The Golden Retriever is a great dog for anyone who is looking for a high-energy dog that also has an excellent and well-rounded temperament. These qualities have made the Golden Retriever one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States.
When getting a Golden Retriever puppy it is important that you get one from a reputable and ethical source. This means that you will need to do your homework to ensure that a Golden Retriever breeder is reputable and ethical when it comes to breeding their dogs. This helps to preserve the Golden Retriever breed and promotes the breeding of mentally stable and healthy dogs.
When getting a Golden Retriever puppy there may be some other things that prospective owners may want to consider before getting their puppy though. These include things like if they would like a male or female Golden Retriever and if maybe a smaller, Miniature Golden Retriever may be a better fit for their lifestyle.
Luckily, there are many good Golden Retriever breeders to choose from in Illinois. Here is a list of our favorite 15 Golden Retriever breeders in Illinois. Of course, it is still always a good idea to do your own research into a breeder in addition to your own to ensure that the breeder will make a good fit for your needs.
1. Gingerrich Goldens
This Golden Retriever breeder breeds both English Cream and American Golden Retrievers. The dogs all live on the breeder’s large family farm where they receive lots of love and care from the breeder and their family. They also have a lot of room to play and run around outside. To ensure the health of their puppies, most of their adult dogs have received DNA testing and health clearances through the OFA that are recommended for Golden Retrievers.
This breeder also recognizes the importance of socialization when it comes to raising young puppies. As a result, this breeder uses early neurological stimulation techniques from when puppies are 3 to 16 days old. Socialization does not end there though. Puppies continue to be socialized up until they leave for their new homes to ensure that the transition goes smoothly.
Every puppy from Gingerich Goldens will be kept up to date with their deworming and age-appropriate vaccinations. In addition to this, all puppies will be evaluated by a vet before going to their new homes, and new puppy owners will receive their puppy’s health certificate. All puppies go home with a bag of goodies and a 2-year health guarantee as well. When getting a puppy from Gingerich Goldens you know that you are getting a puppy from a family that cares about every one of their dogs deeply, and for this reason, they offer their puppies and their new owners a lifetime of support.
| Name of Owner | Lonnie Gingerich |
| Breeder since | 2012 |
| Address | Sullivan, Illinois |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | 217-259-3442 |
| Website | gingerichgoldens.com |
| Gingerich Goldens |
2. Huntleigh Goldens
This Golden Retriever breeder does not only pride themselves on breeding healthy dogs that have great temperaments, but they also strive to provide their puppies’ new owners with a lifetime of support. This means that the breeder behind Huntleigh Goldens will always be there to answer any questions and address any concerns that you may have about their dogs. Additionally, this breeder also offers a lifetime health guarantee when you purchase one of their puppies.
This breeder also ensures that every one of their dogs is healthy by utilizing a couple of key practices. The first is that this breeder gets their adult dogs all of the genetic testing and health clearances that are recommended by the Golden Retriever Club of America before breeding them. This ensures that all of their puppies will be born as genetically healthy as possible. Of course, their puppies are also seen by a vet and kept up to date with deworming and vaccinations.
This breeder employs Avidog socialization techniques when raising their puppies. In addition to this, every puppy from Huntleigh Goldens is well socialized with children. This breeder is a member of both the Golden Retriever Club of America and the Golden Retriever Club of Greater St Loius.
| Name of Owner | Darleen Harmon |
| Breeder since | 1984 |
| Address | Alhambra, Illinois |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | 618-830-4062 |
| Website | huntleighgoldens.com |
| Huntleigh Golden Retrievers |
3. CamCon’s Golden Acres
This is a relatively small Golden Retriever breeder that has been breeding Golden Retrievers for over 13 years. Due to their small breeding program, this breeder is able to raise their adult dogs and puppies from their family home. Although this breeder mainly breeds purebred Golden Retriever puppies, they have also started breeding a small number of Goldendoodles as well.
Every puppy from CamCon’s Golden Acres is well socialized from an early age and is kept up to date with their vaccinations, deworming, and vet visits. In addition to this, all of their adult dogs come from established pedigrees and have OFA health clearances for their hips and elbows. Puppies are well socialized to family life and the average household, making the transition to their new homes as easy as possible.
| Name of Owner | Jeff Obermeier |
| Breeder since | 2004 |
| Address | Okawville, Illinois |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (618) 314-0849 |
| Website | camconsgoldenacres.com |
| Camcon’s Golden Acres |
4. Westview Wonderland Golden Retrievers
This Golden Retriever breeder cares a lot about the quality of their puppies. As a result, this breeder goes the extra mile to ensure that all of their puppies are healthy, trainable, and have great temperaments. In order to ensure this all of their dogs are ensured to be healthy and have great temperaments along with being carefully bred.
