| p>I don't think anybody can stay immune to the | | | | too. In the case of golden retrievers, the common |
| charms of a great quality golden retriever. They are | | | | health problems that can arise are hip problems, |
| handsome, very friendly, great with the kids, and | | | | namely hip dysplasia, and cataracts. Good breeders |
| were it human it would be the perfect spouse! But | | | | will have their breeding dogs checked before they |
| finding the right one can be a bit tricky. You see, not | | | | are allowed to have puppies to ensure that the |
| all golden retrievers are the best quality. Most of the | | | | puppies they will have will not inherit any of these |
| puppies you can find in a pet store are actually not | | | | recessive traits that will only give the puppy a life of |
| very healthy. So how do you find your golden | | | | hardship. |
| retriever? | | | | Knowing this, you should always ask your potential |
| The answer lies with a quality breeder. Most pure | | | | breeder for health papers. Check to see the agencies |
| bred dogs are prone to disease. Natural selection, the | | | | involved in these papers. They should be agencies like |
| process of evolution from natural adaptation, favors | | | | the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) which |
| cross breeding and dogs are no exception. However, | | | | checks the animals for hip dysplasia or the tendency |
| everyone wants a "purebred" dog. But nowadays, a | | | | to develop hip dysplasia or other complications of |
| lot of these genetic problems can be resolved | | | | their bones through X-rays. Any breeder who refuses |
| through proper breeding practices. | | | | to show papers to verify the health of his animals is |
| The problem is, most pet stores really don't care | | | | untrustworthy. |
| about proper breeding practices as long as they get | | | | Lastly, the quality breeder is actually an animal lover. |
| profits. So most pet stores sell tons of puppies but | | | | He or she will be very proud and open about the |
| rare are the puppies that will live long and healthy | | | | animals in question. You should feel very comfortable |
| lives. Breeders are people who breed their animals | | | | in asking about anything, as the breeder should be |
| and sell the off-spring. Some still fall into the category | | | | open to answering them. These questions can range |
| of money first, quality later, but there are those out | | | | from accomplishments to health and physical qualities |
| there who actually love their animals and take the | | | | as well as personality and traits. Also, if your potential |
| time and effort to breed them properly. These are | | | | breeder is actually willing to sacrifice monetary gains |
| the breeders you must find. | | | | for the well being of the puppy, then you know s/he |
| One place you can start to track down the proper | | | | is the real deal. |
| breeder is to contact the American Kennel Club | | | | So that's it. By arming yourself with information, |
| (AKC). This organization can help people to find the | | | | finding the right breeder and the right dog is that |
| right type of breeder. | | | | much closer. Just remember, buying the right dog |
| The quality breeder is well aware of the problems | | | | form the right people is not only good for the buyer, |
| caused by pure breeding animals, and you should be | | | | it's good for the dog as well. |