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The truth is that it’s easy to buy a Golden Retriever puppy from a pet store, a friend, or a local breeder who always has a litter available.
But this isn’t necessarily a good idea: You don’t know the animal’s history when you buy it from non-certified individuals or organizations. Without full knowledge of a puppy’s background, you could end up with a dog that has health problems. This could cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills down the road.
On the other hand, when you buy the animal from a licensed Golden Retriever breeder, you can pick out your future puppy with confidence.
Whether you’re planning on adopting soon or are just starting to research Golden Retrievers, it’s a good idea to take some time to learn why it’s essential to work with a reputable Golden Retriever breeder.
Ethical Golden Retriever breeders dedicate their lives to the health and happiness of their puppies and their parents. They spend a lot of time socializing, caring for, and observing their litters, so they know everything there is to know about their dogs long before they’re even born.
They will tell you what you need to do before you bring your puppy home so you don’t feel overwhelmed. The breeders will also start the puppy’s life on the right foot—they’ll complete the initial vet checkups with starter vaccines and basic grooming.
Knowing your puppy’s genetic history will benefit you in the long run. Not only will proof of his pedigree show that your breeder is certified, but it will also verify that your puppy is a true Golden Retriever.
Plus, you’ll have access to his health records (as well as his parents’ records). It’s not uncommon for Golden Retrievers to experience joint issues like hip dysplasia, and a genetic history will tell you if it runs in the puppy’s family.
A health guarantee is the true sign of a reputable Golden Retriever breeder. The best puppy breeders take pride in providing healthy dogs through careful genetic research.
They should be so confident in their work that they offer you a health guarantee, which will tell you what to do if your puppy faces any unforeseen health issues.
While it’s true that a puppy’s personality will change as they age, there are still good indicators in those first few weeks as to what you can expect when your pet gets older.
Since breeders are there from the day the puppies (and their parents!) were born, they know which ones might be best suited to your preferences and lifestyle.
Good breeders won’t just hand over one of their animals to anyone and end the relationship. They will choose you because they think you’re a good fit, and they’ll want to know how their dogs are doing a week, a month, and even years down the line.
Having a reputable breeder also eases any worries or anxiety you might have as a first-time dog owner since they’ll be available to answer questions well into adulthood!
Choosing a Golden Retriever puppy is a big decision. And picking the right pet for your family starts with finding a breeder you can trust.
No matter how nice they seem or how attractive their website looks, you should always do a little bit of research before choosing a Golden Retriever breeder. Here are important points that all breeders should address:
Once you choose a breeder that seems like a good fit for you and your family, you should write up some questions to ask them. And in return, expect some questions about you, your lifestyle, and your home!
One of the first things any breeder you inquire about should provide is a list of former buyers. Reviews posted online are one thing, but being able to talk with customers directly speaks volumes about the legitimacy of the breeder.
When you speak with their former customers, ask questions about their buying experience and how their dog is doing years after purchase.
Puppies should receive some level of preventative care that is appropriate for their age.
Newborn puppies up to eight weeks old should stay with their mothers, but they will also receive their first round of core vaccines during these few weeks. Early shots include DHLPP (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvo, and parainfluenza). At around 16 weeks, once a puppy heads home, they’ll also get a rabies vaccine.
Additionally, a lot can be said about the facility’s quality of care when the puppy’s parents are considered. Ideally, the Golden Retriever breeders stay on top of the parent’s wellness since their health is a direct translation to their puppies’.
They should have a yearly examination by a licensed veterinarian that will perform vaccines, flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, as well as general health checkups.
Many breeders won’t want to say goodbye just because you’ve taken your puppy home. A reputable, passionate breeder will be more than happy to receive updates and questions about their puppies well into adulthood.
With that being said, the breeder should also provide a health guarantee. A health guarantee states that you are not financially liable for any genetic issues in the puppy, as long as the health condition is verified by a certified veterinarian. (Many warranties last one to three years, but Snowy Pines’ lasts five years!)
This is an essential point that you might not think twice about. Many professional Golden Retriever breeders will require you to sign a contract promising to spay or neuter your puppy when they’re of age.
This is to ensure the health and safety of the dogs even after they’ve gone home to avoid non-certified and unsafe at-home breeding practices.
In addition to preparing a list of questions to ask when buying a puppy, you’ll want to be ready to answer a few yourself. A good Golden Retriever breeder will ask questions to determine if your household is a good fit for their puppy.
This is a simple yet important question that you should have an answer to. The breeder will want to know your true intentions behind adding a Golden Retriever puppy to your family to ensure that he’s going to a nurturing environment.
A good answer might be something along the lines of: “We’ve been thinking about this for a long time. We’ve done a lot of research, and we all agree that we’re ready to add a dog to our household.”
This is a critical question to determine if people are buying a puppy for a birthday or holiday present but aren’t ready for the commitment—especially since nearly 6 million animals are surrendered after the holidays every year.
Golden Retriever breeders that dedicate their livelihood to continuing the pure genetic bloodline will want to know what appeals to you about these energetic companions.
When asked this question, the breeders are trying to gauge whether or not you’ve done your research and if the Golden Retriever is a good match for you and your lifestyle.
