Spun Gold: Finding Golden Retriever Breeders

Golden Retrievers originated in the British Isles. A Scottish lord, Baron Tweedmouth, was the first Golden Retriever breeder. The Baron desired to breed a yellow-coated water spaniel that had tracking and retrieving skills as well as the charm of a family pet. Using various dog breeds including the now-extinct Tweed Water Spaniel, the Newfoundland, the Irish Setter and the Bloodhound, Baron Tweedmouth bred an eventual litter of four Golden Retrievers. These four puppies were the ancestors of modern Golden Retrievers.

The British registered the breed as the Flat-Coated Retriever in 1913. The breed was renamed the Golden Retriever in 1920. The United States registered the breed in the sporting group in 1925 and Canada followed in 1927. The American Kennel Club sets the standard breed characteristics for all dog breeds that engage in AKC competition. A champion Golden Retriever breeder will select and breed dogs with the most desirable genetic traits and pedigreed bloodlines.
A Golden Retriever breeder will attempt to breed dogs with the best breed specific traits. A cream to light gold colored coat is preferred. Intelligence, trainability, an even temper, tracking and hunting skills, and overall health and beauty are the standard for this breed. Because the breed is prone to health problems like hip dysplasia, eye disease, cancer and obesity, breeders must have all dogs medically screened. Breeders do not mate dogs found to have medical or behavioral conditions. A Golden Retriever breeder will be able to educate potential buyers on the pros and cons of the breed to make sure buyers and Golden Retrievers match. They may also urge buyers to look into rescued Golden Retrievers. These are purebred Golden Retrievers that have been abandoned or neglected. They can be bought for a much lower price and often need loving homes even more than purebred puppies.

Unfortunately, the popularity of the Golden attracts unethical breeders who wish to make a profit with no regard for animal health and well-being. These backyard breeders sell unhealthy and uncertified Golden Retriever puppies to pet stores and/or unsuspecting buyers.
It is never acceptable to buy a Golden Retriever from a pet store. Pet store puppies have been shipped (and often sedated) across the country and put up on shelves like other store merchandise. These puppies have spent their entire lives in cages, receiving little to no socialization and there is no guarantee where they have come from. A Golden Retriever breeder that brokers or sells to pet stores should be avoided and reported. These puppies have most likely come from puppy mills or puppy auctions and may have significant health and behavioral problems.

Good breeders want to see puppies go to loving, permanent homes. They want to interview buyers and have buyers interview them. Breeders who sell to pet stores don't know what type of home their puppies will go to and never meet buyers or see their puppies again. The only good places to buy Golden Retrievers are from respected breeders with references and their own kennels or from rescue centers, which are often run by knowledgeable breeders.

Reputable Golden Retriever breeders would never sell puppies to a pet store. This article provides Golden Retriever information about how to recognize a bad breeder.

Golden Retriever Information And Ancestry

The history of the Golden Retriever dog breed is brief. A Scottish Lord living on the Tweed River developed the breed in 19th century Scotland. Lord Tweedmouth wished to breed a yellow water spaniel. He mated the Tweed Water Spaniel, Irish Setter and several other dog breeds to create a breed similar to the Golden Retriever of today. Perhaps due to their Irish Setter ancestry, many of the first Golden Retriever had much darker gold to copper-colored coats than those seen today. Golden Retriever Breeders prefer dogs with cream to light gold coats. Though the American Kennel Club, which sets the desired breed characteristics, does not prohibit darker coats, copper or rust colored coats are not allowed.

Classified as a breed in England in 1913, America in 1925 and Canada in 1927, the Golden Retriever has consistently been in the top ten most popular dog breeds. It cannot be overstated that the Golden Retriever has excellent traits for both sporting and family living. The breed is mild-mannered, extremely intelligent, loyal, eager to please, easily trainable, and beautiful. All of these traits make the Golden Retriever a beloved pet and a champion competitor.
Golden Retriever breeders mate dogs with the best breed specific traits. Currently, a cream to light gold colored coat is preferred. Golden Retrievers are also bred for intelligence, trainability, even temper, tracking and hunting skill, as well as overall health and beauty. The breed is prone to health problems such as hip dysplasia, which can be a problem in most medium to large-sized dog breeds. Eye diseases such as cataracts and retinal atrophy are common. Some lines of Golden Retrievers have so many health problems that it may be difficult to find a purebred Golden Retriever that lives the average ten to thirteen years.

