How to Handle Breeder Hate

Before I start my post, I want to say that there is undoubtedly more good than bad in this world. However, the bad can be overwhelming and very stressful. I know that when I wake up to 100s of comments and messages from strangers telling me to "Kill Myself", or "Spay and Neuter my Dogs". "My Animals Deserve to be Taken Away". and threats against my children and other dogs and animals to be very unsettling and upsetting. I understand that people see that the shelters are full and animals are being euthanized every day. I understand and it breaks my heart. I volunteer at two shelters and help them train their dogs to get adopted quickly and easily. I also help advertise and care for small puppies. I go to the shelters I know it is a HUGE crisis and a problem. I try to make sure that every life I bring into this world also saves another life from the shelter.

I want to explain that high-quality breeders are NOT part of the shelter crisis. Good, ethical breeders will always take their dogs back no matter the circumstance or reasoning. Good, ethical breeders complete all of the health and personality testing to make sure you receive a high-quality golden. They also only breed fully health-tested goldens that have incredible personalities. A well-socialized, well-trained, well-mannered, and calm personality will always stay in their forever home. Most goldens that end up in the shelter are either sick with a very expensive preventable genetic condition or a golden with a personality that is destructive and reactive. You have to be cautious where you buy your golden. Some breeders will breed high-energy destructive goldens and then will breed to a male with a similar personality and create insane puppies.

It is important to find a breeder that does ENS, ESI, potty, and crate training, as well as socializing and desensitizing. That way you have a calm golden that is confident and brave no matter the situation. Make sure you ask to meet the parents. You learn a lot from just meeting the parents. Make sure you go to the breeder's home. If they will not allow you at their home, please know that is a red flag. There are very few acceptable reasons for not allowing someone in your home. I will always choose a breeder that lets me go to their home and meet the parents. I want to know what type of golden I am getting.

We truly do go above and beyond in our program so the breeder hate is actually misdirected anger and that is what I tell myself. These people are mad at the breeders who won't do health testing and won't take their dogs back. Those breeders are adding to the shelter population and should not be breeding. Backyard breeding has become a very popular "hobby" for people and it is truly ruining the golden retriever breed. I have met 100s of goldens that have mean and reactive personalities. It breaks my heart when I meet them because it was a bad breeder that created that personality. They didn't spend enough time with the puppies and did not set them up for success. Your golden should not and does not need to have high uncontrollable energy. Anyone who tells you that is a normal golden is not being honest. Goldens are extremely happy dogs, however, they can be happy and calm. They can be quickly trained and are huge people pleasers. Their drive to make people happy makes them easier to work with and train.

I take the hate as constructive feedback and use the opportunity to inform the haters why our program is different. The threats and other comments that cross the line into dangerous are reported to the police. We take threats of harm very seriously. We understand you are angry but please know that good, ethical breeders are needed to preserve the breed standard. We need excellent breeders who take pride in fostering the natural great personalities of goldens. We need to bring back the family dog that loves to be social, and active, but also calm and respectful. So, if you hate what we do and do not see the value in creating 100s of service and therapy dogs, well we aren't the program for you. Which is ok! Please note you do not need to follow us or buy one of our puppies. We are responsible and ethical. Please know that your comments will not deter us from our journey and we will always put our dogs first.

I just remember that my goldens have changed my life and I know they will change your life too.