under.
The puppies you find here will be low in quality and high in price, and you probably face the likelihood that you won't be able to register the dog with the AKC or CKC.
Most of the time your guarantee is for 30 days. (Unless you purchased the pup in a state with a puppy lemon law.) After that period you're on your own.
Other Options
Rescue Organizations
There are several Golden Rescue Organizations located throughout the nation. They will have dog's (and occasionally puppies) of various sizes and styles. They may be normal healthy dogs or they may have some issues to deal with. The advantage is that you can see what the dog is like before you decide to bring it into your life.
How Much Will It Cost
The cost of owning any dog is expensive. If you are a first time dog owner the cost of owning a pup the first year will exceed $2,000 alone. Note I said cost of owning, that does not include the purchase price of the pup. We'll get to that later.
The typical "Healthy" Golden will live from ten to fifteen years and cost you somewhere in the neighborhood of $15,000 to $20,000 over the course of its life. That price includes feeding, shelter, basic O.B. classes, equipment, Veterinary care, and fixing the occasional bump and scrape.
Note this cost is for a "Normal", "Healthy" dog.
If you get one with allergies, joint problems, eye problems, or other genetic disorders that price of ownership will skyrocket two or three fold. The lesson to remember is don't scrimp on the purchase price of the pup because it will come back to bite you in the pocketbook later.
The purchase price of a pup can start at $1 and go to $2,000 or more. In most cases you get what you pay for. Puppies from a back yard breeder may sell from $1 to as much as $650. Puppies from pet shops are the real rip off. Low quality, no health clearances, no guarantee to speak of, and an excessively high price tag. You are paying a premium price for an instant puppy.
The purchase price for puppies from a serious reputable breeder will start about $750 and go up from there. This type of breeder has done their homework, obtained health clearances, and offers a guarantee on the dogs they produce. They are your best value over the long haul.
Do most folks need a $2,000 puppy? Of course not!
Most puppies in that price range are really competition quality and more dog than most folks need. Most people will be best served with a pup from the $750 to $1,300 price range. In that range you should get a pup from sound healthy stock, a guarantee, and support from a knowledgeable breeder for the life of the dog. That is money well spent when you consider the cost of ownership for the life of the dog.
Where to Look
First, start with the local Retriever Clubs in your area (All-breed or Golden). The people there can be great sources of information and will often know the most knowledgeable people to contact.
Second, your Veterinarian. They also have contacts with Breeders and can help you find the right contacts.
Next, the Internet. There is a lot of information available on-line although it can be difficult if you don't know what you're looking for.
Important Information Sources
CERF - Canine Eye Registry Foundation
O.F.A. - Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
k9data.com - Online database for the Golden Retriever
GRCA - Golden Retriever Club of America (Parent Breed Club U.S.)
GRCC - Golden Retriever Club of Canada (Parent Breed Club Can.)
AKC - American Kennel Club (Registry and Sanctioning Body)
CKC - Canadian Kennel Club (Registry and Sanctioning Body)
UKC - United Kennel Club (Registry and Sanctioning Body)
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