The breed is prone to obesity if not exercised daily. A reputable Golden Retriever breeder will educate potential buyers on the health problems they may face as well as how to properly care for Golden Retrievers. Unfortunately, due to the beauty and popularity of this breed there are many illicit, or backyard breeders who sell unhealthy Golden Retriever puppies to unsuspecting buyers.
Golden Retriever breeders you should avoid have the opposite characteristics from the traits listed below. All of the following are signs of reputable Golden Retriever breeders:
-Breeders maintain their own kennels and allow buyers to visit
-Puppies have been socialized and are allowed in the breeder's home.
-Puppies and parents have been screened for common genetic defects.
-Breeders provide documentation of ancestry, pedigree, etc.
-Medical records and immunizations are available upon request.
-Breeders will inform buyers of any known physical or behavioral problems in a line.
-Breeders do NOT sell to pet stores.
-Breeders provide warranties and may accept returns.
-Breeders either run or are affiliated with Golden Retriever rescue centers.
-Breeders answer all of buyers' questions thoroughly and are knowledgeable on the breed.
-Breeders interview buyers to make sure buyers and puppies are a good match.
-Breeders educate buyers on how to train, groom, and care for puppies.
-Breeders have references available upon request.

Look for breeders with these traits and avoid those that cannot meet these requirements or even cannot answers questions about the Golden Retriever.

Golden Retriever breeders can provide the information and history of Golden Retrievers to potential buyers. This article provides Golden Retriever information about breeders.

Finding Golden Retriever Breeders

A reputable Golden Retriever breeder will be listed in a national registry. The Internet is also a place where you can search to see if your Golden Retriever breeder has ever had a complaint filed against them. When it comes to choosing a reputable Golden Retriever breeder your vet can also be a good source of advice. Local law enforcement is another often overlooked source of information when checking out a potential Golden Retriever breeder.

By far the Internet is the best source for finding breeder registries. Choosing a Golden Retriever breeder that is a member of a registry means you are getting someone who adheres to specific breeding stands that their registry outlines. Be suspicious of any breeder not listed with a registry and ask about what standards they use. If your breeder has a website then it should have a detailed breed history and specific breeding information for the company. Always ask for references and make sure you contact at least a few of the people before buying from the breeder.
It likely you took a long time to decide that a Golden Retriever puppy was right for your household. After this difficult decision has been made it is just as important that you do research on the Golden Retriever breeder you are considering and to set up a quality relationship with your Golden Retriever breeder. By accidentally choosing a fake breeder you will not only have a long relationship with them but your dog's life also depends on the breeder that you choose. So carefully consider the Golden Retriever breeder you are thinking of buying from and make sure they are a quality breeder before you get your next family pet from them. In order to do this you need to talk with the prospective breeder and listen to the information they give. They may not be a quality breeder if they can't offer helpful information. It is also likely that they are a fake Golden Retriever breeder if they seem like they don't know what they are talking about.
You should also get your vet's opinion about the Golden Retriever breeder before you make the final decision to purchase your puppy. This is also a good time to get to know your vet personally and learn what their opinion is, this is especially important if this is your first family pet. If you vet tells you that your Golden Retriever breeder isn't the best then you should take their advice and start looking for another breeder to get your new family pet from. Getting a new puppy is a sensitive issue and it can be difficult to ask tough questions of your breeder.

Therefore, you should also consider talking with local law enforcement to see if there are any law violations against your breeder which can help you determine what they are like. It is likely a good idea to go with another Golden Retriever breeder if you find they have any violations whatsoever against them.

You shouldn't take the task of choosing Golden Retriever breeders lightly. When choosing a breeder knowing Golden Retriever information can help.

