The Retriever Expert Expert Care Tips For Your Retriever
English Cream Golden Retrievers, beloved for their beautiful cream coats, bright eyes, and friendliness, have become popular recently. Unfortunately, they aren’t cheap. Have you been wondering why are English Cream Golden Retrievers so expensive?
We’ve all heard the stories of people paying absurdly large sums for one pup- sometimes even exceeding $4000! If you’re considering getting yourself an English Cream Golden Retriever, you may wonder why these lovable pups are so costly.
In this blog post, I’ll examine why owning an English Cream Golden Retriever can be expensive.
Historical Origin and Purpose of English Cream Golden Retrievers
While Golden Retrievers come in shades of golden brown, a distinct cream-colored variant has gained popularity in recent years – the English Golden Retriever.
🤍Historical Origin
The history of English Cream Golden Retrievers is rooted in the history of the Golden Retriever breed. Sir Dudley Marjoribanks, later known as Lord Tweedmouth, developed the Golden Retriever in the mid-19th century in Scotland. He wanted a dog breed that could effectively retrieve game from land and water.
One of the founding Golden Retrievers, Nous, was bred with a Tweed Water Spaniel, resulting in four puppies that showed unique, lighter-colored coats. Through several generations of breeding with golden-coated Retrievers and other breeds such as Irish Setters and Bloodhound, the light-colored coats became more common.
After World War II, English breeders developed a preference for the pale cream color, leading to the development of the English Cream Retriever. Today, English Cream Golden Retrievers are a distinct variation of the Golden Retriever breed recognized by various international kennel clubs.
🤍The Breed’s Purpose
While all Golden Retrievers excel in hunting and retrieving, English Cream Golden Retrievers are also popular as family fur pets and companion animals. Their calm demeanor and loyal nature make them wonderful companions for children and adults alike.
Furthermore, the cream coloration of these dogs is desirable for many dog owners. Some believe that lighter coat colors mean better health and temperament, but this is yet to be scientifically substantiated.
Regardless, the unique shade sets them apart from the common golden-colored Golden Retrievers and draws attention from dog lovers everywhere.
Why are English Cream Golden Retrievers So Expensive?
English Cream Golden Retrievers are a popular dog breed, and it’s easy to see why. With their beautiful, creamy coat and friendly disposition, they make fantastic pets for families and individuals alike.
However, not all English Golden Retrievers are created equal. Specialized breeding practices and high-quality standards ensure you get the best dog for your home. Here’s what you need to know.
📌Specialized Breeding Practices
Breeding selection based on health, temperament, and genetics
A responsible breeder will only breed healthy dogs with a good temperament and appropriate genetics. This process begins with selecting the best male and female dogs for breeding based on their overall health, temperament, and genetic background.
For example, a reputable breeder will avoid breeding dogs with genetic defects that the parents could transfer to their offspring, such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, or genetic eye diseases. It is accomplished by regularly testing the dogs for these conditions and only breeding those that pass the tests.
Health testing for genetic conditions
Ensure that breeding dogs do not pass on any genetic conditions to their offspring through specialized breeding practices that require health testing.
These tests look for specific conditions and genetic markers that could be passed down to their puppies, potentially resulting in health problems and higher veterinary bills for the new owners.
For instance, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) offers certification for English Creams that pass elbow and hip dysplasia screenings. Experienced breeders will obtain these certifications, which give buyers confidence that their retriever puppy comes from healthy parents.
Socialization at a young age
Socialization plays a vital role in producing healthy and well-adjusted English Cream puppies. It involves exposing them to social stimuli in their first few weeks of life, including people, other dogs, and new environments.
When you don’t properly socialize the English Golden at a young age, they often struggle with anxiety, fear, and aggression in their adult lives. Socialization ensures that the puppy will be well-rounded and confident and helps them develop healthy relationships with their owners.
A responsible breeder will ensure to socialize the puppies before leaving for their new homes. It may include introducing them to new environments, people, and other animals and providing plenty of love and attention to help the puppy feel secure and confident.
📌High-Quality Standards
Proper nutrition and veterinary care
A high-quality breeding facility must provide its English Cream puppies with healthy food and veterinary care. Good nutrition is essential for proper growth and development during their formative years.
A reputable breeder only feeds their service dogs with premium, high-quality dog food since canine nutrition is essential in early development. They will prioritize vetting their breeding dogs and puppies with vaccinations, up-to-date examinations, and preventative treatments for heartworms, fleas, and ticks.
Additionally, breeders should have an emergency plan if their dogs develop any unforeseen health concerns. If necessary, the breeder should work with a qualified veterinarian to treat any dogs with medical problems promptly.
Clean environment
Cleanliness is a fundamental aspect of responsible breeding. English Creams’ puppies can stay healthy, disease-free, and happy in a clean and sanitary environment.
A reputable breeder regularly cleans and disinfects their kennels to maintain a sanitary environment. Such extended cleaning practices ensure no dangerous bacteria, viruses, or diseases contaminate the dogs in their facilities.
