The breeder I am considering is not shown on the GANA™ breeders’ list. Can you give me information about this breeder?
The breeder you have mentioned is not a member of GANA™ if you cannot find them here. Therefore, we will have no records or history to share with you. When working with a breeder that is not a member of GANA™, you will have to do all your own homework. You will need to review the genetic defect warranty provided to ensure you are getting at least a two year warranty. You need to make sure you do not have to return the puppy to exercise the warranty and that the breeder offers monetary assistance with expenses for genetic defects, or a replacement puppy. You will need to verify the parents have had their health clearances performed and that they have been awarded the certifications for these health tests as shown here: https://www.goldendoodleassociation.com/about-gana/health-testing-requirements/ You also will want them to show you the pedigrees back to the purebred ancestors to prove you are getting a puppy that has just Golden Retriever and Poodle genes or that they have performed the DNA testing on the parents to prove they are comprised of the genes of only those breeds. When working with a GANA™ breeder, this homework has been done for you. You will see by the color of the ribbon next to each breeders’ listing that GANA™ has collected and reviewed the health certifications as well as required documentation to prove the breeding dogs are indeed Goldendoodles, Poodles, and Golden Retrievers.
Why do some breeders have no ribbon after their listing and others have blue and red ribbons?
GANA™ awards ribbon levels for the amount of health testing the breeder does on each breeding dog in their program. Learn what each level means here.
I want to purchase a puppy. Can you help me?
This link will provide you with a list of all our member breeders as well as their locations with clickable links to their email and websites: https://www.goldendoodleassociation.com/guest/memberbreeders.aspx This link is an email function and when submitted, it will go out to all our member breeders. Any that can accommodate you will reach out to you. Please know that most breeders have delivery options available so you are not limited to working with a breeder in your immediate vicinity. Do be aware that you cannot unsubscribe from this list and may get a few emails after you have found a puppy. In that case, just let the individual breeder know to remove you from their email list. https://www.goldendoodleassociation.com/puppy-request/ Unfortunately because of COVID-19, most breeders’ puppies are sold, and/or their current litter spots have been filled. The only puppies available immediately are likely from puppy mills. Your best bet may be to find a breeder you like and get on a waitlist for an upcoming litter.
I used the puppy find email function and have not received any responses. Does this mean my email did not go through to all the breeders?
This means none of our GANA™ member breeders could accommodate your request. It is possible you are being too specific in your request for gender, color, coat type, size, etc. If your goal is to find a puppy as soon as possible, you will need to be more flexible in what you are requesting.
Can you tell me if a breeder listed on this website is a member in good standing?
Please know that all breeders shown on our website are members in good standing. If they were not, they would be removed from our list.
Where can I find an adult Goldendoodle as I don’t feel a puppy is the right choice for me?
We are aware of two Doodle rescues. They are www.idogrescue.com and http://www.doodlerescuecollective.com
You are also welcome to complete this form that will go out to all our member breeders in case they have a dog retiring from breeding or that has been returned: https://www.goldendoodleassociation.com/puppy-request/ Any that can accommodate your request will reach out to you.
I have an article or blog I think would be a good addition to your website. Are you interested in learning what I have to offer?
GANA™ only posts articles submitted by our member breeders.
I would like to become a GANA™ member breeder. How do I proceed?
If you would like to be a GANA™ member breeder, you will need to comply with our Code of Ethics (https://www.goldendoodleassociation.com/about-gana/code-of-ethics/) and abide by our Policies and Guidelines (https://www.goldendoodleassociation.com/breeder-policies-and-guidelines/). To point out a few things you will find in these links, you would have to have a website and also provide a minimum of a two year genetic defect warranty for your puppies. Each puppy will need to be microchipped prior to going to their new owners. You will also be provided a mentor who will be your go to for questions along the way.
Your parent dogs will need to be health tested to a minimum of the basic level (https://www.goldendoodleassociation.com/about-gana/health-testing-requirements/) to be eligible for breeding under the GANA™ logo. Breeders that join at the basic level have one year to increase the amount of health testing to at least the red ribbon level. To learn about the pedigree requirements, please refer to the “Required Pedigree Information” on the Policies and Guidelines page. Please note that if you do not have the paper trail back to the closest AKC ancestors, a DNA test on the parent dog can be used to prove the breed composition to qualify for registration.
GANA™’s annual dues are $100 a year. You can read more about joining GANA™, along with instructions for the next step here: https://www.goldendoodleassociation.com/join-gana/
I have a Goldendoodle I would like to register, but it was not produced by a GANA™ member breeder. I am not a breeder. Can I register my puppy with GANA™?
