kentemp

A Check List for Kennels

***Things You Should Ask At Every Kennel ***
*** From Every Breeder You Consider ***

#1 ~ The Breeder

QUESTION

DESCRIPTION

SILMARIL
KENNELS

Where did you find out about this breeder ?

Responsible breeders often have a 'waiting list' and seldom advertise in newspapers or with front yard signs.

The Dogs Annual
Dogs USA
GRCC ' Breeders List'
GRBAO 'List'
http:\\ www.silmaril.on.ca
Friends or Vet

Will this breeder provide you with references ?

Do they have a good reputation ?

YES !

Is this someone who will answer questions about your dog ?

Are they selling you a puppy or honestlytrying to help integrate the dog into your life ?

After sales support !

Does the breeder appear knowledgeable about raising puppies, critical periods, the welfare of the dogs ?

It is a lifetime learning process... new breeders should probably have an actively involvedmentor

YES !

Do you feel comfortable with these people ?

They should have 'people' skills !

HOPEFULLY !

How long have they been in business ?

Longterm availabilitymay be an important issue.
Good kennels have a reputation to protect !

20+YEARS BREEDING GOLDENS
LIFETIME WITH LABRADORS !

Do they belong to the

Golden Retriever Club of Canada
or
The Golden Retriever Breeders Association of Ontario
or
Another dog club ?

IF they don't compete, what do they compare their own dogs to?

No blindness like "kennel blindness" !

LONGTIME CORPORATE GRCC MEMBERS
MICHELLE IS STILL AN INDIVIDUAL MEMBER
GRBAO MEMBERS

Does the breeder have only 1 or 2 kinds of dogs ?

Multiple breeds in one kennelshould raise red warning flags in your thinking !

ONLY 'Goldens'

Do they belong to the Better Business Bureau or the local Chamber of Commerce ?

Are their business practices the object of independent scrutiny ?

BBB MEMBERS
current members
South Central Ontario BBB

Do they have a written
Mission statement
and/or
'Code of Ethics'
and/or
'Standards of Care' ?

CVMA	'A Code of Practice for Canadian Kennel Operations' 1994
CANADA COUNCIL ON ANIMAL CARE	Volumes on 'Dog Care'
PERRSONAL	Written

ALL THREE !

Are they an independently inspected kennel ?

We are not talking about Humane Society investigations of
alleged abuse -

We are talking about proactive improvements in the quality of care !

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs OMAFRA	Licenced many years as 'Independent Research Facility'
University of Guelph	Animal Care Committee
Peer	*"As good as any, better* than most"**
Veterinary	Beamsville Animal Hospital & Lincoln Veterinary Associates

ALL FOUR !

#2 ~ Genetic Screening of Breeding Stock

*QUESTION*	*DESCRIPTION*	*SILMARIL KENNELS*
Do *both* Golden parents have OFA orOVC or PennHip or BVA Clearances ?	"My Vet ok'd the x-rays" *is not* a valid clearance !!!**	OFA / OVC / BVA *Comparison of* *OVC / OFA / BVA*
Do *both* Golden parents have [CERF] eye clearances ?	Should be performed 12 - 18 months- Check certificates or receive copies with puppy	YES !
Have *both* Golden Parents had cardiac examinations ?	CERF accepts Cardiologist / Internist /Generalist	YES !
Does the breeder *track* how many progeny and siblings have genetic clearances ?	Lessens chances for multigenic diseases - *Best Linear Unbiased Predictive Values*	YES !
Does the breeder calculate *Wright's Inbreeding Index* *Coefficient of Inbreeding - COI*	Prevents accidental inbreeding of closely related animals during the planning stages	Usually < 5 NEVER > 12 [0-50 range]
Is a % of 'Blood' calculated for linebred dogs ?	How much contribution does any one dog make ? % of 'genes in common'	YES !
Are both Golden parents free of epilepsy ?	Multigenic disease like hip dysplasia !	YES !
Other Genetic Tests ?	Some screen for Thyroid, VWD and 'Elbow Dysplasia'	NOT 'ROUTINE' *Please Discuss witrh Us !*