Questions For A Golden Retriever Breeder

Don’t assume that all Golden Retriever breeders are alike! They definitely are not. That's like saying that all car salesmen are alike. You have to meet and ask questions of the car salesman before you can decide whether you are getting a good deal or not. You will be overwhelmed by all of the dogs and Golden Retriever information the breeder is ready to give. Write down the questions you need to ask your breeder before you start shopping.

Puppy mills are a sad fact of modern life. Although there are many working to eradicate this unnecessarily cruel practice, there are still many puppy mills in existence in North America. You need to visit your breeder before you make any final commitments to be sure they treat their dogs humanely and get them proper vet care. At puppy mills, the dogs usually never see a vet in their short, miserable lives. Flee from any breeder who keeps their dogs in stacked crates or in their own waste.
Here are some of the main questions you want to ask any Golden Retriever breeder you are thinking of buying a puppy from. Ask them why they breed Golden Retrievers. What are the qualities they like in a dog? They should talk more about breeding sensible and healthy dogs rather than just show winning dogs. Do they use their dogs for hunting or obedience work, or just for shows?

Ask them about health certificates and hip dysplasia test scores on both the mother and the father. It is thought that hip dysplasia is a genetic problem. You also need to be sure what the breeder is responsible for in terms of the puppy's health and what you are responsible for. You need to ask if you can call for advice at no extra charge if you have training problems with your puppy. And ask for references and check them out.
You also want to ask for a written contract, which spells out what the breeder is responsible for. A good Golden Retriever breeder will already have such a contract for you! A good breeder will also be able to not only show you the puppy's mother, but also her health certificates. You need to be sure the parents have been tested for hip dysplasia and eye conditions that can be passed genetically.

Then ask yourself why you are going through all of this. If you want show dogs, breeding dogs or hunting dogs, then stick with the Golden Retriever breeder you can best get along with and is as proud of his or her dogs like they would be their children. If you want a pet, then please do not go to a breeder. Instead, go to a Golden Retriever breed rescue group and adopt an adult or older puppy. You'll save a life and get a financial break that way.

Golden Retriever breeders should breed for the love of the breed not the money made from selling puppies. Golden Retriever information is abundant on the Internet.

Judging Criteria For The Golden Retriever Standard

The Golden Retrievers is a specific breed of dog that belongs to the sporting group of dog breeds. They are a mid-sized dog, with a friendly and eager to please personality. They love being around people, and are easily trained. There are specific things that qualify a dog to be up to the standard according to the American Kennel Club. These items fall under the categories of general appearance, size, proportion, substance; head, neck, topline, body, forequarters, hindquarters, coat, color, gait and temperament. Under each of these, there are very specific ideals, descriptions of traits that define what the perfect Golden Retriever looks like.

There is also a criterion by which a dog is considered disqualified. For Golden Retrievers, there are two disqualifiers. First, the Golden Retriever will be disqualified if the height is more than one inch from the standard, either too high or too short. The second item is if there is an undershot or overshot bite. Other than these two items, there are no automatic disqualifiers.

The American Kennel Club has specific standards for dogs to meet the category of the perfect dog. For specific information, one should consult the AKC website. Some of the things included in the standard are that the eyes should be dark brown, but medium brown is considered okay. They should have a lot of expression in them, and be friendly and intelligent looking. They should have short ears, where when pulled forward the tip of the ear just covers the eye.

The coat of the Golden Retriever should be smooth and rich. There are various golden shades that are acceptable, but the mid-gold range is best, avoiding the lightest and darkest. The fur should be dense and water-repellant. The fur should lie close to the body, and can be wavy or smooth. The natural look of the coat should be left, and it should not be cut or clipped unnecessarily, though it is appropriate to trip the feet and some stray hairs.
The American Kennel Club has set out the specifics of the Golden Retriever standards. All breeders are aware of the standards and should be selling dogs that meet these standards. All Golden Retrievers that do meet the AKC standards will have some things in common. They will be active, alert dogs that stay involved in the world around them. As typical of a hunting dog, they will be hard workers, and not content to just lie around. They will be muscular, friendly, and love to interact with people. The coat will be a beautiful mid-gold color, with a firm and resilient outer coat, either straight or wavy. The tail will be held proudly, and the eyes will be intelligent and friendly. A dog that meets the Golden Retriever standard will be a dog that anyone could be proud to own and show. To get the specifics of the American Kennel Club Golden Retriever Standards, one should check the AKC website.

