Alright, so I'm trying to help my mom out here. A few years ago she bought a "high quality" Golden Retriever from an Amish breeder without asking me for advice. They had to pull the puppy by it's tail from under the house to give it to my mom. Since then the dog has been a total wreck. WEAK nerves, dumb as a box of rocks, all kinds of health problems, (it has a glass eye, patches of missing fur, countless allergies, and about 20 thousand dollers in vet bills spent on the pitiful soul).

So now she wants ANOTHER Golden Retriever. There is no talking her out of it. She found a "show line" breeder to sell her a puppy for $1500. However, she is going on vacation for 5 days on the day she was supposed to pick up the puppy, and the breeder refuses to hold the puppy for the extra four days!! Unbelievable, I know. It must be a sign from God that she was about to get another poor soul of a dog.

So please, help her out. Does anyone know of a reputable working line breeder of Golden Retrievers? All I'm concerned about is temperament and health.

Thanks!

Sorry, I'm not Goldie-savvy, but I have to say...YIKES! Glass eye?

Amish with Goldies?

Monks of New Skete with Shepherds?

What's next? Nuns with Labs?

 Quote: Amber Morgan

Sorry, I'm not Goldie-savvy, but I have to say...YIKES! Glass eye?

Amish with Goldies?

Monks of New Skete with Shepherds?

What's next? Nuns with Labs?

Tell me about it. If someone does recommend a good GR kennel, I hope she follows my advice!

Matthew, maybe you could contact the Seeing Eye Foundation or one of the other organizations that use Goldens for work and ask where they get their dogs, from what breeders and which ones they would recommend. It would seem they would have a good handle on which breeders give them the dogs with the correct temperament for the work they need to do.

Umm, are you sure she needs a working GR? They can be alot of dog!

If she is open to the idea, I would recommend checking out a GR rescue group and finding a healthy, calm, stable dog that way.

There is a very good owner/trainer (think she breeds as well) of working goldens out there in B.C. Her dogs are always at the 'top' at obedience trials and works them in the field too. There is also someone out here who tracks with her goldens and has titled them quite extensively in Canada and the U.S. She bought her last dog from the U.S. and is very pleased. Very well rounded healthy dog with brains!

Check out this link of a working Golden. He's not a breeder of Goldens but send him a email to see where he got it: http://www.carlosk9.com/detection.htm
(oh yeah- the dog is for sale too...)

Many seeing eye foundations (Leader Dogs, for one) breed their own puppies from dogs they've held back from the program (for breeding purposes, not because they flunked out ;-)

Sometimes puppies are donated from breeders, I don't know how commonplace that is. I know they do NOT purchase puppies, normally.

I agree, to contact a rescue association. Dogs that are fostered have usually been evaluated for temperament and are "matched" with a home. The association will not place a dog with a home they consider unsuitable (if they are reputable).

Good luck.

I can help you with a great breeder in Regina Saskatchewan Canada. I know that it is far away, but she is the best and has great dogs! Her dogs are good in hunting, agility and show. I am also sure she could help you find what you want. Also when I went on her Web site she is having a litter in Feb. You could never go wrong with her dogs.
http://www.geocities.com/charmlee_goldens/
I have a Golden and a GSD and they are such different dogs, but I enjoy them both so much. My Golden Sam is amazing and very beautiful I really do love the breed, but I do have to exercise him every day and if I don't he can drive me crazy by putting the ball on my lap and giving me the look. My GSD is only two but twice the size of Sam.
GOOD LUCK!