What You Should Expect To Pay For A Golden Retriever
The price of a golden retriever varies depending on where you live, what the dogs are bred for, and other factors.
Most golden retriever puppies go for $500-3,000.
If a puppy is close to either of those end ranges, youll definitely want to ask why.
For instance, why are the puppies $500?
Is it because the breeder is inexperienced and just trying to get started?
Are they skimping out on vet bills or feeding their dogs cheap food?
Or why are the puppies $3,000?
Is it because they come from champion bloodlines?
Is the breeder is experienced and takes their time to properly care for the mother, socialize and stimulate the puppies, feed them the best food, and take them to the best veterinarian?
Or is it because the breeder is a good salesman and can charge a premium for their puppies?
No matter what the price is, its a good idea to understand why the puppies are priced the way they are.
Check out this article to learn more about how much golden retrievers cost.
So Where Is The Best Place To Get A Golden Retriever Puppy
There are many places and options available to get a Golden Retriever puppy, some good, some bad, and puppy mills and pet stores just an appalling option to be avoided.
In my opinion your 2 best options are to source a puppy from a professional breeder or to adopt from a rescue center.
In both cases there will be a vetting process and youll only be given a puppy or dog if you and they are well suited.
But there are other options available and I hope this article has given you some information to help you in your decision.
Please let us know about your experiences of getting a GR from any of the sources above, or even one I may have forgotten. Wed love to hear your story. Thank you.
English Cream Golden Retriever Facts
If youre considering adding a dog to your family, you might decide on a Golden Retriever. The breed makes for perfect family dogs with their gentle and playful temperament. Golden Retrievers are incredibly versatile theyre great sporting dogs, show dogs and service dogs. Whether youre looking for a dog to earn best in show, a dog who will play fetch with your kids or a mobility assistance dog, a Golden Retriever is an excellent choice.
Once youve settled on a Golden Retriever, youll have to decide which variation you prefer. Though all the same breed, the breeds variations have different merits. They have varying coat colors and slight differences in body shape. Somewhat rarer than other variations, the English Cream Golden Retriever is a beautiful choice. In this article, youll find all the English Cream Golden Retriever information you need.
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Five Tips For Finding A Cheaper Golden Retriever Puppy
- Adoption. By investing a little time to visit shelter websites regularly, there is a chance that you will be able to find a puppy to adopt. They are rare and get adopted very fast, but it is a realistic option. Not only is it cheaper, but it is also a great thing to do.
- Older puppies. Most people are willing to buy their dog as young as possible, creating excellent opportunities to find puppies a few months old for a much lower price. A 6-month-old dog will still be adorable and playful and should be cheaper than an eight weeks old one.
- Other locations/states. Some breeds are more expensive in specific locations because of their characteristics and the cost to operate a breeding business there. Looking at prices in different places is a great way to save a lot, providing you are willing to travel to meet the breeder and your future dog.
- Mixed-breed or purebred. Mixed breed dogs tend to be less expensive to buy than purebreds. This is especially true for purebreds with registration papers . Most families are just looking for a pet to spend time with and do not need these registration papers.
- Friends and family. Let everyone around you know that you are looking for a dog. You might get a good surprise and learn that someone trustworthy has a pregnant dog and is looking for people to get the pups.
English Retriever Vs Golden Retriever The Main Differences
Because of different breeding standards in Europe, and North America, slight differences among the types of Golden Retrievers have developed.
Breeders in Europe have bred Golden Retrievers according to The UK Kennel Club standards, and American and Canadian breeders bred Golden Retrievers according to the AKC or CKC standards.
Here are the differences between them:
1. Colour
This is the main difference that people will notice right away. The English Retrievers coat is lighter in colour than the American and Canadian Golden Retriever.
English Retriever: According to The Kennel Club, any shade of gold or cream is acceptable, and red or mahogany is not allowed.
American Retriever:The American Kennel Club allows for rich lustrous golden of various shades. Extremely light or extremely dark coats are not permitted.
Canadian Retriever: The Canadian Kennel Club allows for lustrous golden of various shades just like the AKC.
2. Coat
The English Retriever has a thicker and shorter coat as compared to its American and Canadian counterparts.
English Retriever: The coat is flat or wavy with good feathering and a dense water-resistant undercoat.
American Retriever: The coat is dense and water-repellent with moderate feathering. The coat is slightly longer than that of the English Retriever.
Canadian Retriever: The coat is thinner than the English and American, and is straight or wavy.
3. Size
6. Health and Life Expectancy
7. Cancer Rate
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Pick A Puppy From A Litter Or Choose The Right Dog In A Shelter
I believe that this aspect not as important as finding a reputable breeder or shelter. There are mainly two reasons for this. First, a puppy bought from a reputable breeder is far less likely to develop expensive health issues or significant behavioral problems, two of the main things people want to avoid. The second reason is that a reputable breeder or shelter will be able to guide you when choosing your pet by knowing their animals and making sure to understand your expectations and goals. In that case, they will give you the best possible advice.
