So you want to adopt a puppy?

We understand! We love Golden Retrievers. And we would like to help you make an informed decision as you
consider your options for bringing a new dog into your life. If you love dogs, it is important to be a conscious consumer. This involves doing your research on the pet industry to ensure you are not supporting a person or company who does not have the dog’s well-being in mind. GRRR has created this guide to help make that easier for you.

Did You Know…

  • Most shelter and rescue dogs make wonderful pets and do not have anything wrong with them. Dogs are most often relinquished to animal shelters because of “people” reasons, such as cost, lack of time, allergies, or lifestyle changes (new baby, divorce, moving, or marriage), and not because of something wrong with the dog. Sometimes a lack of obedience training results in a dog being relinquished, but this is often easy to address by enrolling the dog in a basic obedience class. Many shelters/rescues will have already started this work for you!
  • You can get purebred dogs at shelters or through breed-specific rescues.
  • Breed is not a guarantee of temperament or personality. Every dog is an individual. The best way to determine if a dog will be the right fit for your home is to meet them and observe their personality, rather than relying on breed stereotypes.
  • Puppies are a lot of work! Consider an adult dog, which may better fit your lifestyle and can require significantly less work than a puppy. Plus, since their personality is more formed, you will know exactly what you are getting.
  • There is no such thing as a “deal” when it comes to buying a dog. “Bargain” puppies are often poorly bred and may suffer from serious health problems requiring expensive veterinary care. For example, Rosie, who was a “$875 bargain” but had to be relinquished to GRRR because the owners couldn’t afford a $6,000 surgery due to poor breeding.

Adopt Don’t Shop!

Here are some great resources for finding your new best friend while helping to solve the pet over-population problem:

  • Find local shelters and rescues at: theshelterpetproject.org/shelters
  • Petfinder.com
  • Adoptapet.com
  • Your local Humane Society
  • Rescue Groups including the following Colorado-based Retriever Rescues:
    • Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies – www.goldenrescue.com
    • Golden Retriever Freedom Rescue – www.goldenretrieverfreedom.com
    • Retriever Rescue of Colorado – http://retrieverrescueofcolorado.com/

Only Purchase a Puppy from a Reputable Breeder

We encourage you to adopt, but if you have your heart set on a Golden Retriever puppy and are unable to find one at a rescue or shelter, it is essential that you purchase a puppy only through a reputable breeder.

  • Many dogs available at pet stores or online through both private websites and classified sites such as Craigslist originate from puppy mills.
  • Puppy mills are large commercial operations that put profit above the well-being of the dog. You can think of them as the equivalent of “factory farms” for dogs. They are often filthy, overcrowded, and are cruel or negligent in their treatment of dogs. Lack of adequate access to food, water, socialization, and veterinary care is typical. There are estimated to be 10,000 of these “commercial breeders” in the US alone.
adopt a puppy