Choosing a breeder – what a complicated task…
You need patience, and almost a master’s degree, to have the knowledge and confidence to know what you want and where to find it. Here we will outline what we believe should be taken into account. Happy reading!

As a first filter, I always say: ask if they ship puppies. If they do, that’s already a reason to discard them. No breeder who raises their dogs with love and the highest level of care would ever ship a puppy like merchandise.

Health guarantees come first. So, let’s begin the selection and stick with those who carry out and provide copies of:

• Official certificates for hips and elbows, evaluated by organizations such as the BVA or AVEPA. A certificate from their regular vet is NOT enough; the X-rays must be evaluated by a committee of experts. These certificates will have a numerical score if issued by the BVA, from 0 to 53 points per hip, where 0 is perfection and 53 is very severe dysplasia, or a letter grade if issued by AVEPA, from A to E, where A is perfect hips, B is free from dysplasia, and E is severe dysplasia. It is recommended to breed with dogs below 10 points per hip under the BVA system, or with A or B grading under the AVEPA system.

• Eye disease certificates, which must be carried out by a veterinary ophthalmologist. This specialty does not exist in Spain, so there are very few who have studied abroad. The ECVO or a veterinary faculty are reliable options.

• Certificates for PRA1 and PRA2. These acronyms refer to two mutations of Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), an eye disease. Certification is done through DNA analysis from blood or saliva samples. A dog may be Affected, Carrier, or Clear. Two carriers should never be bred together, nor a carrier with an affected, and certainly not two affecteds. Carriers and affecteds should only ever be bred with clears, which guarantees that no puppies will develop the disease.

• A contract clearly stating how the breeder will take responsibility in case a hereditary issue arises. Words vanish into thin air, but in a sale, everything must be in writing. A responsible breeder should take responsibility for serious hereditary diseases (those that clearly affect the dog’s quality of life), either by covering treatment costs, refunding part of the price, or refunding the full price of the dog. It must be understood that the breeder is not at fault if they have done everything necessary to breed healthy puppies. Their responsibility is simply a matter of ethics and accountability towards the owner.

All this must be demanded and clarified before buying the puppy, because if the breeder does not formally offer these guarantees, they will have no obligation to take responsibility later.

Don’t be alarmed if a breeder has had cases of hereditary diseases. This is normal if they have been breeding for many years. Their job is to minimize these problems. But be suspicious of anyone who claims to have never had issues, as statistically that’s impossible, and it’s more likely they are simply being less honest.

How do their dogs live?

“Family breeding” — two words that sell well, so everyone uses them. But what should it actually mean?
To me, a good family breeder dedicates many hours to their dogs: spending time playing, walking, grooming, or simply relaxing with them. Dogs may live in the home or have their own spaces, but they should always spend time with the family each day. They should be well trained and receive the best possible diet — natural food or BARF is an excellent sign, though at the very least a super/ultra-premium kibble with some natural extras. Even if they live in a pack, all dogs also need walks in the countryside and city for their physical and mental wellbeing. A breeder who loves their dogs as pets will give them the same “privileges” that any beloved pet has.

And how can you check this, when websites only show puppies in gardens or dogs on sofas? The best way is always to visit. If that’s not possible, there will surely be people online who have visited and shared their experiences.

Do they care about temperament?

Golden Retrievers are generally wonderful in temperament, but poor breeding has produced dogs that are overly fearful or aggressive. Some breeders use early stimulation programs, or consult external behaviorists who certify the balanced temperament of their breeding dogs and/or puppies. There is no official, standardized character test accepted by clubs or kennel federations, so this is left largely to the breeder’s own methods. It is not essential when choosing a puppy, but having such certifications could be considered a bonus.

Participation in dog shows

Is it important? Absolutely YES.
Showing dogs is a fundamental part of good breeding. It teaches and aids in breed selection, and evaluation by specialist judges is important to ensure dogs meet the breed standard. Breeders who avoid shows usually do so because their dogs don’t conform well to the standard. These breeders invent excuses, claiming that shows are sources of infection, or only about trophies and egos. But if a breeder wants to be complete, they cannot ignore the breed’s type. They must breed for health, temperament, and beauty.

That said, we may give more or less weight to this point. But when prices reach the higher end, they should be justified by dogs of above-average quality, backed up by show titles.

Price

The price of a good puppy of this breed is usually between €1300 and €2500. More expensive does not always mean better, so it is important to carefully evaluate all the above points. There are breeders with 500 championships who sell their puppies at the same price as breeders who have never bred a single champion. Some breeders skip eye tests yet charge the same as those who not only do them but also perform heart tests, ichthyosis tests, DNA, etc.

It’s not easy, because over the phone everything can sound wonderful, and the desire to get a puppy quickly can cloud judgment. But the better we select, the more likely we are to have a healthy, beautiful, good-tempered dog that will stay with us for many years.

Invoice

The reality is that most breeders do not have a kennel license or are not registered as a business to issue invoices. Receiving an invoice provides legal security for the purchase, which can be very important if problems arise later. Keep in mind also that for a legal breeder who declares their sales, the VAT on each puppy amounts to €400–500. Consider this fact when comparing prices.

Belonging to a club or kennel club

In an ideal world, this would matter — if there were a club or kennel federation that regulated breeding, with a code of ethics and basic standards for responsible breeding. But that does not exist today. So, no, belonging to a club or kennel club is not relevant or synonymous with quality breeding.

Waiting times

This usually depends on supply and demand, so it isn’t very relevant. But in general, with any responsible breeder you should expect to wait 2–6 months. It is very unusual, even suspicious, if puppies are always available immediately.

Experience in breeding

Or trajectory, is worth considering though not fundamental. Obviously, a breeder who has been working with a line of dogs for years will know their genetics better and can make more reliable pairings. Their track record in dog shows is also an indicator of the quality of their dogs.

Visits

For me, it’s important that a breeder not only allows visits but values them. It should matter just as much to them to meet the future family of their puppy. Breeders may have some limits — after reservation, after birth, after 4 weeks, after the first vaccine. Whatever the case, the key is that they see meeting you and showing their home, their dogs, and their work as a positive step.

Choosing the puppy

A good breeder should not simply let the new family pick. The breeder knows each puppy best and should have communicated enough with the family to know how to make the best match for both sides.

Delivery of pedigree

A good breeder must always register their puppies in an official studbook, but they don’t necessarily have to transfer ownership of that record to the new owner. Official ownership comes through registration of the microchip with the authorities of each region. The pedigree is generated from the kennel club registration, but it is essentially a copy of the family tree. A breeder may give a copy when handing over the puppy. The pedigree does NOT guarantee a quality dog or good breeding, since there are currently no strict requirements to obtain one. Any shop, puppy farm, or importer from Eastern Europe can sell puppies with pedigrees. And without mandatory DNA testing, nothing ensures that a given pedigree truly belongs to that puppy.

And finally, the “feeling”

Pay attention to what they transmit in conversation: their love for their dogs, their passion for the breed, their respect for their work. Breeding means creating lives by mixing genes to bring forth a new family member. It is an immense responsibility, but also one of the most beautiful tasks a person can undertake.

From here on, it’s in your hands. Don’t rush, learn all you can, and from the heart, good luck.