The standard for Golden Retriever is laid out in specifics by the American Kennel Club, and can be found at the AKC website. The criteria include things such as how muscular the body is and how well the trot is coordinated. Those who want Golden Retriever information about the AKC standard can find it in this article.

Golden Retrievers Make Great Pets

The Golden Retriever is a wonderful dog for a family to own. It has terrific qualities, like being people-friendly, having a great sense of smell (leading to its being used as a narcotics-sniffing dog for law enforcement), hunting ability, confidence and a strong sense of loyalty. They became a breed as a mix of several sporting breeds plus some bloodhound.

Originally, a Scotsman named Sir Dudley Majoribanks experimented by crossing a Retriever that had a wavy coat with a Tweed Water Spaniel that was yellow. The offspring from them were then crossed with an Irish Setter and a Bloodhound that was sandy-colored. The result from this mixing was the Golden Retriever, as we know it today. The breed was officially recognized in Great Britain in 1913. It is now one of the most popular breeds of dog around the world. Families enjoy their good qualities, and they are also used in many other ways because of their tracking ability and great sense of smell.
Golden Retrievers are best if they have a mid-gold coloring and haven’t got any white patches on their fur. They love to be around people. In fact, in order to be happy and not get into mischief, Golden Retrievers need a lot of exercise and human attention.

All that energy can be guided, thankfully, through obedience training, particularly while they are young. Golden Retrievers can be trained to be good watchdogs, barking to signify that a stranger is near. They love to swim, and can be trained to hunt, track, and find narcotics, so they are often used by law enforcement for those purposes. They are also used as rescue dogs. Being highly trainable and sociable dogs, many are trained to be guide dogs. They are also fun to have as a family pet, because they love to please their owners and can do that by being obedient to their training and by performing tricks.
Golden Retrievers can make excellent family pets, as long as certain things are kept in mind. First of all, they need to be obedience trained, starting as a puppy. This is important so that they learn what is acceptable behavior and what isn’t, such as jumping up onto furniture and people, and coming when called. It is much easier to teach them the right behavior from the beginning than to get them to unlearn a bad habit. The owner also needs to remember that their dog will need plenty of exercise. Without exercise, the dog is likely to be bored and will be more destructive, digging holes or hurting furniture. The dog will also need attention from its humans, as it is a highly social animal and is eager to please. Be sure your dog knows you love it, and give it plenty of positive attention when it does behavior you like.

The Golden Retriever is a great family dog, though its natural abilities also lend them to use in law enforcement and as guide dogs for the disabled. They are good at swimming, hunting, tracking, rescue and they are easily trained and love to be with people and other dogs. Anyone seeking Golden Retriever information can find that in this article.

All About The Personalities Of Golden Retrievers

Best selling author Lisa Scottoline has four Golden Retrievers and one Welsh Corgi. She writes about them like this, "When you have a house full of Goldens, you think to yourself, You know, we need a dog". And which dog causes all the trouble in her home? The Corgi. Which dog literally ate part of her finger? The Corgi. Which dog is on doggy Prozac? The Corgi.

This shows the big contrast between Golden Retriever temperaments and the temperaments of most other dog breeds. Although every dog is an individual, for the most part Golden Retrievers are calm, trainable and submissive. However, they need proper nutrition, grooming and exercise to get this good-natured and stay this good-natured. Golden Retrievers aren't the perfect dogs, but for many they are worth their weight in gold for their personalities. If you are ever saddled with a Golden Retriever, you could do a lot worse.
There are some negatives to living with Golden Retrievers that you should prepare yourself for. These will be mild for some people and calamities for others. Golden Retrievers need daily grooming, or they get matted. They shed more than other breeds. It has been said they have more of a doggy odor than other breeds. They also were bred to be Retrievers (hence the name), which means they have a compulsion to pick things up in their mouths and carry them to your home. This can mean they find a big dead rat and carry in into your living room, fully expecting to be showered with praise.

