Best Golden Retriever Breeders in Mississippi (2026)

Mississippi is a small market for golden retrievers. The state has roughly 10 breeders worth contacting, not 50, and that scarcity makes the verification step matter even more. A handful of MS programs hold real credentials: AKC Champion Bloodline status, GRCA Outstanding Dam titles, multi-decade program history, full OFA testing on both parents. The rest are family operations, multi-breed Goldendoodle programs, or low-volume hobby kennels that don’t yet meet the bar for a recommended listing.

We researched 10 golden retriever breeders in Mississippi using our 12-criterion evaluation framework: claimed health certifications, AKC and GRCA registries, AKC Champion Bloodline marketplace listings, Good Dog tier badges, Golden Retriever Forum threads, and what we could verify independently. Breeders based outside Mississippi are listed in their home-state directories.

How Do We Evaluate Golden Retriever Breeders in Mississippi?

Every breeder on this list was scored against our 12-criterion framework: 7 Hard Requirements (all must pass for a recommended listing) plus 5 Quality Indicators that determine the star rating. Full methodology in our reputable golden retriever breeder guide.

For this Mississippi research, we checked each breeder against:

• OFA.org for hip, elbow, eye, and cardiac certifications on both parent dogs
• GRCA member directory at grca.org for active national breed-club membership
• AKC Marketplace Mississippi filter for AKC Champion Bloodline badges, Breeder of Merit status, and Bred with H.E.A.R.T.
• Good Dog for verified buyer reviews and health-testing tier badges
• Google Maps for local review scores and review volume
• Golden Retriever Forum threads for community reputation signals (including the long-running USA Ethical Breeder List)
• Atlanta GRC and Sandlapper GRC as cross-state regional GRCA-affiliate options for east MS and Gulf Coast buyers

Research took place in April 2026. Health testing statuses, AKC and GRCA memberships, and litter availability change regularly; always verify directly with each breeder and at ofa.org before purchasing.

We use this verification key throughout the article:

A note on ✅ vs 📋: A 📋 Self-reported rating means we found the claim but could not confirm the specific OFA record. Before you pay a deposit, look up the parent dogs yourself at ofa.org. Any reputable breeder will give you the registered names to search.

Which Golden Retriever Breeders in Mississippi Meet Our Standards?

Ten breeders made this list. The top two get full reviews with complete criteria tables. Breeders three through six get abbreviated profiles with criteria tables. Breeders seven through ten are listed as options worth researching, with specific verification steps noted.

Mississippi’s reputable breeders cluster in five regions: the Gulf Coast (Runnymede in Pass Christian, Tanji River in Picayune), Northwest MS / Delta (Aragon Retrievers in Hernando, on the Memphis line), Northeast MS / Tupelo region (Tupelo Goldens in Tupelo, Long Creek Goldens in Houston, Robert Cliett in Pheba), the Jackson Capital metro (Mary Herring in Raymond, Golden Miracles in Terry), and the Hattiesburg / SE MS corridor (Goode LOVIN’ Retrievers in Lucedale, Kim & Jimmy Schmidt in Tylertown).

1. Runnymede, Pass Christian, MS

📍 Pass Christian, MS (Gulf Coast, ~1 hr east of New Orleans) | 🌐 runnymedekennels.com | Good Dog profile
📅 Breeding and showing golden retrievers since 1973 | Breeder: Elizabeth Smith
📐 16 acres of running meadow, ponds and woods | In-home raised

Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars)

Runnymede is the most credentialed golden retriever breeding program in Mississippi by a wide margin. Elizabeth Smith has been breeding and showing under the Runnymede name since 1973, more than 50 years, on a 16-acre Gulf Coast property in Pass Christian, an hour east of New Orleans. The program has produced over 40 AKC Champions, 5 GRCA Outstanding Dams, 1 Outstanding Sire, a Show Dog Hall of Fame bitch, and multiple group winners.

