Golden Creek Kennels

This GCK breeder claims that she checks hips, eyes, and heart but based on the plethora of health issues coming from the puppies from her mill, I would say that is a lie. Did you know that she has lost her AKC license to breed? Don’t believe it? Please do your research. Let’s put this woman out of business. Don’t let her rename her business, like she has done in the past.

We purchased our sweet boy from Golden Creek Kennel on 9/1/17. He has been sick from day one. Severe stomach issues, explosive diarrhea that nothing helped stop. After months of it, he was finally diagnosed with food allergies. He's allergic to every form of protein except for eggs, dairy, gluten, and a bunch of other things.

When he was 9 months old he had a strange choking, excessive licking, coughing episode. I thought he had something stuck in his throat, so rushed him to the vet. After testing, he was diagnosed with acid reflux. (not strange considering his food allergies) He was put on meds, but they continued and got worse each time.

I reached out to Susan privately, no response. I put videos of these episodes happening on the GCK Lovers FB page begging for help, no response from Susan. She was tagged by people in their response to me, but still nothing.

At the beginning of 2020, he was so sick. I thought we were going to lose our best friend. We were sent to NC State Internal Medicine for more tests. He was diagnosed with Esophageal Dysmotility and GERD (gastrointestinal reflux disease). His esophagus was severely burned and scarred from all the acid. A food study revealed that his esophagus couldn't break down and pass food, so he had to be put on a soft food diet (mushy oatmeal consistency, not canned food) and a very low-fat diet to keep his GERD under control. The doctors said they have never seen this in a dog so young.

Again, I went to the FB page to share with people his diagnosis and that it is believed to be genetic, but geneticists at the Golden Retriever Club of America (who set the AKC standards) have not discovered the gene yet. All of my posts regarding this were deleted.

We've spent over $20,000 in medical expenses between, meds, prescription food, procedures, numerous hospital visits, and a lot of tests, and blood work. Thankfully, my boy is stable now. He can't be cured, but we're managing it right now. I never want another family to go through what we have.

Susan portrays to be this loving, caring, all around best breeder out there. She is so full of herself and her money.
We purchased a pup five years ago from her. Don't get me wrong, love this guy with all our heart and soul. At the age of 11 months, he was diagnosed with severe, yes, severe, elbow dysplasia and arthritis. The vet says by the time he is five or six, he will be a train wreck. Ms Harb claims to know nothing about the retrievers having this type of problem..
Any reputable breeder would know ANY of these health issues. Be aware, that, if you do have health issues with your pup, she will not go good on her paperwork stating she will refund or help pay costs of issues. She will give you a new pup and take yours back if you so desire. Really?
Anyways, check your paperwork as well. She 'accidentally' leaves off $100 or more on the sale price in her ever so wonderful booklet she gives you. Meaning, for every pup she has pushed out the door, she pockets $100 she does not report as income.
What an absolute sinister in every aspect. Don't let her fool you like she has fooled so many. Myself included. What comes around goes around and she will have her turn one day. How could anyone do what she does and say they actually love and care about the animals. Shame on her and I hope she burns in hell.
Cheryl Huber
[email protected]

Feel free to chat with me for further info, anytime

This is in regards to the owner of the company, not the company itself. I work for a health care company and we were contacted by the owner (she knows who she is so I won't say her name) for some help w/ some health concerns she had. We left numerous messages in response to her emailing us for help and never got a return call. Also sent emails, still no response, always got her voicemail. Finally after one final attempt to reach out to see if she still wanted or needed our help, she actually answered the phone and no sooner than the last syllable of who I was and from where I was calling from she proceeded to yell at me telling me to stop calling her and hung up. If this is how she acts towards a total stranger on the phone and a medical office that she had originally reached out to then I can only imagine how she is in person and w/ the animals. Will not reach out to her again and will not use her services should I need to.

