You have combed through pictures of all of the breeds of Dogs. With a stroke of luck, you found a picture of a white golden retriever puppy. Deciding on this adorable Dog was an easy choice. So, how do you find one? What is a white retriever anyway? How do you prevent being sold some white colored mutt at a high price? This is a guide for finding the perfect cream golden retriever puppy.
First it is important to understand that the Breed Standards for American and European golden retrievers are slightly different. That is why American goldens have a different look to them. The American dogs are a little taller, more slender, tend to have a longer coat, and may often be a darker shade of gold. The European Breed Standards allow for a lighter shade of gold in the breed. White is actually not allowed, but a very pale cream color is acceptable. So, the 'white' golden retriever is actually a European golden who has a very light cream colored coat. They can be also called British, English, cream, blonde, and platinum. The good news is that they are legitimate goldens and have all of the same great characteristics of the breed. Great family dogs, they are also intelligent, friendly, always willing to work, and highly trainable and capable. So an authentic cream golden retriever should conform to a European Breed Standard. You can find the British Breed Standard at thekennelclub.org.uk, the official site for The Kennel Club (KC).
Generally the best place to find a cream golden is through a breeder. There is a strong demand for these dogs, so finding one through adoption or at a pet store could be a difficult task. There are a lot of white mixed breeds that are sometimes passed off as 'white goldens'. The best way to attain a healthy, purebred cream golden is through a quality breeder. Do not jump at the first breeder you come across. Make sure you do business with someone with a responsible, quality breeding program. Visit the grounds if possible. A good breeder will let you spend time with all of the dogs, the parents of the litter being the most important. The dogs should be registered with the KC, or the appropriate Kennel Club. A good breeder will have a record of 3 to 5 generations of purebred goldens, and you can check the registration numbers with your Kennel Club. Cream goldens sold in America should be registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC), because imported purebreds can be reregistered with the appropriate national Kennel Club. A good breeder will tell you which dogs in the line were imported and can show you their European paperwork.
Golden retriever health is also an important part of finding the perfect puppy. The most common health issues in goldens are all related to genetics. Over-breeding of this popular breed has led to a number of health problems: hip and elbow or knee dysplasia, cataracts and other eye issues, cancer, and heart and thyroid diseases. The best way to prevent these ailments is to test the parents of each litter and their ancestors. Quality breeders keep records of certification for all of these health issues with the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) and CERF (for eyes). Also, it is not responsible to sell puppies until they are at least 7-8 weeks old.
The last step in finding your perfect puppy is to visit the breeder in person. Now you can spend time with the dogs and see firsthand how healthy they are, talk with the breeder, and see the conditions they were raised in. Prepare a list of questions for the breeder. He or she should be knowledgeable about the breed, be passionate about breeding them, and have a strong regard for the dogs. Also ask about a puppy guarantee in case you are not satisfied for some reason. Spend some time with the parents of the litter, so you can have a good picture of your future dog. Spend time with the whole litter so you can gauge the different personalities of the puppies. Finally, spend some time alone with your puppy and see how comfortable he or she is with you. Good luck!
Laurence Burrows is a golden retriever lover, and trainer. Click here for more great tips on Cream Golden Retriever Puppies, and visit here for more Golden Retriever Info.
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