What You Need To Know Before Bringing Your New Puppy Home

The Golden Retriever Club of America encourages all breeders to spend time with each client educating them on various topics related to responsible pet ownership.  Furthermore, the GRCA states that it is the ethical responsibility to help buyers understand the specific breed they are buying.  Buying a Golden Retriever is a long-term commitment and shouldn’t be an impulse decision.  As with all pure-bred dogs, there is a long list of wonderful qualities that come with each breed.  However, there are also a list of genetic predispositions that each individual breed is known for.  Ethical breeders should be a recourse for buyers to best protect them and their pet.

Here at River Down Goldens, we are here for you for the lifetime of your pet!

Please review and bring this following information, and initial that you have read and understand the following:

• I have read the New Puppy Checklist packet.
• I have received the articles educating me on the importance of delayed spay and neuter.
• I understand that Golden retrievers can sometimes have more sensitivity to chicken as an adult.  Should you pup be one of them, please consult your veterinarian and also please let us know as well.
• I understand the importance of carrying pet insurance on my pet for his/her lifetime.  Veterinary care can be both costly and unplanned.  Pet insurance provides coverage for the treatment and care of my pet’s future injuries and illnesses.  Pet insurance is a requirement for the first 30 days and this is provided by Trupanion Pet Insurance.

The AKC courtesy insurance through Trupanion must be enrolled immediately and before training starts which should be right after you take your puppy home.  Although continued coverage is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended for my protection as River Down Goldens does not reimburse for veterinary expenses. This is in your AKC registration information and documents. Nationwide also has a good program.

• I understand that my dog should be on prevention protocols for Flea and Heartworm year round.  My veterinarian will guide meon the appropriate treatment.
• I understand that keeping my puppy out of public places and also out of the ocean or intercostal until completing the puppy vaccination series (which will be about 12 weeks), is best to decrease exposure to parasites, protozoa, bacteria, and viruses.  I will also limit exposure to other dogs as you never know who hasn’t vaccinated their pet (often transmitted by nose to nose contact).
• I understand that I should keep my dog lean.  An overweight dog is at high risk of joint problems and heart disease.  A lean dog would be considered a 3-4 on a veterinary body condition rating.
• I understand that I did my due diligence to purchase a dog from a breeder who practices breeding with care with help from their vet as well a team of genetic specialist who guides on who we should breed with who, as well as eliminating any who do not have the health that is required for breeding after screening.  This however does not eliminate the chances of dysplasia from this breed and or my puppy.

Genetic screening only decreases the probability of progeny developing conditions during its lifetime; health screening for breeding stock does not diminish the possibility of offspring developing a condition in the future.  Hip dysplasia is the number one predisposition in Goldens Retrievers. Hip dysplasia cannot be bred out of the breed at this time as geneticists have not identified how to do so; it is a worldwide breed problem.  The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals reports that 1 in 5 Golden Retriever radiographs submitted for scoring came back with some degree of hip dysplasia.  I understand that pet insurance can help offset the expenses related to joint dysfunction if my puppy is one day diagnosed with a congenital or environmental induced condition.  I understand that most dogs who develop a mild to moderate joint dysfunction can live a perfectly normal life with very little medical intervention.

• I understand the environmental precautions I should take to decrease the risk of joint problems in my puppy:  Jumping, stair climbing, running (especially on slick floor surfaces where they may slip causing a possible tear in joint tissue  this means no “get the puppy to chase me games” indoors,) long leashed walks, diet, spay/neuter.
• I understand I am buying a pet and NOT a breeding dog.
• I feel educated and prepared to take my new puppy home.
• All of my questions have been answered by my breeder.

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have been given verbal and written instructions and information on how to best care for my new puppy, and can contact my breeder for help anytime.