Even if you aren't waiting for a KP puppy, please please PLEASE make sure to only buy from breeders who have gone through testing their breeding stock! This is a benchmark for a reputable breeder of any breed. All of the following information is from OFA and Pawprint Genetics- both of which are the premier sources for canine health testing!

Physical Clearances:
1)Hip Clearance via OFA
The OFA classifies hips into seven different categories: Excellent, Good, Fair (all within Normal limits), Borderline, and then Mild, Moderate, or Severe (the last three considered Dysplastic).
Excellent: Superior conformation; there is a deep-seated ball (femoral head) that fits tightly into a well-formed socketgood hips in dogs (acetabulum) with minimal joint space.
Good: Slightly less than superior but a well-formed congruent hip joint is visualized. The ball fits well into the socket and good coverage is present.
Fair: Minor irregularities; the hip joint is wider than a good hip. The ball slips slightly out of the socket. The socket may also appear slightly shallow.
Borderline: Not clear. Usually more incongruency present than what occurs in a fair but there are no arthritic changes present that definitively diagnose the hip joint being dysplastic.
Mild: Significant subluxationfair hips in dogs present where the ball is partially out of the socket causing an increased joint space. The socket is usually shallow only partially covering the ball.
Moderate: The ball is barely seated into a shallow socket. There are secondary arthritic bone changes usually along the femoral neck and head (remodeling), acetabular rim changes (osteophytes or bone spurs) and various degrees of trabecular bone pattern changes (sclerosis).
Severe: Marked evidence that hip dysplasia exists. The ball is partly or completely out of a shallow socket. Significant arthritic bone changes along the femoral neck and head and acetabular rim changesmild hip dysplasia in dogs.
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2) Eye Clearance via OFA
The procedure, which is conducted yearly, involves a careful and comprehensive examination of the eye. A dog's pupils, lens, cornea, retina, and in the anterior chamber are carefully examined.
There are currently ten disorders for which there is an unequivocal recommendation against breeding in all breeds. 
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) – Breeding is not recommended for any animal demonstrating keratitis consistent with KCS. The prudent approach is to assume KCS to be hereditary except in cases suspected to be non-genetic in origin. See above note.
Cataract – Breeding is not recommended for any animal demonstrating partial or complete opacity of the lens or its capsule unless the examiner has also checked the space for “significance of above cataract unknown” or unless specified otherwise for the particular breed. See above note.
Lens luxation or subluxation – See above note.
Glaucoma – See above note.
Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV)
Retinal detachment – See above note.
Retinal dysplasia – geographic or detached forms – See above note.
Optic nerve coloboma
Optic nerve hypoplasia
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) – Breeding is not advised for any animal demonstrating bilaterally symmetric retinal degeneration (considered to be PRA unless proven otherwise).
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3) Heart Clearance via OFA
Congenital or advanced Cardiac Exam at 12 months or older, with exam by cardiologist.
Purpose: To identify dogs which are phenotypically normal prior to use in a breeding program. For the purposes of the registry, a phenotypically normal dog is defined as one without a cardiac murmur or one with an innocent heart murmur that is found to be otherwise normal by virtue of an echocardiographic examination which includes doppler studies.
Abnormal cardiac grades (1 is better, 6 is worst):
Grade 1: A very soft murmur only detected after very careful auscultation
Grade 2: A soft murmur that is readily evident
Grade 3: A moderately intense murmur not associated with a palpable precordial thrill (vibration)
Grade 4: A loud murmur; a palpable precordial thrill is not present or is intermittent
Grade 5: A loud cardiac murmur associated with a palpable precordial thrill; the murmur is not audible when the stethoscope is lifted from the thoracic body wall
Grade 6: A loud cardiac murmur associated with a palpable precordial thrill and audible even when the stethoscope is lifted from the thoracic wall
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4) Elbows via OFA
Elbow dysplasia is a general term used to identify an inherited disease in the elbow. Three specific variations seen: ulnar (FCP), elbow joint (OCD), anconeal (also ulnar)(UAP). 
