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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

DP has found a golden retriever breeder but...

36 replies

Boxbox2 · 14/01/2022 17:55

He won't text the breeder asking any questions before we go to visit Hmm he says he doesn't want to hassle them and throw the sale!

I want to know at the very least how old the pups are so I can plan how much time we have to buy things for the pup if we decide to keep one. All I have to go on is that there are three bitch pups, they look like Goldens, and there are two photos of them (they look to me about 8 weeks old if I had to guess).

Aaaargh! Could you please help me establish what I need to ask the breeder in person when we visit this weekend, as DP is being useless and insisting I be more laid back about the whole thing?

OP posts:
MistandMud · 14/01/2022 17:58

What has the breeder asked you?

If the answer is 'nothing', then this is not a breeder who cares about their pups.

Original poster
Boxbox2 · 14/01/2022 18:00

Nothing except that they want the pups to go to a good home. It's a bit weird, we got recommended this breeder through a neighbour and DP won't show me whether the texts are from the breeder directly or the neighbour (I don't think he knows himself who he's been texting!)

OP posts:
MissM2912 · 14/01/2022 18:03

Have a look at Donardglade labradors and retrievers on Facebook. This is an example of an excellent breeder. We had to fill in forms and be approved etc.

Riverlee · 14/01/2022 18:04

Have you checked the credentials of the breeder? Most have websites you can look at?

QueeniesCroft · 14/01/2022 18:08

I'd be (at the very least) surprised to be offered a puppy so quickly, I'd normally be expecting a waiting list and a fairly thorough vetting process.
Golden Retrievers are popular, so if there are some available at short notice, it's likely that something is off.

ouch321 · 14/01/2022 18:10

I thought all golden ret breeders had waiting lists of 6 months and more. Many a year or more.

Surprised you've found one and they're already asking you to come pick one.

cjpark · 14/01/2022 18:11

Thats bonkers! surely you want to know if the bitch and stud have had even the basic health screening tests before you even agree to view them? You could end up with a pup with hip, elbow problems, deafness, eye problems and thousands of pounds of veterinary bills. I dont have a retriever but i'm pretty sure each breed has recommended health screening before breeding is done. Maybe KC website?

InTropicalTrumpsLand · 14/01/2022 18:11

Frankly, OP, if questions have the "breeder" wary, there's clearly something off!

Will you at least get the name of the breeder and check if he's a KC assured breeder? Because it's sounding like neighbor knew someone with a Golden bitch who had a litter without the necessary testing.

SunshineOnKeith · 14/01/2022 18:11

Ask then if they use the RSPCA puppy contract for responsible breeding,

What health tests have been done, how do the parents' hip and elbow scores compare to the breed average, ask to meet the father as well as the mother or get some reassurance on his temperament, ask what socialisation has been done, check that they're microchipped (legal requirement) vaccinated, and wormed

alh26 · 14/01/2022 18:12

You need to know:

  • age of puppies
  • photos of mum and dad
  • are the parents KC registered?
  • is the litter KC registered?
  • I don't know about goldens but are there usual health problems in breeding that dogs been tests for? We have spaniels and you should only buy puppies from a litter where the parents have had the relevant health tests

Sounds odd. You wouldn't be hassling the breeder asking these questions, a breeder should actually be concerned if a potential puppy owner wasn't asking these questions.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 14/01/2022 18:14

It all sounds very dodgy to me.

No reputable breeder will have puppies available to view last-minute anyway, you should be on waiting lists before the litters are even born!

SunshineOnKeith · 14/01/2022 18:16

@alh26

You need to know:
  • age of puppies
  • photos of mum and dad
  • are the parents KC registered?
  • is the litter KC registered?
  • I don't know about goldens but are there usual health problems in breeding that dogs been tests for? We have spaniels and you should only buy puppies from a litter where the parents have had the relevant health tests

Sounds odd. You wouldn't be hassling the breeder asking these questions, a breeder should actually be concerned if a potential puppy owner wasn't asking these questions.

Photos of the parents and KC registration give you bugger all information about health and temperaments. You need to meet the parents and see the health scores If you only see a photo of the mum that's a MASSIVE problem. All pups should've sen with their mum

The other stuff is meaningless window dressing/irrelevant to health and welfare

Diggersaursarethebest · 14/01/2022 18:17

If your DP doesn’t like bothering people could you pay a vet or vet nurse to talk to you about what to ask for/look for when trying to buy a golden retriever puppy?

MissM2912 · 14/01/2022 18:20

You also need to make sure you are equipped to manage them- it isn’t just the buying of the stuff but do you have the space? They are lovely as puppies but they get big and need plenty of room to move about, good garden and someone on hand to walk them- for big walks. Everyday. If not they are destructive. They are a super dog- but only if you have the right lifestyle.

