Golden retriever puppies are adorable and buying one on impulse at a pet store could easily happen. However, great thought and care should be taken when purchasing any pet; in particular, when said pet has a life expectancy of up to fourteen years. A puppy is an investment and a long-term commitment. You want to do everything you can to make sure your pup comes from a good breeding pair. Golden Retriever breeders are much more likely to have good breeding pairs than your local pet store. This is why.

Many consumers are unaware that pet stores often source their puppies from puppy mills. Breeding pairs in puppy mills are often overbred and in poorer health because they spend their lives in small cages. That means adopting a golden retriever from a pet history is more likely to result in a pup from an inferior breeding pair.

Also, when you shop at a pet store, you don’t see the parents, so you have no idea what kind of traits the parents have. Character traits are frequently passed on. A reputable breeder will be able to tell you all about the parents. It is even possible that he can interact with the parents. There’s no guarantee that calm parents will equal a calm puppy, but the odds are much more in your favor. Wouldn’t you like to know if your dog’s parents were very nervous, aggressive or disobedient? You don’t have that advantage when you buy through a pet store.

Quality golden retriever puppies will display obvious traits for which the breed is loved. Goldens are incredibly bright and energetic dogs. They are extremely sensitive to positive reinforcement and food rewards. Avoid having a golden pup that is unhooked and does not train easily because he is probably from a poor breeding pair.

You’ll want to have some chew toys immediately available when you adopt a golden retriever puppy. Golden puppies love to chew and they like to be busy. They will get bored very quickly if you don’t engage them. That frustration will quickly translate into chewing on things that are inappropriate, like chewing on a pair of your favorite new shoes or chewing on furniture. The good news is that your pup loves to be played with and if you simply include him in his activities regularly, you will most likely prevent a lot of these mischief.

So what kinds of activities will your pup enjoy? Goldens love company and physical exercise. Nothing will please them more than joining you on long walks, playing fetch in the yard, or heading out to a local park. As they grow, you can even take them running, hunting, or hiking. You may want to consider an obedience class for your puppy. It will be a win-win election. You will get a trained golden retriever and your pup will have an outing that they will love and enjoy.

Keep the above guidelines in mind and your golden retriever adoption is likely to go very well. Your local American Kennel should be able to recommend a qualified breeder in your area, so you can start off on the right foot.