GETTING A GOLDEN PUPPY
Getting a quality Golden Retriever puppy can be a challenge but taking your time and making good decisions will reward you for years.
While the puppy mills and commercial breeders almost always have puppies available and will let you take your pick, the people you r
eally want to buy from, the hobby breeders are breeding for themselves. Hobby breeders are always looking for great homes for dogs but they sometimes cannot let you know until the puppies are about 8 weeks old who is available. And the good breeders often have waiting lists. My comment to people who are puppy shopping is that if you can walk in and get a puppy, be alarmed.
The AKC has a breeder list on its website but you should be advised that there are no criteria for quality used by AKC or most other websites. It's "pay your money and send your information". The Golden Retriever Club of America (grca.org) also has a site and each Club monitors who is allowed to list litters. So the stan
dards may vary but there are standards. It's a good place to start.
Watch people at dog shows to see how they interact with their dogs. Plan to visit multiple breeders. If the people you meet are not people you want to have a 12 plus year relationship, then keep looking. Because when you buy a dog from a reputable breeder you are entering into a relationship.
This dog will live with you and your family for many many years. This is not a decision to take lightly.