[cwag]

Welcome to the forum. Goldens fill an empty nest very nicely. You want to find a breeder who does the 4 health clearances required by the Golden Retriever Club of America's Code of Ethics for Breeders and ask if they are posted on OFA -- Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals. Any answer but an unqualified yes would indicate this person is not breeding for the chance of the healthiest dogs. If you look around on the forum there are plenty of sad posts of people with dogs who died young for lack of good heart clearances on the parents or from people facing expensive and painful surgeries from dogs with hip and or elbow problems. There are members on the forum up in your area so hopefully they will have some recommendations. Also see if I there are any Golden Retriever Clubs in your area who might make referrals. Best wishes on your search for a healthy puppy.

 

[CAROLINA MOM]

Welcome, glad you've joined us.

There's a lot of good info on the Golden Retriever Club of America's website you may want to read through-


https://www.grca.org/

There's also a Breeder referral on the site too.

Good luck with your search.

 

[nolefan]

Welcome If you're wanting a project to stir things up around your house, a Golden puppy will certainly fit the bill. Be really sure you're both on board, if it's been 14 years since your Lab was a puppy, you've probably blotted out the worst of it I do think retriever puppies are sort of like labor, you forget or you probably wouldn't do it again

You're lucky to live in a region with some great options for Golden breeders. And you're smart to start doing the ground work now. Read everything you can get your hands on here and at www.grca.org on health issues and ask the breeder a lot of questions about what they do with their Goldens (do they compete in some sport?), how they use health clearances to make breeding decisions and how they raise the puppies, match up the puppies to families etc. A puppy search is a good distraction to pass the time. Here are a couple suggestions to get you started. Also look at grca.org for the clubs in your region and the regional puppy referral people. They should be able to give you referrals. No matter how you are referred, ask to see clearances and you can also ask for registered names of parents of a litter and someone here can help you look at the clearances.

MVP Most Valuable Pet - Golden Retrievers - Our Girls

Midwest Golden Retriever Breeder Resource

 

[Kaylajl100]

Good info. Thank you everyone for the help! We are definitely ready and have put a lot of thought into it and what it entails. After having 3 teens in the house at once ❤and a houseful of friends all the time we actually miss the noise and movement around the house. Labs are kind of like kids for sure❤ Can get a little crazy but not having a dog for the first time I can ever remember makes all the vet visits, night time potty training, teaching them not to eat my shoes�� is sooo worth the snuggles, love and joy of playing and working with them worth every bit.