1. What is the difference between English Cream and American Golden Retriever?
First of all, they are the same breed. They are both recognized and registered through the AKC. The English Cream means they are from European lines. There are a few main differences between the European lines and American lines.
- Health: The English Cream Golden Retriever (ECGR ) versus an American Golden Retriever (AGR). ECGR tend to have less cancer. Golden retrievers tend to suffer from cancer in high percentages. The ECGR is 37 %, whereas the AGR is 62%. The life span for ECGR is 15% longer than the AGR.
- Structure: The ECGR is a heaver built with a blocker head that is shorter in height. The AGR tends to be taller and has a longer muzzle.
- Color: ECGRs tend to be lighter in color than the average AGR. There are no white golden retrievers; they are all gold. Colors range from cream to almost red.
2. Where are you located?
We are in the small town of Home in Indiana Co, PA.
3. Do you ship, and what is the cost of shipping?
We ship both ground and air. We use Pittsburgh International Airport for our air needs. The cost varies and must be paid in full before the pup ships—prices range from $500 and up for pups.
Please don’t hesitate to ask if you want a pet flight nanny to hand deliver. This service may be available depending on the schedule but does create additional shipping costs—the puppy rides with the passengers, not in the puppy cargo area.
4. What is the difference between Limited and Full AKC registration?
Limited registration is for the family that is only getting a pet. They have no plans of showing or breeding the pup, and it is being sold with a spayed or neutered contract.
Full AKC is for the family planning on showing or breeding the pup. There are additional fees for Full AKC.
5. What comes with the pup?
- Health record with de-worming and vaccination dates.
- Vet check (as long as the vet had no emergency at the office)
- AKC papers or CKC if it applies
- Microchip number pre-register
- Puppy food if you have not ordered
- Leash
- Scent toy
- chew toy
6. Is puppy house trained?
Pups are not house-trained. We start them on potty boxes. I recommend crate training your dog. Dogs usually do not have absolute bladder control until 12 weeks of age.
Pups will have accidents. This product removes the urine smell from carpets, blankets, etc.
7. Does the puppy have a health warranty?
Pups are sold with a six-month unconditional warranty and up to 2 2-year limited warranty under certain conditions.
8. Do parents have health testing?
The tests that have been performed are listed on the dog’s profile. I can send you a copy of the test report if you’d like. All my dogs are microchipped and have numbers on test reports.
9. How to reserve a puppy?
With a deposit, your pup will be held. The order in which the promises come is how we determine the pick order. I want you to know that deposits are nonrefundable, so please ensure you want one before placing the deposit. We only produce pups with forever homes.
10. What if I can’t keep the pup or adult dog purchased from Plumcreek Acres?
All fur babies are welcome back at any time in their lives. I will place the pup or adult at a fair price. I will then deduct my cost and then send you a refund.
11. Is this breed suitable for apartments?
Golden retrievers are OK for apartment life as long as they are walked several times a day. However, if they are not active, they tend to get overweight.
Irish Setter and Golden Doodles need more exercise. They are not apartment dogs. They need space and do better with a fenced yard.
12. Will they shed?
The golden/Irish/Aussie doodles will be low to no shed but require frequent brushing and grooming. Some generations could be medium shedders. The wavier or curlier hair will shed less.
Irish Setters shed and need grooming to prevent knots in long body and ear hair.
Golden Retrievers shed heavily in the spring. Keeping them brushed helps reduce the amount of hair on your floors. We also found that adding Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil helps a lot with shedding.
13. Is the breed a good family pet?
YES!!! The Golden Retriever, Irish Setter, and Golden/Irish Doodle are all great family dogs. Any breed can be a lousy family pet if not worked with, loved, and trained to have manners. None of these breeds make good watchdogs; they never meet a stranger.
14. Male or Female, what makes the best pets?
With my years of breeding, I have been asked this question a million times. Here is my standard answer. This is just my opinion. If I could only own one dog, it was only a pet. I would get a male. They are more loving and tend to show more love to owners. Males are more to breed standard. Not all males lift their legs. Females can get bossy and more standoffish. Females tend to get overweight more easily. They cost more and are more complicated to get fixed. If you don’t plan to get them fixed, you have to worry about all the male dogs coming around and the mess of their cycle. Females tend to be smaller and lighter in weight. So it all comes down to what you prefer. Both sexes of each breed are lovely family pets.
15. How do I pick my puppy?
We welcome families to come to our house and visit with the pups and make your choice. If you live from out of town and need to pick my photo and personality traits, I will send photos of each available pup and a personality summary when it is your turn. You have only a few days to choose so other families can select their puppy next. If you return emails, texts, or phone calls to let me know which dog you want, you could stay in pick order even though your deposit came in sooner, if you don’t mind.
16. When can my puppy come home?
Pups can only leave once they are eight weeks old. I will not let puppies go sooner.
18. Will I need to take my pup to the vet?
We strive to have all pups vet checked; there have been occasions when the vet had an emergency and canceled a farm appointment. I wouldn’t say I like taking the pups around other dogs, so our Vet comes to our home. We try to reschedule work, but sometimes there is a timing issue. You have to have the pup vet checked by your vet to be covered by the warranty. You must have them seen by your vet within the first five days. Please make an appointment before picking up your pup. There are no exceptions; all dogs need a vet check in that time frame to avoid voiding the warranty.
19. Will my pup have vaccines?
All pups are started on the vaccine schedule. I will let you know which ones they have had already.
Nuvet
20. What puppy food should I feed my chosen pup?
I recommend Paw Tree puppy food. That is what we feed now and what the puppy will be sent home on. I recommend keeping the dog on the food they are already on. It helps prevent GI issues. Paw Tree is a complete, competitively priced whole health program for pets.
http://www.pawtree.com/plumcreek
We do not recommend a grain-free diet .https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/24/health/grain-free-dog-food-heart-disease.html
21. What is the difference between F1 ,F1B or multi generational Golden/Irish Doodle?
F1 is 50 percent Golden Retriever/ Irish Setter and 50 percent Poodle. Depending on the puppies ‘ DNA mix, F1 will be low to no shed.
F1B is 25 percent Golden Retriever/ Irish Setter and 75 percent Poodle. It will most likely not shed.
multi generational is from parents that are F1B , F2B the poodle percentage can range from 70-85% better control over size and shedding.
22. How big should my puppy be as an adult?
Golden Retriever height 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder. Weight 50 to 80 lbs.
https://www.grca.org/about-the-breed/akc-breed-standard/
Golden Doodle (standard) 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder. Weight 55 to 90 lbs.
Mini Goldendoodle weights range from 12-22
Irish Setter height 25 to 27 inches at the shoulder. Weight 65 to 75 lbs.
https://www.grca.org/about-the-breed/akc-breed-standard/
23. Is the puppy leash trained?
NO. Your puppy is not leash-trained. They are trained or started on a leash if you purchase an older pup or dog.
24. How do you socialize your pups?
Weekly visits of groups of teenagers and children of friends and families socialize pups. I work with dogs daily to desensitize them to loud sounds, being approached, and startle reflexes to help with anxiety during storms or fireworks.
25. What is a good ear cleaner?
Because Goldens, setters, poodles, and doodles (long-eared dogs) can all suffer from these issues to some degree.
26. Do you offer shipping
We offer both ground and air shipping at the owner’s cost. Ground shipping is to your door. We can set up to meet you, but there is also a charge. We must pay someone to take care of our dogs and our gas to get to the meeting place.