A clean breeding facility should exhibit the highest levels of hygiene, such as using veterinary-grade cleaning products and disinfectants. Experienced English cream breeders will take extra precautions when it comes to the elimination of any waste or hazardous materials to prevent cross-contamination.
The Impact of Health Testing, Certification, and Showing on Price
English Cream Golden Retrievers can be an expensive dogs for many reasons. These costs are primarily due to the high standards breeders have to meet regarding health testing, certification, and showing their dogs.
🩺Health Testing
Before purchasing an English Cream Golden Retriever, ensuring the puppy is healthy and has no genetic health disorders is important. Health testing can give breeders and future owners peace of mind and help prevent potential health problems.
Health testing can include hip and elbow evaluations, eye exams, cardiac screenings, and DNA testing. However, these tests can be expensive, which may reflect the puppy’s price.
🩺Certification
Certification is an important aspect of buying an English Cream Golden Retriever. It ensures that the puppy is purebred and meets breed standards. Breeders obtain certification through a national Kennel Club such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the United Kennel Club (UKC).
Breeders who take the time to certify their dogs through these organizations often charge more for their puppies. It is because certification can be a lengthy and costly process that requires documentation, DNA testing, and several trials and evaluations.
🩺Showing
Some breeders also participate in the English Cream Golden Retrievers in various dog shows. Showing a dog is a popular way to earn titles and recognition, and dogs that have successfully competed in shows may have a higher price tag.
It is because showing requires much time and effort, including training, grooming, and traveling. Additionally, winning titles can increase the value of a dog’s pedigree and reputation.
The High Cost of Sourcing Puppies from Reliable Breeders
Sourcing English Cream Golden Retrievers puppies from reliable breeders can come with a high cost, financially and emotionally. While many breeders are out there, not all are reputable or reliable.
Some breeders prioritize profits over the well-being of their puppies, which can result in common health issues in the future. Therefore, it’s important to do extensive research before deciding on a breeder.
✔Factors Contributing to the High Cost
Breeding healthy and happy English Cream Goldens requires considerable time and effort. From health testing to socialization to providing proper care for the mother and puppies, various steps ensure that the puppies are healthy and ready to be brought into a loving home.
Another factor is the demand for this breed. Due to the breed’s friendly nature and loyalty, English Cream Golden Retrievers are highly sought after domestically and internationally. This demand contributes to the high cost of sourcing these puppies from reliable breeders.
In addition, good breeders may have a waiting list for prospective pet owners, which further increases the demand for these puppies. Some breeders may take advantage of this demand and charge more for their puppies. However, reputable breeders will not compromise on the quality of their puppies, even if it means charging more for them.
A good breeder will always ensure the puppies are ethically and humanely raised, providing their potential owners with a healthy, happy, and loving family member. Furthermore, the process of finding a reputable breeder can be emotionally exhausting. It can be difficult to trust a breeder, especially with so many horror stories circulating.
It’s a good idea to reach out to breed clubs and other reputable sources for recommendations. Once you find a breeder, ask to see health care clearances and visit the breeder in person to observe how the puppies and mother are cared for.
Understand the Pros and Cons of Investing in a Premium Breed
Investing in a premium breed can be a tough decision for any prospective pet owner, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the breed you’re considering. Before deciding to invest in a particular breed, weighing the pros and cons is important.
Pros:
Longevity: Premium breed pets are bred to have a longer lifespan than average pets. It is due to the careful selection process involved in breeding these animals. Investing in a premium breed pet makes you more likely to have a companion who will be with you for a long time.
Health: Premium breed pets are bred with a focus on good health and genetics. These pets are typically less prone to genetic problems and illnesses. It means fewer visits to the veterinarian and less money spent on medical bills.
Predictability: When purchasing a premium breed pet, you have a good idea of what you’re getting into. These pets have a consistent temperament and predictable characteristics, which makes them easier to train and care for.
Purebred Status: Owning a premium breed pet comes with a certain level of prestige. Pet owners often seek these pets due to their purebred status and value.
Cons:
Cost: Premium breed pets come with a significant puppy price tag. These animals are often expensive to purchase, and the retriever price doesn’t stop there. Special food, grooming, and training can also add up quickly.
Health Problems: Premium breed pets have good health and genetics but are still prone to breed-specific health problems. It can add up to costly medical bills and a lot of stress for the pet owner.
Inbreeding: Premium dog breeds are often the result of intentional inbreeding to maintain certain characteristics. It can sometimes result in health problems or genetic issues down the line.
Popularity: Due to their popularity, premium breed pets often face a lot of demand. It can result in overbreeding and unethical breeding practices.
How to Make Sure You Are Buying From a Reputable Breeder with Proper Documentation
Are you looking to add a furry friend to your family? It’s an exciting time, but it’s important to make sure you’re buying from a reputable breeder to ensure your new pet is healthy and happy. Here are some tips for buying from a reputable breeder with proper documentation.
⭕Research the breeder.
