Before selling you a puppy most breeders will want to spend some time talking to you to ensure that you are an appropriate owner of a Golden Retriever. A responsible breeder will not sell you a puppy without assessing your suitability. Each breeder will have set their own criteria for who can own one of their Goldens.

Members of Golden Retriever clubs should conform with their clubs code of ethics. In New South Wales the sire (father) and dam (mother) of any litter should be tested for hip dysplasia and hereditary eye problems. If the breeder has decided that you are a suitable home for one of their puppies they will provide you with copies of all relevant certificates.

Atleast two certificates should be provided. The hip certificate will include a small table which contains numbers for scoring various components of the hips. Each column has a maximum total of 53 (for both right and left hip), therefore the highest possible score is 106. Generally, the lower the score the better. If a breeder tells you they do not hip score because they have never had a problem I would suggest that you look for another breeder.

Each animal that is to be part of a breeding scheme should also have a clear eye certificate. In New South Wales these certificates must be done by a certified canine opthamologist. Not every vet is an opthamologist and you should ensure that a clear eye certificate has been obtained for both parents within the last 12-18 months.

Many breeders are now testing for elbow dysplasia. Sometimes the elbow results will be included on the hip score form. This testing is not yet required by our club but some breeders are having the test done anyway.

Another test that many breeders are having done is a heart test. Recently there have been dogs which have been affected by a condition called "subaortic stenosis". A heart certificate will indicate if a animal is affected by this condition or any other heart abnormality.

If you wish to buy a Golden Retriever your first contact should be with the breed club in your state or territory. The club will have a list of puppies that are available and can tell you people who are members of the club and abide by the rules.