Best Golden Retriever Breeders in West Virginia (2026)

Finding the right golden retriever breeder in West Virginia is harder than in most states, not because the breeders aren’t out there, but because the state’s golden retriever market is small and most online lists pad their numbers with kennels that aren’t actually based in WV. The fix is a 30-second check at ofa.org for the parent dogs’ health certifications, the same check that separates a responsible program from a gamble on your future dog’s health.

We researched 10 golden retriever breeders in West Virginia using our 12-criterion evaluation framework: claimed health certifications, Appalachian GRC of WV referral status, Google and Good Dog ratings, community forums, and what we could verify independently. Breeders based outside West Virginia are listed in their home-state directories. See our Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Kentucky guides for breeders that border WV but operate from neighboring states.

How Do We Evaluate Golden Retriever Breeders in West Virginia?

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 West Virginia 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 breed club membership
• Appalachian Golden Retriever Club of West Virginia (AGRCWV) puppy referral page at agrcwv.org for state-affiliated club members
• AKC Marketplace for Breeder of Merit and Bred with H.E.A.R.T. status
• Good Dog for verified buyer reviews and health documentation
• Google Maps for local review scores and review volume
• Golden Retriever Forum threads for community reputation signals
• Cross-state regional GRC affiliates (Potomac Valley GRC for Eastern Panhandle WV, Greater Cincinnati GRC for SW WV)

Research took place in April 2026. Health testing statuses, 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.

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Which Golden Retriever Breeders in West Virginia Meet Our Standards?

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

1. Pine Mountain Goldens, Hurricane, WV

📍 Hurricane, WV (Putnam County) | 🌐 facebook.com/PineMountainGoldens | 📞 (304) 722-2767

👤 Owner: Marta Spry | 📧 [email protected] | 📅 Listed on AGRCWV puppy referral

Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)

Marta Spry runs Pine Mountain Goldens out of Hurricane in the Kanawha Valley, southwest of Charleston. The kennel sits on the Appalachian Golden Retriever Club of West Virginia’s puppy referral page, which is the single highest-confidence WV golden retriever credential we could verify because AGRCWV referral inclusion is gated on GRCA Code of Ethics adherence. Pine Mountain also appears on the Golden Retriever Forum’s USA Ethical Breeder list under “Conformation,” an independent third-party signal generated from buyers who routinely follow GRCA’s ethical standards.

Pine Mountain runs as a small-volume program. Public web presence is mostly Facebook plus the AGRCWV referral listing. When you contact Marta, ask for the registered AKC names of both current breeding dogs so you can verify each parent’s hip, elbow, eye, and cardiac records yourself at ofa.org. A program with this credentialing will give you the names without hesitation.

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2. Labradorite Kennels, Charleston, WV

📍 Charleston, WV (Kanawha County) | 🌐 labradoritekennels.com | 📞 (304) 342-8972

👤 Owners: Cheyenne Shaffer and Leslie Racine | 📧 [email protected] | 📅 Listed on AGRCWV puppy referral

Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)

Labradorite Kennels in Charleston is the only Charleston-proper golden retriever program on the AGRCWV puppy referral list. Cheyenne Shaffer and Leslie Racine run a conformation-focused program that also breeds Papillons. Leslie Racine works as a professional dog handler through Riverview Handling LLC, an active presence in the show ring across the mid-Atlantic and southeast.

The website is older-style and short on detail, which is common for handler-led programs that work primarily through the show network and club referrals. Ask for the registered AKC names of both current golden retriever breeding dogs and verify each at ofa.org. Confirm DNA panel results for GR-NCL, prcd-PRA, and Ichthyosis before depositing, because the site does not document these.

