Where to Get A Golden Labrador

Adopting a Golden Labrador is a decision that, just as adopting any dog, requires a lot of thought about all the responsibility. While you may think a rescue is the best place to start, the possibility of adopting a dog with chasing and / or absconding issues should be your first and foremost concern, as such dogs may have come from abusive and / or neglective families and almost always have no health paper trail. A reputable rescue will be very choosy in the families that it lets adopt a rescue Golden Lab, so don't be surprised if the process is daunting; it's meant to make sure a good match is made.

Adopting a puppy may be your best bet, especially for first-time families. As the hybrid Golden Lab comes from two parent breeds that each have long histories of working with people, these are some of the best dogs for first-time families as well as those with children, seniors and /or large families. Trained, socialized and groomed early, properly and patiently, your Golden Lab pup will grow up to be a great family companion.

On this page, you'll find advice on where to find a Golden Labrador, tips on how to choose one and what to expect if you adopt one of these cute, adorable and personable working dogs!

Many factors can affect the price of adopting a Golden Labrador, and there is even an on-going controversy regarding the genetically modified silver-coated Labrador that has prompted an apparent world-wide protest among nearly all the registries from the American, Canadian, Dutch, New Zealand Kennel Clubs as well as the National Labrador Retriever Council of Australia. These and many other kennel clubs and Labrador breeders and organizations have taken a fierce stance against silver-coated Golden Labradors, claiming that such Labs are crossbred not with Golden Retrievers but with Weimaraners and that only unscrupulous, profit-driven breeders produce silver Labradors and sell them as Golden Labradors said to have a silver coat.

As it stands, there are only three colors recognized by most any and all dog registries, kennel clubs and reputable breeders worldwide: yellow (ranging from light cream to fox-red, which the AKC recognizes in its standard for the color yellow), black and chocolate. Color alone doesn't dictate price, however. The many factors that may affect the price of a Golden Lab puppy are:

If demand is high but litters are few, then you may pay a lot more to adopt a that cute Golden Labrador pup.

There is an optimal age for a puppy to be adopted, and the older a puppy becomes, the more difficult it is to train, and socialize him, and this can lessen the cost of adoption even as it increases other costs.

Having a full complement of vet-certified health papers will increase the cost.

AKC-registered parents will add to your puppy's adoption costs.

If either or both parents have AKC or other internationally renowned kennel club awards, you can expect to pay a premium as well, as will dog show awards.

Like any puppy you may wish to adopt, free Golden Labradors puppies and adults may be found in many places: Craigslist, BackPage, rescue organizations and even friends, family members and friends of friends and family members.

But there is no such thing as a free lunch, and adopting a properly bred and vet-certified Golden Lab will cost you some money. Getting a "free" puppy will too often come at a cost — often higher and not just in money alone — and so you should consider carefully from where you adopt a Golden Labrador.