Five GRCA Outstanding Dam titles is the kind of breeding record you find at top national-level kennels in NY, IL, or CA, not in a small Southern state with no resident GRCA club. Outstanding Dam is awarded only when a dam produces a specified number of titled offspring; producing 5 of them across a program is a generational track record. Health testing is verified through Good Dog’s screening tier covering hips, elbows, CAER eye certification, and OFA cardiac. The program is also one of two historical names that appeared on the GRCA Puppy Referral list for MS in older Golden Retriever Forum threads.

Inquiry routing: Runnymede maintains a contact form at runnymedekennels.com/inquiry and is also listed on Good Dog. Expect waitlist screening, structured questions about your home and lifestyle, and a wait of 6 to 18 months given the program’s small scale.

2. Aragon Retrievers, Hernando, MS

📍 Hernando, MS (DeSoto County, North MS / 30 min south of Memphis TN) | 🌐 aragonretrievers.com | 📞 662-863-4053
📧 [email protected] | Breeder: Cherie Fisher
💰 $3,500–$5,000 per puppy | 💵 $500–$1,000 deposit (refundable until birth)

Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars)

Aragon Retrievers is the most credentialed active conformation program in Mississippi as of April 2026 and the strongest North MS / Memphis-line option. Cherie Fisher’s program operates from Hernando in DeSoto County, about 30 minutes south of Memphis, with breeding stock that includes multiple AKC Champion and Grand Champion-titled dogs. Lola (MBISS GCHG Golden Finale Aragon Drama Queen SDHF) earned a Westminster JAM in 2024, made the GRCA Top 20 in 2024, and was AKC Puppy of the Year in 2021. Ava holds the GRCA Outstanding Dam title (OD).

Health testing is the strongest verifiable claim in MS: OFA hip, elbow, heart, and eye clearances are explicitly required on both sire and dam of every litter, with appnums linked from each dog’s individual page on the site so you can look them up at ofa.org/advanced-search yourself. DNA panels cover PRA1, PRA2, Degenerative Myelopathy, and Ichthyosis. The site references the GRCA Code of Ethics directly in the OFA-clearances FAQ, an unusually transparent positioning for a southern breeder.

Pricing sits at the higher end for MS at $3,500 to $5,000, with deposits of $500 to $1,000 that remain refundable until the puppies are born. All puppies are sold on AKC Limited Registration with a contract enforcing the breeding ban via court action. No service-dog or out-of-country sales.

More Highly Regarded Golden Retriever Breeders in Mississippi

3. Tanji River Goldens, Picayune, MS

📍 Picayune, MS (Pearl River County, southern MS just over the LA line) | 🌐 tanjirivergoldens.com | 📞 (601) 916-2467
📧 [email protected] | Good Dog profile
💰 $500 deposit + $2,250 = $2,750 total (before fees)

Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)

Tanji River Goldens fills the southern MS / Pearl River / LA-border gap and is the most reviewed Good Dog program in the state. Tanji M. has been a Good Dog certified breeder since 2021 from a small farm in Picayune, where dogs live in the home and eat homemade meals. The program emphasizes English Cream lines and has a track record of producing service dogs and therapy dogs, including one Florida-trained police K9 (Hannah, from a 2022 Leanne x Otis litter).

Pricing is transparent: $500 non-refundable deposit and a $2,250 final payment. Pickup is available at the Picayune farm or Gulfport-Biloxi Airport. The DNA panel is strong (Ichthyosis, DM, PRA-prcd, GR-PRA2), but the public OFA tier currently shows hip testing only. Before deposit, ask Tanji for OFA registered names and confirm hip, elbow, eye, and cardiac certifications are current at ofa.org.

4. Long Creek Goldens, Houston, MS

📍 Houston, MS (Chickasaw County, North-Central MS) | 🌐 AKC Marketplace listing
Breeder: James Blissard | AKC Champion Bloodline badge

Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 stars)

Long Creek Goldens is one of three AKC Champion Bloodline breeders concentrated in the Tupelo / North-Central MS region. James Blissard’s program is in Houston, Chickasaw County, halfway between Tupelo and Starkville. The AKC Champion Bloodline badge confirms a champion is documented in the puppies’ three-generation pedigree, but does not by itself prove that hip, elbow, eye, and cardiac clearances are current. Before depositing, ask for the registered AKC names of both parents and verify each at ofa.org.

