EGRC Puppy Referral Policy
Purpose: The purpose of the policy is twofold; first, it outlines for Everglades Golden Retriever Club (EGRC) member breeders the necessary health clearances the sire and dam must have in order for a litter to be accepted by the Puppy Referral Coordinator. Secondly, it establishes a procedure to be used by the Puppy Referral Coordinator in referring litters to prospective buyers, and the responsibilities of the Puppy Referral Coordinator.
The necessary proof of health clearances are as follows:
1. Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Inc. (OFA) hip evaluation of fair, good, or excellent for both sire and dam. PennHip for Goldens is 50th percentile or better and no evidence of degenerative joint disease and distraction index of less than .7. No "prelims" will be accepted, meaning that both prospective parents must be at least 2 years of age.
2. OFA elbow evaluation indicating that no evidence of elbow dysplasia was recognized in both sire and dam. Again, no “prelims” will be accepted, meaning that both prospective parents must be at least 2 years of age.
3. An appropriate report from a Board-Certified Cardiologist indicating both sire and dam are free of any and all heart murmurs. Also acceptable is an OFA certificate with an OFA number indicating the results of the exam submitted to OFA indicate no evidence of congenital cardiac disease was recognized. Golden Retrievers must be more than one year of age in order to obtain accurate readings. This clearance must be obtained on both sire and dam.
4. Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) certificate with exam date of within 12 months of breeding date, or standard CERF eye exam report, with exam done within 12 months of breeding, indicating NORMAL eyes, signed by a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist. Clearances must be done each year on both sire and dam, if they are bred, through the age of eight. Certificates out-of-date will not be accepted.
5. Consideration should also be given to other disorders that may have a genetic component, including, but not limited to, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, skin disorders (allergies), and orthopedic disorders such as osteochrondritis.
6. Assuming all health and examination reports are favorable, the age of the breeding pair is also of consideration. Generally, a Golden Retriever is not physically and mentally mature until the age of 2 years; and an individual dog’s suitability as a breeding animal is difficult to assess until that time.
7. Breeders will be expected to abide and comply with all Federal, State, local and any other applicable laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations regarding the sale and care of puppies.
8. All breeding stock will be in good health, of sound temperament and free from known major hereditary defects at time of breeding.
Copies of the above clearances need to be mailed to the Puppy Referral Coordinator before a litter listing can be accepted. In more cases than not, the EGRC member breeder will either be the owner of the sire or the dam, but usually not both. It will be up to the EGRC member breeder to obtain copies of the necessary clearances on whichever Golden Retriever they do not own and provide such copies to the Puppy Referral Coordinator. Upon the receipt of the clearances, the Puppy Referral Coordinator will be responsible for working with the EGRC member breeder to determine what method he or she would prefer to use when being contacted about referrals (email, telephone, etc.). The EGRC member breeder will inform the Puppy Referral Coordinator once all puppies have been placed.
The Puppy Referral Coordinator serves as the liaison between the EGRC member breeder and the potential owner. The duties and responsibilities of the Puppy Referral Coordinator include the following:
1. Advising prospective puppy owners of the advantages of obtaining a puppy through a breeder who has followed EGRC’s mandatory Puppy Referral Policy, versus purchasing a puppy through a “backyard breeder” or pet store. However, in no way can the Puppy Referral Coordinator guarantee the future health of the puppies, nor lead prospective buyers to believe that obtaining a puppy through EGRC’s referral service is a guarantee of perfect health.
2. Educating prospective puppy owners on not only the advantages of owning a Golden Retriever, but also the disadvantages, such as shedding, and size, and exercise requirements.
3. Determining if the needs of the potential puppy owner would be best met through a referral to Everglades Golden Retriever Rescue, Inc. with the possible adoption of a rescued Golden Retriever.
4. Promoting responsible pet ownership and education through offering to mail to prospective owners the Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA) pamphlet “Acquiring a Golden Retriever,” or informing them of where it can be located on the GRCA web site so it can downloaded;
5. Promoting GRCA and EGRC by offering to mail the free GRCA “PAL” pamphlet, (So you’d like to learn more about Golden Retrievers) which describes the benefits of GRCA membership and encourages membership in the local breed club;
6. Offering to mail EGRC membership information, or direct them to the EGRC web site to download information, to promote EGRC among the Golden Retriever community.
7. The Puppy Referral Coordinator will work with the EGRC Board in providing puppy referral reports to the Board on any litters that have been listed, and by what breeders, and what level of activity there has been in puppy referral.
8. The Puppy Referral Coordinator will work with the Newsletter Editor in arranging for litter announcements to be placed in the newsletter on any litters that are being referred.
9. In the absence of any litter listings with EGRC, the Puppy Referral Coordinator will refer prospective puppy owners to the Puppy Referral Coordinator of the nearest GRCA member club, which as of this writing is the Mid-Florida Golden Retriever Club, Inc.
10. The EGRC Puppy Referral Coordinator will not list any litters of members who engage in intentional cross-breeding of pure-bred Golden Retrievers for personal profit.
Revised Policy formally adopted by EGRC Board on August 22, 2005