Griffin Leary

Sadie Penner

Getting a Clinton Oaks puppy.

 

As we said on our home page, we strive to breed mentally and physically sound puppies. Armed with the technology we have available at this time we make sure all breeding pairs are healthy. We screen each dog in our program for abnormalities relevant to their breed. Each breed has particular requirements to insure only the very best examples of the breed are active in a breeding program.

Our dogs represent 8 generations, (at least 40 years)  of OFA Certified or PennHip Certified dogs and CERF clear pairs. When it comes to hip & eye disorders we can only certify that the breeding pairs are physically clear. That screening for Hip Dysplasia & eye disorders shows us that physically none of our dogs have HD or eye abnormalities. 

You must know that NO BREEDER can guarantee that all offspring will be free of inherited disorders, it is simply not possible. We are responsible breeders and do everything in our power to reduce the odds. There is always a possibility that our dogs may carry the gene for inherited HD or an eye disorder or that they may be capable of passing on that trait in their genes. As of now there is simply no way of knowing.  

While we feel we have significantly reduced the odds in our pedigrees, we have not totally eliminated Hip Dysplasia or eye problems. Statistically we have a very low occurrence. 

 

Simply put, we have done and continue to do our very best.

Our Protocol

• All of the dogs (requiring the test) used in our breeding program are PennHip or OFA Certified, that means the hips and elbows are X-Rayed and rated by the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals. Only individuals who have a pass rating are bred.
•  We do annual eye exams. Those exams are done by Board Certified Canine Ophthalmologist, Dr. Gretchen Schmidt, DVM.
• Cardiac Exams (on Golden Retriever's)
• We also adhere to the breed standards as written by the GRCA, ASC, VCA and published by the American Kennel Club.
• All of our dogs offspring are Registerable with the American Kennel Club on the Limited Registration option.

Limited Registration means all puppies can be registered with the AKC and have a certificate.  But, they are not to be used for breeding, should they produce any offspring, those puppies are not eligible for registration. This option discourages individuals who are not knowledgeable in breeding practices from breeding dogs. This enables us to protect the efforts we put into our planned breeding program, as well as the work breeders before us have done. Breeding dogs requires a knowledge and understanding of animal husbandry.

We warranty all of our puppies temperaments under normal conditions of stress.

Puppy Matching

Many years ago, we allowed those getting one of our puppies to choose from the litter in the order of their deposit. We soon noticed that folks would not want the 'last pick' or look at a puppy as 'left over' even defective in some way because 'nobody picked it'.

When we allowed folks to choose their pup from a litter, we found that families had no rhyme or reason on how they would choose the puppy. Some picked the one that first approached them, sometimes they would turn to young children and tell them to pick.  Often, they would pick by the shade of golden or markings. 

This is NOT the way to pick a puppy.

Overwhelmed, many folks would turn to me to enlist my help on which puppy would best suit their family. I would end up choosing for them.

We had to put an end to the unintentional rating system and since folks entered into a situation like this once every 10-15 years they were not very good at it choosing.

All the puppies aside from gender are the same quality. Some might be a little bigger, some may be a shade or two darker or lighter, but basically they are the same They have the same dam and sire they are all born on the same day...the ONLY difference, PERSONALITY. Some puppies may be more dominant, some more laid back, some the middle of the road.

I knew that something had to change. While discussing the problem with another breeder, we decided to use the same method that training schools for the blind used to match Guide dogs to blind persons. We took a more scientific approach using those same methods. Armed with a Family Bio, along with what we have learned in the first 7 weeks of the puppy's life and then applying the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test, we matched the puppies to the individual Family's Bio.   Simply put. It works.  On our Photo Gallery page you will find dozens of families that are happy with their newest family and many offer unsolicited testimonials stating so.

In our opinion this is the ONLY way we can insure a long and happy relationship and compatibility with the pup and soon learned that when we matched a puppy to a family based on their PAT profile, the match was "made in heaven". We have had fewer training and compatibility problems with family members or other pets in the household.

In the long run our job was made easier and families were happy. 