5. Tupelo Goldens, Tupelo, MS

📍 Tupelo, MS (Lee County, Northeast MS) | 🌐 tupelogoldens.com | 📞 603-661-5485
📧 [email protected] | AKC Marketplace listing

Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 stars)

Tupelo Goldens is a small in-home family program with four AKC-registered, AKC DNA-tested adult goldens (Jazz, Emma, Luna, Sophia). The AKC DNA verification on three of the four is unusual for a hobby program of this size and shows the breeder is engaged with AKC’s parentage system. The site emphasizes that all dogs live inside the family home, which is the right model. The verification gap is OFA: hip, elbow, eye, and cardiac clearances are not posted publicly. Before deposit, ask the breeder for the OFA registered names and search them at ofa.org.

6. Goode LOVIN’ Retrievers, Lucedale, MS

📍 Lucedale, MS (George County, SE MS, between Hattiesburg and Mobile AL) | 🌐 Good Dog profile
Breeder: Chastity G. | 💰 $200 deposit + $400-$600 final payment

Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 stars)

Goode LOVIN’ Retrievers is a small Good Dog certified program in Lucedale, George County, in the SE MS pine belt corridor between Hattiesburg and Mobile, AL. Chastity G. has been on Good Dog since 2021 with parent dogs Goose, Riley, River, and Forrest. The June 2025 verified buyer review is positive on responsiveness and post-sale support.

The pricing structure is the unusual signal here. A $200 deposit plus a $400-$600 final payment puts total cost between $600 and $800, which is well below the $2,500-$3,500 MS average and far below what full OFA hip/elbow/eye/cardiac testing typically requires a breeder to recoup. Before depositing, ask Chastity directly whether OFA hip, elbow, eye (annual ACVO), and cardiac (ACVIM) clearances are current on both planned parents, and request the OFA registered names so you can verify at ofa.org. If clearances are not current, treat this as a starting point only.

7. Robert Cliett, Pheba, MS

📍 Pheba, MS (Clay County, NE MS / between Tupelo and Columbus) | 🌐 AKC Marketplace listing
AKC Champion Bloodline badge | Two active litters as of April 2026

Robert Cliett’s program is in Pheba, Clay County, between Tupelo and Columbus in the NE MS region. The AKC Marketplace listing confirms champion bloodline pedigrees on two active litters (14- and 15-week-old puppies as of April 2026). OFA hip, elbow, eye, and cardiac status is not publicly listed on the marketplace profile. Before depositing, request the registered AKC names of both planned parents and verify clearances at ofa.org/advanced-search. The Pheba location is an option for buyers in Starkville, West Point, and the broader Golden Triangle who want to stay close to Mississippi State University.

8. Mary Herring, Raymond, MS

📍 Raymond, MS (Hinds County, Jackson metro southwest) | 🌐 AKC Marketplace listing
AKC Champion Bloodline badge | Currently no available litters; contact for upcoming

Mary Herring is one of the few AKC-listed golden retriever breeders in the immediate Jackson metro. The Raymond location, just southwest of downtown Jackson off I-20, is convenient for Jackson, Pearl, Brandon, Clinton, and Vicksburg buyers. The AKC Champion Bloodline badge indicates a champion in the three-generation pedigree, but the current marketplace listing does not display OFA cert numbers. With no active litters at our research time, this is a contact-the-breeder option to get on a waitlist. Ask for the registered AKC names of the planned sire and dam plus current OFA hip, elbow, eye, and cardiac records before any deposit.

9. Golden Miracles, Terry, MS

📍 Terry, MS (Hinds County, ~25 min south of Jackson on I-55) | 🌐 goldenmiracles.net | 📞 601-502-5207
📧 [email protected] | Breeder: Nola Curtis
AKC Marketplace listing with AKC Champion Bloodline badge

Golden Miracles is the longest continuously running golden retriever program south of Jackson, founded by Nola Curtis around 2007 and active for ~19 years as of 2026. The site states explicitly: “We don’t breed any dogs until they pass their OFA certification tests” and offers a 2-year health guarantee with replacement clause. The AKC Marketplace listing carries the AKC Champion Bloodline badge.