Abnormal elbow grades (1 is better, 3 is worst). Grade of "Normal" denotes no disease noted on x-ray.
Grade I Elbow Dysplasia: Minimal bone change along anconeal process of ulna (less than 2mm). With careful consideration, may still be suitable for breeding programs.
Grade II Elbow Dysplasia: Additional bone proliferation along anconeal process (2-5 mm) and subchondral bone changes (trochlear notch sclerosis). Breeding at this point should be carefully scruitinized, generally avoiding breeding is best.
Grade III Elbow Dysplasia: Well developed degenerative joint disease with bone proliferation along anconeal process being greater than 5 mm. Should NOT be breeding.
Clinical signs involve lameness which may remain subtle for long periods of time. No one can predict at what age lameness will occur in a dog due to a large number of genetic and environmental factors such as degree of severity of changes, rate of weight gain, amount of exercise, etc.. Subtle changes in gait may be characterized by excessive inward deviation of the paw which raises the outside of the paw so that it receives less weight and distributes more mechanical weight on the outside (lateral) aspect of the elbow joint away from the lesions located on the inside of the joint. Range of motion in the elbow is also decreased.
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DNA Testing:
In addition to examination of the physical structures of a dog in a breeding progam, it is VERY important a potenial buyer see genetic testing results as well. There is a program known as CHIC that is a good sign to see in a dog- a dog achieves CHIC Certification if it has been screened for every disease recommended by the parent club for that breed and those results are publicly available in the database. 
There are 4 very distinct results for genetic testing: Normal (all clear!), Carrier (disease not active but if bred with another carrier offspring may be carriers or have active disease), At Risk (disease is present but genes are mutated- may or may not be active, mutated gene WILL be passed to offspring), and Equivocal (testing was inconclusive). 
1) Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd)
Progressive retinal Atrophy, progressive Rod-cone degeneration (PRA-prcd) is a late onset, inherited eye disease affecting Golden Retrievers. PRA-prcd occurs as a result of degeneration of both rod and cone type Photoreceptor Cells of the Retina, which are important for vision in dim and bright light, respectively. Evidence of retinal disease in affected dogs can first be seen on exam around 1.5 years of age for most breeds, but most affected Golden Retrievers will not show signs of vision loss until 5 to 6 years of age or later. 
Affected dogs will initially have vision deficits in dim light (night blindness) and loss of peripheral vision. Over time affected dogs continue to lose night vision and begin to show visual deficits in bright light. Other signs of progressive retinal atrophy involve changes in reflectivity and appearance of a structure behind the retina called the Tapetum that can be observed on a veterinary eye exam. Although there is individual and breed variation in the age of onset and the rate of disease progression, the disease eventually progresses to complete blindness in most dogs. Other inherited disorders of the eye can appear similar to PRA-prcd. Genetic testing may help clarify if a dog is affected with PRA-prcd or another inherited condition of the eye.
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2) Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Golden Retriever 1 (PRA-1)
Progressive retinal Atrophy, golden retriever 1 (GR-PRA1) is a late-onset inherited eye disease affecting golden retrievers. Affected dogs begin showing clinical symptoms related to retinal degeneration between 6 to 7 years of age on average, though age of onset can vary. Initial clinical signs of progressive retinal atrophy involve changes in reflectivity and appearance of a structure behind the Retina called the Tapetum that can be observed on a veterinary eye exam. Progression of the disease leads to thinning of the retinal blood vessels, signifying decreased blood flow to the retina. Affected dogs initially have vision loss in dim light (night blindness) and loss of peripheral vision, eventually progressing to complete blindness in most affected dogs.
 Though the frequency in the overall golden retriever population is unknown, in one study of 369 golden retrievers clinically free of disease tested from the UK, US, Sweden, and France, 10.5% were carriers of the mutation.
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3) Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Golden Retriever 2 (PRA-2)
