Puppies

WINTER 2021:  The unprecedented demand for golden retriever puppies continues unabated – so please be patient in your search as most reputable breeders will have a waiting list.  There are also a lot of scammers out there.  Poorly bred puppies from non health tested parents are being sold for vastly inflated prices and non-existent puppies are being sold to unsuspecting purchasers based on photos lifted from good breeders’ websites.  Current Covid-19 guidance permits a buyer to collect a puppy from a breeder providing social distancing is maintained.  DO NOT agree to meet at a service station, supermarket carpark or similar location to collect a puppy.  This is a common arrangement suggested by puppy farmers.  Please also look at this link here

Here are some guidelines to help you find a puppy from a responsible breeder.  We are grateful to Ruth Turner for permission to share this advice.

1. Goldens must be at least 8 weeks old when they leave the breeder.
2. Puppies must be registered with the Kennel Club –  there is no viable reason why not!
3. A good quality puppy can cost between £1200-£1600, any more is just profiteering from the current shortage;
4. Deposits should only be paid if the puppies are born and should be a reasonable proportion of the total cost.  Be wary of non refundable deposits.
5. You must see the mum with the puppies, but not necessarily see the dad.
6. You must make sure the parents are both health tested for hips/elbows and eyes, just ask for the kennel club name of the parents and you can look up the health results online, the link is here and here is a link explaining the health tests.
7. If your breeder says the above are not on the website yet, they should have certificates they can show you, don’t be fobbed off and don’t be duped into thinking they don’t need these tests – THEY DO, no matter what!
8. Make sure the breeder is giving you a puppy pack, which contains information about rearing your puppy and also a contract of sale, there are guidelines for this on the Kennel Club website;
9. Most breeders will want to meet you and your family before confirming a booking.  If, because of current circumstances, the breeder does not wish you to come into their home, please ask to see video footage of the pups with mum and their surroundings, preferably in real time.
10. Try and buy from an Assured Breeder, this will ensure the parents are health tested and the property has been visited and approved by a Kennel Club Assessor, but remember not being an Assured Breeder does not mean the breeder is not a good one. Recommendation is always a good indicator of a good breeder too.
11.Beware of some online puppy selling adverts especially on sites such as Gumtree, Pets4Homes, Pre-Loved and local Facebook groups.
Above all, please take all this advice seriously, there are so many scammers out there and people have lost £000s because of them.  Unfortunately, due to lack of policing, the back yard puppy breeders are doing a roaring trade in expensive, often poor quality puppies, so please be aware and if you’re unsure at all trust your gut feeling and just walk away.

If you need further help or advice, please contact: Vicky Clarke-Gear on 01953 548125 ousevalevicky@hotmail.co.uk