Every dog from Westview Wonderland receives OFA health clearances for the elbows, hips, eyes, and heart. In addition to this, their dogs have also received some genetic testing for conditions that commonly affect the Golden Retriever breed. Of course, puppies are also up to date on their vet visits, vaccinations, and deworming upon going home.
When it comes to socialization puppies from Westview Wonderland receive a lot of it. This breeder’s socialization program starts off with early neurological stimulation and then slowly advances as the puppies mature. This breeder has even created a discovery and enrichment center where puppies are introduced to a variety of objects, smells, and sounds in a safe environment. This instills confidence in the puppy that continues throughout their entire life.
| Address | Hoffman Estates, Illinois |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (847) 401-1856 |
| Website | westviewwonderlandgoldenretrievers.com |
| Westview Wonderland Golden Retrievers |
5. Dream Goldens
This Golden Retriever breeder raises all of their dogs from their home. Here puppies and adult dogs alike receive a lot of love and affection from the breeder and their family. Puppies are also socialized here and are handled daily. In addition to household desensitization and daily handling, puppies are also introduced to grooming and a variety of objects and environments.
This breeder introduced all of their puppies to basic manners training, potty training, and crate training before sending them to their new families. This ensures that they have a smooth transition to their new homes. Of course, puppies are also up to date on their deworming and vaccination before being pitched up, and they are also microchipped and evaluated by a vet.
Every puppy is sold with a two-year health guarantee, and new puppy owners will also receive a puppy starter kit from the breeder along with their new puppy. This puppy starter kit will include a food starter bag, toys, and a leash and collar.
| Name of Owner | Stefanie Haut |
| Breeder since | 2008 |
| Address | Woodstock, Illinois |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (224) 678-8439 |
| Website | dreamgoldens.com |
| Dream Goldens |
6. Goldens Of The Valley
These Golden Retriever breeders run a very small breeding program that focuses on the quality of their dogs rather than quantity. This means that even though they produce fewer litters than many other Golden Retriever breeders, their dogs are sure to have great temperaments and health. Both of their female dogs have been cleared of good genetic health through their parentage, and they have received some genetic testing in order to prevent the passing of genetic conditions onto their offspring as well.
This breeder raises their dogs in their home at all times. This means that this is where puppies are born, raised, and socialized. In addition to this, their dogs remain in their home as family pets when they are not being bred as well. Puppies are all kept up to date on their vaccinations and deworming, and they are seen by a vet before going to their forever families.
| Name of Owner | Jeanne Burg and Nancy Bernier |
| Breeder since | 2018 |
| Address | Cherry Valley, Illinois |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (815) 332-2105 |
| Website | goldensofthevalley.com |
| Goldens of the Valley |
7. Skye’s Golden Pawz Golden Retrievers
This is yet another small Golden Retriever breeder that raises all of their dogs out of their family home. Their puppies are well socialized and desensitized to common household sights, sounds, scents, and environments. Puppies are also kept up to date with their age-appropriate and vet-recommended deworming and vaccinations. In addition to this, every puppy is seen by a vet before going to its new home, and their new owners will receive their puppy’s certificate of health. Puppies are also sold with limited AKC registration and a microchip.
| Breeder since | 2003 |
| Address | Hampshire, Illinois |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | 815-505-1960 |
| Website | skyesgoldenpawz.wixsite.com/mysite |
| Skye’s Golden Pawz Golden Retrievers |
8. Rousey Goldens
This is a small, hobby Golden Retriever breeder that specializes in breeding English Cream Golden Retrievers. When it comes to their breeding program these breeders breed for health first, temperament second, and conformation third. In order to ensure that their dogs are in good health, this breeder gets them OFA health clearances for their hips, elbows, eyes, and heart. Additionally, their dogs also receive genetic testing for selected genetic conditions that commonly affect Golden Retrievers.
Puppies are always kept healthy and are seen by a vet before going home. Similarly, all puppies are kept up to date on their deworming and vaccinations, and they are also microchipped. Puppies are also sold with a one-year health guarantee. When it comes to socialization, every puppy receives an extensive amount from birth. This starts with early neurological stimulation and advances as the puppies age. Every one of the dogs from this breeder is kept and raised in the breeder’s house where they receive a ton of love and attention.
| Name of Owner | The Rousey Family |
| Address | Heyworth, Illinois |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | 309-212-4020 |
| Website | rouseygoldens.com |
| Rousey Goldens |
9. Blackwood Acres Kennels
The Golden Retriever breeder behind Blackwood Acres Kennels raises their dogs in a state-of-the-art breeding facility where they have plenty of room to expose their puppies to a variety of environments and stimuli using the badass breeder puppy curriculum. Every puppy also receives early neurological stimulation from 3 to 16 days of age. The breeder also gets to know each of their puppies very well, which proves to be useful when pairing puppies up with their new families.
