So my family and I have been wanting a golden retriever for a while now, and last month we started searching for breeders. We finaly contacted one and we went to visit his home yesterday afternoon.. everything seemed fine, until we felt like he was a little too pushy in trying to sell us his puppy? Ive read that good breeders wont do this. Here are some things that we thought might be a concern:
There are 11 females and 5 males.
He uses his own males to father the pups (I thought most of the breeders looked for a male from another owner to breed with their female.. or no?)
He refused to give us references (names numbers) of other owners unless we put a $500.00 deposit down on one of the pups
There was no gaurantee of health. Meaning once I bought the pup, Im on my own even if it gets hip dysplacia or some other medical problem. I thought a good breeder would allow you have the puppy for a while and if something went wrong, you could return it?
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2007-10-23 01:27:24 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
He insisted how great his pups are, and how NONE of them have ever been sick in anyway
ok great, BUT that doesnt mean none will ever become ill. You cannot gaurantee anything in life
And realy, Id hate like hell to bring this puppy home, have my family get so attached, have it get
ill and not be able to replace it. He wants $1500.00 dollars for this dog. If something happens
Id have to pay another $1500.00 to replace him.
What do you guys think? Am I overreacting? Is this guy a decent breeder, or should I look elsewhere?
Id appreciate real answers only.
2007-10-23 01:27:35 · update #1
Thank you everyone, this is VERY reassuring.
fruitcake.. nono, there wasnt 16 puppies in the litter. He has 11 female full grown dogs, and 5 grown males
2007-10-23 01:54:54 · update #2
juckette, sorry hun but you havent a clue. I am not unhappy with the price, I went into this knowing Id be spending anywhere from 1200.00-2000.00 for this animal. What I am unhappy with, is the way he behaved and the fact that we walked in, he tried to push this puppy on his, didnt ask us a thing and didnt offer us any kind of gaurantee.
Ive never bought a dog before, and wanted to hear from people who could actually give me helpful advice.
2007-10-23 02:07:43 · update #3
What to look for in a golden retriever breeder?
Tony comments:
A long history of producing stong, healthy pups of good temperament, type, conformation and soundness ... AS SUPPORTED BY PAST BUYERS, CONTEMPORARY PEERS, AND HEALTH TESTING BY BOARD CERTIFIED VETERINARIANS SPECIALIZING IN THE FIELD OF STUDY BEING QUALIFIED.
This means referrals ... and if he hasn't got plenty of them, pass.
Ah, but Tony, where do all of these referrals come from if no one is to buy pups from new breeders? From the coat tails of his/her Breed(er) mentor. Who, btw, should be willing to stake their own reputation on the pups their apprentice produces.
New Breeders need to have built a good reputation, not a bought one, nor bred to one.
Tony Ancheta
2007-10-23 04:38:35 · answer #1 · answered by koehlerdogtraining © 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd suggest you find another breeder. I'm a cat person and read up a lot on finding the right cat breed, but the rules are generally the same. You want a breeder who's area for the breeding is clean. You also want one who uses a male, in your case, that is not from the same house to promote bloodlines. You can't count on a breeder who uses his own for incestral purposes. References are a must. If he doesn't give you any, it probably means something happened previously to one of his puppies and there was an issue. And, as a side note, you want a breeder who breeds for quality, not quantity - and this guy sounds like he's in it for the money (which means he might breed his female out more than once a year).
2007-10-23 01:37:35 · answer #2 · answered by jerseydevil480 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
This breeder does not sound reputable at all.
Always look for a breeder who will let you know other buyers, references are pretty essential when buying. A health guarantee shouldn't be denied. Look for the owner to be showing/working their dogs. Goldens are one of the few breeds left who can excel in the show ring and in the field, and finding a breeder who breeds for both is becoming easier, and is a good start.
A breeder with more than one or two litters per year is something I would stay away from. This breed is extremely large in number, and they fill rescues and shelters. Multiple litters on the ground at one time is a big turn-off.
You should be allowed to see the parents, and their health certifications from the OFA. Don't buy into a breeder who will claim that the veterinarian is just as good (or better) than the OFA.
Also, check this site for some more tips:
http://www.thedachshundnetwork.com/respbrdr.htm
2007-10-23 01:33:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 0⤋
Run away and don't come back to this breeder. I don't think you want to have your suspicions confirmed by getting a sick dog. You COULD luck out, but I think you'd feel better about getting on a waiting list for a well-bred Golden from health-certified parents who are proven in the ring and/or in field trials.
Check the Golden Retriever Club of America (assuming you're in the US) for more information:
http://www.grca.org/acquiring.htm
They will often have contacts and you can find a better breeder this way. Joining the breed club is another great way to network and find out more about this fantastic breed.
Run away from this guy and find yourself a good breeder who can be a great resource for you when taking care of your pup. Good luck to you! You're on the right track. Keep us posted - IMO, Golden Retriever puppies are some of the cutest.
2007-10-23 04:01:39 · answer #4 · answered by a gal and her dog 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi! I hope I can assist you.