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3. Starrise Goldens, Morgantown, WV

📍 Morgantown, WV (Monongalia County) | 🌐 starrisegoldens.com | 📞 (304) 599-0035

👤 Owner: Elaine Kandzari | 📧 [email protected] | 📅 Listed on AGRCWV puppy referral

Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)

Elaine Kandzari runs Starrise Goldens out of Morgantown, a 30-minute drive from the Pennsylvania line. Starrise sits on the AGRCWV puppy referral page and on the Golden Retriever Forum’s USA Ethical Breeder list under “Conformation,” and Starrise pedigrees are visible on K9data, the public golden retriever pedigree database. That combination is the strongest cross-source signal we can document for a Morgantown-area program in 2026.

The Starrise website is currently minimal. The K9data pedigree trail is the most useful public document; pull the registered AKC names of recent Starrise dogs from K9data, confirm them with Elaine, then look each one up at ofa.org. A small-volume Morgantown program with a multi-decade pedigree record will give you that information directly.

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More Highly Regarded Golden Retriever Breeders in West Virginia

4. Belle Terre Golden Retrievers, Bluefield, WV

📍 Bluefield, WV (Mercer County) | 🌐 belleterregoldens.com

👤 Owner: Marsha Fuzia | 📅 40+ years owning, training, and competing with Goldens

Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)

Marsha Fuzia runs Belle Terre Golden Retrievers from 2115 Fulton Street in Bluefield, in West Virginia’s southern panhandle. Belle Terre is the most explicitly health-credentialed golden retriever program on this list: the website states all four OFA clearances (hip, elbow, cardiac, annual eye exam) plus DNA clearance for prcd/PRA and ichthyosis, with an explicit GRCA Code of Ethics commitment.

Marsha has 40+ years of golden retriever ownership and competition, and Belle Terre dogs hold titles in obedience, rally, tracking, field, and scent work. That breadth signals a multi-purpose preservation breeder, the GRCA’s preferred model. Ask for the OFA cert numbers on the current sire and dam and verify each at ofa.org. Belle Terre’s claims align with what an AGRCWV-tier credentialing pattern looks like, and the cross-references back to GRCA Code of Ethics make this one of WV’s stronger documented programs.

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5. Goldens at Maple Valley Farm, Shenandoah Junction, WV

📍 Shenandoah Junction, WV (Jefferson County, Eastern Panhandle) | 🌐 maplevalleyfarmllc.com

👤 Owners: Bink and Anna | 📞 301.514.6453 | 💰 $3,200 per Golden Retriever puppy

Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)

Bink and Anna run Goldens at Maple Valley Farm on a 47-acre property in Shenandoah Junction, in WV’s Eastern Panhandle. The farm is a 90-minute drive from DC and a 30-minute drive from Frederick, MD. The program runs both AKC Golden Retrievers and GANA Goldendoodles in parallel, with $3,200 transparent pricing on the goldens, a 2-year warranty, and explicit waitlist visibility on the site.

The dual-program model is the main thing to ask about. GANA Gold Level is a Goldendoodle credential, not a Golden Retriever credential. Ask Bink and Anna for the registered AKC names of the specific golden retriever sire and dam, then verify hip, elbow, eye, and cardiac records yourself at ofa.org. Confirm whether the cardiac exam was performed by an ACVIM specialist. With those answered, Maple Valley is the strongest verified Eastern Panhandle option for buyers who don’t want to drive into MD or VA.

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6. Princeton Golden Retrievers, Princeton, WV

📍 Princeton, WV (Mercer County) | 🌐 princetongoldens.com | 📞 (304) 320-8410

👤 Owners: Terry and Teresa Ratcliff | 📧 [email protected] | 📅 20+ years

Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 stars)

Terry and Teresa Ratcliff run Princeton Golden Retrievers from a small mountain overlooking Princeton in southern West Virginia. They have been breeding for 20+ years and produce one to two litters per year. The site references National and International Champion bloodlines including CH Westben Striking Resemblance and Multi Ch Erinderry King, the kind of pedigree depth that signals serious show-line foundation work.

The reason this gets three stars rather than four: the website displays a generic “Health Tested Parents” seal but does not post specific OFA cert numbers (hip, elbow, eye, cardiac) for the current sire and dam. Ask Terry and Teresa for the registered AKC names of both parents and verify each yourself at ofa.org. A 20-year program with champion-line foundation should produce those names without friction.

