Hello all! I've gotten myself in quite a predicament here..I'm looking for a golden retriever puppy (preferably female) anytime between now and mid-December. I live in CT, but am willing to travel a good distance for a healthy pup.

Unfortunately it's already November and I know that most reputable breeders' pups are already spoken for before they're even born. I also know that many reputable breeders frown on Christmas puppies. So once again, unfortunately for me, the best time for me to get a puppy is during the holiday season . I will have a month off to help potty train and acclimate the puppy to its new home in December, after this I will start my new job, which is flexible in hours but definitely not flexible enough to let me leave every 2 or 3 hours to let a little puppy out! So my timing is absolutely awful, but I couldn't confirm I would have the funds and time for a new puppy until now.

Many breeders that I spoke with will have puppies available in February or in the Spring, but I know I wouldn't be able to care for an 8 week old pup at that time. If I can't find a puppy in my time frame I probably won't be able to get one for another couple of years . I am definitely willing to wait if I cannot find a healthy puppy around this time, but its definitely really upsetting knowing I'll be missing out on 2 years of the pure joy a golden brings.

If anyone knows of any reputable breeders in the New England area, NY or even further South I would really love their contact information. I have contacted the CT Golden Retriever Clubs and have been told there are no puppies available during my time frame. I really wish I had known earlier that a puppy would be a possibility this winter.

Thanks everyone!

P.S. I am definitely not opposed to getting an older Golden, so if anyone knows of breeders with older Golden's available I would appreciate that information as well!

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"Nothing can bring more happiness than a Golden Retriever"

I think I understand what you are saying here, but just tossing the comment in that puppies can't be said to be 100% potty trained until they are 7 months old and have gone 2 months without an accident in the house. So a young dog - I would still not go longer than 4-5 hours before popping back home to let him out. By February, your Christmas puppy will be 5 months old and started to get a bit full of himself and more independant... and still need a LOT of training and handling.

Can I ask why the 2 year time frame? I was going to say that if you need time off from work, most places close down for weeks at a time at other points of the year and you could (technically frowned on but everyone does it) time your vacation time with those weeks off. But even if you just take a week vacation, as long as you have somebody helping you out with the pup (spouse, parents, friends) you can work things out. With Jacks and that week I brought him home, I was home on Friday - Wednesday, and went back to work Thursday. And that worked out great, particularly as my mom and sisters helped me out by keeping him entertained while I was at work earning his kibble money. It will hopefully be the same when I bring the next one home.

I think you have to be fair to yourself rather than rushing out and buying a puppy because you have this sense of "now or nothing". If you rush, you probably are going to regret that decision - especially if you settled for a lesser quality breeder, etc...

Maybe think about alternate ways of handling this? Besides widening the search pattern?

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Always loved, never forgotten, all our previous boys -

I think there's some puppies left at Sunfire in CT, you could check there

Sunfire Golden Retrievers - Home and News

Keep in mind that a puppy that needs a lot of attention in December is still going to need a lot in February.

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Jodie

AJ's Maiden By the Sea CDX RE (Annabel - retired)
Mud E Paws UDX OM2 RE OBHF (Conner - retired with 28 OTCH points)
Sunfire's Flying Head Over Heels UD BN RA (Flip)
And the odd one of the family - Colby Jack Teeter Smack CDX GO RA (Colby - Lhasa Apso)

The 2 year time frame is somewhat of an estimate. I'm currently in college (somewhat of a more non-traditional student). This coming semester I am taking a very light load of courses while doing an internship. The job I will have is 8 hours a day, but I worked for them last summer and they are really great with being flexible, I can easily leave for an 1 hr - 1.5 hr lunch break to let the pup out. Which is why I know if my pup was a few months old at this time I would definitely be able to manage it. I'll be in a similar situation in the summer. During my senior year I will definitely have time for a teen/adult dog and my campus is full of trails and would be great for going on runs and hikes, but raising a pup at this time would be too difficult. After I graduate is definitely an option, but being a new employee I'm not sure what vacation time I would be able to get. So it really all depends!

Unfortunately my family is not very dog friendly...my boyfriends' family is and I know they would help me out, but I really don't want to rely on that just because its so variable and anything could happen. I am currently helping my boyfriend raise his golden (who's 4 months today!) so I definitely am getting some hands on experience raising a Golden.

Thanks for your reply!

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"Nothing can bring more happiness than a Golden Retriever"

I actually have another quick question! I mentioned how I was looking for a female. This was originally because my boyfriend has a 4 month old male golden and I have been told that since our puppies would be close in age opposite sexes would get along better. Does anyone have experience with this issue? I am definitely not opposed to getting a male (I would love to have a Blake Jr.) but I wouldn't want any dominance issues or any fighting between the two pups!

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"Nothing can bring more happiness than a Golden Retriever"

Then to me... this sounds like you do have a golden retriever in your life right now. Wouldn't it be best to first focus on college or locating a full time job first? Just waiting another year would probably be reasonable, and you get to enjoy your bf's golden meanwhile.

And the other thing too - if your bf is a keeper, you probably are better off spacing out the ages between the dogs by 15 months at least.

I don't mean to sound cold here, but I think it's best to avoid any impulse decisions and take your time. Especially since it sounds like you can't see too far in the future and know what your work schedule will be like, living conditions, etc...

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Always loved, never forgotten, all our previous boys -

I won't do two girls, but I'll have a house full of boys.

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Jodie

AJ's Maiden By the Sea CDX RE (Annabel - retired)
Mud E Paws UDX OM2 RE OBHF (Conner - retired with 28 OTCH points)
Sunfire's Flying Head Over Heels UD BN RA (Flip)
And the odd one of the family - Colby Jack Teeter Smack CDX GO RA (Colby - Lhasa Apso)

I'm definitely willing to wait if I cannot find a puppy during my time frame (specifically because of the reason's you pointed out), I just feel I won't have the amount of free time that I do in college once I'm working full time (currently I only have 2 days of classes). So I was really hoping to take advantage of this, but like you said it would be bad to rush or force something like this. I was just hoping a spec of good luck would come my way someone might know of some puppies available in the near future! Thanks again, for your advice..I always feel its better to get the truth even if its not what you want to hear!

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"Nothing can bring more happiness than a Golden Retriever"

I found a few breeders with puppies available, one of which seems like she has a good reputation (I searched for information about her on here). However, for her current litter the parents don't have the health clearances...their parents do. I asked her why she didn't get their clearances done and she said because she was confident they were from good enough stock. Is that just a whole bunch of baloney?
The breeder is Chantelle Goldens

Thanks for any insight!

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"Nothing can bring more happiness than a Golden Retriever"

I commend you for being so responsible and really considering your choices!

It wouldn't matter to me how many people recommend a breeder on here IF they really said something like what you just stated. Both parents must at least have all four clearances, no exceptions.

Have you considered rescuing a Golden? There are even puppies sometimes available.

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Jacqueline

"I have just met you and I love you" - Dug (Up!)