Frequently Asked Questions

How much do you charge for your puppies?

The price will be no more than £2,000. The exact amount we usually decide soon after the birth. In Gemma's first litter we anticipate offering one of the puppies on special terms; you will need to live locally (ideally in Bridgend or a neighbouring borough) to be considered for that puppy.

How do I get on your waiting list?

If you are not already on our mailing list, you will need to contact us by email (or via the messaging service on Champdogs or Kennel Club site) and request a questionnaire to complete. We only transition from a mailing list to a waiting list once we are confident of having puppies, usually after the bitch has had a scan at 4 weeks pregnant.

Can I see the pregnant bitch?

Assuming you are in contact with us earlier enough, you are welcome to join us on a walk to see the mum to be. Spending time with an adult golden, especially a close relative, is a good idea for getting an idea of what the puppy will grow up to be like.

When can I see your puppies?

Prospective owners can see the puppies at around 5 weeks old. Before that age, puppies do not do much apart from eat and sleep. We offer visiting slots to those on the waiting list once we have a good idea of how many puppies we have available. The times for the visiting slots will coincide with when we know the puppies can be awake.

When will the puppies be ready to go to their new homes?

The puppies will be ready to go from the day on which they are 8 weeks old. If you do not collect the puppy by the time it is a 9 weeks old, there is likely to be a charge for keeping the puppy longer.

Can I choose the gender of the puppy?

If you indicate that you would only consider a puppy of a particlar gender then yes we will only place a puppy of that gender with you. If you are able to be flexible about whether you have a male or a female puppy, that will be helpful. In Gemma's first litter we anticipate placing one of the puppies with Dogs for Good, so if you do not mind waiting to find out which gender you will be having until after their assessor has visited (around 6 weeks old) then that could be very helpful.

Can I choose a particular puppy?

While for puppies going to pet homes we aim to provide a good match in terms of personailty and looks, it is our decision rather than that of the new owner. We get to know the puppies over many weeks and get to know all the new owners, which leaves us in the best position to judge which puppy to place where. In many cases, any puppy would be suitable. If you have indicated that you plan to breed from the puppy or show it or do something else that is beyond just being a pet then we will endeavour to place a suitable puppy with you.

What vaccinations will the puppies have?

The puppies will not normally have any vaccinations while here. Puppies start life with maternal immunity. Vaccinations only work once the maternal immunity starts to wane.

Why is important for a puppy to have someone at home?

Dogs are pack animals and thrive on company. Even if you have a dog already to give a puppy company, it is important to have someone around initially to make sure that the puppy learns what to do from you rather than your existing dog.

Is it a good idea to have two puppies?

While the puppies will be happy to have each other's company, most people find training one puppy enough of a challenge. You want the puppies to respond to you rather than one another. If you want to end up with two dogs, it is nearly always better to get one trained before you take on a second.

Is it a good idea to get a puppy while I have an old dog?

Puppies do like company. Your existing dog is likely to help the puppy settle in its new home. Getting a new puppy at a convenient time for your circumstances can be better than taking a difficult decision after you have just suffered a loss.

What toilet training will the puppies have?

Puppies have an instinctive desire to keep their den clean. They will be used to relieving themselves on grass most of the time. However, a young puppy has only a limited amount of control. You will need to continue giving a puppy plenty of chance to do the right thing in its new home.

Is it a good idea to neuter a dog?

Some information you will come across on this subject is unbalanced. While more and more vets these days understand the issues involved, some vets are still keen to generate fee income from castration and spaying operations.

For a male golden, neutering is unlikely to be a good idea. It will have an adverse affect on his coat, increase the chance of obesity and increase his overall risk of developing cancer. If he starts humping things, this is likely to be a training issue rather than one requiring surgery.

For a female golden, the decision is closer. Although the downsides are similar to those for a male, neutering does reduce the risk of mammary tumours as well as eliminating the risk of a pyometra.

If one is going to neuter, when is the best time to do so?

Firstly, you need to wait until you are sure that you do not wish to breed from the dog. Secondly, you should wait until you have an adult dog. Premature neutering carries a number of health risks. In the case of a bitch, you should wait until she has had one season and has finished growing. In the case of a male dog, you should wait until he is behaving like an adult and you are confident he has stopped growing.

Why do puppies come with a breeding restriction?

We, like many breeders, sell puppies with an endorsement restricting the breeding from and export of our puppies. One purpose is to ensure that only suitable stock goes into the gene pool. The other is to ensure that anyone who does wish to breed understands the responsibilities and risks involved.

Under what circumstances might you lift the breeding restriction?

Firstly, you would need to convince us that any resultant puppies would get a similar level of care as we would give them. Secondly, the puppy, when an adult, would need to have standard health tests for a breeding golden. As a minimum, these are currently a hip x-ray, an elbow X-ray and an eye test. In addition, depending upon the prospective mate, these could include a DNA test. Special conditions are likely to apply to any lifting of restrictions on puppies from Gemma's first litter: it is extremely unlikely that you would be apply to use a male from this particular litter as a stud dog and for a female we will probably want to choose her first mate and possibly who has one of her puppies from her first litter.