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7. Sickler Farm Retrievers, Moatsville, WV

📍 Moatsville, WV (Barbour County, North Central WV) | 🌐 sicklerfarm.com/goldenretrievers | 📞 (304) 457-6615

👤 Owner: Lisa (Sickler family) | 📧 [email protected] | 📅 140-acre family farm

Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 stars)

Lisa runs Sickler Farm Retrievers and Doodles on a 140-acre family farm in Moatsville, in WV’s North Central region. The farm runs both Golden Retrievers and Goldendoodles, alongside grass-fed beef and pastured pork operations. AKC Marketplace lists the program, and the site names four current breeding females (Candy, Zoar, Dot, Sissy).

The site states comprehensive hip, elbow, and eye testing, but cardiac examiner credentials are not specifically called out. Ask Lisa whether the heart exam on each breeding dog was performed by an ACVIM-board-certified cardiologist (the OFA standard) versus a general practitioner. Then ask for the registered AKC names on the specific sire and dam and verify each at ofa.org.

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Worth Researching: Three More West Virginia Programs

These three programs surface in WV breeder searches but require more direct verification before they earn a top-tier listing. We include them with explicit ask-first criteria so you can vet them yourself.

8. Sunstriders Kennel, White Sulphur Springs, WV

📍 White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986 (Greenbrier County) | 🌐 sunstriderskennels.com

👤 Owner: Christine Favata | 📅 AKC Marketplace breeder listing

Christine Favata runs Sunstriders Kennel from 17748 Pocahontas Trail in White Sulphur Springs, in WV’s Greenbrier Valley. The program is AKC Marketplace listed (Breeder ID 157511) and family-owned. Sunstriders breeds Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Poodles, with multiple coat colors offered on the goldens (dark golden, gold, cream).

The multi-breed model and the absence of public OFA cert details are the two open questions. Before depositing, ask Christine for: (1) the registered AKC names of the specific golden retriever sire and dam, (2) hip, elbow, eye, and cardiac OFA cert numbers, (3) DNA panel results for GR-NCL and prcd-PRA. AKC Marketplace listing is not equivalent to AKC Breeder of Merit; verify health records yourself.

9. Deer Creek Goldens, North Central WV

📍 North Central WV | 🌐 deercreekgoldenswv.com | 📞 (304) 625-1301

👤 Owner: Melissa | 📧 [email protected] | 📅 20+ years

Deer Creek Goldens runs from a North Central WV cattle farm. Melissa has been breeding for 20+ years and uses Paw Print Genetics or Embark for DNA panels. The site’s most important honest disclosure: the breeder is “currently working on having all of their dogs’ hips and elbows cleared by either PennHip or OFA.” That tells you hip and elbow clearance is in progress, not complete on every breeding dog.

The implication is concrete: ask Melissa which specific sire and dam pair currently has full OFA hip + elbow + eye + cardiac clearance and base your deposit on a litter from a fully cleared pairing. Don’t deposit on a litter where the orthopedic work is “in progress.” The DNA panel transparency is a positive signal; the orthopedic gap is the open question to close.

10. Newman Goldens, Fairdale, WV

📍 Fairdale, WV 25839 (Raleigh County) | 🌐 newmangoldens.com | 📞 (304) 712-6029

👤 Owner: James Newman

James Newman runs Newman Goldens from Fairdale in Raleigh County. The program is AKC-registered and breeds both American and English Cream golden retriever lines, with stud service available. The website includes a written purchase guide.

The website does not detail OFA hip/elbow/eye/cardiac testing, DNA panels, GRCA membership, or whether the cardiac exam was performed by a board-certified ACVIM cardiologist. Treat Newman as a starting point only. Ask for the registered AKC names of both parents, verify each at ofa.org for hip, elbow, eye, and cardiac records, and ask whether the dogs are tested for GR-NCL and prcd-PRA. “English Cream” is a marketing distinction, not a separate breed: the AKC and GRCA recognize one Golden Retriever standard.

