need help finding where to get a puppy from...

[itsnotmeitsyou]

OK we have decided that we want to get a puppy and after years of promises to the girls where do we start?

The house and garden are large enough, the kids are old enough to help out (11 years old) and take responsiblity as well and we live in a lovely village surrounded by fields so plenty of great walks to be had.

Our lovely old cat died last september and we have waited as she would have hated a puppy in the house, she was a very private girl who had been poorly for a while.

Also as we have holiday booked for 2 weeks in August it will have to be after that.

I have had dogs in the past but DH hasn't.

WE have decided we would love a golden retriever and have done loads of research etc.

So now where do i go from here. Can anyone recommend when and where to start looking, We live in the Cambridgeshire/Bedfordshire area.

Thanks x

the Kennel Club website has lists of breeders and litters. Some of them are marked as meeting some sort of KC standards, some aren't. But in either case you still need to do all your own checks - the KC website is pretty good re explaining what you need to look out for. Also if you google you'll almost certainly find GR websites that might list breeders and listed. The key thing, though, is to realise that there's no substitute for you knowing what a good breeder/litter does and you checking whether or not they do it. there's no official body that does it for you, iyswim.

good luck.

Hatwoman's right. Champdogs is also a useful website but you really need to do the groundwork yourself.

Alternatively, ask your vet (but be aware that they won't be recommending as such, just giving you names).

Or Golden Retriever rescue?

[why the number change bella? did you just have your 10-yearly birthday?]

Just bringing my age a little more up to date, Hatwoman

Wasn't it Oscar Wilde who said a woman seems too calculating if she's honest about her age?

How's your pup dog?

big! and he's taken to jumping up at people when we're out on walks. he launches himself at them - all 4 paws off the ground, front paws virtually on their shoulders . not sure what to do about it - the thing about refusing to give him attention if he jumps up worked for us, and kids at the school gate (kids are very compliant and don;t mind being told what to do) but really not sure about strangers on walks. they always (bless 'em) smile, say they don;t mind, fuss him etc and I always apologise profusely, chat nicely, while wondering if I should, in fact be smacking his (very tough) bottom. it's a bit like being at m&t groups all over again - your "parenting" skills on display and up for discussion. I have no doubt half the village is saying "that hatwoman needs to give that dog a good rollocking..."

[sorry for the hijack - but I don;t think the doggy lot who might answer you will be put off ]

Yes, my boy does that. Actually pulled himself over backwards the other day but thankfully was unhurt

I am working on teaching him to sit when he sees someone new, but it is hard .

Is there a local golden retriever club, thats a good place to start too. And if you see anyone out walking near you with golden retrievers worth asking them where they got theirs from. Reda lots about them so you know what to look far, what health screening they should have had, and what to look for in a breeder.
I grew up with a goldie, they are lovely, my mums about to retire and they are going to put their names down for a retiring golden retriever guide dog, they retire them age 7or8 as its pretty hard work being a guide dog!