| p>Golden Retrievers have become one of the best | | | | away from their mothers, which are kept in a small |
| types of dogs to have as a pet. They are also used | | | | cage of their own. Many puppy mills sell their puppies |
| as service dogs for the handicapped, as hunting dogs | | | | to local pet shops and kennels. If you are in the |
| for avid hunters, and as drug searchers for the police | | | | market to purchase a Golden Retriever puppy and |
| forces. Because of their great demand, there are | | | | you find one at a pet shop, be sure to check to see |
| several different types of breeders that can offer | | | | where they purchased the dogs. If the puppies were |
| you the puppy that will work so well for your needs. | | | | trucked into their shop then they probably came |
| Some of the more common, and more familiar, types | | | | from a puppy mill and you should steer clear of these |
| of breeders are the back yard breeders, the | | | | animals. They could have health concerns as well as |
| legitimate breeders, and the puppy mills. There are | | | | mental problems. |
| differences between all three so be sure that you | | | | A legitimate Golden Retriever breeder will not sell |
| know who you are dealing with when you purchase | | | | their puppies in a pet shop or kennel. They are very |
| your new puppy. | | | | selective about who they sell their puppies to and will |
| The backyard breeders are people that breed their | | | | deny someone the right to purchase the puppy if |
| dogs in their back yard and then sell them for a | | | | they feel that the home situation that the dog would |
| profit. They tend to provide less than adequate care | | | | be headed to is not a good one. They will guarantee |
| for the puppies as well as the parents. Dogs | | | | the overall health of their puppies when they are |
| purchased from backyard breeders run a great risk | | | | delivered and will have tested the dog for |
| of being disease ridden when you bring them home. | | | | temperament issues prior to agreeing to sell them. |
| Because of the poor conditions they are kept in, | | | | The legitimate breeders will know all about the |
| finding a dog that is under weight and very fearful is | | | | genetics, the development, the socialization, and the |
| a common sight. It is not a good idea to purchase | | | | health of their Golden Retrievers. Many will even |
| your puppy from someone that is practicing backyard | | | | agree to take one of their puppies back if the owner |
| breeding. | | | | is not able to care for them, no matter how long it |
| Puppy mills are slightly different from a backyard | | | | has been since it was purchased. They truly care for |
| breeder. The puppy mills will have large numbers of | | | | their puppies and want them to go to good homes. |
| dogs breeding and delivering in one place. They | | | | This is the best way to go if you have decided to |
| typically keep the puppies and adult dogs in very bad | | | | purchase a Golden Retriever puppy. |
| conditions. The puppies are kept in dirty cages and | | | | |