In order to ensure that their lines are healthy, this Golden Retriever breeder gets all of their breeding dogs the basic, breed recommended health testing when it becomes age-appropriate for them. In addition to this, all of their puppies are kept healthy and up to date on their vet visits, deworming, and vaccinations as well. Puppies and adult dogs are also given the recommended amount of exercise and are fed a healthy and balanced diet.
In addition to early neurological stimulation and an extensive amount of socialization, puppies are also handled daily to get them used to people. The basis of this breeder’s socialization program is to empower their dogs, not enable them. Puppies are also introduced to some potty training before going to their forever home as well.
| Name of Owner | Jessica Miller |
| Breeder since | 2020 |
| Address | Argenta, Illinois |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (217) 294-2577 |
| Website | blackwoodacreskennels.com |
| Blackwood Acres Kennels |
10. Hakman’s Golden Retrievers
This Golden Retriever breeder raises their dogs in their family home, and they are first and foremost their companions and family pets. Along with living in the breeder’s home these lucky dogs also have plenty of space to run, play, and explore. Their adult dogs and puppies alike are all seen by a vet regularly and are kept up to date with their vaccinations. In addition to this, puppies are kept up to date with their deworming as well.
This breeder is a member of the Golden Retriever Club of America, and they follow their code of ethics when it comes to breeding their Golden Retrievers and raising their puppies. All of the adult dogs at Hackman’s Golden Retrievers are OFA tested for their hips, elbows, heart, and eyes. In addition to this, their dogs also receive an Embark genetic panel. The only exception to this is a couple of their older females who both have proven litters.
| Name of Owner | Dana Hackman |
| Breeder since | 2018 |
| Address | Mason, Illinois |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (217) 821-0070 |
| Website | hakmansgoldenretrievers.com |
| Hakman’s Golden Retrievers – Illinois |
11. Kelakye Golden Retrievers
This Golden Retriever breeder is a member of both the Golden Retriever Club of America and the Golden Retriever Club of Illinois. They are dedicated to preserving the Golden Retriever breed by breeding healthy dogs that also have great temperaments and conformation. These breeders raise and socialize their puppies out of their home, where puppies receive as much socialization as possible.
As the puppies get older, their temperament is tested in order to pair them up with the best family possible. All puppies are sold with limited AKC registration and a written health guarantee that covers genetic conditions. All puppies from this breeder are evaluated by a vet and are kept up to date with their vaccinations and deworming. Additionally, all of their adult dogs have been OFA tested for their hips, elbows, eyes, and heart and have received genetic testing for conditions commonly affecting the Golden Retriever breed.
| Name of Owner | Beth Gerdes |
| Breeder since | 1991 |
| Address | Chenoa, Illinois |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | 309-310-3330 |
| Website | kelakyegoldens.com |
12. Sievers Kennels
The breeder behind Sievers kennels breeds both Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, and they selectively breed dogs that only have the best health, temperament, and trainability. Their dogs are all kept, born, and raised on the breeder’s large family farm. Here the breeder’s entire family gets involved with the breeding and puppy raising process. Puppies from Sievers Kennels are all well socialized from an early age and are introduced to a variety of people, including children.
In order to ensure their puppies’ health, all of their adult dogs have all of the breed recommended health clearances. Of course, puppies are also seen by a vet before going to their new homes and are kept up to date with their age-appropriate deworming and vaccinations. All puppies are sold with a one-year health guarantee.
| Name of Owner | Gary and Regina Sievers |
| Breeder since | 1982 |
| Address | Brussels, Illinois |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (618) 883-2137 |
| Website | sieverskennels.com |
13. Carriage Hill Goldens
This is a small hobby Golden Retriever breeder that raises their puppies and adult dogs inside of their home. Here puppies are socialized to household sights, sounds, smells, and environments. Puppies are also all seen by a vet, have their dewclaws removed, and are kept up to date with their deworming and vaccinations. This breeder gets to know their puppies well and carefully matches their puppies up with their new owners.