OFA testing is self-reported, so request the registered AKC names of both planned parents and verify hip, elbow, eye, and cardiac at ofa.org/advanced-search before deposit. Terry is a 25-minute drive south of Jackson on I-55, which makes the program an option for Jackson, Brandon, Pearl, and Hattiesburg-corridor buyers. Golden Miracles also ships and offers personal delivery within Memphis, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Birmingham (3 to 4 hour radius).

10. Kim & Jimmy Schmidt, Tylertown, MS

📍 Tylertown, MS (Walthall County, SW MS near LA line) | 🌐 AKC Marketplace listing
AKC Champion Bloodline badge | Active litter (15-week-old puppies as of April 2026)

Kim and Jimmy Schmidt run a small AKC Champion Bloodline program in Tylertown, southwest MS near the LA line. The AKC Marketplace listing shows an active litter at our research time. Tylertown is roughly two hours southeast of Baton Rouge and 90 minutes southwest of Hattiesburg, which makes the program a usable option for buyers in McComb, Brookhaven, Bogalusa-LA, and Mandeville-LA. As with the other AKC marketplace-only listings, the Champion Bloodline badge documents pedigree but not current OFA testing. Ask for registered AKC names and verify each at ofa.org before depositing.

Honorable Mentions: Community-Vetted Mississippi Breeders

These programs surfaced in our research but did not have enough public verification to score in the top 10. Treat each as a starting point for your own checks.

• White Sand Goldens (near Oxford, MS). 21 years claimed experience with English Goldens; 2-year health guarantee plus microchip and 30-day pet insurance included. Verify OFA records and current MS-resident status directly.
• Southern Charm Goldens (Van Vleet, MS). Chickasaw County program breeding European/English Cream lines since 2004. OFA + DNA testing claims on site; ask for registered names and cert numbers.
• Fairchild Farms & Golden Retriever Kennels (Morton, MS). AKC-registered program on a 20-acre family farm in Scott County. Site last updated March 2024; confirm current activity by phone before deposit.
• McGreger’s Goldens (Pittsboro, MS). Calhoun County English Cream program; DNS errored at our scrape, so check the site directly. DNA panel claims cover HNPK, PRA-PRCD, CNM, DM, and EIC; 12-month eye and 24-month hip warranty.
• Parker’s Golden Retrievers & Doodles (Northern MS, near TN/AR/AL). Multi-breed program (also CKC Goldendoodles); request OFA records and confirm you are selecting from a pure golden retriever litter.
• Rhonda’s Retrievers (Enterprise, MS). A 2020 Golden Retriever Forum thread raised concerns about clearances on some breeding dogs. Verify current OFA status directly before any deposit.
• McDowell Golden Retrievers (MS, location unconfirmed). Facebook-only presence; ask for OFA cert numbers and confirm the breeder’s MS residence.
• Mississippi Golden (Laurel, MS). Facebook-only small SE MS program; treat as a contact-direct option.

We exclude breeders listed only on puppy aggregator sites (PuppySpot, Lancaster Puppies) because they typically do not provide OFA certification numbers. We also reject any out-of-state program that markets to Mississippi via delivery as if it were MS-resident. Summer’s Goldens is based in Wawaka, Indiana, despite its goldenretrieverpuppiesforsale/mississippi landing page, so it belongs in our (forthcoming) Indiana directory. Origins Goldens, Meirzah Golden Retrievers, and Gingerbread Goldens are Tennessee-based and would belong in our Tennessee directory.

Where to Find More Verified Mississippi Breeders?

Mississippi looks different from larger golden retriever states. The GRCA master clubs map at grca.org/about-grca/grca-clubs-map/ does NOT list a state-resident GRCA-affiliated golden retriever club for MS. The state appears only under the Central Region without a resident affiliate, similar to Louisiana and Alabama, the two other Deep South states we have published on.