Bushkin · 14/01/2022 18:20

I’d be very surprised at puppies being available already born.

All decent breeders I know have long waiting lists right now. They also ask prospective owners to complete a detailed questionnaire before being shortlisted as a potential buyer.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 14/01/2022 18:21

@alh26

You need to know:
  • age of puppies
  • photos of mum and dad
  • are the parents KC registered?
  • is the litter KC registered?
  • I don't know about goldens but are there usual health problems in breeding that dogs been tests for? We have spaniels and you should only buy puppies from a litter where the parents have had the relevant health tests

Sounds odd. You wouldn't be hassling the breeder asking these questions, a breeder should actually be concerned if a potential puppy owner wasn't asking these questions.

In the nicest way possible, none of that is helpful at all, really. You need to meet the mum, meet the breeder and see health test results for both parents at an absolute minimum.

Photos mean nothing - they could be of any two random dogs. KC registration is also largely irrelevant without loads of other information too.

NeverEndingFireworks · 14/01/2022 18:21

I had to wait a year on a waiting list for my GR..

This sounds very suspicious. Make sure you research hips elbows and eyes. IF the parents have not been tested, or have high scores, then don't even think about it.

Check the dog with them IS ACTUALLY the mother - does she have enlarged teats?

As for meeting the father - this is a red flag - no one should be breeding from their own two dogs, its only for money. A good breeder will choose a mate for their bitch that compliments her breeding and temperament. They will travel miles to get the right dog.

I will now only get puppies from a breeder who is keeping one of the litter themselves. Someone who is taking the breeding seriously and loves and understands the breed.

Its a huge mistake to make if you get it wrong - both financially and emotionally.

JugglingJanuary · 14/01/2022 18:25

You have to be kidding.

There's so much wrong with this, other posters have pretty much covered the things you need to check out re the puppy.

You also need to think about your relationship & his disregard for both animals AND YOU!! You're talking about making a 15/20 year commitment to a puppy and he's playing 'secret Service' he doesn't sound mature enough to have an Ant Farm.

SunshineOnKeith · 14/01/2022 18:26

@NeverEndingFireworks

I had to wait a year on a waiting list for my GR..

This sounds very suspicious. Make sure you research hips elbows and eyes. IF the parents have not been tested, or have high scores, then don't even think about it.

Check the dog with them IS ACTUALLY the mother - does she have enlarged teats?

As for meeting the father - this is a red flag - no one should be breeding from their own two dogs, its only for money. A good breeder will choose a mate for their bitch that compliments her breeding and temperament. They will travel miles to get the right dog.

I will now only get puppies from a breeder who is keeping one of the litter themselves. Someone who is taking the breeding seriously and loves and understands the breed.

Its a huge mistake to make if you get it wrong - both financially and emotionally.

Meeting the father isn't necessarily a red flag - some breeders keep their owns studs, and it's not unreasonable to meet the male responsible for half of your puppies' genes. If the pedigree/relatedness is appropriate and health tests and temperament by is good, why exactly would this be a problem? It is often not possible, but inline with other information it's not problematic and can be very helpful
WonderfulYou · 14/01/2022 18:29

I’d be very suspicious if they haven’t given much information - this is the first thing that people do.

If he doesn’t want to ask endless questions over text then ask to go and see them and ask all of your questions in one go when you get there, it will also allow you to see their conditions.

SunshineOnKeith · 14/01/2022 18:33

@NeverEndingFireworks
the Golden retriever club of Great Britain don't think seeing the stuff is a red flag

@Boxbox2 this might be helpful

thegoldenretrieverclub.co.uk/puppies-page/

alh26 · 14/01/2022 18:43

@SunshineOnKeith

Obviously you need to meet the parents. My list was questions OP should be asking BEFORE meeting the breeder. Then meeting the breeder you meet the parents of the litter etc. My information wasn't 'not helpful'

SunshineOnKeith · 14/01/2022 18:49

[quote alh26]@SunshineOnKeith

Obviously you need to meet the parents. My list was questions OP should be asking BEFORE meeting the breeder. Then meeting the breeder you meet the parents of the litter etc. My information wasn't 'not helpful'[/quote]
Well considering the OP asked for advice on what she should ask the breeder in person, and that you gave zero context, and I'm not psychic, I assumed you were answering the OP's question.

I'm still not sure what info KC registration and photos of parents actually give you about the quality of the breeder though. I agree age of pups is useful.

alh26 · 14/01/2022 19:02

@SunshineOnKeith

You're not psychic but you're annoying

SunshineOnKeith · 14/01/2022 19:05

[quote alh26]@SunshineOnKeith

You're not psychic but you're annoying[/quote]
It would be more useful to all of us, if you could explain your perspective/advice rather than slag me off for challenging it Confused

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