One of the most popular and beautiful dog breeds is the Golden Retriever. An excellent family pet and hunting companion, the Golden Retriever is known for its loyalty, energy, devotion, intelligence, gentleness and beauty. Golden Retrievers are believed to be a mix of the now extinct Tweed Water Spaniel, Irish Setter, Bloodhound, and Newfoundland as well as other water spaniels. Today's Golden Retrievers still love to swim and can be trained to hunt and track. Because of their high level of intelligence, Goldens are also trained to assist the blind.

Developed by Lord Tweedmouth of Scotland in the 1800s, the first Golden Retrievers were hunting dogs as well as family pets. Initially, a darker gold to copper-colored coat was preferred in the breed. Today's Goldens are more likely to be cream to light gold in color and more likely to be family pets than hunters. The American Kennel Club sets the reed standard characteristics that must be apparent in a dog to compete in AKC competition. Golden Retriever breeders mate dogs with the most desirable characteristics in the hopes of breeding champion lines.
Golden Retriever breeders mate dogs with the best breed specific traits. Currently, a cream to light gold colored coat is preferred. Golden Retrievers are also bred for intelligence, trainability, even temper, tracking and hunting skill, as well as overall health and beauty. The breed is prone to health problems such as hip dysplasia, which can be a problem in most medium to large-sized dog breeds. Eye diseases such as cataracts and retinal atrophy are common. Some lines of Golden Retrievers have so many health problems that it may be difficult to find a purebred Golden Retriever that lives the average ten to thirteen years.

The breed is prone to obesity if not exercised daily. A reputable Golden Retriever breeder will educate potential buyers on the health problems they may face as well as how to properly care for Golden Retrievers. Unfortunately, due to the beauty and popularity of this breed there are many illicit, or backyard breeders who sell unhealthy Golden Retriever puppies to unsuspecting buyers.
Golden Retriever breeders you should avoid are those that broker or sell puppies to pet stores. Good breeders love their breed and will therefore never treat animals as merchandise. Any breeder that has no regard for where the puppies will end up is a bad breeder. Golden Retriever breeders that ask no questions of buyers should also be avoided. They should be trying to match puppies with owners to ensure all parties will be happy. A breeder's main goal is to find loving, permanent homes for puppies. If this does not appear to be the breeders' goal, buyers beware.

Buyers have a great deal of responsibility in researching and ultimately choosing a good Golden Retriever breeder. Buyers must be sure to do their homework. The most important question buyers should ask themselves is why they want a Golden Retriever. The breed requires daily exercise and grooming as well as social interaction. If a buyer cannot provide these things, a Golden Retriever is not the appropriate dog breed.

Golden Retriever breeders can provide the information and history of Golden Retrievers to potential buyers. If you are looking forGolden Retriever information and information about breeders, you will be find answers in this article.