Iowa Golden Retriever Breeder

**CapnCy** · 05-15-2012, 09:58 AM

We did the ultimate "no-no" as I saw someone listed a puppy on Craigslist. I was skeptical, but emailed and asked LOTS of questions. The woman said she got a TON of responses to the ad (our dog is a yorkie), but thought I seemed to want to give him the most loving home.

We went and paid a small rehoming fee (basically to cover the vet costs they'd already had with him). Turns out, this family had a purebred, registered yorkie and the owner's mother had recently died and "grandpa" wanted a dog like theirs...so, they paid to have theirs bred, and then grandpa didn't want him. So, we kinda rescued him?

He's been a GREAT dog...smart, playful, funny, and about everything else in between.

I agree with many posters, you need to do what is best for your family situation and do your research to ensure you can afford whatever you decide on and are there for the long haul. Breaks my heart to see animals out there from folks who don't think beyond about 6 months of their life and end up with an unwanted animal.

**Vicarious** · 05-15-2012, 10:43 AM

I'm sorry about the loss of your dog. It's always painful. I would suggest something a little out the box however - maybe consider a different but similar breed instead of another Golden. I spend a lot of time with people and their dogs and it seems like whenever people replace a beloved dog with the same breed, they are forever comparing the new dog to the "perfect" old dog and are just a little disappointed in doing so. A different breed just allows you and the new dog to get a fresh start while still keeping your memories of the old one.

Also, my mom used to show dogs so I understand the desire for a purebred but to be honest, a lot of breeders don't know what they are doing and the dogs are so far off of breed standards that they might as well be a mutt. If you really want the bloodline then do your homework but if you are just looking for a pet quality dog, do consider shelter or rescue organizations, you might be very surprised with what's out there.

**Hawkeye11en1** · 05-15-2012, 10:48 AM

You get it from a breeder because, uh, puppies are awesome!

**Cyclone90** · 05-15-2012, 12:21 PM

We're not solely looking at breeders for a new dog. Just exploring our options. We obviously want another golden but also a puppy or young dog for our daughters that we can train and acclimate to our family during summer break. They are 9 and 11 and never had the joy or experience of raising a puppy which we'd like to have for them as children.

We have looked at the RAGOM folks and are strongly considering going that route. Their vetting process, as well as some other rescue organizations, is pretty strict however and just because they have puppies or young dogs they may not deem it a match depending on our household vs. the dog's attributes. If the rescue group thinks the kids are too young, the dog doesn't have a playmate, yard's not big enough, etc they will not place the dog.

I think if I showed them the Quicken report of how much we spent on the previous dog's vet bills we'd be a good candidate however.

**StPaulCyclone** · 05-15-2012, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by BlackHawk

Why go to a breeder when there are literally thousands of dogs that need a good home? You could even go to a Golden shelter. I can't believe anyone would go pay a shiat ton of $$$ to further encourage breeders to breed more dogs for profit when there are so many good dogs who may be put down b/c they can't find a home. You are part of the problem.

I recommend www.ragom.org, which is the rescue org for MN, IA and the Dakotas.

**2forISU** · 05-15-2012, 01:47 PM

Shelter dogs

**crgrat** · 05-15-2012, 02:21 PM

We bought ours 6 years ago from a breeder in Orange City, Iowa. Can't remember the name of it.

**JBone84** · 05-15-2012, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by crgrat

We bought ours 6 years ago from a breeder in Orange City, Iowa. Can't remember the name of it.

Please post more. Particularly, post a large picture of your avatar before the mods crush it.

**william2000** · 05-15-2012, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by BlackHawk

Why go to a breeder when there are literally thousands of dogs that need a good home? You could even go to a Golden shelter. I can't believe anyone would go pay a shiat ton of $$$ to further encourage breeders to breed more dogs for profit when there are so many good dogs who may be put down b/c they can't find a home. You are part of the problem.

