Is it okay to buy a dog from a trusted breeder?

Msrebeckyxo

Our dog died back in October, we decided to wait a large amount of time to grieved for him as he was with us for 9 years. We're finally planning on getting a dog, we're looking for a Golden Retriever puppy. We've been looking on Donedeal but we were told by the IKC to find a breeder. We've found one through the IKC and the pups are 20 days old.
I know we should adopt from a rescue place but we were told by a certain rescue place that we can't take one as I'm working too long or our garden is too small.
I feel guilty about buying a pedigree but we really would love a golden retriever pup. Is it okay to buy from a trusted breeder? The mother and father have been tester, vet checked, hip scored etc.

strandroad

Better than from Donedeal that's for sure. But if you are indeed out of the house long hours is a puppy a good idea at all? It won't be socialised properly, there's a good chance it will be destructive out of boredom and loneliness etc. If you considered a grown up retriever instead it would be both easier for you to find a rescue dog and for the rescues to accept you...

VonVix

Yes, absolutely. I firmly believe if you cannot or do not want to adopt, you should buy responsibly. There are too many poorly educated buyers and breeders in this country. Getting from a breeder who has had the parents (grandparents, great grandparents, etc.) tested for common breed issues is the BEST kind of breeder to buy from. There are a few other elements to look out for, you want to find a breeder who raises his puppies in a home environment (not in the shed out the back!) and having show winning lines is also desirable. A breeder must have a passion for the breed and a desire to produce the best dogs (mentally and physically) that they can. There is no real money to be gained in quality breeding.

You should only feel guilty if you were buying from someone who thought they "had a nice dog" or "wanted her to experience motherhood." They're crappy breeders who are fueling the problem we have.

Cherry Blossom

It's really a personal choice OP. If there were no breeders at all testing and taking account of temprament and health then pedigree dogs would really be in a sorry state. If you make a list of your own ethical concerns, and what factors influence your own opinion of what makes a breeder ethical and make a list of questions to ask the breeder e.g. the reasons why they bred this litter and if their answers are satisfactory to you then you can make an informed decision. There is also no need to go with the first breeder you come across. I looked into at least half a dozen when I got my pup.

Msrebeckyxo

Thanks all for your input! Someone will always be at home with the pup, we decided to wait until my eldest daughter was off school for the summer (shes 17) and my son is only working part time across the road, so the puppy being by itself isn't really an issue!
We have been looking around for months now for a pup now so we've been ringing up breeders and looking very closely at the place that the pup is in, whether there's kids etc! We've found a breeder who sounds extremly professional but also that she has an interest in the dogs etc, she's emailed us pictures of the pups, the parents and the papers so we could see the sire and Dame, so things are looking good at the moment!
Again thanks so much everyone! Made me feel a little bit better about buying and not adopting

sillysmiles

I would advise that you and your daughter is she is home during the day start reading up now on what it is going to take to toilet train a pup and the amount of care a pup needs.

tk123

Is it ok to support the ethical breeding of a healthy dog with a good temperament who you've spent time researching - eh YES?! I don't the guilt thing tbh?! Why should I feel guilty for supporting a breeder who scrutinised everyone who wanted one of their pups and rejected people she didn't feel were suitable?!..Like there's rescue close to me that's the go-to for people in my area - how half of them pass the check-list I don't know - I wouldn't leave them in charge of pet rock let alone a live animal lol!

Anyways OP - google the dam/sire to do some detective work - see what titles they've won etc. That's what I did when I was sussing out Lucy's lineage (she's a GR too) When tge time comes I'll be calling up Lucy's dad's breeder to get a pup from those lines again.