To choose a dog from a litter or shelter, look for a healthy and shiny coat. You should be able to feel the dogs ribs but not to see them. Eyes, ears, and genitalia should be clean and not inflamed. Get the dogs attention to test sight and hearing. Finally, pick one that will match your level of energy.
Its okay to pick a laid-back dog or puppy if you mainly want a low-maintenance cuddling buddy. In the same idea, choose a high-energy puppy or dog if you have a very active lifestyle. Although energetic dogs will require a lot of daily exercise and activity and will most likely need more training, they will be the perfect companion to go on many adventures with you.
Once you have your dog, dont forget to get a dog license . Check our new dog owner guide to know everything you need to get ready to welcome a dog home in a few minutes. Its a 5-minute read packed with helpful information for future and new dog owners.
Are They Officially Recognized
Miniature Golden Retrievers are not a member of the American Kennel Club but a certain mix of them is recognized by the Designer Dogs Kennel Club the Golden Retriever x Goldendoodle.
Responsible breeders are clearly committed to work towards the recognition of the breed and the enforcement of best breeding practices for Mini Goldens/ small golden retrievers. This usually translates to puppies sold already neutered, microchipped, with an ID tag and a health certificate.
As with any breed of dog, its imperative that you choose to buy from a reputable breeder in order to ensure the good health and longevity of your new pup.
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Golden Retriever Rescues In The Us
A breed-specific rescue could be a good option to find a purebred dog. There wont be as many dogs available as the previous websites, but its worth a shot. For a Golden Retriever, visit the Golden Retriever National Rescue or contact your Golden Retriever local club for more information.
To see other AKC-approved rescues, visit the AKC Rescue Network page and look at the Golden Retriever section.
SaveaRescue is another interesting resource. You will find multiple Golden Retriever rescues than you can sort by distance from your ZIP code. They also have a search engine with dogs available for adoption that you can filter by breed, age, and location.
Reputable breeders will almost always offer to take their puppies back if the buyer changes his mind or cant take care of the dog anymore. A good strategy could be contacting breeders and letting them know that you would be willing to take one of their dogs if they have any available for adoption. Retired breeding dogs can also be available for adoption sometimes. Read the following section about buying a puppy for tips to find breeders.
Final Thoughts: Is The Canadian Golden Retriever The Right Dog For You
Everyone would agree that Canadian Golden Retrievers are one of the best dogs to own. They can serve as perfect family companions and guard dogs with their well-balanced demeanor and behavior.
If you think you are prepared and responsible enough to take care of a living being, then theres nothing to stop you from getting one.
You might find owning a Canadian Golden Retriever seems costly and demanding at first but trust me, its all worth it in the end.
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How Much Are Miniature Goldens
As you might expect with specially bred dogs such as these, Miniature Goldens dont come cheap. The average price for new puppies can be anything between $700 and $6,000, with many of the more renowned and respectable breeders pricing their pups at the higher end of this scale.
Its also worth factoring in the expected costs of vet visits and any non-medical expenses in order to properly measure whether youll be able to afford the not insignificant purchase and upkeep of a Miniature Golden Retriever.
Golden Retriever Temperament: What To Expect
Golden retrievers are an incredibly versatile breed. They are used in sports such as agility and hunting, active hobbies like obedience training, as service dogs, and, of course, as companion animals.
The wide range of uses for this breed stems from their well-adjusted, adaptive disposition and spunky yet people-pleasing attitudes.
Above all, a golden retriever desires to please its human . They are bred to work! Even the smallest job can make your Golden happy.
A breeder whose females or males have no titles, especially in sporting venues, could be indicative of either a lazy line or a not-so-enthusiastic breeder.
On the other hand, it is completely understandable that Goldens from shelters or rescues may be low-energy, perhaps even withdrawn at first. Dont worry with time and a growing relationship with you, your pup will come around.
Additionally, it may be difficult to determine a puppys temperament at such a young age as 8 weeks old. Here are some tips to feel out your Golden puppys temperament:
Observe the puppys interaction with siblings: Note how the puppy interacts during play. Posture, vocalization, and positioning of his or her body during playtime will tell you a lot about a puppys energy level, personality, and confidence.
Handle the puppy: Touch the puppys tail, ears, and feet. This will let you know not only how often your breeder has been handling the pups, but how your prospective puppy responds to being placed in a submissive role.
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Michigan Golden Retriever Clubs
Golden retriever clubs are great resources for current and future golden retriever owners.
Some of the members may know about a golden who needs a home, or know people who know of goldens that need a home.
It can be a long shot, but if youre patient, it might be worth it.
