Goldenbrook's Check List
Listed below are two lists that may assist you in your search for that new family member. We'd suggest that you print out the check list and have them handy by the phone when you start your calls.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE STARTING YOUR SEARCH
Are YOU ready to:
____1. Take full responsibility for this dog and all requirements for the next 10+ years - this is not a responsibility that you can leave with your children.
____2. Take the time and patience to train your dog to be a good canine companion. Her or She will not learn this all on its own.
___3.Not allow the dog to run loose, ride in the back of an open pick-up truck or tied up as a form of confinement. Be prepared to keep the dog safe at all times.
___4. Make the time to provide enough attention and exercise for the dog throughout its lifetime, even puppies will require this each day.
___5. Live with the constant shedding, dirty paws, digging, drooling, retrieving(of everything) for the next 10+ years. Golden's in general are very active dogs.
___6. Spend the money required to provide the proper dietary needs and veterinary care which include routine vaccinations, as well as annual check-ups, teeth cleaning, spaying/neutering, heartworm preventative and possibly flea/tick treatments.
___7. Become educated on the proper care, grooming and training of the breed.
___8. Keep in touch with the breeder, and update them on all accomplishments and problems you might encounter. And, to contact your breeder or other professionals regarding problems before they are out of control.
___9. Have the patience to enjoy, accept and endure the trails of "Golden" puppy-hood. Remember a Golden's puppy-hood can last for two years or more.
___10. Accept responsibility throughout this dogs life despite life changes such as new babies, kids leaving for school, moving or returning to work.
___11. Take the time to find the right puppy from a responsible breeder(though it may take more time) rather buy on impulse.
___12. Lastly, is everyone in the family wanting a new dog?
QUESTIONS TO ASK THE BREEDERS YOU CONTACT
Remember that many of the breeders you contact may have a waiting list for their puppies, so be patient. Waiting for that right puppy from a responsible breeder is well worth your time- after all, you are investing in a 10+ year commitment.
___1. Does the breeder belong to any breed clubs? Breed clubs have Code of Ethics for members to follow in regard to breeding practices, clearances, contracts, facilities and so forth.
___2.Both the sire and dam of the litter should be a minimum of 24 months old, as they cannot receive final OFA hips or elbow clearances until 24 months or older. Also, we personally feel that the female is not mentally mature enough to raise a litter herself until she is at least 24 months old of age or older, at 18 months she still a baby herself.
___3. Do both parents of the litter have their clearances? This should include but not limited to OFA hip and elbow clearances after 24 months old; a board-certified veterinarian ophthalmologist report(within 12 months of breeding); and a broad-certified veterinarian cardiologist report(after the age of 12months). Ask to see all certificates. If the breeder can't provide them or give you excuse why they weren't done. Choose a different breeder. BEWARE !!! Such statements are not substitutes for valid clearances!
___4. When the dam of the litter last bred and how many she litters she has had. If she is being bred every six months for more than to full-size litters in a row, this is too often and may indicate that the breeder is breeding for profit.
___5. will the breeder welcome you visiting the kennels and dam of the litter at a time that is convenient for both of you? How soon after the puppies are born can you visit them and the dam? Most reputable breeders will not allow people to visit the puppies until they are four weeks or older due to health considerations.
___6. Is the sire available for viewing? Many breeders send their females away to be bred, and the sire is not available for viewing. But, they should Babel to show you his clearances and picture, and also should give you information on how to contact the sire's owner so you may possibly go visit the sire.
___7. If you are purchasing a companion puppy, ask the breeder about requirements regarding spaying & neutering. Responsible breeders will require that the puppy be spayed or neutered by a specific time and also that the puppy be sold on a AKC limited registration.
___8. Ask why the breeder selected that particular stud dog for the dam. The answer SHOULD NOT be " he lives down the street" or "He has a sweet temperament." Rather, the breeder should explain that the sire and the dam compliment each other in structure, temperament and type, and that genetically the pedigree works together.
___9. If for any reason you are unable to keep the dog, is the breeder willing to either take it back at anytime and find it a suitable new home, and/or is the breeder willing to help you locate a new home?
___10.Is the breeder involved with the breed other than just breeding? Is he or she involved in competition with their dog, such as conformation, agility, obedience, hunt test and/or tracking?
___11. Have the puppies been raised in a home setting, with lots of socialization and interaction with people? You want to stay away from the puppies that have been raised outside all of the time or ones that have had little or no contact with people, house noise and so on.
___12. When does the breeder let the puppies go home? Preferably, you would like to have your puppy stay with its litter mates until 8 weeks- puppies leaving as early as 6 weeks may show some behavior problems.
___13.Does the breeder provide you with copies of contracts/non-breeding contracts; a three or four generation pedigree; picture of mom and dad and copies of their clearances; the puppy's vaccination/worming records; a diet sheet; and information on grooming, crate training, house training?
___14. Does the breeder let the new owner pick their own puppy or does the breeder pick the puppy for you. A responsible breeder will work with the new owner to place the right puppy into its new home based on the puppy's temperament and needs/lifestyle of the new owners.
___15. Will the puppies have a veterinarian examination before going to their new homes? During this appointment, did the puppies receive their first set of vaccinations and have they been dewormed?
___16. When visiting the puppies, do they appear healthy, with no discharge from eyes or nose, or diarrhea present? Their ears should be clean, coats soft and clean, and they should not appear pot-bellied. Do they have plenty energy when awake? Are they alert and do they come to you for attention? Is the kennel clean, order free?
___17. Is there more than one litter being raise at a time? With multiple litters being raised at the same time, it is possible that the breeder is not able to devote enough individual time to each puppy required for a well-socialized puppy. Multiple litters is the sigh of a puppy mill. And several different breeds.
___18. Most importantly, make certain this is the breeder with whom you feel very comfortable, as you are entering into a long relationship. Is the breeder available for questions you may have throughout the lifetime of the puppy? Is this breeder knowledgeable enough with the bred that you feel comfortable contacting him or her with any problems that may arise?
Good Luck in your search!
