Hi to all the breeders out there,

Many of you may already know about Sonny, our Golden Retriever.
Well, he growing fast and so are the comments about the fact that he doesn't look like a Golden because his hair is not 'feathered' or his snout looks like a collie!! His back is very curly and his tail has some 'feathers' He's almost six months old.
He was bred by a Mrs N O"Sullivan in Ireland. Sire - Super Fraser (T87632) Dam:Carla.
We bought him from a lady in Tonbridge - someone we thought had bred him.
Since I've been on Champdogs, I've learned a lot about reputable breeders and how to buy a dog and probablly there are lots of folks around who disagree with this kind of puppy sale.
At the end of the day, we have Sonny and we love him but just wondered if
anyone in Ireland - or England had heard of this breeder.
P.S. He is down as a Golden retriever on his pedigree.

Thanks

Ruth

Hi Ruth.
Golden Retrievers do not get all their feathers until they are much older than 6 months, and yes, their coat is often curly, although it should be flat, and will probably flatten somewhat when he is older. Give him time, take no notice of what other people tell you, if you are still worried, find a breeder that might give you their opinion of him, if only to put your mind at rest. Oh, don't forget "working" type Goldens are much rangier and are much less feathered, often being a dark golden colour.
Dawn.

When you say 'pedigree' have he just got a handwritten pedigree or is he KC regisered aswell.
As a pedigree means nothing without the KC paperwork.
Unfortunatly with a mothers name as 'carla' on the pedigree it sounds like he is not very well bred.
Don't worry about what others say as he will not get his feathering for a while yet and some lines do have a more pointed face when they are younger which should broaden when he matures.

Hi Emma,

No, as far as we can tell, he isn't KC registered although his father seems to have been.
To be perfectly honest, we don't care whether he's a Golden or not, he's still a lovely dog but what annoys me is that, should he turn out to be a cross, the person who sold him to us has not been truthful and I cannot condone that at all.
Ruth

sorry !!!! but its one of the lessons learned by buying non kc reg animals, i doubt the parents would of been hip scored----eye tested etc!!! at least you love him and he has a good home :)

Hi Dizzy,

Yes, you're absoloutley right!
Thank goodness for Champdogs though. Had I not found this site, I would never have learned all that I have and know how to go about it if we get another dog.
I spend a lot of time on this site and I'm so grateful to everyone who sends back advice etc. I would never have known about raw feeding, Barf, etc without it.

Ruth:)

Hi Ruth
I wouldn't worry about Sonny not looking as he should. Morgan (cocker spaniel) is nearly 8 months and has been mistaken for a Golden Retriever and and Afghan Hound???:-)

Shirley

My confusion about your lovely lad is how come you bought from a lady in Tonbridge but he was bred in Ireland, how old was he. Was she an agent importing pups - that is another worrying thing you find nowadays that you then discover they have come from puppy farms.

Please everyone one looking for a pup check everything first, mum, dad family history etc etc.

If you can give more names on his pedigreee I will check it out for you.

Bobbi

Hi everyone
As far as I recollect it is illeagal to sell animals in this country without a pet shop licence if you are not the breeder,this maybe a one off did the people in Tunbridge buy the pup and then decide they did not want him or did they have other pups on the premises for sale?
If so the Trading Standards Office in that area would be interested.I know you are happy with Sunny but someone else could buy from them who like you did not know what a minefield buying a puppy can be!
If say they wanted to show they wouldn`t be able to as the puppy wouldn`t be kc registered.It is people like them that give dog breeding and breeders a bad name we all get tarred with the same brush, unfairly in my opinion.Which is why they should be stopped if they are trading in dogs.
I`m glad you have been lucky with Sunny in that he is in good health but many pups that come over from Ireland are not so lucky or the unsuspecting `Joe Public` who buy them.Often having to spend a fortune at the vets to get them right.Sorry to go on a bit but people who use dogs with no real regard for their welfare get my hackles up.Dogs can`t speak for themselves so we have to.I hope this was just a one off but if they are not and are dog dealers they want reporting now!
Carole

Hi Carole,
Yes I agree with you but unfortunately or fortunately for Sonny:) we didn't know about all the iresponsible breeders/puppy farms, etc. before we bought him. I know now about reputable breeders and those who love their dogs and puppies.
We won't be breeding from Sonny, he's just a family pet and is being neutered as I said but I would be interested to find out more about the lady we bought him from myself.

Ruth

Hi Bobby,
Thanks for your reply.
Sonny was nine weeks old when we bought him and we know that he was imported because the vet's name on his vaccination record was from Co Antrim!
Being novices in the puppy field we didn't know about all the checks that I now know are essential when buying a puppy. But we had his pedigree and my husband fell in love with him at first sight!
Names on his pedigree are: Dreamers Girl/Timmy/Smart Lord/Nordic Star (Grandparents)
Ginger Ale/Holly Dream/Favourite Boy/Mon Petite Lady.Bright Golden Star/Annette's Surprise/Secret Venture/Gold Standard (Great Grandparents)
sonny's a family pet and is being neutered at the end of this month and we love him to bits.

Ruth

It does sound like a typical puppy farm pedigree - full of names that could have run in the 2.30 at Newmarket ;-)

Hi Ruth
I`m so glad you are happy with Sonny and he is a lovely boy but as I said you have been one of the lucky ones.There are many people out there who for no fault of their own apart from not knowing they weren`t dealing with genuine breeders have bought a puppy along with a lot of heart ache when the pup has not been a healthy one.
Perhaps the Irish Kennel Club can help you to find out a little more about Mrs.O`Sullivan Tel.0035314533300
I`m sure the Trading Standards and Enviromental
Health(who are the authority who issue Pet Shop Licences)will help you to find out more about the people you bought Sonny from.All you need do is give them the details it is all highly confidential and they will do the rest.
Best wishes to you and Sonny for his forthcoming op.
Carole

A bit over 13 years ago I knew nothing about dogs, other than I adored them. Knew nothing about pedigrees, health checks, puppy farms, etc. After wearing myself out shopping for "Barbie's Dream House" for Christmas at every toy store withing 20 miles of my house I stupidly stopped in a pet store. I bought I Yorkshire Terrier puppy. I learned a lot more about dogs after that, but there was not a moment I regreted having Moxie (my pup) in my life.

My Moxie's pedigree was like Sunny's - lots of names. As I learned later my pup was from a puppy farm. Although she was registered (with the American Kennel Club, this was in the U.S.), she was very far away from the breed standard. Floppy ears, weight 20 pounds and I am sure had even more faults than I could count. She died in August at almost 13 years old. She was the love of my life. She gave me more joy, in even the darkest moments of my life, than you could imagine. If there is a heaven, I will not recognise I'm in it until I see her again.

I hope you are as lucky with Sunny.

Stacey

Hi Stacey,

Thank you for your lovely reply!
I'm sure that we'll be as lucky with Sonny as you were with Moxie who sounded lovely.

The thing about dogs is that they give you unconditional love regardless of what their pedigree is. Yes, there are some with some 'personality' flaws but I believe that we should love our animals as much as we possibly can and they will be loyal to us, as much as they can.

Thanks again.

Ruth