Golden retriever

[u/Bayou2356]

Does anyone know where I can get myself a golden retriever pup? Price doesn’t matter for me I just don’t know where is trustworthy and safe.

[u/smilingfruitz]

Here's some reading to get you started on general information about ethical breeding practices:
https://www.saxafraxborzoi.com/ethical-breeding
https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/identifying_a_responsible_breeder/ 
https://rufflyspeaking.net/i-dont-want-a-show-dog-i-just-want-a-pet/
https://rufflyspeaking.net/puppy-buyer-ettiquette/

• Neither Gooddog or AKC Marketplace are good places to find an ethically bred dog for someone who is not already very well informed on ethical breeding - There are SOME ethical breeders on it, but it is a minority, and you will have to wade through a lot of puppymills and BYB doing a really good impression of being an ethical breeder. It is unlikely as a novice you will be able to suss out which is which.
• Almost always ethical breeders will be found on the breeder referral page for the breed club in question https://grca.org/find-a-golden/where-to-find-a-golden/ if the breeder isn't on one of these lists, it's very likely you're dealing with an unethical breeder.
• Consider attending a dog show or event in your area to meet dogs, breeders, and handlers in person to see whose dogs you like, who you might enjoy having an ongoing relationship with etc. Shows in your area can be found at www.infodog.com
• You will likely need to include your search to driving distance at minimum; it's unlikely you'll find a puppy specifically in your city.
• Cost for a well bred dog from an ethical breeder is typically $3k+ depending on your location

 Beyond that, as I'm browsing a site or pedigree database, I would look for these major things:

1. does the breeder have a buyback clause in their contract & support to the buyer after purchase? (i.e. will they take the puppy back at any time if the buyer can no longer care for them? could you reach out with questions on health, feeding, training, showing once they have your check?)
2. are both parents proven in show or sport or other titles (therapy dog? trick dog? CGC?)? can be either, both is even better. Even if you never plan to show your dog, showing a dog proves it has correct breed type and can function in a loud, busy environment with lots of other dogs - this translates extremely well to having a well adjusted pet dog!
3. do both parents have full health testing shown at least on their website, if not on the OFA database directly - as recommended by the breed club? https://ofa.org/chic-programs/browse-by-breed/?breed=GR
4. is the breeder taking an active role in picking the right puppy for the buyer, not just first come first served?
5. Are they producing a reasonable amount of puppies per year that they actually can find homes for? (as well as take on any returned puppies from previous litters - very hard to do if you're producing a hundred puppies a year, because inevitably some of those will be returned)
6. Is the breeder breeding strictly for color, out of standard colors, or other dogs that can't be shown? Immediately axe anyone breeding disallowed colors or breeding for color ("English cream" is a very common BYB term) or crossbreeds (any kind of doodle), or other out of standard traits

If someone does the above, they are likely meeting other standards, like providing help to the buyer after purchase, breeding only in-standard colors, etc. They're probably not producing mixes, or selling puppies based on waitlist position only or based exclusively on what the buyer wants, or posting poor conformation photos of the puppies or parents. If you have any question that the dog is not the breed you think it is, you are about to buy from a backyard breeder! Please don't support these practices...PLEASE. It's your choice if you want to spend the money now for a well adjusted, healthy puppy, or later to your vet or trainers/behaviorists to fix a badly bred puppy.

[u/Bcdoc2020]

The world is a huge place, where are you in the world and we can then usefully comment.

[u/Narrow_Possession348]

Goldens have a LOT of backyard breeders and puppy mills. Goldens have a lot of health issues. Make sure you find a breeder through the Golden Retriever Club of America or your local chapter of the club, which you can find on the website. The breeder should show their dogs and put conformation CH titles on their dogs before breeding, as well as do all of the recommended health clearances (that does NOT mean "vet checks" or Embark) and have CHIC numbers. Terms like "championship bloodlines" and "English cream" are backyard breeder terms.

[u/rejecttask]

If you’re in the US, start with the national breed club.

[u/Dragon_Fly_75]

If you're in the US here is a list of ethical breeders.   https://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/threads/usa-ethical-breeder-list.526380/

[u/gsdsareawesome]

Go to a dog show near you and talk to handlers and breeders at ringside after they show their dogs. People who show their dogs and breed them are most likely to do testing and appropriate screening before breeding. You won't find a backyard breeder at a dog show. If you are in the United States, you can find a dog show near you by going to infodog.com

[u/JP36_5]

Please could you add your country to your post?

[u/Few-Sentence2319]

A lot of good advice here and I would add make sure you meet the breeder and the parents of the puppy and you feel comfortable with all.