Embed License Share. I always had that mentality, right until I went to choose my golden retriever, Igor. That is as true of the companion pup as for the working dog. Your job doesn't end with research and writing a check, however. That's the going rate, and it is worth it for the peace of mind you'll have from getting a truly high-quality, healthy pup. A retriever trainer on the west coast used the most elaborate system I ever encountered. She answered a newspaper ad for her third dog and paid $75 for the pick of the litter. Breeders in all of the working venues usually have pups who are “pet quality,” or they can refer you to another reputable breeder. That way, you have a purebred Golden Retriever in good health to love you for a long time. If your pup is to succeed at his job, ask your breeder what skills will be needed for the life ahead. All Gun Dog subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This testament-to-will-and-survival golden would go on to produce several litters for Mertens, but it wasn't until she started running a dog named NAFC FC Topbrass Cotton in field trials that Topbrass was suddenly on everyone's radar because of Cotton's winning ways. In the field of hunting retrievers, magic is involved in picking the perfect puppy. When I asked Mertens what a prospective buyer should look for in a golden pedigree, she had plenty to say. They just aren't as easy to locate as a run-of-the-mill, mystery-bred golden. Our dogs are field-bred, and quite frankly, a lot of the people that contact me about getting a dog don't even know what a field-bred dog is. Baby gates: If you want to make certain parts of the home off limits while you’re out, baby gates are your friend. During that time, a medium-sized sporting breed was an asset for obtaining food both in the waterfowl and upland gamebird worlds. A jealous golden retriever was determined to put an end to his owner cuddling a soft toy dog and not him. "Torch had a lot of desire, she was fearless, and she was a good producer — and she did it all on three legs after getting caught in a fox trap," Mertens recalls. Do you really understand what your hunting dog needs from his food? A more dominant pup will try to wiggle away. Golden Retrievers love to play fetch. Experienced Golden owners will agree on the two most important elements in searching for a pup: a reputable breeder, and a quality pedigree. They respond to teaching, not pressure.". However, finding your breeder depends on your area(s) of interest for your Golden, such as obedience, conformation (dog shows), agility, hunting, hunt tests, or field trials. It has to be fun for them, and you've got to work with their intelligence by keeping it interesting and positive. Also make sure that the puppy has pink gums and clean ears, eyes, and nose as well. These cherished myths don't always ring true. Golden Retrievers can make a strong bonding with the members in the house. Together they operate Platte River Retrievers, where they focus on producing a few litters each year that are bred to be smart, athletic and will hunt everything they are asked to hunt. With a charming, eager-to-please personality and looks to match, the golden retriever has plenty to offer. Rumble / Dogs & Puppies — These people are deciding on which Golden Retriever puppy to pick for their home. There are usually more people that want to rescue goldens than there are goldens that need to be rescued, and golden retriever puppies available to be rescued are … Golden Retrievers have high energy levels and … Proper Conditioning For Hunting - Pointing Breeds, Why the Labrador Is the World's Most Popular Bird Dog, Keep Your Flushing Dog within Shotgun Range, Don't Believe These Gun Dog Training Myths, Unnatural Behaviors: Training Gun Dogs to Hunt, Beagling for Bunnies: Choosing Your Next Rabbit Dog. Registration papers simply identify the parents and other ancestors of the pup. They aren't wired the same as a Lab that might be able to run the same drill 100 times in a row. On average, Golden Retrievers live 10.5 years; however, Golden Retriever females typically outlive males by nearly two years. Europe is responsible for a good number of our current sporting breeds including goldens, which came into being in England and Scotland well over 200 years ago. AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. I pick it for them. Some people don't like this, but I've already spent seven weeks with the puppies and have watched how they act, and interact, so I know their personalities well. "I can't tell you how many hunters I see with goldens that sport the six-inch coats the show dogs have," she notes. Choosing a Healthy Golden Retriever Puppy. Good breeders understand the importance of pedigree. Goldenloe's Bronze Lustre, produced Valentine Torch of Topbrass WC, who would become the foundation upon which Mertens would build her reputation. That's not to say that excellent pedigrees don't exist, because they do. |   Every once in a while, I get to meet someone who was put on this earth to work with dogs, and Mertens fits that category. Having over two decades of experience devoted to the breed has given Bilava a unique perspective on the current state of the golden retriever, and she was more than willing to offer advice to anyone looking for a pup. "One of the main reasons I like goldens is because they aren't specialists. Here's how to keep your hunting partner from slipping out of range. Finding golden retriever puppies is pretty easy given the breed's popularity. All breeds can suffer unfortunate medical issues, but goldens are exceptionally prone to them given the amount of unchecked breeding. You just have to choose a wonderful and friendly puppy. Millstone Kennel. Careful breeder selection is as important for the companion Golden as for the working dog. After that, it's a matter of being honest with your breeder and allowing him or her to pick the right dog for you. Too many people want to pick their own puppy, and they often take the first dog to run up to them but that is often a bad deal because that puppy might be the most dominant in the litter. Goldens will work for you, but if you lose your cool they'll shut down. Bilava's son, Nick, has also been working with goldens for over two decades and is as diehard of a hunter as you're likely to run across. A breeder may have a female with fancy titles and breed her to a popular stud dog, but if he or she does not personally compete in that venue, they may not understand dog work or know how to select pups with those special qualities. "I ask prospective buyers lots of questions about their plans with the dog and their home life, and then place the right dog in their hands. Pick Up Now ShIH Tzu Puppy (fsm > fort smith) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting ^ back to top Breeders seldom sell puppies who have not reached 8 or 10 weeks. Golden Retriever PuppyIf you're choosing a Golden Retriever puppy to take hunting, bring a duck wing or pheasant tail with you when you visit the litter, and tease the puppies with it. Both parents will be available when picking out your new puppy. 1. The Most Important Thing When It Comes To Picking A Golden Retriever Puppy When you think about all the qualities that you want in a dog, here’s what matters most in terms of you getting those qualities: their parents. Travel harness or dog guard: To keep your dog safe in the car. 1 rumble. There is a $300 deposit required per puppy. iy_2021; im_01; id_09; ih_15; imh_47; i_epoch:1610236022194, py_2020; pm_12; pd_13; ph_22; pmh_57; p_epoch:1607929078033, link-block-publisher; link-block-publisher_link-block-publisher; bodystr, pn_tstr:Sun Dec 13 22:57:58 PST 2020; pn_epoch:1607929078033. 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