That structural gap means MS buyers rely on three workarounds:

• AKC Marketplace MS filter. The single most useful clearinghouse for MS, with current AKC Champion Bloodline filters and active litter listings. Search at marketplace.akc.org/puppies/golden-retriever/mississippi.
• Atlanta Golden Retriever Club (AGRC) and Sandlapper GRC. AGRC is the canonical Georgia GRCA affiliate (atlantagoldens.com) and SGRC covers the multi-state SE region (sgrc.org). Neither lists MS-resident members, but their breeder pools are the broadest credentialed pathway within a one-day drive of east MS, the Gulf Coast, and the Memphis corridor. AGRC contact: Nancy Clinchy at [email protected].
• GRCA national directory + Good Dog. Search the GRCA find-a-golden tool for individual MS GRCA members and the Good Dog MS page for vetted programs (Runnymede, Tanji River, Goode LOVIN’).

Cross-check anyone these channels recommend against AKC Champion Bloodline records at AKC Marketplace. At time of our research, Aragon Retrievers holds the deepest current AKC Conformation record of any active MS-resident program, and Runnymede holds the deepest historical record (40+ AKC Champions, 5 GRCA Outstanding Dams).

What Do Golden Retriever Puppies Cost in Mississippi?

Reputable golden retriever breeders in Mississippi typically charge $2,250 to $3,500 per puppy, with top-tier programs reaching $3,500 to $5,000. AKC Conformation Champion lines, full OFA testing, and English Cream import lines sit at the higher end.

“Golden retriever puppies nationally average $1,500 to $3,000 from quality breeders; Southeast pricing trends slightly below the national average for non-import lines and slightly above for English Cream imports and AKC Champion conformation programs.” (Good Dog, 2025 pricing data; Tanji River MS listed at $2,750; Aragon MS listed at $3,500 to $5,000)

If you see a price below $1,500, treat it as a verification challenge rather than an automatic red flag. Full OFA testing, ACVO eye exams, cardiologist evaluations, and DNA testing represent real costs that responsible breeders pass on to buyers. Goode LOVIN’ Retrievers in Lucedale lists $400 to $600 final payments, which is well below what full clearance costs require, so verify each clearance directly before any deposit.

Waitlists of 6 to 12 months are standard for MS programs, sometimes 12 to 18 months for the top two (Runnymede, Aragon). Deposit expectations: Most MS breeders require a $200 to $1,000 non-refundable deposit. Aragon’s deposit is refundable until the litter is born, which is a buyer-friendly term worth comparing across breeders.

Alternative to buying: Golden Retriever Rescue of Mississippi places dogs across the state. For everything else you need to know about this breed before bringing one home, see our complete golden retriever breed guide.

How Do You Verify a Mississippi Golden Retriever Breeder Before Buying?

The OFA database is publicly searchable and free. Five steps before paying a deposit:

1. Ask for the registered AKC name of the sire and dam (the name on registration papers, not the call name).
2. Go to ofa.org and open Advanced Search. Select breed: Golden Retriever.
3. Search each parent. Look for OFA Hip, Elbow, Eye (CAER/ACVO), and Cardiac results.
4. Check the eye exam date. ACVO certifications expire annually; most recent exam should be within 12 months.
5. Check the cardiac examiner. The OFA cardiac entry should show the exam was done by a board-certified ACVIM cardiologist.

Aragon Retrievers makes this trivially easy by linking each dog’s OFA appnum directly from its individual page on the website. If a breeder refuses to give you registered names, or the names return no results, walk away.

Also check the GRCA member directory and the AKC Marketplace MS filter.

What Questions Should You Ask a Mississippi Golden Retriever Breeder?