GANA™ has a sister registry. You can register your dog with www.GoldendoodleRegistry.com. You will need either the AKC registration information on the closest purebred ancestors from each side (mom’s and dad’s) or results from a DNA test showing your dog is comprised only of Golden Retriever and Poodle genes. You can use either the Wisdom Panel or the Embark Panel for this DNA test.
I have a Goldendoodle I would like to register, but it was not produced by a GANA™ member breeder. I am a breeder but I have not done any health testing on my dog(s). Can I register my puppy and its future offspring with GANA™?
GANA™ member breeders have to comply with all the health testing requirements and rules stated in the questions above. GANA™ has a sister registry. You can register your dog with www.GoldendoodleRegistry.com. You will need either the AKC registration information on the closest purebred ancestors from each side (mom’s and dad’s) or results from a DNA test showing your dog is comprised only of Golden Retriever and Poodle genes. You can use either the Wisdom Panel or the Embark Panel for this DNA test. You can use TGR (The Goldendoodle Registry) to register the puppies in your litter(s) as well.
What is GANA™‘s position on merle?
Merle was introduced to the poodle breed over 10 years ago. At this point, whatever breed that has crossed in has been watered down to the extent that it is no longer detectable by genetic testing. A litter of merle poodles can have puppies that are merle, but also cream/red, black, brown, phantom, and/or parti. That means that any dogs of any other poodle color may have come from lines where the merle color was mixed in. Since there’s no way of telling in ANY poodle whether they come from the cross(es) that brought in the merle color, we find there’s no reason to ‘cull’ dogs that are merle. All this would do would be to artificially limit the gene pool.
Since one of the major benefits of Goldendoodles is the genetic diversity we get through crossing, it does not fit with our principles to limit our gene pool simply because of color. That is ‘breeding for color,’ which we oppose. Moreover, since we are interested in genetic diversity we have no objection to there having been another breed crossed into poodles. We are not interested in ‘genetic purity,’ as that falls into the category of eugenics, which we morally oppose in humans, dogs, or any other species.
We do have standards that relate to the safe breeding of merles, since that can pose a health risk. Health risk is the only condition under which we have chosen to limit our gene pool.
Will GANA™ ever apply for AKC recognition?
At this time, GANA™ does not intend to apply for American Kennel Club (AKC) recognition.
GANA™ values genetic diversity above AKC recognition. AKC, for the most part, currently requires closed studbooks. Despite being labeled as “open” for certain breeds, AKC is considered a closed studbook organization due to the requirement of a complete 3-generation pedigree for dogs seeking registration, even after the breed has been fully recognized. Dogs without an AKC pedigree are not eligible for registration within closed studbooks.
Closed studbooks limit genetic diversity because they allow animals with pedigrees to breed. This means that only dogs with registered ancestors can have puppies. When the gene pool becomes limited, there is a higher chance of inbreeding, leading to lead problems and reduced overall vitality to the breed.
On the other hand, open studbooks (like GANA™) allow for greater genetic diversity. This helps maintain a healthier population with a greater variety of genes. Having a diverse gene pool is vital for the long-term health and survival of any group of animals. It allows for a broader range of traits and helps protect against inherited diseases.
Please also see the following section about conformation shows, as this is another factor in GANA™‘s decision not to apply for AKC recognition.
Will GANA™ ever hold dog shows?
A primary focus of AKC recognition is conformation shows (often called “dog shows”). GANA™ does not support conformation shows like those organized by the AKC. While GANA™ has a breed standard for Goldendoodles, conformation shows can sometimes lead to a faddish interpretation of that standard. Conformation titles obtained through these shows do not guarantee essential aspects such as temperament, structural health, or functional movement.
GANA™ prefers that dogs be evaluated individually for their structure rather than in competition with each other, as is the case in traditional conformation shows. GANA™ believes that individual evaluations provide a more comprehensive and accurate assessment of a dog’s structural qualities.
In conformation shows, dogs are judged against one another based on how closely they conform to a predeterminate breed standard. This competitive nature of the shows can sometimes prioritize specific physical traits or conformations that may be considered trendy or fashionable at this time. GANA™ is concerned that this approach may overlook important aspects of a dog’s structure and overall health.
Instead, GANA™ advocates for individual evaluations where each dog is assessed independently based on their own merits. This allows for a more objective assessment of the dog’s structure, considering factors such as skeletal alignment, gait, and overall balance. By evaluating dogs individually, GANA™ believes a more accurate representation of their structural health and functionality can be obtained.
This approach aligns with GANA™‘s emphasis on the health and well-being of Goldendoodles. By evaluating dogs individually, breeders and evaluators can focus on aspects that contribute to overall soundness and functionality of the breed. This includes considering factors like proper skeletal development, muscular strength, and movement capabilities, which are crucial for Goldendoodle’s quality of life and long-term health.
