Selecting Your Golden Retriever Puppy

Okay, so deciding on a breeder is the first part. You have to be able to trust them and then you can start thinking about the type of puppy you want. The next step may take some time as it can be quite a few weeks or even months before the right litter is whelped - although it will be worth the wait. If your breeder has a few litters available when you look for your Golden Retriever puppy, you may be able to compare.

Placing a deposit on a puppy may be a requirement for some breeders, especially if the puppies are still very young. Remember good litters rarely go unsold and most are already spoken for before the pups reach seven weeks of age. So, if you want to get in on a good litter, your best bet is to get to your breeder early - before all of the puppies are sold.

When you arrive to get your puppy, you shouldn't be alarmed if the breeder does the selecting for you. Most quality breeders will spend quite a bit of time with the puppies and they will know just what their individual temperaments are. The better breeders however, will do temperament tests to determine the temperament of the puppies they have with each and every litter.

By performing these tests, the breeder will get assistance in selecting which puppy goes to which type of home. If you've chosen one of the better breeders, you should let him do his work and help you select the puppy that he or she thinks will be your best match. Breeders can obviously select you a better puppy, as they have been around the litter for several weeks - and you have only been around the litter looking at them for a few minutes.

If you’ve ever seen those toilet paper ads you’ll agree that all golden retriever puppies are gorgeous, but decisions must be made on more than just looks!

Check that the puppy you like has straight legs, a muscular build and make sure you check those teeth and gums. All these little things will help you select a healthy puppy.

As mentioned earlier some breeders will prefer to select a puppy for you depending on its temperament and your living situation. However, if your breeder does allow you to select your puppy from the litter then you should take the puppy or puppies you are considering away from the rest of the litter and observe them closely. Remember that even though puppies are cautious they should be interested in exploring their surroundings even a little bit.

Interaction with your chosen puppy is vital. First contact is more important than most people think. It’s like making a good impression on a first date. You should be able to play and enjoy each others company so when the little one realises he’s going home with you he doesn’t get scared and knows he’s going to be looked after. So, try and play with him, run around with him, give him a cuddle and most importantly see how he reacts to being with you.

The selection process should be done slowly. Take your time accessing the puppies you like and follow the above advice. Golden Retriever puppies are great to have and they will be a welcomed part of them family for years to come.

Getting a healthy puppy should be your main priority; after all you do want to have your golden retriever for a long time.

So, happy hunting dog lovers,

good luck finding the Golden Retriever of your dreams!

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Buying A Golden Retriever Puppy