This is what I know: the pups do have papers and both parents are akc registered.
I didn't get the impression that they are backyard breeders. The man really explained alot about the parents and the temperaments and health of the dogs and he really seemed sincere and knowledgeable.He also seemed very proud of his dogs.
He just seemed really helpful and didn't sound as though he was just looking to get rid of the puppies. I guess I will soon see for myself! I think I will be able to tell alot about the pups by the living conditions and surroundings.
He did mentioned that they feed nutra plan(?) or something like that, I don't remember exactly. He said that his wife would give me a small bag of the food and will explain how to go about switching brands if I wanted to.I didn't really ask about which kind of food to feed. I guess I can get their opinion when I see him.
I'm not very experienced with buying puppies but I didn't get any "bad vibes" from the breeder. I have a very good feeling about the whole thing.
I am willing to accpet advice, though, from all of you who have any experience, so thanks for the replies/concerns!
I know you are excited about your puppy but you have a shot to dodge a bullet here. Please, please make an informed decision!
The breeder that you have described is a back yard breeder. He's probably a really nice guy that takes great care of his dogs, has a clean house, and loves the Golden Retriever breed. Unfortunately, he's breeding for all the wrong reasons. If you ask him, he might reply that he "loves puppies" or that he is so "
proud of his dogs, they're
good dogs with a great temperament." Back yard breeders also highlight the fact that their dogs are
AKC Registered. That is essentially a form and some money, and has no value at all regarding the health, temperament, or quality of a dog.
Health checked or
vet checked just means that a vet looked at the dogs, played with their elbows, listened to their heart, and said they're healthy. However, this says nothing about the ancestry of the dogs or their genetic backgrounds.
For example, both parents could carry a high risk of hip dysplasia. That means that your puppy may have trouble running by the time he is 4 years old. A "vet check" doesn't look for that, but there are specific tests such as an evaluation by the OFA, that do.
http://www.offa.org/ (If you would like to know about other tests, please let us know and we'll give you a list that good breeders use)
If your breeder offers a
1 year health guarantee against genetic or behavioral defects, that doesn't help you at all. No genetic diseases will surface before 2 years of age and the same is likely for major behavioral problems. If your puppy turns out to have any problems will your breeder help you train, or find you a trainer that will work with you? Will your breeder help pay for the cost of any major operations (due to genetic defects)? Are you sure that when you're on your knees crying from the puppy stress that your breeder will be there to talk you through it? (Top breeders answer
yes to all of those questions!)
There are a few people on this forum that are very experienced with Golden Retrievers and they can help you find a high quality breeder with healthy puppies. Unfortunately, due to the extreme popularity of the breed, there are so many poorly bred Goldens with health problems and temperament issues that end up being dropped off at shelters. (Back yard breeders will usually dispute that statement)
I have two dogs. One is from a puppy mill and one is from a rescue. I have no guarantees as to their health (although Herschel had a 1 year health guarantee..haha), I don't know anything about their temperaments, but I love them so much. They really are great dogs. Herschel (Schnauzer mix) is going to start competing in agility soon and Nala is growing into a great Border Collie. I'm so proud of both of them, but I could never, ever dream of breeding them. (Besides the fact that they're already fixed.)
I'm not trying to discourage you at all, I just want to help you make the best decision possible.
(If you hear the statements in bold, you're dealing with a back yard breeder.)
