Puppy Mills

NGRR is well aware of disreputable and unscrupulous  Golden Retriever  breeders (and breeders of other dogs) who  raise animals in inhumane conditions, advertise heavily, and frequently falsify pedgree documents to get you to believe that you have just bought a prized dog.   The dogs are raised in small cages, rarely get exercise and receive little or no vet attention.  Genetic probelms such as hip dysplasia may be common, but the breeder will provide patently false clearances about the dog's heritage and health.

The sure signs of a puppy mill vs. a  reputable breeder:

• No adoption criteria--Reputable  breeders  may do an extensive interview with potential applicants and may  only let people that have been recommended by prior adopters have an oppotunity to get a dog from their litter.  They are very choosy about selecting the right adopting families for their puppies. Puppy mills don' t care who you are a long as you don't ask too many questions and have cash or credit card available.
  
  
• Advertising   The reputable breeders don't need to advertise. They find their adoptting families by recommendations and referrals. Puppy mills will have continuous ads in newspaers and electronic bulletin boards such as Craig's List.
  
  
• Reluctance for an inspection  Reputable breeders will gladly let you meet the parents of the dog, see where the puppies were born, and see how the puppies have been treated since birth.  Puppy mills generally will not let you see any of the living conditions. 

NGRR stronlgly recommends that families seeking Golden Retriever puppies go through the NorCal Golden Retriever Club at http://www.norcalgrc.org/ and look at the Puppies tab. There you will find an email address for  Golden puppy breeder references.  Also see these  2 articles on puppy mills:

Finding the Perfect Family Pet--Buyer Beware
Humane Society Article-- Buying A Puppy