Progressive retinal Atrophy, golden retriever 2 (GR-PRA2) is the same disease as PRA-1, but with a different gene housing the mutation. Disease progression is the same, this mutation is less prevalent than PRA-1. 
Though the frequency in the overall golden retriever population is unknown, in one study of golden retrievers either free of clinical disease or of unknown PRA status tested from the UK, US, France, and Sweden, 3% were carriers of the mutation.
See information above.
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4) Ichthyosis status
Ichthyosis is an inherited condition of the skin affecting golden retrievers. The age of onset and severity of disease are highly variable, however most affected dogs present before one year of age with flaky skin and dull hair. Over time the skin develops a grayish color and appears thick and scaly, especially over the abdomen. The symptoms may progress to severe scaling all over the body, may improve with age, or may come and go over the dog’s lifetime. While the prognosis is generally good for affected dogs, they are at increased risk for skin infections. Though the exact frequency in the overall golden retriever population is unknown, approximately 44% out of 1600 golden retrievers tested from Australia, France, Switzerland, and the United States were carriers of the mutation and approximately 29% were affected.
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5) Degenerative Myelopathy
Degenerative Myelopathy is an inherited neurologic disorder of dogs. This mutation is found in many breeds of dog, including the golden retriever.  The variable presentation between breeds suggests that there are environmental or other genetic factors responsible for modifying disease expression. The average age of onset is approximately nine years of age. The disease affects the White Matter tissue of the spinal cord and is considered the canine equivalent to ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) found in humans. Affected dogs usually present in adulthood with gradual muscle Atrophy and loss of coordination typically beginning in the hind limbs due to degeneration of the nerves. The condition is not typically painful for the dog, but will progress until the dog is no longer able to walk. The gait of dogs affected with degenerative myelopathy can be difficult to distinguish from the gait of dogs with hip dysplasia, arthritis of other joints of the hind limbs, or intervertebral disc disease. Late in the progression of disease, dogs may lose fecal and urinary continence and the forelimbs may be affected. Affected dogs may fully lose the ability to walk 6 months to 2 years after the onset of symptoms. Affected medium to large breed dogs, such as the golden retriever, can be difficult to manage and owners often elect euthanasia when their dog can no longer support weight in the hind limbs.
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6) NCL (NEURONAL CEROID LIPOFUSCINOSIS)
The neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a class of inherited neurological disorders that have been diagnosed in dogs, humans, cats, sheep, goats, cynomolgus monkeys, cattle, horses, and lovebirds. Among dogs, NCL has been reported in many breeds, including English Setters, Tibetan Terriers, American Bulldogs, Dachshunds, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, Border Collies, Dalmatians, Miniature Schnauzers, Australian Shepherds, Australian Cattle Dogs, Golden Retrievers, and other breeds. NCL is almost always inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.
All of the NCLs have two things in common: pathological degenerative changes occur in the central nervous system, and nerve cells accumulate material that is fluorescent when examined under blue or ultraviolet light. Although neurological signs are always present in canine NCL, these signs vary substantially between breeds and can overlap with signs present in other neurological disorders. Until the gene defect responsible for NCL has been identified for a particular breed, a definitive diagnosis can only be made upon microscopic examination of nervous tissues at necropsy. Fortunately DNA testing is available for Golden Retrievers.
In Golden Retrievers this neurologic disease becomes apparent at approximately 13 months of age.  Often the first sign of disease is a subtle loss of coordination that is more apparent when the dog is excited.   The extent of the incoordination gradually increases.  The dog may begin pacing or circling when 15 months old and seizures often start before 18 months of age.  Visual impairment and behavioral changes also start at that time.  The neurologic deficiencies slowly but relentlessly increase and affected Golden Retrievers are often euthanized due to deteriorating quality of life when 30-to-35 months old.

