Ahhh, Puppies!  Such a joy to have Puppies.  Ahhh, Spring!  Such a joy to finally see Spring.  Ahhh, Rain!  Such a joy to finally have some rain.

 Ahhh, Mud!  Nothing much good you can say about mud!!!  Notice how Bella on the left seems to think this is perfectly fine and Ariel on the right somehow knows there is trouble on the horizon.  These are the moments I am just thankful for a camera! 

Thanks to June at www.bearhardgoldenretrievers.com for letting me use this image.  The cutest I've seen by far!

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 true to the original intent and STANDARD of the Golden Retriever.  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.

It should also be noted that 'English Cream' is a slang term.  It has stuck here in America much like Kleenex has for any tissue.  Both types are referred to as Golden Retrievers in their country of origin.  However, the AKC and CKC have a different standard than almost every other country in the world.  Most Clubs adhere to The Kennel Club (Enlgand) standard. These two different standards are what has produced the varying look and ultimately the varying temperament and health.  I wholeheartedly advocate for a new breed entry in the AKC standard such as English Golden Retriever.  There are many breed examples where different clubs have, over time, ended up producing different animals of the same original breed.  This is what we have here; similar origins, different animals to a large degree.

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!)

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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 approach to breeding in European countries is markedly different.  Breeding is focused on improvement, camaraderie, and mutual respect.  Competing Kennels often use each other's dogs to improve qualities and traits.  Exposure of animals is greater as Breeders often travel to many different countries to compete and get new blood in their lines.  What you get is a much broader perspective on the standard and genetic information is shared and used to mutual benefit.  I am very pleased to say however that among my local/regional English Breeders we have formed a lovely community of knowledge sharing, support, and referrals between those of us who practice ethical breeding.

Once you are exposed to the practices that we have been blessed to discover and bring here, its just hard to look anywhere else.  I will be forever grateful to the Breeders who have provided me with such wonderful animals, support, and information.  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!

By request I have added the following information:  I only produce a few carefully bred litters a year and they all sell out.  Frequently people don't want to wait on a list and request me to recommend someone.  On occasion I can; but please understand that I would not recommend a breeder unless I felt they have the SAME commitment to quality that I do.  If they do meet my standards please know that they aren't overpopulating the dog world either and may not always have puppies .  In that case I can give you guidelines to look for, but it is up to you to be very studious.  There used to be only 2 English breeders in all of Georgia, now there are growing numbers.  It is not easy to get GREAT Breed stock here.  Just like there are lesser quality dogs in American Goldens, there are also varieties of Quality in the English.  On the whole, the European clubs are stricter, but you have to have a very good breeding reputation for one of the great European breeders to let you have one of their dogs for breeding purposes.  I am seeing more and more dogs brought over here to attain the 'I breed English' statement, but please do your homework to assure yourself that they have gotten the sought after kennels.  The finest Kennels of Europe do a lot of checking to make sure you are a good breeder before they will sell to you!  They absolutely hate puppy mills over there (as well we should over here too!).  If the breeder is overbreeding, I can assure you that the fine Kennels are not selling dogs to them.  If the breeder here in America has just started breeding, is chasing a fad, or (yuck!) breeding designer breeds; they have gotten stock from a breeder who will sell merely for money.  If it is truly one of the "Finest Kennels in Europe" they are not begging for buyers and can be very selective on who they will send their animals to.  It is their reputation after all.   Also, for the moment, you can use this test to help you determine whether they are the good English breeders or the fad chasers.  Ask them why the English are better.  If they say the coat.......well, you know how I feel about this.  You also know that I could talk for an hour on this subject alone.  Ask questions!!!!  Ask about the standard, the clubs, the lines their dogs are from etc.

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.