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Honorable Mentions: Community-Vetted West Virginia Breeders

These programs surface in AGRCWV records and Golden Retriever Forum threads but did not generate enough public-record signal to anchor a full criteria table. Treat all as starting points for your own verification.

• Paradocs Goldens. Ann Hubbs, Morgantown, WV. Listed on the Golden Retriever Forum USA Ethical Breeder list under “Conformation.” Ann Hubbs co-authored GRCA’s published health and genetics article on Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis in Golden Retrievers, a strong credentialing signal. Limited public web presence; contact through AGRCWV referral channel or via the GRCA member directory.
• Marygold Pines. Joan, West Virginia. Long-running program with positive temperament references on Golden Retriever Forum threads. K9data records suggest hip clearance is more reliably present than full four-clearance documentation, and the champion lines referenced are 3rd/4th generation under others’ suffixes. Verify current breeding activity directly before considering.
• Maplewood Kennel. Sam and Rhonda, Albright, WV (Preston County). 26+ years operating; AKC Marketplace listed. Multi-breed kennel (Goldens, Yorkies, smooth and long-coat Chihuahuas, English Setters); that breadth is inconsistent with our preservation-breeder criteria, so we exclude from the main list. If you contact, ask for OFA cert numbers on the specific golden litter’s parents.
• Valley Run Farm Dogs. Elkview, WV (8861 Wills Creek Rd., 25071). AKC-registered; multi-breed (Goldens + Labradors + Cavalier King Charles Spaniels). Notes inspections by AKC and local humane office. Site does not detail OFA testing; excluded from main list pending confirmation.

We exclude breeders listed only on puppy aggregator sites (Lancaster Puppies, Greenfield Puppies, PuppyHero, MyGoldenRetrieverPuppies) because they typically do not provide OFA certification numbers and their platform screening standards are lower than what we require.

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Where to Find More Verified West Virginia Breeders?

If our 10 picks don’t fit your timeline or location, the canonical state pathway is the Appalachian Golden Retriever Club of West Virginia, plus two cross-state regional GRCA-affiliated clubs that cover WV’s eastern and southwestern borders. Affiliate clubs typically require members to provide proof of OFA hip + elbow + heart + eye clearances on both sire and dam, which means anyone surfaced through these channels is by definition highly credentialed.

• Appalachian Golden Retriever Club of West Virginia (AGRCWV). AKC club_id 6780, AKC-listed home: Charleston WV. Club’s own coverage statement: “Serving the West Virginia and Southeastern Ohio Regions.” The puppy referral page at agrcwv.org lists current member breeders with available litters or stud services, and the club follows GRCA’s Code of Ethics. Specialty events held at Mylan Park (Morgantown WV) and Washington County Fairgrounds (Marietta OH).
• Potomac Valley Golden Retriever Club (PVGRC). Founded 1968. Covers MD/VA/DC/PA, with heaviest member concentration in MD/VA. Functions as a strong cross-state pathway for Eastern Panhandle WV buyers (Berkeley/Jefferson counties, Martinsburg/Charles Town/Harpers Ferry are within 1-1.5 hours of PVGRC’s MD member concentration). Site: pvgrc.org.
• Greater Cincinnati Golden Retriever Club (GCGRC). Cincinnati metro club, GRCA-affiliated. Functions as a cross-state pathway for SW WV buyers in Cabell County / Huntington (~2 hours from Cincinnati). Site: gcgrc.com.

You can also cross-check anyone they recommend against the AKC Breeder of Merit registry and the GRCA national directory at grca.org/find-a-golden/.

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What Do Golden Retriever Puppies Cost in West Virginia?

Reputable golden retriever breeders in West Virginia typically charge $2,000 to $3,500 per puppy. Eastern Panhandle WV breeders (Maple Valley Farm at $3,200) sit at the higher end because the Capital region demand drives pricing upward, while southern and central WV programs sit in the lower-middle of that band.