We paid a $250 deposit for a puppy in a litter between two specific dogs. Those two dog never produced a litter. I was denied a refund On 07/02/2013 we paid a $250.00 deposit "to go towards the purchase of a female puppy out of Macy and Luka" ( the wording in quotations is on the invoice for said deposit). That litter never occurred. We did not want a puppy from two other dogs and sent on e-mail to [redacted] 10/03/2013 informing her that we would like our deposit back due to the fact that litter never happened. We were told that the deposit was non-refundable even though the puppy was never born and the "spot" that the deposit held never existed. Desired SettlementAll I am seeking at this time is my $250.00 that was paid. Our consideration in this contact ( the invoice created an implied if not expressed contract as well as our verbal contract that was created in phone conversations) was $250.00. Their consideration was a puppy out of the litter of Macy and Luka ( no other litter). Due to the fact that that litter never happened, they no longer had a consideration and therefore the contact was null and void. Therefore our consideration ($250.00) is legally due back to us. Business Response /[redacted]/Below you will find our standard Introductory letter, which states that deposits are non refundable. Most of our correspondence was with [redacted] the wife. From: [redacted] To: [redacted]@yahoo.com Sent: Monday, June 17, XXXX XX:XX AMSubject: Golden Creek KennelsThank you so very much for your interest in Golden Creek Kennels. We have been raising our beautiful guys and gals for over 17yrs. We are located in Durham, NC. Because of this being a working kennel with lots to do 7 days a week, and the fact that our dogs are not kennel dogs but live with their foster families, we allow visitors into the kennel only when a private viewing is arranged or during our monthly Open Houses. Our next Open House is June 23rd from 1:30-3pm.We presently do not have any pups available. But we just finished breeding a couple of litter that will be ready in Aug.-Sept.All of our guys and gals including the kids are registered Golden Retrievers. Pups are sold with limited registrations (meaning no breeding or showing.) And must be spayed or neutered by 6 months of age. We sell our pups strictly as family pets.Parents are screened for hips, eyes and hearts. And all of our pups come with a 24 month warranty on their hips, eyes and hearts. Pups come with their first puppy shot, wormed and vet checked.The cost of our is $1500. (the English Creams and the American Golds). We will not have any more American Golds until spring 2013 A deposit of $250. will hold a reservation for a pup. Deposits can be made by check or credit card over the phone. However we do advise you to make your decision very carefully in reserving a pup, for deposits are non-refundable. We do not want to turn away families searching for that special pup and then find out there was one after all. We do ship our pups within a reasonable distance, and the average cost to ship a pup is about $350.We at Golden Creek do things a bit differently. We try to match your desires, your preferences, and your life style up with the right set of parents, providing you with the pup of your dreams. So if you are stillinterested, please answer the following questions.Male or female?Size (small, medium or large)?Color: cream, blonde, light gold or honey gold?Character traits: Active, likes to play ball, hike, swim, go go go.Laid back, easy going, slow long walks, layback and watch animal planet. Or a little of both?And lastly when would be a good time to take a puppy home?Thanks again for your interest and let us know if we can provide you with the golden of your dreams.[redacted]Here is the last email I received from [redacted] On Sep 29, 2013, at 4:56 PM, [redacted] wrote:I just want to confirm that we are second girl puck for Macy and Silas...is this correct? Also, when will you confirm her pregnancy? We would like an email at that point. And my response...Actually, because a customer request to move to a spring litter, I have moved you up to first pick. We will know in six weeks if she is indeed pregnant. We got two good breedings out of her this week. [redacted]Our Macy did deliver on 11/28, and the [redacted] familly was in position to receive first pick female. Macy had 2 girls.They have since decided not to get the pup.Once again, they new from the beginning that our deposits are non refundable.Final Consumer Response /[redacted]/(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)Their stance has no legal or ethical backing. I have spoken to other breeders who assure me that this is not standard in the industry. Golden Creek is missing the point. We did not have a deposit for any other letter than that or Macy and Luka ( I have a copy of the invoice that again in NC represents a binding contract that states the same). This is equivalent to under a lease placing a deposit for as apartment. Then that apartment becomes not available at no fault of the lessee. Then the lessor states the lessee has to put that deposit on a property that was never agreed upon. I am sure that would be viewed as not appropriate. It is clear to me now that Golden Creek is adamant in their stance and I will be forced to argue this in another venue that is historically plaintiff oriented. Final Business Response /[redacted]/Once again my first correspondence with the [redacted] family was with [redacted] on June 17th when our introductory letter was sent to [redacted] after inquiring about a pup.Our introductory letter was sent on Sept 29th, 2013. And it states the following..."A deposit of $250. will hold a reservation for a pup. Deposits can be made by check or credit card over the phone. However we do advise you to make your decision very carefully in reserving a pup, for deposits are non-refundable. We do not want to turn away families searching for that special pup and then find out there was one after all. "When our Macy took her time coming into season in time for Christmas Pups, [redacted] decided to stick with Macy's second pick female.Macy gave birth on 11/28/2013This email came to GCK on Sept. 29th that I just want to confirm that we are second girl puck for Macy and Silas...is this correct? Also, when will you confirm her pregnancy? We would like an email at that point. I then followed up with her the same day announcing that First pick female was available due to a cancelation.You can see that I have spent a big amount of time, trying to get a pup for the [redacted].Our puppy deposits are non refundable and have been so for the past 21 years. We have put their deposit of $250 into a puppy holding account that is there so if and when they wish to get a pup, their first deposit is there to apply to their purchase.If you have any other questions please feel free to ask.[redacted], Golden Creek Kennels.

