Currently out of the States for another 5-6 months and looking at buying a pup when I get back. Been looking online and all I can find are these super breeder dogs for showing that cost $1,000-2,000. Not looking to spend that much but looking for a reputable breeder though.

Any contacts? Anyone on this board? I'd appreciate the help.

Tracey Garner in Edom, TX (outside Tyler.) Former JP in her precinct, and now full-time Golden breeder. Her dogs are very, very beautiful. They are more blonde than gold. I bought a puppy 2.5 yrs ago and he is an outstanding dog. His health, temperment, hips/eyes, etc... are all excellent. She knows what she's doing... Not sure about the price now.

I can give you her contact info if interested.

[This message has been edited by Frisco Kid (edited 4/4/2011 9:27a).]

Please do.

Ballpark number? I don't mind spending up to $1,000 but that's about my limit. The ones I had found were WAY over that.

I have bought 2 goldens from a breeder on this side of Austin. Her name is Pat Simpson and she raises beautiful dogs for show, however she usually has a few "pet quality" dogs in each litter that she will release to a non-show home. Both of my goldens have an excellent temperment and are great with little kids and other dogs - great overall family pets. Both are also good retrievers and decent bird dogs. I don't know what her prices are these days, but you might be able to get one for $800 - $1000. You can find Pat on the internet, and her website is:
http://www.sciongoldens.com/

Good luck, and I wish I was in the market for a Golden puppy...

I will post my Golden breeder later (wife digging into files later today, Austin/San Antonio area) We were given our Golden at age 1 from wife's uncle. They moved and gave us the dog. I think she was around $800. I thought her to Dove hunt (or...rather she taught herself) in only a couple months (got her in early may, hunted in Sept). She has been a great dog (almost 2 years old now). I am not sure how much research they did into the breeder. But, cancer rate is a big item to look for.

Zone416 posted one or two hunting Golden breeders a while back. He hunts his Golden and posted some picks. I think the hunting Goldens run in the $1000s, but mine hunts for $800.

Pat is also president of the Austin Golden Retriever Club, and if she doesn't have any available litters she will know of all the litters from reputable breeders in the Austin / Houston area - if not the entire state. Her email is pat@sciongoldens.com and her phone is 512-285-4420. Pat is very serious about her dogs, but she is also very friendly and helpful. She will only place a pet quality dog with a good home that passess her criteria. So be sure to read over the application on her website so you know what she is looking for in a pet quality family as she definitely turns down people who she is concerned about.

Thank you all. Will be contacting all references.

Some people get waaaaaaaay up their own ass about their dogs.

that was in reference to the breeder's website, btw, not the posters in this thread.

Just to be clear.

http://www.gorgeousgoldens.com/

Our golden looks just like Montey's Goldee Lady.

I really don't know anything about this breeder (since dog was given to me), but I think they had the same attitude as the "Pat" person mentioned above in terms of where the dogs are placed. I think an Ag buddy of mine bought a dog from Pat as well (told me a similar story as above). I think this breeder is the same way. I remember my wife’s aunt mentioning something that the breeder would be pissed that they gave us the dog (maybe this is just some common breeder Shtick)

This is my second golden (diff breeder), and she has a great disposition and hunts naturally, which is probably just the luck of the draw but they are retrievers after all. Whatever it is worth, she is also fast as hell…faster than my buddies labs. (Commented on by two different hunting buddies).

My last golden had to be put down at 9 years due to cancer. After reading up, the average age of goldens has dropped due to rise of cancer occurance, I believe attributed to the over breading.