The puppy seems to have all the characteristics of a true Golden Retriever. (the shape of the head, nose, eyes, etc) but the pet shop cannot provide the pedigree document because it's father (sire) didn't have it. Is it that important to have this document? Can't decide whether I should get the dog. Help!!
2006-09-02 06:52:53 · 21 answers · asked by Tug 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
It depends on what you intend to do with the dog. However, I can tell you that pet shops are usually not the best places to buy puppies. Pet shops don't take the individual time to train the dogs and socialize them that private breeders do. Most pet shops buy their puppies from high volume breeders who have so many litters on the ground at once, they cannot do anything but give the dogs the basic care - food, water and shelter. They also often just breed what ever ***** happens to be in heat with what ever dog will produce the most puppies. If you buy a puppy from a breeder who has one or two litters a year, the puppy will usually have a much better start to life, even before the breeding takes place - the breeders studies the pedigrees of the dogs to make sure that they are not doubling up on problems. A responsible breeder cares not just about selling puppies, but having a positive influence on their breed - creating healthier dogs that are as close to the breed standard as possible. Most breeders will also get the puppies used to loud sounds, crates, different objects that might frighten a puppy, and expose them to many different types of people (children, men, women, postal workers, etc.) so they will have less fears. They are also there to answer questions if you have problems with your puppy, such as house breaking, playing rough and nipping, etc.
If this puppy does not have a pedigree, you can be pretty sure that the health of the dogs in his lines have not been researched.
If you are not planning on showing a dog, or breeding, you really don't need a printed pedigree. But if you really want a healthy, well bred Golden, I would look elsewhere.
****Please note - I am a breeder and used to the correct terminology when refering to female dogs. I didn't think twice about using it here. I apologise if it offended anyone, but I see it has been replaced. ;-) I do hope the thumbs down was not for that.
2006-09-02 07:21:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Puppies are always so cute and soooooooo tempting!!!
Personally, If I bought a puppy from a Pet Shop,I would prefer knowing about the parents just because Goldens have been over bred and can sometimes have genetic problems such as Hip Dysplasia which can come up later and end up being very costly to you and your dog.
If you are not planning on breeding and you are serious about adopting a Pet for better or for worst, then get it.
If you want a healthy and happy Golden Retriever try a Golden Rescue Organization. There are specific characteristics the breed has. Looks is not the only thing. Temperament and Health is also very important in Golden Retrievers.
I adopted 4 Goldens from Rescue Shelters in the last 20 years.
2006-09-02 07:33:09 · answer #2 · answered by Izzy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't buy this dog. Pet shops get their puppies from puppy mills - places where bitches are bred and bred and bred for the sole purpose of having puppies to sell. These dogs are not properly vetted/cared for and they do not perform genetic testing. According to the Golden Retirever Club of America ( http://www.grca.org ) a breeding pair should be OFA certified for both hips and elbows (to prevent dysplasia), CERF registered (to prevent hereditary eye disease) and be certified by a cardiologist (to prevent hereditary heart murmurs common in goldens)
When you pay for a puppy you are paying for two things - #1 knowing what that dog will look and act like as an adult and #2 knowing that the puppy was produced from quality parents who will not pass on any genetic defects. If the sire was not registered it is either because (a) he is not a purebred Golden Retriever or (b) because he has a conformational or tempermental fault that caused his registration to be denied.
It would be ok to get this puppy as a pet if you really want it - it's not ok to pay for this puppy. You aren't getting the benefits and peace of mind that you pay for when you buy a purebred puppy. If you really, really want the puppy for a pet you should ask to see all the health certificates I mentioned above for both the sire and *****. If the pet shop has those (and again if you really, really want him) then they should offer you a significantly discounted price on the puppy. If those are not available then I would run like heck.
2006-09-02 07:30:05 · answer #3 · answered by Greyt-mom 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would NEVER ever buy a puppy from a pet shop, for one thing their taken away from their mother way to young. I would ALWAYS want to see the parents and have a pedigree and know what health tests have been done. And what about temperment issues, wouldn't you want to know the temperment of the parents, grandparents etc.. Pet shops are all profit, learn and do your homework buy from a reputable breeder, you might be on a waiting list but its worth the wait.
Here is a link with some pet shop stories, http://www.puppymillrescue.com/petstorehorrostories.htm
2006-09-02 10:32:31 · answer #4 · answered by Judy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on what you want the dog for.If you want one for a pet,then,no it doesn't matter if you have papers for it,but if you are wanting one to breed and sell the puppies,you would want the papers. You will beable to get more money for your puppies if they have papers. Also just a thought if you are looking for a puppy,why not look in the paper instead of a pet shop.For two reasons,1 you don't know for sure where the pet shop got the puppy,it could be from a puppy mill and 2.if you bought from a private person then chances are they would be registred puppies and you would beable to see at least the mother and maybe the father of the puppies.Then you know what you are getting.
2006-09-02 07:04:12 · answer #5 · answered by Miss Kimmie 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If he doesn't have papers, he shouldn't cost a lot of money then. I bought my dog at a small local pet store and he is just as healthy as any other dog. He is about two now and I've never had any problems with him. I'm usually not a supporter of pet shops, but the breeders in my area were truly fleecing the buyers and charging WAY too much for dogs that were just pet quality. (I'm sorry but I'm not paying $2800 for a pet!) My dog has papers, but they don't mean anything to me anyway. I'm not going to breed him or show him, he's just going to be my pet.
2006-09-02 07:37:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sure. You aren't going to show it. And for sure, get it neutered or spayed. You are buying a pet, not a breeder (Thank you very much -- the world does not need any more dogs -- thousands every day are euthanized in pounds and shelters because no one will buy/take for free even so please have it fixed). You pet will be a much nicer pet -- female dogs don't bleed all over your furniture, you don't have stray males trying to jump thru your glass windows (yeah, it happens) to get at her, and intact males whine and cry constantly to get out and find a female in heat. All this doesn't exist if your dogs is neutered.
2006-09-02 07:41:18 · answer #7 · answered by ladyren 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
for just a pet this does not matter. For a breeding dog it is nice. Price is important. What does the pet shop want and have you looked for individual breeders to see if you could get a better deal. Check to see if the gums are pink and other stuff. Does he give some kind of warrenty. In ga the dept of agriculture wants pet dealers to give a 72 hour warrenty at least to give you time to have the puppy vet checked and if you sell more than one litter a year you need to be liesened also. This varies from state to state. Get what ever puppy vet checked and shop around.
2006-09-02 07:02:00 · answer #8 · answered by ronnny 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
if you buya golden retriever without papers you will not get the guarantee that a breeder will give you and make sure you get the agreement in writing about how long he/she will warranty the dog.. i have a friend that bought a dog from a pet shop a few months later this beautiful boxer was dead with a tumor in his brain so i dont know if i would be that trustworthy of a pet shop
2006-09-02 06:59:52 · answer #9 · answered by ladylukycharms 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Are you going to breed it? If not, it doesn't matter and you may want to just get a dog from a rescue or the pound. If you are going to breed it, you definitely should get a dog with papers.
Don't spend hundreds of dollars on a dog without papers. You can't breed it, you can't show it, and you can get the same kind of pet for MUCH less $$ from the humane society.
2006-09-02 07:01:05 · answer #10 · answered by Kosmo 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