Educational links

Golden Retriever Club of Greater St. Louis is a member of the Golden Retriever Club of America. Many of our members hold individual or family memberships. As club members we agree to follow the GRCA's Code of Ethics as breeders.

 https://grca.org/

Thinking about getting a Golden Retriever? This article maybe a great to start with on your journey of research.   https://grca.org/find-a-golden/begin-the-search/is-a-golden-retriever-right-for-you/

Every breed has an AKC breed standard that describes the breeds purpose, structure and overall temperament. This breed standard describes "type." When someone prefers a certain shade of color, blocky head and / or stockier body that refers to "style." Understanding the standard can help determine some of these characteristics you may prefer in a puppy, For the breed standard please follow the link https://grca.org/about-the-breed/akc-breed-standard/

Like any breed Golden Retrievers have health issues. Our members,  as responsible breeders screen out to the best of our abilities these issues. On your journey of research we recommend visiting this ion-a/link  https://grca.org/find-a-golden/begin-the-search/health-issues-introduction-sect

Golden Retrievers come in various shades of gold. No, there is no rare English Cream Golden Retriever. Enjoy this article https://grca.org/find-a-golden/more-topics-before-you-buy/english-cream-golden-retrievers/

Sometimes a puppy may be to much for some families, but they still love the golden retriever. Others lifestyle allow for a puppy and they prefer to raise a puppy. Here's food for thought. https://grca.org/find-a-golden/begin-the-search/puppy-or-adult/

Finding a Golden Retriever takes work. With today's technology the buyer needs to become more savvy as fancy music and photos do not mean quality bred. Breeders should be first and foremost breeding to produce their next show or performance puppy, not just breeding to produce. 

https://grca.org/find-a-golden/about-breeders/finding-a-golden-retriever-puppy/

Responsible breeders follow the Code of Ethics as laid out by the GRCA (Golden Retriever Club of America) and produce puppies to further their breeding program. Preservation Breeders are looking for their next show dog or performance dog and should be doing selective breeding to do so. 

https://grca.org/find-a-golden/begin-the-search/puppy-or-adult/

When contacting a breeder it may be hard to determine with technology your best fit. Many puppy mills and/ or backyard breeders use fancy websites, puppy sales sites and social media to sell their puppies to the less educated buyer. Looking at photos can tell you a lot if you look close. Asking how many litters they have produced over the last few years is important. Looking at pedigrees on K9 Data can shed even more light on their true intent. Patience and research on your next family member is important. 

https://grca.org/find-a-golden/begin-the-search/puppy-or-adult/ 

You can research a dogs's clearances and ratings for hips and elbows. Most breeders do submit their eye, heart and sometimes DNA testing they have done too. Generations of clearances can be seen.  

https://www.ofa.org/look-up-a-dog

Visit K9 Data and research the pedigrees on any puppy you are interested in. Many times links to the parents health clearances are right on that page. You can see the parents, grand parents and great grandparents titles and achievements, This can help you spot those that are just breeding for a profit and do nothing to promote their goldens. Sometimes you can see photos of the ancestors within the pedigree. 

https://www.k9data.com/

Goldendoodles are not hypoallergenic dogs and they do often shed. This false claim is why AKC will never approve of them as a purebred dog. The grooming required to maintain a poodle type coat is needed frequently and is very expensive.  If not cared for properly, the dog will need to be shaved down to the skin. Some have started to do clearances but , they do not have the generations of such behind  their dogs or the research. Don't overpay for what AKC considers a mutt.

https://www.grca.org/find-a-golden/more-topics-before-you-buy/goldendoodles/