#3 ~ Animal Husbandry

*QUESTION*	*DESCRIPTION*	*SILMARIL KENNELS*
Are *both* Golden parents at least 18 months old ?	'Final' Hip clearances not before : OVC : 18 months OFA : 24 months	YES !
How frequently has the Golden Dam been bred ?	*Every 'heat' is too often !* *GRCC Maximum* = Not more than 2 in a row Not more than 3 out of 5**	2 in a row *exceptionally rare* based on : body condition number of pups nursed in last litter
Does the breeder show you a *clean environment* ?	*Animals* and *kennels should be clean and spacious* !	YES !
Are the dogs *less than perfectly groomed*?	*Do they ever* get out to play in the fields ?**	YES, Daily !
On what *basis* was the Golden Sire chosen ?	'Because he lives down the street" or "because he is sweet" probably means there could have been more planning before mating ?	BASED ON WHAT HE CAN ADD TO BITCH'S CONFORMATION *eg. "stronger hocks" or "temperament"*
Are the *majority* of 'Titled' Goldens [eg. CH. or OTCH or JH or CDX] in the first 3 generations ?	*Championship 'lines' are very* dilute by the 4th & 5th generation !**	MAJORITY CONFORMATION CH. &/or OBEDIENCE TITLE
Does the breeder provide you with pictures of the parents, a 5 generation pedigree, copies of genetic tests, handouts on puppy care etc. ?	Not only a measure of their record keeping, but of theirconsistency	YES !
Have the puppies and or bitch been wormed *at least x2* and had first 'shots' ?	A veterinary health exam is a good idea, even if the breeder did their own "shots"	WORMED 2-3X 5 WEEK DHPP + CORONA VET EXAMINED
*Do the puppies seem* healthy ?**	No nasal discharge, diarrhea, poor coat or listlessness ?	WE DELAY SENDING PUPPIES HOME WHO SEEM "OFF"

#4 ~ Commitment to the Animals & Warranty

*QUESTION*	*DESCRIPTION*	*SILMARIL KENNELS*
*Does the puppy have a non-breeding* contract ?**	*If they insist, they are probably* a responsible breeder**	YES !
Is the warranty *at least2 years* ?	*Birth defects don't show up* right away How long is their "lifetime" as breeders ?**	2 YEARS WRITTEN
Does the breeder have a 'buy-back' if you cannot keep the dog ?	*A hallmark* of responsibility !**	YES !

#5 ~ Socialization

*QUESTION*	*DESCRIPTION*	*SILMARIL KENNELS*
Can you *meet* the Sire and Dam ?	Especially the dam - she will 'teach' her puppies !	YES !
Are the puppies and dam well *socialized* ?	*They should be excited* to meet 'strangers' but should 'settle' shortly afterward !**	YES !
Have the puppies been '*Temperment' tested* ? Will they *guide your choice* ?	There are several means of temperment testing. None are validated, but should give some idea of relative puppy ranking	USUALLY INFORMALLY, BUT PREPARED TO DO FORMAL TESTING [based on Campbell 1972]
Are they full of energy when awake, but calm on stroking ?	Do the puppies seem to enjoy human contact ?	YES !!!

#6 ~ Are YOU Ready ?

*QUESTION*	*PLACE TO LOOK*
Have you thought about *all* of the costs ? (Purchase price is only a *small* part of the cost of ownership)	*Purina Puppy Series*
Should it be a male or female ?	*Purina Puppy Series*
Should it be a puppy or a young adult ?	*Purina Puppy Series*
Should it be a purebred ? (Silmaril *only* breeds purebred Golden Retrievers)	*Purina Puppy Series*
Have You read the PDF document " So, You Want To Buy a Golden ? " You will find a bibliography on Dog Training & Breed Books !	*" So, You Want to Buy a Golden ?* "**
Have you looked at the Frequently Asked Questions Section ? (Have you have answered *all* your questions *before* you buy ?)	*Frequently Asked Questions About Goldens !*

#7 ~ Other Comparisons

*QUESTION*	*DESCRIPTION*	*SILMARIL KENNELS*
*Availability* of Pups ?	*You may* have to wait !**	Reserve by Deposit !
Males vs Females ?	Size ? Temperament ?	More variation between individuals *rather than between sexes* ~ (at least in Goldens !)**
Other Factor #1	Unsure ?	*IF you have any concerns* about buying a dog here, please tell us !!! We are interested in constructive criticism !**
Other Factor ?

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