Golden Retrievers, because of their popularity, have been victims of their own success. Some unscrupulous breeders more concerned about how many puppies they can sell as opposed to how healthy the puppies are have over bred them. There is an effort of Golden Retriever breeders to try and reverse health problems that can be passed on through genes. Just to be on the safe side, expect your Golden Retriever to have skin problems, hip dysplasia, eye problems and heart problems.
You can also help sweeten a Golden Retriever's naturally sweet disposition by getting your dog spayed or neutered. This helps reduce your dog's chances of getting in fights, wandering off to find a mate or getting cancers of the reproductive organs. Golden Retrievers also become more interested in paying attention to you instead of their hormones. Still, even a mature Golden Retriever usually does not make a good guard dog, as they want to make friends with everyone.

You also cannot skimp on regular veterinary care. Golden Retrievers are prone to eye diseases, although they can adjust well to being blind. They are also prone to hip dysplasia, but that can be partially prevented and often successfully treated. Golden Retrievers tend to even like their vets and do not stress out as much as other breeds at the thought of going to the vet's or a groomer. They also are very good about taking pills, because they love food. Just slip the pill in food.


Carol Matthews has interviewed many owners, vets and trainers about Golden Retrievers. A Golden Retriever also like to serve as a seeing eye dog or rescue dog. You can find lots of Golden Retriever information on the AKC website.

A Few Historical Facts About The Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever, a truly intelligent dog among all other breeds, is popular for its all-embracing services in the domains of field trials, obedience, hunting and providing true guidance and services to blind people. In the beginning of the 1800's, people from old England and Scotland considered hunting as their game of interest at one hand, and a mode for collecting food on the other. The talent of the Golden Retriever was first noticed in the domain of hunting, since these dogs are of medium size and have the flexibility to scroll through fowling lands, including upland gaming zone and waterfowl.

Lord Tweedmouth at Guisachan Estate in Scotland first recorded the breeding of the Golden Retriever officially. In the year 1952, the great nephew of Lord Tweedmouth published all the records to the public for the first time. In the middle of 19th century, Lord Tweedmouth bought his golden puppy, called Nous. The breeding location was his estate, where Lord Tweedmouth tried to breed the Golden Retrievers with desired characteristics and temperament.
Tweed Water Spaniels were exclusively used for the purpose of hunting in the early years. It was mainly because these dogs have a true sense of intelligence, bravery and liveliness. The early breeding of the Golden Retriever was largely dependent on the contribution of Tweed Water Spaniels. Breeding between Nous and Belle, a female Tweed Water Spaniel, was held in the estate and they produced four golden puppies. However, the breeding of modern the Golden Retriever is highly influenced by Irish setter, Bloodhound and Tweed Water Spaniel.

The popularity of the Golden Retriever increased significantly during the last decades of 19th century. The Golden Retriever officially appeared to the public for the first time in 1908 at Crystal Palace, England. In the year 1913, the Golden Retriever Club in England was established and with this establishment a separate recognition for this breed was marked. It was 1920 when the Golden Retriever reached to North America and loved by many people.
In the year 1925, American Kennel Club (AKC) gave the breed recognition to the Golden Retriever. The time between the 1930's and 1940's is identified as the most flourishing years of the popularity of the Golden Retriever. This dog is so obedient that it won the Obedience Champ Title from the AKC in 1977, where it competed with other breeds as well. While in the early years of breeding, the efficiency of this truly intelligent dog was only limited to its hunting ability, but later on the Golden Retriever was recognized for its versatile characteristics.

In the initial days, the dark shade of the coats of the Golden Retriever was predominantly preferred by people, however, the preference has changed dramatically in due course of time. Following the years of first breeding, the popularity of this breed has never failed and today this dog has obtained the utmost popularity as a truly intelligent, obedient and courageous dog throughout the world.


The Golden Retriever has gained a worldwide popularity due to its excellence in obedience, outstanding working ability and rich golden hairs. If you would like to get Golden Retriever information, this article will provide it for you.