Let's talk genetics!

The OFA has lead research on dog genetics since 1966. Currently (March 2023) out of over 175,000 Goldens evaluated for hip dysplasia, 19.6% came back dysplastic. Ranked 48th for commonality of dysplasia out of 154 breeds, Goldens are not quite the worst! Yet without care, the incidence rate will keep growing. Out of 67,000 Goldens, 12% had elbow dysplasia and were ranked 39th out of 154 breeds for amount of cases. Less than half the amount of evaluation for elbow dysplasia over hip dysplasia, yet I own a dog that has both elbow and hip dysplasias, which caused early arthritis at less than 2 years of age. All of that hopefully denotes how important genetic testing is for purebred dogs. Bad breeding practices create problems, which is unfair to the dog and creates problems for the owners that could be avoided with proper care taken by the breeder.

Read about OFA's CHIC program here:
https://ofa.org/chic-programs/ 

All of our breeding dogs are evaluated for hips, elbows, eyes and hearts, which gives them a CHIC number.  I have them linked below for ease of access.

Patti:

 https://ofa.org/advanced-search/?appnum=2204596

Winnie:

https://ofa.org/advanced-search/?appnum=2417542

Dogs must be 2 years old to complete OFA so Winnie's will be completed in February 2024. Winnie will not be bred before she is 2 years old.

All our girls have an Embark panel done on them. 

This is a link to Patti's Embark report:

https://my.embarkvet.com/vet-report/QEPLZ-JVNGY-XJMK3-RMX5D

This is a link to Winnie's Embark report:

https://my.embarkvet.com/vet-report/83YXE-WKMRM-M57VG-PZ475

We only consider breeding the dogs who pass all health tests as recommended by the GRCA, OFA, and Good Dog; as well as have great temperaments. We do own other Goldens (currently just Audi) and we do show them and love them to pieces, but not every Golden should be/is a candidate to have puppies. We also occasionally will have a Golden stay with us for board and train. In the future, we also would like to rescue/foster Goldens and those dogs would never be breeding candidates. This website is for our dogs who did have puppies or will be having puppies in the future.

You can learn more about the dogs that are not featured on our website on our Facebook page, Rosemary Goldens.

Since I only keep the girls, I do choose studs from other breeders and pay for the "service". I am picky about the studs and the stud owners. I want great hips and elbows, a CHIC number (see OFA) and a DNA panel. I also want to see that the stud dog is regularly tested for STD's and is kept as a pet, similar to my own dogs. Often the stud owner will want the female to come stay at their place for the breeding to happen, so this aspect of vetting stud owners is very important to me. I need to trust that my dog is going to be cared for and treated well while away from me. I also want some sort of titling on the dog; as I believe this shows investment in the relationship with the dog and I want to support other breeders who hold similar values to my own.

Outside of the basics, I look for studs with physical and mental traits that complement my girls.  I'd love to talk to you about whatever litter is upcoming.