Did you look at the GoldnLite website? Maybe I pulled up the wrong site. Can you post a link? What I found was, um, interesting:
Goldnlite Kennels Breeders - I clicked on a link labeled "breeders" thinking it was info for people who are interested in breeding to this person's male dog. Instead I find photos of dogs. One photo is a dog and the caption is
iper, One very nice breeder. Ugh, Piper isn't a beloved dog, she's a 'breeder.'?????
At the bottom left is the heading "Champions at there best" - what? I can't stand people who don't proof their own work for spelling or grammar. Meanwhile, there is no mention anywhere of pedigrees, proof of clearances or any sign that the breeder competes in anything with these dogs.
ETA: When you click on her "Health Guarantee" it takes you to a blank page. Her $500 deposit requirement is non-refundable and she makes a point of telling you that the 2nd deposit is also non-refundable. Most breeders I know are most concerned about the best home possible for their puppies, this doesn't give me that warm fuzzy feeling.
To answer your questions.... "What is the average wait time for a GREAT puppy from an EXCELLENT breeder for a pet golden in other words you do not want to show?" Anywhere from a few weeks to a year is totally normal. It all depends on if you can find someone with a spot on their waiting list or not. Sometimes puppy homes back out or have a reason they can't take a puppy they were planning on and you could get lucky. Other times, especially if you have your heart set on a particular breeder or are not willing to travel etc. it can be much longer. One experienced person here cracks me up with this reminder: " It's not like Walmart, you can't just go in and pick a nice puppy off a shelf."
Please understand that one of the hallmarks of a reputable breeder is that he or she is breeding a littler of puppies to keep one for themselves of the sire of the litter - not just to make money. It doesn't matter if you never plan to show your puppy, yours will receive the same nutrition, upbringing and attention as the top show pick puppy in the litter. That's part of what makes these puppies worth the wait.
I understand how awful it is to lost a precious Golden unexpectedly and realize that the wait for a puppy is going to be significantly longer than expected. Believe me, I went through this when I first found this forum. Please, please try to follow the advice given here on due diligence and the benefit of waiting for a good breeder. We have way too many stories from people who didn't know better or didn't have the self discipline to wait and lived to regret the outcome. I know it is so, so hard to have a home without a dog and to miss the sweetness of life with a dog when you're missing the one you've lost so much. Please continue to research and try to get through this grieving process as best you can. It is so hard, but you will be glad you did.
Have any of the "excellent" breeders who haven't worked out been able to help you with a referral to someone else they recommend? Are you all looking farther afield? Flying home with an 8 week old puppy in a carrier is something that a lot of us have done with great success, have you considered traveling ?