Most recently my breeding program has turned to the 'English' Golden.  I don't say "English type" golden, because that is not what I mean.  It is not merely a coat color as some breeders would have you believe.  The English Golden (and I mean the true imported, Golden who has been CAREFULLY bred from a variety of European countries), is superior in every aspect of Golden life.  Their kennel clubs are far more stringent in breeding standards and there is much less indiscriminate breeding than we see here.  Their animals are typically more tested as a result, their stock is more narrowly protected, and generations of imperfections have not been compounded upon themselves.

What is an English Golden and why are they better?  While its true that many have lighter coats than the American lines, there ARE varieties of coat color in the European clubs.  My animals are all imported from Europe's finest kennels and while I strive to have light coats, my focus is on the whole dog.  The various clubs have quite similar standards in Europe with the most notable difference (other than the cream coats) is that they allow for a smaller (by 2 inches) animal.  Weight is nearly the same to a bit smaller, but their clubs do not generally dictate a weight.  They have blockier heads and the eyes are rounder and noses are darker and coal like in their contrast with the light coats.  The typical chest structure allows for a more protruding chest area than seen in their American counterparts and strong solid necklines supporting those gorgeous heads, while the Americans tend to have more 'apron' hairs.  While some Americans breeders will say that the hind quarters of Americans are superior, I would dispute this as I have seen some quite lovely structured rears and angled thigh/stifle combinations.  These look to me to balance the rest of the dog's structure - though I'm quite sure the superior American breeders and the European breeders could debate structure until the cows come home!  When I get some time, I will try to provide links to gorgeous specimens of each type and you be the judge!

*Please consider carefully the breeder's knowledge of Goldens.  If they advertise the 'Rare white Golden', 'Platinum blondes', or like the 'goldens Oprah owns'; that they have missed the point of the English Cream!  They are chasing a fad and likely don't have the great lines.  The pretty coat is just icing on the cake - you want the health and temperament to be the brag issue.  If they don't get it - you won't get it.

 These characteristics are the phenotype (what you see)...These dogs are beautiful, but its the GENOTYPE (what you don't see) that makes them superior.

Years of careful planning, outcrossing, linebreeding, testing, and a devotion to the dog, not a focus on money have produced excellent animals.  This is seen not only in the well sculpted bone, the chiseling of the musculature; but in the health standards as well.  Generations of testing, generations of health, of only breeding worthy animals have allowed the European qualities to surpass our own. Cancer has also become a horrible plague on the American lines of both fame and common line.  While cancer is occuring in the European clubs, it is to a much lesser degree and occurs at an older age; not bringing down the average life expectancy. Most notable is the TEMPERAMENT of these fabulous animals.  Mass breeding, puppy mills, and back yarders have all but destroyed the temperament of our American lines.  You can find a good temperament here and there to be sure, but it IS on the decline.  The Europeans have long strived to only breed those animals which are LAID BACK, CALM, EAGER TO PLEASE.

Once you are exposed to the European temperament, its just hard to look anywhere else.  As long as I don't have babies (birth to 4 weeks is a total 'black out' period for me) you are welcome to come and see what I mean.  Beware however, once you meet this kind of Golden, you will never want anything else!

If you have an appreciation for the website and my breeding philosophy and would like to share your discovery with others, won't you vote for me in Top Golden Sites?  (Please only vote once as mutliple votes from my very sweet and enthusiastic families results in my removal from the list - but thanks for wanting to promote me!)

Golden Visitors Since site startup on November 1, 2007

http://www.ultimate-top100.com/pet-sites/php/in.php?id=luckylad

Katie

Harbins Area, Gwinnett County, Georgia.  That is the North East side of Suburban Atlanta.

770-652-1762

mama2bifs@yahoo.com

It is not unusual to wait six months for one of my puppies.  I only have a few carefully planned litters a year, if you want my quality, you may have to wait!  If you cannot wait....please read on anyway and you might find some useful guidelines in helping you to search.

I am fully aware that there are parts of this website that you will find preachy.  I do not know everything there is to know about Goldens.  My dogs aren't perfect (well, Johnny might be, but that's another story!).  I am so passionately committed to the quality of my program that I have found educating people about Goldens, Breeders, and puppies is the best way to insure that I get good puppy families and that you, the public, aren't snowed over by the silly claims people make.  If I sound offensive, then I'm sorry.  I'd rather lose a sale and educate you about the process.  Education is the ONLY way I can think of to stop indiscriminate breeding!

And........You wouldn't think this has to be said but; 

BREEDERS BEWARE!  I have worked hard on my breeding program and the content of this website.  It is copyrighted and you make not take my words as your own!   If you paste my info on your site you will be asked to remove it!  This is just professional courtesy people!

Thank you.