We had put $300 towards a puppy back in May when we went to open house then sent another $300 in July. Wont refund us our money!We went to an open house in May where we were told to give $300 to hold a puppy that was going to cost $1,600 at the end of July. She never told us it was nonrefundable. She told us she would mail us the receipt and that was that. Then we received an email in June stating another $300 was due. So we sent that in as well. In July we started having financial difficulties and told Mrs. [redacted] we were unable to get the puppy could we move our money to a puppy in the future. Well August come around and she claimed to sign us up for a puppy in November 14'. We knew we weren't financially sound to purchase the puppy or to take care of a puppy and decided to ask for our money back. This is when she said our deposit was nonrefundable and she would return only $300. I was really upset because she never said that at the beginning. We work hard for our money and are in a bad place for someone to just take it. After speaking to her many times at the end of August and Beginning of September, my husband and I realized we weren't going to get our deposit back because she had robbed us. We asked her to hold the deposit for the future and return $300 of the $600 that we had given. She stated she would return it and a week went by...NOTHING! Then we called her again and she said at the end of the September because that is when she did her books. Well end of September came around....NOTHING! So then we contacted her again and said that after a litter was born in a week she would send the money....NOTHING! So we called after a week and she said she sent the money out 10/7.....NOTHING! It is 10/17 and we haven't received anything! Now we have been robbed $600!!!! I want my money back we don't want any dogs from her we just want our hard earned money she never returns. We want all of it because now I don't trust her and would never do business with this lady again. Please have her return my $600!!!!!ThanksDesired SettlementWe would like out $600 that we have given to [redacted].Business Response /[redacted]/On March 3, 2014, The [redacted] family came to one of our monthly Open Houses and put down a deposit of $300 to go towards the purchase of a male pup out of our Embers. At that time I stated that puppy deposits are non refundable. It is also stated if some one contacts us by email and we respond with our Introductory Letter.ON 6/23/14 their pup was born and they submitted a second deposit of $300. as requested.The male was due to go home on 7/25/14, after a no show, I did receive a email on the 7/29th I get a email stating that could not receive the pup do to moving and wanted to move to a later litter. Both deposits ($600) were moved to a litter do in Oct. That litter was born 10/3/2014.This email came on the 29th of June, 2014.Good Afternoon [redacted], I know that we delayed getting a puppy for about 6 months due to an unexpected expense and we are moving houses, just didn't work out. When do you feel you will be having more puppies so we can plan for a future date. We are still very exited in getting a puppy and would like to sign up for your next go around. We apologize for not being able to pick up the puppy this past weekend. Thanks, [redacted]We just bred our Macy and Dillon this morning. I can offer you first pick male from this litter. They will be ready around Thanksgiving.Interested?