Many perspective buyers get confused by our contract clause that anyone purchasing a puppy for a performance home will get precedence in puppy selection over a pet home- regardless of waitlist order. We do this for several reasons, and wanted to take a moment to clarify for all below!

Firstly, what the heck IS a performance home? 
A performance home is how we term a placement for a puppy that is intending on actively competing in officially sanctioned dog sports and receives formal recognition and awards of merit for their success. In terms of our interests, this is important to us and our program as it adds both credence and validation to the quality of dogs we aim to produce. As we breed to better our line (as opposed to just producing puppies because we can), these successes of our offspring reflects back on the quality of their parents and substantiates our own endeavors. In terms of those searching for a competitive dog- finding the right puppy for the job is really important to ensure the success of a dog. For this reason, if we have an active competitor looking for their next performance dog, we give their selection needs precedence over a pet home. They will have very specific needs regarding drive, nose work, and temperament.

For those new to the idea of dog sports....
Competing in organized dog sports also does much more than help our program! It benefits the organizations such as AKC and UKC in addition to the sports themselves by continuing to encourage participation. There is nothing quite like actively competing as a dog/handler team in any of these sports and we would hate to see any of them disappear. It's truly a level of partnership that is very special. Participation in these sports is also TREMENDOUSLY rewarding for the dogs! The time and energy spent preparing and then competing offers so much enrichment to them and allows them all to meet their inherent potential while doing what they love to do!

Our line is focused on high retrieval drive while maintaining the high biddability that makes Golden Retrievers so great! We strive to have a high energy dog that also has an "off" switch that allows them to be the classic loveable family pet their breed is known for. While we personally pursue AKC and UKC sanctioned Obedience Trials and Hunt Tests, any dogs from our lines should be expected to excel at these sports as well as any requiring nose work, high drive, and water! (Agility, Dock Diving, Field Trials, Rally, Barn Hunt, etc.)

We really stand behind our dogs an our pups here at KP Golden Retrievers...and it is meant to be of no offense if we take some time before we approve an application for a puppy. We want our pups to go not to just "the best homes"- we want them to go to the best homes for THEM....admittedly we are more concerned with how you will fit into their lives vs how they will fit into yours...and we think that's a good thing ;).  

Puppies in themselves are a LOT of work- and 90% of people are prepared for that when they reach out to us...but one thing that isn't quite general public knowledge is what a "Field Golden" really is. (Spoiler alert- they aren't going to be Air Bud or look exactly like that Westminster Dog Show winner you saw on TV). Because of this- we want this to be the first of our blog education posts! 

First, some background...per AKC's website- (See it yourself here! )
​ "The Golden Retriever, an exuberant Scottish gundog of great beauty, stands among America's most popular dog breeds. They are serious workers at hunting and field work, as guides for the blind, and in search-and-rescue, enjoy obedience and other competitive events, and have an endearing love of life when not at work.....Goldens are outgoing, trustworthy, and eager-to-please family dogs, and relatively easy to train. They take a joyous and playful approach to life and maintain this puppyish behavior into adulthood. These energetic, powerful gundogs enjoy outdoor play. For a breed built to retrieve waterfowl for hours on end, swimming and fetching are natural pastimes." 

As the breed developed and grew in popularity- two separate main traits became very popular. 1) Their working drive and use as a hunting companion.  2) Their beautiful coats and impressive, showy appearance. This is something that often occurs as breeds become established over time. Some times it results in the formation of 2 different breeds, and others (as with Golden Retrievers) you end up with 1 breed but separate breed "types". Both Field type and Show type Golden Retrievers are purebred and make excellent family pets. However, over generations and generations of dogs specifically selected for differing traits- they can be VERY different and require different things to be happy and successful in their homes! Below is a comparison of Field and Show type Golden Retrievers....and while it isn't specifically meant to be pro-field, that's what our program focuses on. Also, always remember the end result of a dog is part Nurture and part Nature- none of the following are hard truths, but they are the general presentation of the 2 types.


1) Purpose

Field Type: Greatest value placed on retrieval drive and willingness to obey a handler at extremely long distances. Elite level tests can have a dog working up to 125 yards (that's 375 FEET) off leash and responsive to handler whistle and physical gestures alone.

Show Type: Bred in consideration of physical appearance and a calm, steady demeanor that benefits standing in place in a busy show ring. Long and full coats, blocky heads, and a little stage presence "pizazz" to catch attention. 
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2) Physical Appearance
​​​​Field Type: Dark rich red is heavily sought for (old wives' tales say they make the best bird dogs- and they really do look stunning in the sunshine). Other colors include dark to light golden (note: Not "English Cream" white). Because breeding focuses on performance and not a specific "look", white markings on the paws/chest/muzzle are not frowned upon and are occasionally seen. This is a natural gene mutation in the breed to cause this. Heads can be square but tend to be more angular, with a gentle "stop" to the nose. Coats are usually thinner, feathering is present but not as robust. Size is generally slightly smaller- with a very slender and athletic build.

Show Type: People seem to always want a "lighter" coat color- with light golden and the "English Cream" variety very popular in recent years. Red is extremely uncommon, as it has not been a popular color with judges. White markings are considered a fault, and while it's no longer accepted practice puppies with white markings were often culled or sterilized to prevent their passing on the related genes (which is why most people don't even realize white markings can naturally occur). These dogs tend to look "big boned" and have the more square head types with a severe "stop" to achieve the traditional blocky shape. Thick undercoat and beautifully thick/long feathering.

