Hi, I'm looking for a golden retriever puppy.  I would prefer a darker colour and would like to know if this is common.  Also if you know of any such dogs that are expected and would be ready for collection in January.  Thanks for any help!!

You don't say where you live, but if you go to http://www.thegoldenretrieverclub.co.uk/ you can find details of all the local GR clubs, who can advice you of breeders. Puppies should be from parents hip scored (breed average 19) eye tested and elbow scored. Some breeders tend to have mainly paler dogs, others have darker ones -it's a question of asking around. All mine are dark so they can be found. :) You may well have to wait though, I waited 18 months for one of mine but it is well worth it to get a wellreared, healthy pup that will then be with you for the next 12-15 years. Don't be tempted to buy from somebody not recommended by a breed club as chances are you will end up with a less wellreared pup with potential health problems. Hip scoring with good results of both parents is ESSENTIAL.

Lots of good advice already given so I won't add more :).  As Goldmali says you just have to be patient.  We got ours 4 months ago from a breeder we found via the Kennel Club website, we also phoned all our local GR clubs who have lists of breeders with puppies available.  You need to get phone numbers of the breeders and just start ringing round I must have made about 30-40 phone calls (we were looking for Labs or GRs) before we found the one we actually got the puppy from.  When you find one you also have to be quick as they go *very* quickly!!

You may have to travel a little to get a puppy we managed to find a breeder in Canterbury which is about 50 miles from where we live.