What To Ask Your Prospective Golden Retriever Breeder By Carol A Matthews

Money shouldn't mean much to a good Golden Retriever breeder needing to find good homes for puppies. Ask for references and what they like to see in a dog owner. You must visit the Golden Retriever breeder to be sure he or she isn’t a puppy mill in disguise. Good dog breeders will only have a few pups for sale a year. Ask to see health certificates and ask for a written contract. Great Golden Retriever breeders will ask you more questions than you ask them.

There's no way around the issue – a Golden Retriever puppy costs a lot of money. Depending on the health assurances and reputation as a breeder, a pure bred Golden Retriever puppy can run you anywhere from three hundred to three thousand dollars. If you are going to be investing that much money in a pet, a show dog or future breeding stock, then you need to ask a lot of questions to your Golden Retriever breeder.

This is one reason why you should never buy a puppy from a pet store or from online puppy brokers. You will never be able to ask questions of the breeders. That, and the slight fact that all pet stores and online puppy brokers get their stock from inhumane puppy mills. These puppy mills are the reason why there are sadly, very unhealthy and un-trainable Golden Retrievers running around. In order to assure yourself that your puppy is healthy and sane, you need to meet the breeder.

First off, do not be afraid to ask any questions of your Golden Retriever breeder. It is your right – not just from a business standpoint, but from an ethical standpoint, too. You are bringing this creature into your home and your heart for however long the Golden Retriever should live. You might as well know what you are getting yourself in for. Forewarned is forearmed.

Ask the breeder for references, whether from past customers or from their vet. Ask the breeder why they breed Golden Retrievers. Ask them what they think makes a perfect Golden Retriever. Their answers should be more concerned about the dog's health and personalities rather than looks. Also ask whether the parents are gun dogs (hunting dogs) or show dogs. There is a different temperament and sometimes a different body shape between working dogs and show dogs. If you are an avid duck hunter, then you will have no interest in show dog stock.

You also want to ask for a written contract, which spells out what the breeder is responsible for. A good Golden Retriever breeder will already have such a contract for you! A good breeder will also be able to not only show you the puppy's mother, but also her health certificates. You need to be sure the parents have been tested for hip dysplasia and eye conditions that can be passed genetically.

Then ask yourself why you are going through all of this. If you want show dogs, breeding dogs or hunting dogs, then stick with the Golden Retriever breeder you can best get along with and is as proud of his or her dogs like they would be their children. If you want a pet, then please do not go to a breeder. Instead, go to a Golden Retriever breed rescue group and adopt an adult or older puppy. You'll save a life and get a financial break that way.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=245199&ca=Pets