The right questions separate responsible breeders from those not prepared for scrutiny:

1. Can I have the registered AKC names for both parents to look them up on OFA.org?
2. Was the most recent ACVO eye exam within 12 months, and was the heart exam by a board-certified ACVIM cardiologist?
3. Have both parents been DNA-tested for GR-NCL, prcd-PRA, and Ichthyosis?
4. Can I visit your facility and meet the dam before the litter is born?
5. Do you have a written contract and a take-back policy in writing?
6. How many litters do you produce per year?
7. Are you a GRCA member? Are you AKC Breeder of Merit, Bred with H.E.A.R.T., or AKC Champion Bloodline?
8. Can you provide references from families who purchased in the last 12 months?

For the complete 15-question list with “good answer vs. red flag answer” for each, see our golden retriever breeder evaluation guide.

Looking Nearby?

Mississippi buyers regularly extend their search across state lines, especially in markets like the Gulf Coast (closer to LA than Jackson), DeSoto County (closer to Memphis-TN than Jackson), or Tupelo (closer to AL than Jackson). These directories use the same OFA-first verification framework.

• Golden retriever breeders in Alabama: Birmingham, Huntsville, and Mobile-area kennels are within 2 to 3 hours of east MS and the Gulf Coast
• Golden retriever breeders in Louisiana: Baton Rouge and Mandeville programs are within 1 to 2 hours of SW MS and the Gulf Coast
• Golden retriever breeders in Tennessee: Memphis and Nashville kennels are within 30 minutes (Hernando) to 4 hours of N MS
• Golden retriever breeders in Arkansas: Little Rock and the Memphis-line corridor are within 2 hours of NW MS and the Delta

If a top-pick MS breeder has a closed waitlist, contacting two or three breeders in these neighboring states is usually faster than waiting another year locally.

Frequently Asked Questions About Golden Retriever Breeders in Mississippi

How much does a golden retriever puppy cost in Mississippi?
Reputable MS breeders typically charge $2,250 to $3,500 per puppy. Top-tier AKC Conformation programs like Aragon Retrievers reach $3,500 to $5,000. Prices below $1,500 require careful verification of every health clearance.

Are there any AKC Breeders of Merit in Mississippi for golden retrievers?
At time of our April 2026 research, no MS-resident program publicly displayed an AKC Breeder of Merit banner. Aragon Retrievers and Runnymede both meet or exceed BoM-equivalent standards via active AKC Champion records, multiple GRCA Outstanding Dams (Runnymede 5; Aragon 1), and full OFA-verified clearances. AKC Champion Bloodline (visible on AKC Marketplace listings) is the more common credential for MS programs.

How long is the waitlist for a golden retriever puppy in Mississippi?
Expect 6 to 12 months with most reputable MS programs and 12 to 18 months for Runnymede or Aragon. Programs producing one to two litters per year have more interested families than available puppies, but MS waitlists are generally shorter than New England, California, or Texas.

Does Mississippi have a state-resident GRCA-affiliated club?
No. The GRCA master clubs map does not list a state-resident affiliate for MS. MS appears only under the Central Region without a state club, similar to Louisiana and Alabama. MS buyers use AKC Marketplace + Good Dog + Atlanta GRC + Sandlapper GRC + direct OFA verification as their main rails.

What health tests should a Mississippi golden retriever breeder complete?
At minimum: OFA hip evaluation (both parents, ≥24 months), OFA elbow, ACVO eye certification (annual), and ACVIM cardiologist heart exam. Responsible breeders also test for GR-NCL, prcd-PRA, Ichthyosis, and CMS via DNA panels. Aragon Retrievers documents all four core OFA clearances plus PRA1, PRA2, DM, and Ichthyosis DNA on every breeding dog and links the appnums on each dog’s page.

Who has the longest-running golden retriever program in Mississippi?
Runnymede in Pass Christian was founded by Elizabeth Smith in 1973, more than 50 years of continuous breeding and showing. The program has produced 40+ AKC Champions, 5 GRCA Outstanding Dams, 1 Outstanding Sire, and a Show Dog Hall of Fame bitch.

How do I find a golden retriever rescue in Mississippi?
Golden Retriever Rescue of Mississippi places dogs across the state. For Memphis-corridor and N MS buyers, Mid-South Golden Retriever Rescue covers Memphis TN plus N MS and E AR.