Auctions
Sample Letter in Response to a Request for A Puppy to Auction:
Dear:
We understand your group is seeking to obtain a Golden Retriever puppy for fundraising purposes. We would like to share our grave concern about this practice.
Year after year, 10,000 Golden Retrievers are surrendered to rescue programs, with the most common reasons being “no time for the dog” and “we didn’t know the puppy would be so large and so active”. Though a person might purchase a raffle ticket, often out of generosity, good will and impulse, the decision does not reflect the careful planning that we believe is necessary for responsible dog ownership. This decision should be arrived at after careful thought, research, and planning. It should also include an honest appraisal of one’s ability to care for, train, socialize and afford the expenses of such a family addition.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) position is that “auctions and raffles are not reasonable and appropriate methods to obtain or transfer dogs. Dogs sold at auctions, regardless of age, must be permanently identified by either readable tattoo or microchip prior to being sold at auction. Dogs sold at auction without the required identification will become ineligible for registration and shall be placed on permanent referral.” The Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA) supports this position and considers providing a Golden Retriever to an auction or raffle a violation of its Code of Ethics.
Reputable and ethical breeders will not make a puppy available to you for such purposes as your group has in mind. Certainly your group would not intend for a person demonstrating the good will of supporting your fundraising to receive a puppy of questionable heredity, health, stability, and temperament. We strongly caution you to avoid other than reputable and ethical breeders.
We urge you to seek other fundraising venues.
Thank you for the support you may give to the value of carefully selected homes for all puppies, and especially for Golden Retrievers. We encourage you to contact us for further information about this wonderful breed.
Sincerely,
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GOLDENDOODLES
The Golden Retriever Club of America is dedicated to the health and welfare of the Golden Retriever breed while conserving the original breed function - that of a "working retriever." A purebred dog offers to his owner the likelihood that he will be a specific size, shape, color and temperament.
The predictability of a breed comes from selection for traits that are desirable and away from traits that are undesirable. When a breed standard or type is set, the animals within that breed have less heterozygosity than do animals in a random population. The Goldendoodle is nothing more than an expensive mongrel. Because the genetic makeup is diverse from the Poodle genes and the Golden Retriever genes, the resultant first generation (F1) offspring is a complete genetic gamble. The dog may be any size, color, coat texture and temperament. Indeed Goldendoodles do shed. Their coat may be wiry or silky and may mat. Body shape varies with parentage but tends to be lanky and narrow. Behavior varies with the dog and within a litter with some puppies poodle-like in attitude and others somewhat like the Golden Retriever.
The Golden Retriever Club of America is opposed to cross-breeding of dogs and is particularly opposed to the deliberate crossing of Golden Retrievers with any other breed. These crossbreds are a deliberate attempt to mislead the public with the idea that there is an advantage to these designer dogs. The crossbred dogs are prone to all of the genetic disease of both breeds and offer none of the advantages that owning a purebred dog has to offer.
Permission to amend the Labrador Retriver Club statement to Golden Retrievers given by:
Rare White Goldens
If you are considering a "Rare White Golden," keep in mind that Golden Retriever colors exist from very light to very dark, but do not include white. Purebred Golden Retrievers do not come in pure white, even though some may be extremely light cream in color.
Also, be aware that there are a number of people specializing in what they call White Goldens making them sound rare and exotic. Light-colored Goldens are just that; it is simply a color preference. When evaluating a Golden Retriever puppy as an addition to your home, color should be the last thing you should consider.
They also may be charging much higher prices for these dogs than might be charged by any responsible breeder. Make sure that you ask about genetic testing and that you actually see written reports of clearance claims.