The first step in finding a reputable breeder is to do your research. Look for breeders in your area and read their reviews online. Check out their website, social media pages, and the resources available on reputable pet forums. You can also ask your veterinarian, friends, who own pets, or neighbors.
⭕Visit the breeder’s facility.
Once you’ve found a potential breeder, visit their facility in person. It will allow you to see how the animals are treated and cared for. Take note of the animals’ cleanliness, living conditions, and temperament. Make sure you check for any signs of neglect or abuse.
⭕Ask for documentation
A reputable breeder will provide proper documentation for the animal you purchase. It will include the animal’s health records, vaccination history, and registration certificates. If the breeder does not have or provide any documentation, it’s a red flag.
Ask about the breeding process.
Ask the breeder about the breeding process, including the health and genetic testing performed on the animals. Reputable breeders ensure their animals are healthy and have good genetics to avoid illnesses or disabilities in the offspring.
⭕Follow up on references.
Ask the breeder for references or previous clients you can contact. Reputable breeders should be more than happy to provide references to show their dedication to the well-being of their animals.
Avoiding Puppy Mills and Unscrupulous Breeders
When looking for an English Cream Golden Retriever puppy, one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make is where to purchase the puppy. Anywhere from online to your local pet store, there are multiple possible sources for your pup. Unfortunately, not all breeders are created equal.
Puppy mills and unscrupulous breeders regularly make headlines, and it’s up to you to ensure that you don’t inadvertently support them. They care little for the dogs they’re producing, are often negligent in their care, and focus solely on profit. Their puppy mills are notorious breeding grounds for disease, inbred puppies, and unspeakable conditions.
When purchasing an English Cream Golden Retriever, it’s best to avoid puppy mills and unscrupulous breeders and opt for reputable breeders instead. Here are a few ways to spot these bad actors.
✖Puppies are Always Available
Puppy mills and unscrupulous breeders will often have puppies available year-round. Responsible breeders prioritize the health and well-being of their dogs and humanely breed only when there’s a demand for their puppies. Be cautious if a breeder always seems to have puppies available at a moment’s notice.
✖Lack of Communication
When contacting a breeder, you should expect clear and open communication about the breed info such as their breeding practices, puppies’ health, and overall lifestyle. Puppy mills and unscrupulous breeders often shy away from answering questions and may avoid giving too much information about their breeding practices.
✖Sight Unseen Sales
A responsible breeder will care about the welfare of their puppies and want to ensure that they are going to a good home. They will want to meet you in person before selling you a puppy. Unscrupulous breeders and puppy mills may try to avoid meeting with potential buyers and insist on mailing puppies to customers.
✖Price Too Good to Be True
English Cream Golden Retriever puppies from reputable breeders can be expensive. If a breeder sells them for an unusually low price or seems disinterested in vetting potential buyers, they may be part of a puppy mill or an unscrupulous operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are English Cream Golden Retrievers so expensive and How much does it cost?
A: English Cream Golden Retrievers can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000, depending on the breeder, pedigree, and location. However, Golden Retriever prices may vary, so it’s necessary to research and looks for a credible breeder who is true about their pricing.
Q: Where can I buy an English Cream Golden Retriever?
A: You can purchase English Cream Golden Retrievers from reputable breeders found through online directories such as the English Cream Golden Retriever Club. Deep research of the breeder is important, ensuring they follow ethical breeding practices before purchasing a puppy. Additionally, adopting a dog from a rescue organization or shelter is another option to consider.
Q: Are English Cream Golden Retrievers worth the money?
A: Whether or not an English Cream Golden Retriever is worth the money depends on individual preferences and circumstances. They are known for their friendly and gentle nature, as well as their intelligence and obedience, making them popular family pets. However, they can come with a higher price tag due to the rarity of their coat color and the breeding process. Ultimately, it’s up to the buyer to determine if the cost is worth it for them and their lifestyle.
Q: How do I care for an English Cream Golden Retriever?
A: Caring for an English Cream Golden Retriever involves regular grooming, exercise, and a nutritious diet. Their thick, double coat requires weekly brushing to prevent matting and shedding. Daily exercise would be best to keep them physically and mentally stimulated. A high-quality diet, free of fillers, will ensure optimal health. Regular check-ups with a veterinarian are also essential for monitoring their overall health and detecting any potential issues early. Additionally, providing plenty of love, attention, and socialization will help to keep them happy and well-adjusted.
Final Thoughts
While the English Cream Golden Retriever cost may seem expensive to some, it’s important to remember that quality doesn’t come cheap. As someone who loves dogs, I understand the desire to bring home a new furry friend at the lowest cost possible.
However, it’s crucial to prioritize a dog’s health, temperament, and overall well-being over price. As the saying goes, “You get what you pay for.” By investing in a reputable breeder who prioritizes responsible breeding practices and the betterment of the breed, we can ensure that our beloved companions have the best chance at a happy and healthy life.
The love and companionship these dogs offer are priceless, regardless of the initial cost.