And then, once you do get finally get your golden, the clubs can be even more useful.
They could help refer you to services like vets, groomers, or doggy daycares, you could attend the events they hold to socialize your pup and get them involved in dog sports, or you can just learn from other experienced golden retriever owners.
Here are the golden retriever clubs in Michigan, listed in alphabetical order:
Fort Detroit Golden Retriever Club
Location: Detroit
Location: Ann Arbor
Website:
Ask About Socialization & Training
Puppies do best with their mothers for the first several weeks. In addition to the nourishment puppies receive from their mothers milk, the puppies also receive important socialization and training by staying with their litter for the first nine weeks. A reputable breeder will work with you to provide opportunities for you to meet the puppy during those weeks.
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Can Breeding Miniature Goldens Be Bad For The Dogs Themselves
There will always be questions raised over the ethics of selectively breeding dogs to fit certain characteristics that suit us as humans rather than those characteristics that are necessary for the breed.
However, breeders have undertaken much research and study in order to create Miniature Golden Retrievers that are not only suitable for people wanting smaller dogs, but that provide benefits to the dogs themselves.
Smaller sized dogs are not only easier to care for, theyre also likely to live longer, as demonstrated by the increased lifespan for Miniature Goldens over the breed standard.
Many dogs will also shed less hair and should avoid the inherited diseases that can afflict Golden Retrievers.
Other Sources For Golden Retriever Puppies
If you didnt find a breeder that fits your needs on our Golden Retriever Breeders list, you can try your luck in the following:
1. AKC marketplace The AKC marketplace is probably the biggest directory for professional Golden Retriever breeders in the United States. The marketplace is directly regulated by the organization, so all the breeders are filtered for the prospective buyers safety. Most of the puppies you can come across here come from AKC champion bloodlines.
2. Golden Retriever Club of America GRCA is the primary organization that takes care of the Golden Retriever breed and the breed standard. Similar to the American Kennel Club, this organization has member breeders who also sell their puppies through it. If you are interested, you can visit local kennels in your area that are associated with the Golden Retriever Club of America, or you can message them directly to get assistance.
3. My Golden Retriever puppies Originally, this kennel began as a partnership between two families, but grew to become a network of multiple dog breeders based in Ohio. In a nutshell, this is an advertising website where anyone can post their litter for sale. Also, anyone can buy a puppy from this bunch of Ohio Golden Retriever breeders, even though they are not from the same state.
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How Much Does A Golden Retriever Cost What Expenses Are There
Unlike some other breeds, like Belgian Malinois or Cane Corsos, and similar to Labrador Retrievers, purebred Golden Retrievers are not that expensive. These pups only cost around $500 to $2,000 depending on factors like the breeders reputation, location, health guarantees, certification, etc.
Of course, if you wish to own a Golden Retriever from a champion bloodline, it will cost more. Usually, the price range for these pups is between $2,000 and $3,000.
Aside from the initial puppy cost, you also have to provide the necessary supplies for your new puppy.
Here is a list of things your Golden Retriever puppy will need from the get-go:
| Expenses |
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Canadian Kennel Club Breeders
If you live in Canada or are willing to travel there to get your puppy, the Canadian Kennel Club is a good resource. Although they do not have a marketplace like the American Kennel Club, you will find a breeder directory with contact information.
Here is the link to the Golden Retriever breeder directory of the Canadian Kennel Club. You will also find the name of the national club and a link to its website . Its worth examining if they advertise puppies for sale or have another breeder directory.
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Golden Retriever Breeders: Best Places To Find Your New Furry Bestie
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We think most people would agree that Golden Retrievers are simply one of a kind. They rank as the third most popular dog breed in the United States as per the American Kennel Club.Golden Retrievers are extremely well known, loved, and sought after by many because they retain their puppyish behavior even when they reach adulthood.
But, you probably already know this stuff since you decided to introduce one of these pups into your life. You probably got all the necessary supplies, puppy-proofed your house, and even picked out a name for your new four-legged companion. The only thing left to do is figure out where to find one, right?
Well, you came to the right place! If you are considering getting one of these golden-coated canines, we would recommend that you stay with us throughout this article. We are about to share the best Golden Retriever Breeders that offer the best puppers you will come across in the market today! So, lets get started!
How To Find A Reputable Breeder
Now that youre prepared with all of this knowledge on how to spot a good breeder, how do you actually find them?
One of the best ways is to go to a local club , email or call them, and ask them to refer you to a good breeder.
Another way is to ask your friends who have golden retrievers where they got them.
This is how we found our golden, Oliver.
A friend from church had a golden and we went over to their house and met him.
We instantly fell in love and decided we needed to get his brother.
You can also find breeders on Google, Facebook, or Instagram.
Obviously, youll want to thoroughly vet these breeders since you heard about them through their marketing efforts and not their breeding achievements.
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