How To Choose a Golden Retriever Puppy

Start by learning the breed standard and determining what you want your dog to be like. Then, search for breeders in your area, but know where to search and be mindful of the red flags.

The most challenging part is picking one puppy from the litter. Interacting with each puppy and talking to the breeder will help you decide.

Although you should listen to your heart, don’t neglect practical factors – you should receive the full document package and health clearances. Be careful with backyard breeders!

Learn the Standard

Before you begin searching for a puppy, learn the golden retriever breed standard to know exactly which appearance traits you should look for. Of course, appearance isn’t the only factor that matters when picking your future companion.

Still, a dog compliant with the breed standard has higher odds of winning at shows and getting praise from strangers. Plus, nice-looking dogs are an indicator of the breeder’s reputation and experience.

If you’re looking for an American golden retriever, check the breed standard on American Kennel Club’s website. Otherwise, you can check the English or Canadian standard, but they don’t differ much.

You don’t need to measure your dog’s ear setting or body proportions with a ruler, but you should be familiar with the general description.

According to the standard, a golden retriever is a symmetrical, powerful, energetic dog with a kindly expression and confident personality.

When it comes to color, the standard accepts all shades from cream to dark gold but not red. Red golden retrievers are purebred, but they come from field stock.

Determine What You Want

This point may seem vague, but it’s a vital factor to consider. Decide what you want from a dog before you head to the kennel.

Consider whether you want a female or male, the color, type, and temperament. Although puppies still are mentally flexible, you can already see their personalities.

Even if you don’t have enough time to determine which puppy is a better fit for you, you can explain to the breeder what your perfect dog is like, and they will advise you on which one better fits the description.

The color is solely a visual preference, but it’s essential for many. Puppies are always light, but you can see the parents to get an idea of their future color.

When picking between female vs. male golden retrievers, the primary difference is that males are goofier and more energetic and females are more protective and calm.

Think about the dog’s purpose, too – are you searching for a playmate for your children, a hunting helper, a service dog, or a companion for exploring wild terrains?

If you’re unsure and want to interact with the puppies first, it’s alright. However, picking among several cute faces is challenging, especially because you need to evaluate many variables, so knowing in advance is very helpful.

Talk to Breeder

Many focus on how to pick a golden retriever puppy and forget that the first step is choosing the breeder.

Make a list of questions to ask a golden retriever breeder. You should be sure they are responsible, genuinely love their dogs, and don’t neglect their mental or physical well-being – that’s the bare minimum.

As whether the breeder performs health tests for both parents and the puppies and which documents they provide. Find out whether anyone in the puppy’s lineage had severe hereditary medical conditions.

Ask for how long they have been breeding dogs because you want to buy from someone knowledgeable about health and the breed standard. Ask whether they are involved in sporting events, clubs, and organizations.

Ensure that the breeder socializes their puppies. They should be adjusted to other dogs, people, and unfamiliar environments to grow up confident and friendly dogs rather than anxious and aggressive.

Find out when you can take the puppy home. Although you might want to bring it home as soon as possible, a responsible breeder won’t give you the puppy until it’s at least eight weeks old.

Ask whether the breeder is open to contact after you take the puppy home if something happens. Responsible breeders are always willing to answer owner questions and help with advice.

Lastly, ask whether the breeder has any requirements and questions for their puppy owners. Good breeders genuinely care where their puppies will live.

Meet the Parents

Ask the breeder to meet the puppy’s parents. Some traits are difficult to evaluate when the dog is still young, so seeing the parents will help you understand the puppy’s temperament, health state, and appearance.

If the breeder refuses to show the sire and dam, count it as a red flag. Sometimes, breeders mate their dogs with dogs from other kennels and cannot show one of the parents, but they should still let you meet the one present.

If either of the puppy’s parents behaves aggressively or is anxious, you can expect the puppy to have a similar problem. The coat color and size are also hereditary.

If the sire or dam is small, the puppy is also likely to be smaller than average, and vice versa. The size isn’t as critical for pets but crucial for show dogs. The same refers to the color.

Interact With the Puppy

Interacting with the litter will help you understand each puppy’s personality and which is a better fit for you. Watch how each puppy interacts with its littermates – note whether they are playful or calm, submissive or dominant.

Note how energetic each puppy is. Of course, energy levels are hard to evaluate after one meeting because the most active puppy may appear calm and sleepy after lunch or a long walk, but you can also ask the breeder to confirm your guess.

Pay attention to how the puppy interacts with people, both you and someone familiar. A well-socialized puppy should be outgoing and curious. Throw the puppy a toy – it should at least watch the toy with its eyes if not run for it.

Gently putting the puppy on its back will give you an insight into its personality. A submissive puppy will calm down instantly and let you scratch its stomach, whereas a dominant pup will squirm a lot.

Touch the puppy’s nose, paws, and ears. It should allow you to do so. Ensure the puppy’s eyes are bright and clear, ears clean, and fur is soft and fluffy.

Ask for Documents

A responsible breeder should provide you with a complete puppy document package including the pedigree, registration certificate, health clearances, and contract of sale.

The American Kennel Club only issues registration papers to officially registered breeders. The certificate contains the dog’s unique identification number and other essential information like the name, sex, and color.

The pedigree or lineage provides you with information about a puppy’s ancestry. You can check where the puppy’s ancestors excelled, whether inbreeding was involved, and from which countries they were.

You should read the lineage from left to right. The puppy’s parents are on the left, then you will see the grandparents, and so on.

Health test documentation for the sire, dam, and the puppy is essential to rule out any inherited conditions.

Ask for an eye test, hip scores, and results for centronuclear myopathy (CNM) and exercise-induced Collapse (EIC). The breeder should also provide proof that the puppy is vaccinated and dewormed.

Lastly, the contract of puppy sale lays out your and the breeder’s responsibilities and rights in the event something extraordinary occurs.

Know the Red Flags

You should learn how to spot a backyard breeder before you head to the kennel. You should be concerned if the breeder doesn’t let you see where the puppies live or see the parents.

They should also allow you to see the puppy’s littermates. Consider another breeder if they tell you that documents are an unnecessary waste of money or allow you to get the puppy early.

Not asking you any questions is another red flag showing that the breeder doesn’t care about its dogs. Breeders asking for too low prices are either inexperienced or save on documents and veterinary appointments.

However, a high price isn’t a guarantee of quality either – some breeders just want to make more money than their puppies are worth. Another sign of this problem is too many puppies simultaneously.

Where to Search

To find a worthy puppy, you should know where to search for a golden retriever breeder. Avoid Craiglist and similar marketplaces – reputable, experienced breeders don’t usually post advertisements on such platforms.

Instead, check your local golden retriever club on the Golden Retriever Club of America website. From there, you can get a referral or find a breeder list.

You can also search for local golden retriever breeders on social media or ask owners from social groups. Even better if you already know someone who owns a golden and can ask them for a referral.

Alternatively, you can find a rescue golden retriever in shelters. Some organizations specialize in rescuing specifically this breed.

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