In order to ensure that their dogs are genetically healthy, this breeder gets all of their adult dogs’ OFA health testing for the eyes, elbows, hips, and heart. Puppies are also sold with a three-year health guarantee that covers select genetic conditions. Every puppy from this breeder is sold with limited AKC registration and a spay/neuter contract.
| Name of Owner | Margie Hansen |
| Address | Ozark, Illinois |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | 618-751-1797 |
| Website | carriagehillgoldens.com/index.html |
| Carriage Hill Goldens |
14. Hearts Of Gold
This is yet another small Golden Retriever breeder that focuses on selectively breeding healthy dogs that are also trainable, beautiful, and have great temperaments. This breeder combines show lines and field lines to create a well-rounded and great family dog. All of their puppies are sold up to date on their deworming, vaccinations, and vet visits. Puppies are also all sold with limited AKC registration.
| Name of Owner | Pamela Edwards |
| Breeder since | 1993 |
| Address | Sycamore, Illinois |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | 815-751-7674 |
| Website | heartsofgold-edwards.com |
15. Golden Paw Pups LLC
This is a small and relatively new Golden Retriever breeder that raises and socializes their puppies from their family home. Here the whole family gets involved in the puppy raising process, and all of the puppies from Golden Paw Pups are well socialized with children as a result. In addition to this, all puppies are seen by a vet and are kept up to date with vaccinations and deworming before going to their new homes. Every puppy is sold with a written health guarantee that covers genetic conditions.
| Name of Owner | Erica Haak |
| Breeder since | 2021 |
| Address | Lebanon, Illinois |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | 618-698-4928 |
| Website | goldenpawpups.com, |
Golden Retriever Breeders in The Other States Near Illinois
- Best Golden Retriever Breeders in Wisconsin (WI)
- Best Golden Retriever Breeders in Michigan (MI)
- Best Golden Retriever Breeders in Indiana (IN)
- Best Golden Retriever Breeders in Kentucky (KY)
- Best Golden Retriever Breeders in Iowa (IA)
- Best Golden Retriever Breeders In Missouri (MO)
- Reputable Golden Retrievers in The USA (by State)
Golden Retriever Resources and Tips
We provide all the necessary information on everything about Golden Retriever breed profile, and what would be needed in raising a Golden Retriever puppy. You also get to learn in detail, the 5 stages of Golden Retriever Puppy Growth (from baby to adult), and what to expect with your pup in each stage of its growth.
- Types of Golden Retrievers: Decoding Their Colors and Patterns
- How Long Do Golden Retrievers Live?
- Full Breakdown Cost to Buy and Raise A Golden Retriever
- 6-Week-Old Golden Retriever: Developmental Milestones to Expect
- 8-Week-Old Golden Retriever: Growth, Developmental and Behavioral Expectations
- 3-Month-Old Golden Retriever: Training, Feeding, Sleeping
- 4-Month-Old Golden Retriever: Training, Feeding, and Behaviors
- 5-Month-Old Golden Retriever: Behaviors, Feeding, and Training
- 6-Month-Old Golden Retriever: What to Expect from Canine Adolescence
- 7-Month-Old Golden Retriever: Full-Blown Adolescence
- 8-Month-Old Golden Retriever: Behavior, Training and Development
- 23 Essential Things to Buy for Your New Golden Retriever Puppy
- Complete Beginner’s Guide to Train Your Golden Retriever Puppy
- Golden Retriever Common Health Issues: Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention
Other Dog Breeds:
- Golden Retriever Vs. Labrador Retriever: Complete Comparison
- Top 10 Best Labrador Retriever Breeders in Illinois (IL)
- Golden Retriever Vs Goldendoodle: Differences in Temperament, Trainability, Intelligence
- Top 10 Best Goldendoodle Breeders in Illinois (IL)
Final Thoughts
There are many great Golden Retriever breeders in Illinois, and our above list of 15 Golden Retriever breeders in the state is a great place to start your breeder search. Of course, it is always a good idea to do your own research to ensure that a breeder is reputable and ethical before getting a puppy from them, and it is also important that you feel comfortable doing business with them as well. Any good dog breeder will welcome things like questions and interviews, so reaching out to them directly about their breeding program is always a great idea.
Contents
- 1. Gingerrich Goldens
- 2. Huntleigh Goldens
- 3. CamCon’s Golden Acres
- 4. Westview Wonderland Golden Retrievers
- 5. Dream Goldens
- 6. Goldens Of The Valley
- 7. Skye’s Golden Pawz Golden Retrievers
- 8. Rousey Goldens
- 9. Blackwood Acres Kennels
- 10. Hakman’s Golden Retrievers
- 11. Kelakye Golden Retrievers
- 12. Sievers Kennels
- 13. Carriage Hill Goldens
- 14. Hearts Of Gold
- 15. Golden Paw Pups LLC
- Golden Retriever Breeders in The Other States Near Illinois
- Golden Retriever Resources and Tips
- Final Thoughts
