Hello
My partner and I are looking for a Golden Retriever to join our family and this site was recommended on some of the Facebook pages. I find the heath tests really useful as so many breeder don’t list this on other sites. It looks like puppy’s don’t come up very often and when they do they are reserved quickly.  I’ve read that some people are waiting for up to a year.  I’ve messaged all of the breeders in my local area through the KC assured breeders list and two have gotten back to me that their next litters aren’t planned for another year to 18 months. I’m glad that they aren’t overbreeding but it feels like I’ve been waiting so long for a dog and another year or two seems like a big wait. I’m thinking of contacting some of the local breeders via this site too where the names are different. 
I saw a litter pop up on here the other day and I did contact them and the list quickly updated to all reserved. We didn’t hear anything so I assume we’re not on the list and that it is the norm to not hear anything.  When you’re getting hundreds of emails you aren’t going to respond to everyone so I do understand that but how do I know if I’m saying the right things when I contact a breeder?  I’ve been telling them all about us and our lifestyle, work and existing pets (cats) but I don’t know if that’s right or if its too much information and I should just be sending a short I’m interested message and then let them ask about us if they want to know anything.
Any other tips for finding a breeder and advice on how we should present ourselves to potentially get on to waiting list would be appreciated.
It may be that in a few months time if there’s a surge in GR being rehomed we look at rescues but I’m a little reluctant because of our existing pets they would need to have been cat tested.

I would say you are right in letting breeders know your circumstances, but dont make your email too long. At the moment breeders are receiving lots of requests for puppies, far more then normal. Also as I expect you are aware, many breeders have put their plans on hold due to the virus.
Normally the list of GR pups available is at least two pages if not three, now there is hardly any.

Contact breeders you like the look of and ask when they plan to have puppies. You could also ask if they have any recommendations for other breeders which is what I did if the breeder wasn’t planning a litter that year.

Good luck. It’s very difficult to find well bred puppies of any breed at the moment

Thank you. I’m glad it sounds like what I’m saying is along the right lines but maybe I’ll try to shorten it a bit. Everyone’s at home doing puppy mad, I promise that’s not us.  We’ve been wanting a dog for a few years but having cats and being in a flat it just didn’t seem fair but going in to a house with a garden and knowing the cats would have space away if they wanted means it’s finally possible for us, as and when we can find the right pup.