By prioritizing individual evaluations over competitive comparisons, GANA™ aims to ensure that Goldendoodles are bred and selected based on their structural health and functionality promoting the production of physically sound and healthy dogs within the breed.
If a dog has an OFA CHIC number, what does that mean?
GANA™ is considering applying for the CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) program. However, we want to ensure that dog enthusiasts understand both the benefits and limitations of the CHIC program.
An OFA CHIC number refers to a certification provided by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) that indicates a dog has undergone specific health screenings related to various genetic and orthopedic conditions.
Breed clubs play a role in establishing the OFA CHIC number requirements for their specific breeds. The requirements are typically determined by breed club members collaborating and making decisions based on their collective knowledge and expertise. These requirements may include specific health tests and screenings deemed relevant and essential for the breed’s overall health and well-being.
It is important to note that the health testing decisions made by breed clubs are not always solely based on formal breed surveys or scientific studies. Instead, they can be influenced by various factors, including the club members’ preferences, convenience, and consensus within the breed community. These decisions may also consider the prevalence of certain health conditions within the breed and the availability and practicality of the recommended tests.
While breeders can obtain an OFA CHIC number for their dogs by completing the required health testing, it is essential to understand that the CHIC number program does not require dogs to pass these tests. The CHIC number primarily signifies that the recommended health tests have been completed, regardless of the actual results. This means that dogs that fail tests, such as those diagnosed with dysplasia, can still receive a CHIC number.
Receiving a CHIC number does not guarantee that a dog is free from health issues or is suitable for breeding. It simply indicates that the required health tests have been completed and documented. The breeders and potential owners are responsible for carefully evaluating the health testing results and making informed decisions regarding breeding and ownership based on the individual dog’s health status.
Ultimately, the OFA CHIC program serves as a tool that provides information about complete of the health tests for individual dogs, allowing breeders and owners to make more informed decisions regarding breeding and overall health management within a breed.
What does GANA™ do instead of a CHIC number?
GANA™ certifies pre-breeding health clearance tests for it’s breeders. This certification process involves the GANA™ registrar reviewing all submitted testing and ensuring that the required minimum testing for each level has been completed and that all Goldendoodles in that breeding program pass (not just complete) the testing for that level. Therefore, when you come across a GANA™ breeder certified at a specific level, it indicates that the breeder has completed at least the testing listed on our health testing requirements found — https://www.goldendoodleassociation.com/about-gana/health-testing-requirements/
Why does GANA™ allow some preliminary OFA results?
Regarding health testing conducted by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), two designations are used to classify the results of certain tests: preliminary and final. Preliminary testing refers to health screenings that are performed at an earlier age.
OFA’s own data provides evidence that preliminary results are often reliable, particularly in hip evaluations where scores are rated as good or excellent. A study published in the OFA veterinary journal compared the reliability of preliminary hip evaluations with evaluations conducted at 2 years of age. The study found that a preliminary grade of excellent had 100% reliability of being normal at 2 years of age (excellent, good, or fair). A preliminary grade of good had a 97.9% reliability, while a preliminary grade of fair had a 76.9% reliability in being normal at 2 years of age. The reliability of preliminary evaluations increased as the age of the time of evaluation increased, regardless of whether the dogs received a preliminary evaluation of normal hip conformation or hip dysplasia.
These finding suggest that the preliminary evaluations of hip joint status in dogs are highly reliable. Therefore, GANA™ accepts preliminary hip scores rated Good or Excellent. Dogs with preliminary results of fair must be revaluated at 2 years or older.
Additionally, recent clinical and study data show it can be safer for breeding females to be bred earlier than the age required for all OFA final testing. GANA™ believes it’s essential to value the health and well-being of our breeding dogs and balance those considerations with the needs of the next generation. Additionally, smaller dogs tend to mature much younger than larger dogs. Age of OFA final testing was designed to incorporate all dog breeds and sizes, including giant breeds, and does not consider individual breed and size, which can significantly affect the age of maturity. Allowing preliminary test results allows GANA™ breeders to make decisions that take into consideration the individual dogs in consultation with their veterinary reproductive specialists rather than for a hypothetical situation designed to encompass all dogs.
Given this information, GANA™ has consulted with numerous experts and has chosen to accept preliminary results, such as Good and Excellent hip scores, under certain circumstances.
GANA™ also accepts hip evaluations certified by organizations other than OFA, such as PennHip. These scores are not always registered in the OFA database.
Reference: Corley, EA, et al. Reliability of Early Radiographic Evaluation for Canine Hip Dysplasia Obtained from the Standard Ventrodorsal Radiographic Projection. JAVMA. Vol 211, No. 9, November 1997.