I would never get a dog older than seven weeks from any shelter. I have owned over 24 hunting dogs and it is how they are raised. I have had two friends go to the shelter and bring back dogs from hell. They can not be trained or have mental problems that rip everything apart and four years later they are the same after a lot of money spent on them. IF I HAD CHILDREN or grand children no way would I bring in a older dog from the shelter to my house. A lot of dogs are in the shelter for the very reason they are not a very suitable pet.
But if you like to roll the dice their are dogs in the shelter that are nice dogs, the question is which one. I have gone to shelters and helped socialize and walk shelter dogs and some should be put down. The one shelter was keeping a pit bull for life because no one wanted to take it home.
I one time I scanned the dogs at English Setter Resuce but they do not allow a dog to a hunters home if they are kenneled and do not have a fenced in yard.

**dtISU** · 05-15-2012, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by crgrat

We bought ours 6 years ago from a breeder in Orange City, Iowa. Can't remember the name of it.

Great avatar.

**JBone84** · 05-15-2012, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by william2000

I would never get dog older than seven weeks from any shelter. I have owned over 24 hunting dogs and it is how they are raised. I have had two friends go to the shelter and bring back dogs from hell. They can not be trained or have mental problems that rip everything apart and four years later they are the same after a lot of money spent on them. IF I HAD CHILDREN or grand children no way would I bring in a older dog from the shelter to my house. A lot of dogs are in the shelter for the very reason they are not a very suitable pet.
But if you like to roll the dice their are dogs in the shelter that are nice dogs, the question is which one. I have gone to shelters and helped socialize and walk shelter dogs and some should be put down. The one shelter was keeping a pit bull for life because no one wanted to take it home.
I one time I scaned the dogs at English Setter Resuce but they do not allow a dog to a hunters home if they are kenneled and do not have a fenced in yard.

I'm with this guy.

**greatshu** · 05-15-2012, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisMWilliams

Goldens are fantastic.

We got Paisley from Gram's Goldens exactly a year ago yesterday. Her story was a little bit different. She did come from a breeder but Paisley was born with a heart condition. We didn't know exactly how bad it was but when we contacted the breeder, she was the only pup in the litter without a home and by this point, it was starting to look like she wouldn't ever get one due to her heart.

Being that my wife is a vet, we figured that if she should go anywhere, it should be home with us.

The good news is that Paisley grew out of the issue and she's a healthy one-year old dog with more energy than we sometimes know what to do with!

I agree with the posts above about rescuing too. In fact, we've thought about doing this to give Paisley a playmate.

My dog was in same situation, except his problem was... He was born with one nut and other nut was kinda inside next to his leg. He had to have extra surgery to get both of them removed, and thankfully he is good ol healthy dog now :)

**2forISU** · 05-15-2012, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by william2000

I would never get a dog older than seven weeks from any shelter. I have owned over 24 hunting dogs and it is how they are raised. I have had two friends go to the shelter and bring back dogs from hell. They can not be trained or have mental problems that rip everything apart and four years later they are the same after a lot of money spent on them. IF I HAD CHILDREN or grand children no way would I bring in a older dog from the shelter to my house. A lot of dogs are in the shelter for the very reason they are not a very suitable pet.
But if you like to roll the dice their are dogs in the shelter that are nice dogs, the question is which one. I have gone to shelters and helped socialize and walk shelter dogs and some should be put down. The one shelter was keeping a pit bull for life because no one wanted to take it home.
I one time I scanned the dogs at English Setter Resuce but they do not allow a dog to a hunters home if they are kenneled and do not have a fenced in yard.

I have two hunting dogs from the shelter and they’re my best dogs. Both were over a year old and adapted to family very quickly. The issue might be with the trainer and not the dogs.

**Sevey** · 05-15-2012, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclone90

Our 14 year old Golden Retriever had to be put down last December and we're looking for another this spring. Several folks, including Chris Williams, had recommended Grams Golden Retrievers but they have shut their business down and moved their dogs out of state.

Anybody have any other local Golden breeders to recommend?

We got our Golden at Sunburst Farms in Chariton, IA. Owner's name was Jill Clark. Not sure if she is still breeding dogs, but she does a great job. Might want to check it out.

**wxman1** · 05-15-2012, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by 2forISU

I have two hunting dogs from the shelter and they’re my best dogs. Both were over a year old and adapted to family very quickly. The issue might be with the trainer and not the dogs.

I would agree with this. Yes it is possible that the dogs have issues but I would say 80% of training is on the trainer/owner. It is your responsibility to know what the dog has been through (as much as possible) and know that there may always be lingering effects of that.