[redacted]Sounds good......Please sign us up! Thanks, [redacted]On Sep 5, 2014, at 1:44 PM, [redacted] wrote:[redacted] - After discussing it further with my wife we would like to ask about getting half our deposit back, leaving the original deposit as is towards a puppy later in the future. Honestly we would hate to lose money however our current living condition would not be suitable for a dog the size of a golden retriever, we have two little children in a three bedroom apartment and we were just given a small breed dog making it extremely tight. I hate to complicate things on your end but I can think of a few other things that at least half of that money could go towards at this time for our family. My hope is to get out of this apartment by next summer when the contract ends and buy a home where it would be easier to manage two dogs. I'd really appreciate it if you could work with us, especially me because getting a golden retriever has always been something I've personally wanted and I can't think of a better place to get it from than you're kennel. Thanks! [redacted]I sent their first deposit ($300) by check to the address I had on file, on 10/7/14.I get a email from his wife [redacted] on the 17th that stating they had not received the check. We were on vacation at this time and had to contact the bank to see if the check had been deposited. No it had not.We returned back home this past Monday evening and after checking the bank one more time to see if it had been deposit, I sent a second $300 check out yesterday am, Tuesday the 21st.The first deposit will be held in our holding account so if they change their mind and wish to get a pup the first deposit will be available do go towards a new pup.The "no refund of deposit" is very common among breeders of animals (dogs, cats, horses). And we state that up front in person or in the introductory letter. Thank you so very much for your interest in Golden Creek Kennels. We have been raising our beautiful guys and gals for over 21yrs. We are located in Durham, NC. Because of this being a working kennel with lots to do 7 days a week, and the fact that our dogs are not kennel dogs but live with their foster families, we allow visitors into the kennel only during our monthly Open Houses. Our next one will be on Sunday Nov. 16th from 1:30-3pm.We presently have a couple male pups available, that will be ready for their new homes mid to late Nov. Both American and English.All of our guys and gals including the kids are registered Golden Retrievers. Pups are sold with limited registrations (meaning no breeding or showing.) And must be spayed or neutered by 6 months of age. We sell our pups strictly as family pets.Parents are screened for hips, eyes and hearts. We do no in line breeding of our goldens to insure healthier blood lines. All of our pups come with a 24 month warranty on their hips, eyes and hearts. Pups come with their first puppy shot, wormed and vet checked.The cost of our pups is $1600. (the English Creams and the American Golds). Deposits can be made by check or credit card over the phone. However we do advise you to make your decision very carefully in reserving a pup, for deposits are non-refundable. We do not want to turn away families searching for that special pup and then find out there was one after all. We do ship our pups within a reasonable distance, and the average cost to ship a pup is about $350.We at Golden Creek do things a bit differently. We try to match your desires, your preferences, and your life style up with the right set of parents, providing you with the pup of your dreams. So if you are stillinterested, please answer the following questions.Male or female?Size medium or large)?Color: cream, blonde, light gold or honey gold?Character traits: Active, likes to play ball, hike, swim, go go go.Laid back, easy going, slow long walks, layback and watch animal planet. Or a little of both?And lastly when would be a good time to take a puppy home?If you are a FaceBook member and would like to know about how our customers feel about us, go to the search bar and type in Golden Creek Kennel Lovers...ask to join.Thanks again for your interest and let us know if we can provide you with the golden of your dreams.[redacted]Once again, their first deposit of $300 is non refundable.Let me know if I can answer any other questions you may have.[redacted]Golden Creek Kennels