Our job is not just the health of the puppy and raising it to 7 or 8 weeks. It is to make sure that this is a relationship that will last a lifetime. As your breeder, we also offer support for years after our pup is in your home. By making sure the right pup ends up in your home from the beginning the relationship we develop with our families is one that is successful from the start.

 Volhard Puppy Aptitute Test.  < click this link for more info.

For those who are interested in Performance, your home requires a certain type of dog, they are dogs that have unique personality characteristics necessary for the competitive obedience, conformation or hunting venue...while all dogs can be obedient, some of them can be taken to the next level. The same is true for hunting prospects, they can all do it, some will just be better at it.

Boy or Girl?? That is the question...

A family may choose what gender they prefer, from there it is up to us. However, we recommend that you keep the gender flexible.  I often hear from prospective owners that some people prefer females over males.  Following is information about some misconceptions regarding gender.

When asked why they preferred one sex over another, folks who we mad that inquiry of consistently related experiences from their childhood. Mostly about "roaming" males, "marking territory"  or inappropriate behavior commonly referred to as "humping", which is incorrectly labeled a "sexual behavior" issue, rather than what it actually is, which is a dominance issue. An unaltered female  will display the same behaviors, she will also "mark", and display the same behaviors related to the "undesirable" male.

Please keep in mind that back 35 years ago spaying and neutering of pets was a rarity. Now it is the rule rather than the exception. 

I estimate that 99.9 percent of the pets in homes, are altered (Spayed or Neutered). Once a pet is altered it is rendered sexless.  The undesirable characteristics mentioned above that are displayed by both sexes, become virtually non-existent. Making both sexes make equally fine pets. 

The only true difference between the sexes are:

• Males are usually 1/2 to 1 inch taller at the shoulder, not a huge difference in any breed, they usually weigh 5-10 lbs more, mostly the difference in the muscle weight and bone weight.

 
• Males are usually better examples of the breed, fitting the description more accurately the breed standard describes. They have prettier breed type and coat.
         

• Males are generally less expensive to neuter than females are to spay, in addition the procedure is less invasive.   

This will be the beginning of a long relationship between our family and yours.

Family Bio

This pdf form is an outline of the information we need...you can print it off the internet OR send us the info in a less formal e-mail form...remember all bio's must be in prior to 7 weeks!

You may cut and paste it and e mail it to me OR FAX it to      586-293-7815

What are YOUR responsibilities as a new pet owner?

• You should be willing to go to obedience classes with your puppy, even though you may have been in the past. The classes are for the puppy to learn social skills and  should be considered a refresher for you to reinforce what you may already know.

• You should own or be willing to purchase and use a dog crate. This is a TOOL in training. It is not cruel. 

• Regular veterinary visits to maintain the health and happiness of your pet.

• Practice discipline in a logical and humane manner. Not ALL training techniques are alike. Realize that you get out of your pet what you put into it...just like children. What works for some dogs may not work for another. Not all dogs are alike.

• Contact ME the breeder if you have any difficulties or questions. Our service is for the entire time you own your puppy...we consider ourselves consultants as well as 'matchmakers'.  We WANT to be a part of your relationship with your pet. My job does not end the moment you walk out the door. 

• Also take advantage of daycare services if you have a facility in your neighborhood...this is a perfect way to acclimate your pet to other dogs and to a kennel atmosphere when the time comes for you to travel or in the event of an emergency if you need to use such a service. As always practice due diligence in choosing the right care giver for your pet. Your neighbor or family member may be your first choice and convenient, but they are NOT professionals trained to handle dogs or recognize issues.

• Remember, It takes a family to raise a puppy.  If you do not have the commitment from all members of your household or family to help in rearing this puppy.  Please do not get the puppy.

• Parents must be realistic about the contributions young children can and will make.  Most often the "promises" evaporate shortly after the novelty of the puppy has worn off.  If you expect your children to pitch in, and they do. GREAT! If they don't, please do not use this puppy as a pawn in the struggle to get more co-operation from your kids. Expect that YOU, the parents will bear most, if not all of the responsibility of this pet. 

Sales Contract

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Copyright © 2008 Clinton Oaks
Last modified: 08/02/10