For more information about Golden Retrievers you can also visit The Golden Retriever Club of America site.

Will

Will not

A responsible breeder will have a thorough knowledge of Golden Retrievers.
A responsible breeder will be able to tell you the ‘good’ and the ‘bad’ about the breed. Such as genetic problems that are a concern.
All breeding stock should be cleared for: hips elbows with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), should be cleared for inherited eye disorders by a veterinary ophthalmologist and have a CERF form from the (Canine Eye Registration Foundation), and have been screened for SAS (Sub Aortic Stenosis) by a veterinary cardiologist.
Ask your breeder if any allergies run in the lines.
A responsible breeder will have devoted years of their life to studying the breed.
Most responsible breeders will have been in the breed for several years before having a litter.
A responsible breeder will give you references, and aren’t offended if asked.
A responsible breeder will ask you extensive questions about yourself.
A responsible breeder will provide a contract and explain that contract to you.
Most times they will sell only on a spay neuter contract and on a limited registration.  If a puppy is sold on a full registration, most breeders will stay on as co owners to provide help and mentoring for their puppy buyer.
A responsible breeder will be involved for the lifetime of the dog.
A responsible breeder will explain how to interpret a pedigree.  Look for advanced titles in the first generation, on the dam and/or sire. ‘Saying’ that there are champions in the pedigree is simply not good enough.
A responsible breeder will be able to furnish you with a pedigree of the puppies, not just a copy of the parents AKC papers.
A responsible breeder will breed to advance their breeding program.  IN most cases responsible breeders will breed with the intention of keeping something to further their own lines in their breeding programs.  Not just to supply a demand for puppies.
A responsible breeder will have titles on their dogs.  That titling may be in conformation, obedience, field, or agility.  Look for the advanced titles.  This indicates a breeder that takes their commitment to producing better dogs seriously.  In order to be a serious breeder, they must show and compete.
A ‘new’ breeder will have a mentor to help with breeding decisions and choices.
The responsible breeder will KNOW the Breed Standard.  If they cannot explain that to you, you may want to look elsewhere for a puppy, as they should not be breeding dogs.
A responsible breeder will welcome any and all question you might have... so ask away. 

A responsible breeder will NEVER advertise via the newspaper, retail outlet to an animal broker or a laboratory.
A responsible breeder will NOT be breeding to ‘make money’.
 A responsible breeder will NOT breed in volume.
A responsible breeder will NOT have both parents on site.
BE WARY of the breeder that does. A responsible breeders job is to improve the breed and their own lines, rarely is the perfect match of sire and dam on the premises and most breeders will go outside of their own dogs to find that match. Responsible breeders will have done extensive research into the breed when choosing a stud dog or a brood bitch.  They will look for a sire or dam that compliments each other and their breeding program. Make sure to ask them why they have a certain breeding planned if both are onsite.