Guidance Needed - Planning to have a puppy

[jmamsc17]

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Hi - I am planning to have a golden retriever puppy and looking for some guidance from experts here. I have never had a dog before and have done research for a few weeks. I have been in touch with a few breeders KC/Non KC and having conversations for a few days.

I am interested in a specific litter, sire is registered in KC and having a block from its breeder on further KC registration of its progenies. Dam is not registered in KC, breeded said its her second litter and she is going to be 5 year old in 2 months. She had her first litter in early 2023. The breeder is not KC assured/registered, but very reasonable and transparent and cares for the pups, bred in the family house.

I am not able to make a decision due to the following where I need your suggestions

1. The sire is having COI of 2.9%, but having Grade 1 PLA and his sire too had a grade 1 PLA. Pups can't be tested for PLA before 1 year so I am not sure if this can effect the pups in future
2. Sire hip score is 17/16, EVB 46 with 72% confidence level. Dam's combined hip score is 12. I read that any positive EVBs are high risk but practically how concerning these number are I am not sure

Apart from these, rest all looks fine, Dam has all DNA tests clear (I am not sure if DAM had a PLA test). Sire is DNA ICT carrier but Dam is not so should not be an issue I believe. The breeder is not at all pushing me and even suggested to do all my due dilligence before making a decision and also suggested some other good breeders that he knows of.

Any guidance on this based on your experience would be very helpful.

 

[JoanneF]

Hello and welcome. First, can I say it's really refreshing to see someone who is planning carefully. All too often we see posts from people who have 'fallen in love' with a dog you just know is going to give them years of problems, but they either have already got it, or won't be put off.

The hip score is quite high, but that aside, these are quite specialist questions you are asking and while I hope someone here can help, I'm not sure any of our members are Golden Retriever experts.

If you don't get any helpful information here, you could try the GR Club - The Golden Retriever Club UK | GRC Home

But even if we can't help with specifics, we hope you will stay and update us (otherwise known as spamming us with puppy photos)!

And you may find some of our help pages useful - Useful Links & Recommended Reading