So you’re in the market for a Golden Retriever. You have found what seems to be an excellent, qualified purebred breeder, but they tell you that there are no papers. Should you continue with the adoption process? Are papers even necessary? If you’re buying without papers, how can you feel confident about it?
If you are wondering how to buy a Retriever without papers, you need to know the facts. This blog will investigate the necessity of papers and how you can successfully buy a great, purebred Retriever without them.
Buying a Retriever without papers is not necessarily a bad thing. However, they can help a Retriever to be a show or breeding canine. Without papers, the best things to do are to check out the breeder’s home and environment. Take a good look at the dogs to see if they are healthy, happy and display Retriever trademark features. From there, write up a contract, ask for health certifications, and give the dog a DNA test.
What Are Papers For?
If you’re buying a Retriever, you will come across the term papers. Either the breeder has them, or they do not. But what exactly are these papers?
Well, papers are essentially a dog registration. It acts similar to a human birth certificate. On the documents, you will find the name of the parents and the date the dog was born. These papers typically come from the AKC for a low price.
Are Papers Necessary for Adoption?
You also need to know whether or not papers are even necessary. If you’re in the market for adoption, you will likely run across breeders who say they do or do not have documents for their pooch. What’s the harm in going without?
Well, most breeders will say that they aren’t necessary if you’re adopting a pet rather than a show or breeding Retriever. Technically, there is not an actual need for papers in this circumstance. That’s because documents are created to show the background of the canine, which would prove his “purebred” status. Those seeking a pet likely don’t care too much.
The other issue with papers from the AKC is that they aren’t too strict. So, even if a breeder does provide papers and a pedigree for your Retriever, they might not be entirely correct. All the breeder needs to do is falsify information and pay the fee, and they’ve got papers.
So what can a future Retriever owner do? Well, papers aren’t always the most important aspect of buying a purebred pet. Whether for pet, show, or breeding, documents aren’t always the go-to for proving.
Buying Without Papers
At this point, it is fairly clear that papers are not the cure-all for buying a purebred dog with confidence. Luckily, there are some other ways to feel confident in purchasing a dog from a breeder. Here are some of the best ways to buy a Retriever without papers.
Ask the Owner for OFA and CERF Certification
Papers from the AKC aren’t the only thing that can give you confidence when buying a Retriever. There are also the OFA and CERF certifications. What are these certifications?
- The OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) checks for hip dysplasia.
- The CERF (Canine Eye Registry Foundation) checks for eye diseases.
If your Retriever puppy comes with an OFA and CERF certification, it proves that the owners took the time to have the mother and father dogs checked for certain hereditary problems. There may also be other certifications to confirm the health of the parents.
While this does not necessarily prove that your Retriever is purebred, it will give you confidence that your dog is healthy and in good standing. The certifications do not mean that there is no chance that your dog will have these issues in the future, though, especially considering how common hip dysplasia is with Retrievers.
Perform a DNA Test on the Dog
You read that right: you can DNA test a dog. And with a lack of uncertainty, no matter how reputable and high-quality the breeder is, this is the best way to know exactly what you’re getting.
A DNA test will provide you with information regarding the dog’s ancestors, going back to its great-grandparents. With a DNA test, it’s clear to see whether or not the Retriever is a purebred.
Now, the DNA test won’t do much except give you peace of mind. If it comes back that the Retriever is, in fact, mixed, then it won’t matter unless you have a contract signed with the breeder. Even so, it’s difficult for contracts to be held up in court if the breeder does not hold up his end of the bargain. Keep this in mind when shopping around for a Retriever.
Wisdom Panel Essential is a great option for an at-home DNA kit, and it is not too expensive. Not only does this kit provide you with the type of dog you own, but it will also show over 35 different traits to expect from your pup.
Thoroughly Check Out the Breeder and Puppies
The best way to buy a Retriever without papers confidently is to check out the breeder and puppies thoroughly. Here are some of the top tips to add to your check-off list:
- Understand and seek out the appearance of the breed. Now, puppies will change dramatically from when they are brand new to adulthood. However, there are still some key features a Retriever may have as a puppy, such as short ears and a straight muzzle. Make sure the puppy has these hallmark features.
- Always go to the breeder’s house. You want to make sure that the puppy is not coming from a puppy mill and is bred in good conditions. Always visit the home. Never buy online or meet outside of the living area.
- Find out how well-known the breeders are. Breeders known for providing purebred puppies bred in a healthy, safe, and nice environment should be prominent in the community. This is especially true for show dog breeders. Try and find out as much information on the breeder to help boost your confidence in buying.
- Meet the parents. Another way to feel confident in your purchase is to meet the puppy’s parents, if possible (it is not always possible). If you can’t meet both, then try to meet at least one parent. Check out the environment and the temperament, especially of the mother.
- Pay attention to the health, environment, and happiness of the puppies. If the dogs seem healthy and happy and live in a good atmosphere, you can feel more confident in the breeder’s overall quality (and the Retriever).
- Sign a contract with the breeder. Every arrangement will be different. For the most part, the contract should state that the breeder will accept the dog’s return based on certain findings. For example, if a DNA test is done and it turns out the dog is not purebred, then the breeder will need to accept the return with a full refund.
- Make sure you have reliable contact info for the breeder. You don’t want the breeder to disappear should something arise. That’s why it is utterly important to have reliable contact information on file for the breeder.
- Check the puppy’s health. The breeder should have information on the health of the pup. They should have info regarding his vaccination status, spay or neuter, etc.
Money Doesn’t Equal Quality
Many people might think that they are getting the best of the best because they spend more money. This is entirely false. A higher price tag does not always equate to quality. A lot of puppy mills sell their offspring for thousands of dollars simply because they can. And with fake AKC papers, it’s a breeze to slide one by potential customers.
That is why it is important to do your research on the breeder and visit the location. All of the “checkoff” items listed above should be followed thoroughly.