Q: How do I begin my search for a Golden Retriever?

A: You have already begun by reaching this page! Do your research. Know the questions to ask of breeders. Go to dog shows. You will find upcoming dog shows at www.infodog.com. Contact your local golden retriever breed club (see My Favorites list). Contact breeders early. Breeders usually have a waiting list; look for a breeder that plans a litter when you are ready. Consider the time of year. Spring and summer allow you and your children to spend more pleasant days outside, but have you a long planned vacation?

Q: My children want a puppy. At what age do you believe children are capable of the responsibility?

A: First, you must realize that raising a puppy is the total family’s responsibility. Generally, it becomes Mom’s function to assure the well-being and training of the puppy. I find that children under seven years require a lot of supervision in their relationship with the puppy and small children are the perfect size for puppy to mouth them, paw them or grab their bottoms. The puppy is not trying to hurt them; it is their only source of interaction. This can be frightening to a small child, leading to crying, screaming, running, flailing of arms, which only entices the puppy to more “play”. Mom can find the juggling of children and puppy too time consuming and difficult.

Q: I have an older dog and would like to get a puppy?

A: The first criteria to consider are the age and the stamina of your older dog. Dogs age differently based on their breed and temperament. Is your dog still active, vibrant and still wanting to play with you? A new puppy may bring “new life” to your aging dog and provide wonderful companionship. But if your dog has mellowed into his “golden years”, preferring a nice long nap instead of a long run in the park, I would suggest you don’t subject him to a puppy that would be an irritation to him by biting and chasing in his quest for play. You would likely be annoyed with these persistent antics although the puppy is just being a puppy.

Q: I am looking for a golden for a family pet and a hunting companion.

A: I suggest finding a breeder that has hunting championships in their pedigrees and that participate in field or retrieving trials. My goldens enjoy the romp, but are simply there for the fun. That’s why we also own a Brittany. Oh, the stories I could tell if not for embarrassing my husband.

Q: Do goldens make good guard dogs?

A: Although they may bark when someone comes to the door, they would go for a ride in the van that is hauling away your valuable merchandise. I suggest you get a home protection system!

Q: What is the difference between Pet and Show Quality?

A: I look for all the elements in structure, movement and temperament that most resembles the ideal dog and the breed standard; this becomes the “show” dog. I have chosen my breeding for the purpose of showing, so all the puppies in the litter will look like a show dog. However, some are going to a home to become the family pet, not a show dog. These are required to be spayed or neutered and do not compete in the conformation ring.

Q: Why must I spay or neuter my dog?

A: The purpose of any good breeding is to keep the breed standard true and to always attempt to improve our breed. Without the knowledge and background to know the breed standard, health or temperament concerns of a particular breed, how could one improve upon the breed? As responsible breeders, we must know and consider all factors when choosing a dam and a sire that complement one another.

Q: What is your preference for gender?

A: There is a saying, “The golden retriever female comes to you saying, “Love me, Love me, Love me”; the golden retriever male, on the other hand, comes to you saying, “I Love you, I Love you, I Love you!” It is a personal preference; I prefer males. I find them goofier with a “live for the moment” attitude. Girls, in my opinion, have more concerns with life. The males are more beautiful in coat and are only about 1 inch taller and 5-10 pounds heavier. Many people seem turned off with the prospect of male’s “humping” or lifting their leg. This generally is not a concern with young neutered males.

Q: If I am first on your waiting list for puppies, do I get the pick of the pet puppies?

A: No. I choose the puppy that each buyer adopts and not until the 8th week. At approximately 6 weeks, all the buyers are invited to a “puppy party” of children’s games and a BBQ lunch. All prospective families may come to see the puppies at this time. With thought given to answers from the questionnaire, I also watch the interaction of the families, especially children, with the puppies as well as my older dogs. I have spent 6 weeks with these puppies and have become knowledgeable about their individual personality traits. I determine the personality of the puppy that I think would best fit into the family lifestyle and activity level. In the limited time that the buyer spends with the puppies, it is not possible to know each puppy and his individual personality. You can tell me which puppy you like, hope that is the one I choose for you, but you can be assured that whatever puppy is chosen for you, you will love it.

Q: What do we do with puppy when we are all away for the day?