I was a Golden breeder for 27 years. I never pushed my pups on anyone in fact I screened my clients very well. All my breeding dogs had all the major health screening done on them as well. I also had both my males and females here with me. I did on occasion bring in a stud to strengthen my lines. I would not call it unusual for him to have all his breeding stock right there. He does have a lot of dogs but that would not alarm me either but I would have to know what the linage was of all the dogs he has to check for in breeding and line breeding and see what the results were.
BIG red flag to me is the no references, no health guarantee and the fact he does not health screen for anything. His word means nothing at all.
No a good and responsible breeder will not let you test run a puppy. What they do is give you a guarantee of health for a period of time so if any defects were found they would either ask that the pup be returned to them for a full refund or replacement pup. Each breeder has a different amount of time for this to happen. I had a 5 year guarantee for hips, elbows and any other major problems that could come up if it was found to be due to an inherited issue. I also had in my contract that I had first right to the pup if the client could no longer keep the pup for any reason. Some good and responsible breeders have simular requests in their contracts.
My opinion on this breeder is that there is something shady going on and I'd advise you to get your money back and keep looking. This breeder would get a D- from me! To many unanswered question for me and the red flags keep popping up every where.
Feel free to e-mail me if you have any other questions.
ADD: for that price You should get a pup with all the major health screening done to the breeding parents and a guarntee of health in writing. Like I said his word means 0!
2007-10-23 01:44:50 · answer #5 · answered by ♥Golden gal♥ 7 · 9⤊ 1⤋
The really good breeder have a waiting list for their puppies so only a few would be available, if any.
You should also be able to see the pedigree for the mother and the father. Many decades ago, I bought a pup from a AKC breeder. Found out, after the fact, that the parents of my pup were brother and sister.
2007-10-23 01:39:14 · answer #6 · answered by A Great Dane Lady 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
sorry but 16 puppies in a litter sounds really suspisious. what a good breeder will do is tell you about the puppies, let you see the mum with the pups and if using their own dog will show you the dad as well, most decent breeders will tell you to go away and thinhk about it before you decide to get one of their puppies, and will be more than willing to say they will call the owners and ask themto call you, i would not give out names and numbers of my previous puppy people this is confidential but i would call them and ask their permission for them to contact you, good breeders will offer a life time garentee of rehoming the puppy for you but in britain when a person changes over the pedigree papers they get 6 weeks free insurence on the puppy that covers any illness we always recomend to puppy people that they keep the insurence cover going to cover any illness or operations needed, there should be a return policy just incase the puppy is not suited to you or your family, some people do use their own males but most do go to outside males to stop interbreeding and genetic problems being passed on, if you have any doubts about this person go else where, you need to be happy with the person before you buy a dog and you should be offered a life time advice service, but not everyone are good breeders they are in it for the money and do not care about the welfare of their animals it is sad but it does go on. i live in britain and here we have the kennel club, which we advise people to look for a good breeder there they hold lists of repritable breeders of pedigree dogs, we bred under certain conditions and if we break any we can't register the dogs, i am sure you have something like that where you are is so get in touch and ask about a good breeder and see them, do not buy a puppy if you have any doubts you should always go on your first instincts even if it takes you longer to find a puppy that suits your families needs, well done for not giving in to this pushy person. sorry for any bad spelling spell check not working.
2007-10-23 01:51:59 · answer #7 · answered by fruitcake 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am new to answers. One of the first people I contacted via e-mail was Golden gal. I am looking for a Golden pup. Through many conversations with her I now feel very confident that I can go to any breeder and make a wise and informed decision. She knows more about this breed than just about anyone I had previously asked for help. She supplied me with what ever information about herself and her dogs that I asked for with out hesitation. She was Not in any way A Back yard breeder. I am not the type of person to point fingers but it seems to me that if someone is going to slander someone they should be able to back up what they claim. If they can not then a apology is in order. So far I see none! I think that in it self speaks volumes of the character and motivation of the person who made the accusations in the first place. Pity! I for one will continue to seek her advice as I continue my hunt for a pup and once I do I know I will be asking Golden gal many questions. As for her to publicly disclose her Kennel name well since she is now retired why should she? I have not seen any other person on this site do so. Ahhhh just another ploy to discredit someone by yet another lay person with. You keep up your wonderful advice and helping those of us who need it Golden gal! I for one thank you and applaude you!
2016-04-09 23:32:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He asked you nothing? like if you had a fenced yard? if you planned to show, hunt, just pet? YOU for references? nothing! RED ALERT bad sign.... so bad that I'd say move on on that alone.
while some breeders don't have a written out health guarentee they shouldn't be relutant to tell/show you health certification.
THE own male is not a good sign (the best breeders will use the best male from the entire country they can find) its not impossible that a breeder will use their own male from time to time but if he NEVER uses an outside stud it becomes a red alert- I'd serioulsy consider another breeder.
2007-10-23 06:01:31 · answer #9 · answered by ragapple 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really don't think he is a trustful breeder.
I know that nothing can be guaranteed in life but $1500 for a golden retriever is a lot.
Did the breeder say the puppies got up-to-date shots? and did he say that they already got a check up from the vet?
2007-10-23 01:57:56 · answer #10 · answered by Nicole 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