Buying a Golden Retriever Puppy
What to expect from a breeder who puts Health, Welfare and Temperament first.
Essential Documents
- Heath Certificates (both parents)
- Signed AWF Puppy Contract
- KC Registration Certificate (if applicable)
- Microchip Registration Certificate
- Temporary Pet Health Insurance
- Vaccination Certificate
A Good Breeder Will:
- have socialised and habituated the puppy
- provide a supply of food
- provide a blanket smelling of Mum
- follow the Code of Practice for Dog Breeding
Official Health Schemes
- BVA/KC scheme for hip dysplasia (HD)
- abnormal formation of the hip joint- pain and lameness
- BVA/KC scheme for elbow dysplasia (ED)
- abnormal formation of the elbow joint – pain and lameness
- BVA/KC screening for eye disease; full ophthalmological testing before breeding, to include gonioscopy (includes checks for multiple inherited diseases). Litters can be screened for MRD
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- MRD – multifocal retinal disease
- often asymptomatic, may cause visual issues
Other Diseases
No current health scheme or DNA test available.
- Allergic skin disease
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- Aortic stenosis (heart disease)
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- Arthritis
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- Cancer
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- Ectopic ureter
- incontinence in puppies, caused by malformation of drainage to bladder
- Epilepsy
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- Glaucoma
- increased pressure in eyeball, usually causes blindness
- Hypothyroidism
- underactive thyroid gland, causing lethargy and weight gain
- Polyneuropathy
- progressive weakness caused by neurological disease
DNA Tests Relevant to Breed
- PRA – Progressive retinal atrophy
- eye disease leading to blindness
- ICT-A (Ichthyosis)
- scaled, roughened patches of skin
Other Tests
- Some DNA testing panels will also include other rare genetic diseases
Further Information
None.