A: I suggest every puppy buyer have a covered yard kennel to shelter the puppy from rain and sun. The floor may be concrete or wire with 2-3 inches of rock and soil, and then a covering of shaved wood bedding. My kennel is soil and rock covered with large rubber mats containing holes throughout (bought at Costco). These attached mats keep the puppy from digging and allow messes to pass through the holes when washed. Unlike concrete, they are very comfortable on which to lie. Be sure to have plenty of toys in the kennel; many destructive habits occur because a puppy is bored!

Q: How much grooming is necessary for a golden?

A: Goldens have glorious coats; this does take some work. Start a grooming regime early; your puppy will become accustomed to it and enjoy this special time with you. Not only does brushing and trimming eliminate dirt, dander, and loose hair, it brings out the natural oils in the coat. You also learn your dog’s body, catching problems such as skin or ear infections, parasite infestation, and any tumors. Brush approximately 3 times a week (more if shedding), bathing and trimming about once a month. I have a training lesson when you pick up the puppy that teaches the necessary steps to keep your golden beautiful and pleasant to be around. As the puppy matures, I am also available for brush up lessons and you may be assured when you visit or if I dogsit, you dog will be groomed by me. Fastidious housekeepers may want to think again about buying a golden; vacuuming and dusting to contain the voluminous amount of dog fur is an ongoing task!

Q: The big question---How long does it take to potty train a puppy?

A: This depends on you! I begin a natural potty training while puppies are still here. Puppies do not like to potty where they play and sleep. This is why crate training is so effective. I create a play area and a potty area that extends further away into a grassy area as the puppies grow. Understand that, if you have children, potty training will take longer. Children often in excitement forget that before and after every new activity, puppy must potty. This is after waking up, before playing, after eating, before sleeping---lots of before and afters!

Q: What is crate training?

A: Not a cage or a jail, most puppies like their own “den”. It contains his personal bedding and toys. A crate serves several functions; it is used as a tool for housebreaking, a safe place for sleeping and getting away, and a safe environment when traveling.

As a housebreaking tool, I suggest the crate go by your bedside in the beginning. Puppies do not like to soil their “dens” and using the crate teaches young puppies when and where it is appropriate to “go”. Do not leave your puppy in the crate for too long as puppies’ bladder muscles are not yet fully developed and he cannot make it through the night until he is 3 or 4 months old. Learn the difference between being close to an accident and just wanting your attention but, in the beginning, plan on getting up in the middle of the night to let puppy outside.

Q: Do goldens dig and what can I do to stop it?

A: If you are fastidious with your yard, think again about buying a dog. A few trees may be chewed or knocked over, pulled up or dug out. Most puppies will dig; just plan on it! Fence off areas that you do not want the puppy to dig in, such as gardens. Teaching a dog not to dig is very time consuming and few will take the time. Most digging occurs due to boredom—It’s FUN!!

Nitrogen burns (brown spots) will appear wherever the dog potties. You can train your puppy to potty in only one area; however, this does take a concentrated effort to take the puppy to the same area all the time---rain, shine or middle of night.

The Canadian Club has a wonderful article on the disadvantages of owning a golden; check it out at www.canadiangoldens.com/disadvantages.

Q: What are the health concerns of Golden Retrievers?

A: Some health problems are hereditary; some are a result of the environment. I suggest you do a more detailed research on the web to find information and explanations of possible health issues of the breed. Although we cannot guarantee that no adverse health conditions may occur, we take in-depth steps in our breeding program to avoid them. It is possible for a dam and a sire to carry the same recessive gene of which the breeder is unaware. Both the dam and the sire have hip, eye, heart, and elbow certifications. We keep in contact with our puppy buyers to insure that we are aware of any problems and take that into consideration in any future breedings.

Q: What will a breeder expect from me?

A: We will expect you to provide the perfect home for our precious babies! You will be questioned about your intentions, your preparedness for a puppy, and the lifelong commitment to this puppy. The questions on my application may guide you. A puppy is only small for a short time. At the puppy age of four months to two years, you must be capable of dealing with a puppy mind in a big dog body. As a responsible breeder, we want to be assured that our puppy will be a part of a loving family and will be safe at all times.