The breeder will want to know what your puppy’s schedule will look like and who will be taking care of them. If everybody is at work and school all day, the breeder will want to know if the puppy will either sit in a crate for eight hours a day, be dropped off at a doggy daycare, or if you’ll have a pet sitter visit throughout the day.
Additionally, the breeder might ask who will be walking, feeding, and playing with the dog.
It’s said that puppies are great practice for couples thinking about having a child. The amount of time and energy required to care for newborn babies isn’t that much different than what you should expect to invest in your puppy!
Golden Retriever puppies require tons of attention, especially during the first two years of their lives. During the first couple of months at home, he’ll need plenty of stimulation, nighttime potty breaks, specific feeding and bathroom schedules, and lots of socialization.
If the breeder asks this, they want to know how your children will be participating in the handling of the puppy. They also want to understand how you plan to introduce the puppy to other pets so they can coexist safely within the same home.
Golden Retrievers are famous for their friendly and accepting nature, but sometimes other pets (like other breeds of dogs or cats) aren’t so willing to bond. Having a plan in place to help your children and existing pets adjust to your puppy’s new role in the household is always a good idea.
No matter how nice a breeder may seem, you want to avoid accidentally contributing to backyard breeders or a puppy mill disguised as a reputable breeder. Doing so can cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills and years of potential heartbreak.
Here are some of the most critical and obvious warning signs of an untrustworthy breeder.
The fact is, well-bred dogs don’t come cheap.
Golden Retriever puppies usually cost between $2,000 to $5,000. Less experienced breeders will charge on the lower end, and more experienced breeders (usually with generations of pure genetic proof!) will have a price tag on the higher end. Additionally, some of the best breeders will only sell trained puppies to ensure their pooches are family- and forever-home ready.
Overall, if the breeder you’re considering is selling their puppies for way less than the average price of a Golden Retriever puppy, they may be more interested in profiting than providing healthy dogs. This is a telltale sign it’s time to move on.
A skilled breeder stands by the health of their puppies with a health guarantee and proof of pedigree. That’s because the entire point of buying from a breeder is to know exactly what you’re paying for!
Therefore, you should receive standard documentation upon adopting your new Golden Retriever puppies, such as care instructions, registration papers, vaccination records, and necessary contracts.
The contract may also state that you agree to surrender the puppy instead of adopting him out to a shelter or the pound. Some warranties will say that the breeder should have the right to reclaim the puppy in an unexpected situation like this.
A good breeder should provide plenty of references from previous buyers. If they don’t willingly offer a list of former clients, then they might be hiding something.
If you do ask for references, and they give you a list of written reviews instead of contact information for former clients, this is a red flag. Anybody could have written those reviews, so you shouldn’t choose a breeder based on reviews alone.
If you’re not invited to come to the facility and see where the parents and puppies are raised and live full-time, they might be living in less-than-desirable conditions.
A refusal for a tour means that the breeder knows potential clients may be turned away by the environment. Basically, they want to ensure that you don’t see it and change your mind, which would cause them to lose the sale.
If you are invited to tour a facility, learn about what a professional kennel should look and smell like first.
Ethical and reputable Golden Retriever breeders care about their puppies as much as you do—which means they should ask you plenty of questions to the point where it should feel like an interview!
This “interview” is just a way to get to know you, your family, your home, and your lifestyle so that the breeder can be sure that their puppies are going to a safe home.
If no questions are asked, then they’re not worried about what their puppies’ future home life is like. That’s a red flag that they may not be reputable breeders.
The exact price points for a Golden Retriever puppy vary depending on the breeder’s location, experience, pedigree, and certification. However, it’s good to know what to expect. Usually, Golden Retriever puppies from a reputable breeder can cost between $2,000 and $5,000.
What to Look for When Buying a Golden Retriever Puppy
So, what is the best way to find a reputable dog breeder? The bottom line is, you need to do plenty of research.
The next time you’re researching Golden Retriever breeders, here’s what you should look for on a breeder’s website:
Picking out a new Golden Retriever puppy is an exciting event. But to ensure the best experience for your family, in the long run, take your time, do the research, and make sure you buy from a trustworthy puppy breeder.
If you’ve noticed any red flags — not providing references, not allowing you to tour the facility, and selling them for less than they’re worth — then you know this probably isn’t the breeder for you.
But plenty of testimonials, photos, videos, a willingness to answer questions, and an invitation to meet the Golden Retrievers in person says that the breeder has nothing to hide and is happy to show the status of their dogs at any time.
The good news is that Snowy Pines offers total peace of mind for prospective puppy families. With decades of experience breeding healthy puppies, Snowy Pines is one of the leading responsible dog breeders in the country!
The best part? We have recently expanded our Labrador breeding program to include Golden Retrievers, with certifications, reviews, photos, and guarantees available immediately upon request. Or, if you’d prefer, you can always come to visit our 120-acre home and facility nestled in the Ozark Mountains in person!
Learn more about the available Golden Retriever puppies at Snowy Pines today.
Tom Massey has owned and operated Snowy Pines Labradors for over a decade. They have become the leaders in English Labradors in the US. He and his team serve customers all over the US and Europe. They house their "dog family" in a state of the art facility on a large farm in the Ozark Mountains. With an obsession for genetics and temperament they raise and train dogs known across the globe for health and personality. Tom serves the pet industry in many forms campaigning for ethical breeding, training, and pet ownership.