3) Personality/Energy Levels

Field Type: Especially if from working lines, these dogs can and will become hyper-focused if their hunting instincts kick in. Retrieving for them is not a game- it's a way of life. These dogs are bred to work outside in tall grasses and shallow marshes/ponds for HOURS. So if they don't get enough exercise they will find other outlets for their energy...and usually they'll be ones you don't appreciate. They are VERY intelligent, and if left to become bored their search for entertainment often turns destructive. Field Goldens are very fast to learn new commands, and do well at remembering what they have been taught (both good and bad things!). While they certainly can be calm and quiet and snuggle, they are also going to have high energy levels. They can be loud, and they can be very "mouthy".

Show Type: Many Show Goldens are very playful, but can lack the amount of energy seen in their Field counterparts. Generally not as mouthy, and much more willing to have some nice long naps. While Field type are still friendly, Show type tend to be more friendly. Both types are generally good with kids, strangers, and other dogs. 

4) Training Considerations/Jobs
According to Dr. Stanley Coren’s book, The Intelligence of Dogs, golden retrievers are the fourth smartest dog breed. If you haven't heard the phrase before- a tired dog is a good dog! The busier and more engaged you keep your pup the better behavior and manners you will get in return- regardless of type or even breed. Remember all dogs have both physical and mental needs. Physical needs are easily met with exercise and games (fetch, tug, dog park dates), and mental needs can be just as easy to meet but are often forgotten. Hide and seek, puzzle bowls, dog classes, frozen kongs, and exposure to new things and places do a great job of engaging the brain in addition to having a "job" to complete.  
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Field Type: These dogs have been bred for generations with a focus on intelligence and drive. If your dog is a field type, you need to prepare for both. These dogs REALLY need a "job" to focus energy on. Hunting? Obedience/Tricks? Agility? Jogging partner? They need something regularly occurring with both a physical and a mental application to be truly content. If not, they WILL turn mischievous and that can quickly become destructive. No sock is safe, shoes will never be in pairs again, we have an older puppy here that has literally CHEWED A HOLE IN THE WALL out of boredom because she was left in what WAS a dog-safe area at home for a short period instead of kenneled....and our dogs DO have jobs! These dogs LIVE for positive reinforcement and love training of any kind.

Show Type: Still very smart dogs- but without the drive and energy level that gets their Field counterparts into trouble. They love to please people and love their treats. Show type can still be very successful in dog sports such as agility or obedience, but tend to not do well with the field trials that Field type were bred for (the drive makes a HUGE difference). Because of their lower energy levels, they can make EXCELLENT therapy and service animals. 


In Conclusion:
Both types of Golden Retrievers are amazing dogs! They are as a breed very loyal, loving, even tempered dogs that love to please. Our aim in this particular blog post is a resource for those who are looking to purchase a puppy  and ensure they understand how very important one word can be in terms of the puppy they are purchasing ("Field" vs "Show"). A field type golden retriever has generations of breeding science behind them to be high energy, high drive, high intelligence-  while a show type has just as much selective breeding behind them to emphasize a very specific physical appearance and lower energy, no concern for drive, and they're amazing dogs so they are still pretty darn smart! Each type will require it's own time and training dependent on the family environment they grow into. There is no room for buyer's remorse with a pet! Fortunately, however, they are such an outstanding breed of dog that every moment of effort spent with them they will return to you tenfold!





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Hi there, we at KPGR hope you all are keeping happy and healthy in these crazy COVID days...again- as nurses we're feeling a bit frustrated and disheartened to see a 4th wave of this...good thing we've got the dogs for some TLC!

In any case- here in our new blog we will be utilizing this space to give important bits of general  education, likely updates, and we will see what else filters in. Our hope is to have a space where we can help both OUR puppy families as well as any potential buyers and even any dog people in general. Feel free always to ask questions or leave your thoughts in the comments -  we will not tolerate any comments we feel are offensive or misleading however and will remove any as we encounter them. Stay tuned for our first true posting to appear later today!

Stay safe all- 
​Kim and Deb