Golden Retrievers have become one of the best types of dogs to have as a pet. They are also used as service dogs for the handicapped, as hunting dogs for avid hunters, and as drug searchers for the police forces. Because of their great demand, there are several different types of breeders that can offer you the puppy that will work so well for your needs.
Some of the more common, and more familiar, types of breeders are the back yard breeders, the legitimate breeders, and the puppy mills. There are differences between all three so be sure that you know who you are dealing with when you purchase your new puppy.
The backyard breeders are people that breed their dogs in their back yard and then sell them for a profit. They tend to provide less than adequate care for the puppies as well as the parents. Dogs purchased from backyard breeders run a great risk of being disease ridden when you bring them home. Because of the poor conditions they are kept in, finding a dog that is under weight and very fearful is a common sight. It is not a good idea to purchase your puppy from someone that is practicing backyard breeding.
Puppy mills are slightly different from a backyard breeder. The puppy mills will have large numbers of dogs breeding and delivering in one place. They typically keep the puppies and adult dogs in very bad conditions. The puppies are kept in dirty cages and away from their mothers, which are kept in a small cage of their own. Many puppy mills sell their puppies to local pet shops and kennels. If you are in the market to purchase a Golden Retriever puppy and you find one at a pet shop, be sure to check to see where they purchased the dogs. If the puppies were trucked into their shop then they probably came from a puppy mill and you should steer clear of these animals. They could have health concerns as well as mental problems.
A legitimate Golden Retriever breeder will not sell their puppies in a pet shop or kennel. They are very selective about who they sell their puppies to and will deny someone the right to purchase the puppy if they feel that the home situation that the dog would be headed to is not a good one. They will guarantee the overall health of their puppies when they are delivered and will have tested the dog for temperament issues prior to agreeing to sell them.
The legitimate breeders will know all about the genetics, the development, the socialization, and the health of their Golden Retrievers. Many will even agree to take one of their puppies back if the owner is not able to care for them, no matter how long it has been since it was purchased. They truly care for their puppies and want them to go to good homes. This is the best way to go if you have decided to purchase a Golden Retriever puppy.