“Golden retriever puppies nationally average $1,500 to $3,000 from quality breeders; Appalachian-region pricing typically tracks below the mid-Atlantic average due to lower local cost of living, except in WV’s Eastern Panhandle where DC-region demand pulls pricing upward.” (Good Dog, 2025 pricing data)

If you see a price below $1,500, treat it as a red flag. Full OFA testing, ACVO eye exams, cardiologist evaluations, and DNA testing represent real costs that responsible breeders pass on to buyers.

Waitlists of 6 to 18 months are standard. The top WV programs produce one to two litters per year and have more applicants than puppies. Apply to multiple breeders if you want a dog within a year. Deposit expectations: Most breeders require a non-refundable $200 to $500 deposit. Ask about their deposit refund policy before paying.

Alternative to buying: Golden Retriever Rescue Education and Training (GRREAT) places dogs across MD, DC, Northern VA, and parts of Eastern Panhandle WV. Almost Home Dog Rescue and several WV-based all-breed rescues also place goldens periodically. For everything else you need to know about this breed before bringing one home, see our complete golden retriever breed guide.

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How Do You Verify a West Virginia 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; the 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.

If a breeder refuses to give you registered names, or the names return no results, walk away.

Also check the GRCA member directory, the AGRCWV puppy referral at agrcwv.org, and the AKC Breeder of Merit registry.

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What Questions Should You Ask a West Virginia 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. When was the dam’s most recent ACVO eye exam? Is it within 12 months?
3. Was the heart exam performed by a board-certified ACVIM cardiologist?
4. Have both parents been DNA-tested for GR-NCL, prcd-PRA, and Ichthyosis?
5. Can I visit your facility and meet the dam before the litter is born?
6. Do you have a written contract I can read before committing?
7. What is your take-back policy if I can no longer keep the dog?
8. How many litters do you produce per year?
9. Are you a member of GRCA, AGRCWV, or a regional GRC affiliate (Potomac Valley GRC for EPWV, Greater Cincinnati GRC for SW WV)?
10. 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.

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Looking Nearby?

WV buyers regularly extend their search across state lines because the local pool is small and waitlists run 6 to 18 months. These directories use the same OFA-first verification framework.

• Golden retriever breeders in Virginia: Northern Virginia is 1-1.5 hours from WV’s Eastern Panhandle; Potomac Valley GRC covers both. SW Virginia is 1-2 hours from Bluefield/Princeton WV.
• Golden retriever breeders in Maryland: Western Maryland (Garrett County, Frederick) is 30-90 minutes from WV’s Eastern Panhandle and the North Central region.
• Golden retriever breeders in Pennsylvania: Southwestern PA is 30-60 minutes from Morgantown WV; many PA breeders are accessible day-trip drives for Northern WV buyers.
• Golden retriever breeders in Ohio: Southeastern Ohio (Marietta, Athens, Pomeroy) shares AGRCWV-region coverage; the Cincinnati metro is 2 hours from Huntington WV.
• Golden retriever breeders in Kentucky: Northern KY borders SW WV at the Big Sandy River; a realistic 2-3 hour drive from Huntington/Charleston for buyers willing to extend the search.

If a top-pick WV breeder is closed to new buyers, contacting two or three breeders in these neighboring states is usually faster than waiting another year locally.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Golden Retriever Breeders in West Virginia

How much does a golden retriever puppy cost in West Virginia?

Reputable WV breeders typically charge $2,000 to $3,500 per puppy. Eastern Panhandle WV programs (Maple Valley Farm) sit at the higher end because of DC-region demand. Southern and central WV programs (Belle Terre, Princeton, Sunstriders) sit in the lower-middle of that band. Prices below $1,500 are a red flag.

Does West Virginia have a GRCA-affiliated golden retriever club?

Yes. The Appalachian Golden Retriever Club of West Virginia (AGRCWV, agrcwv.org, AKC club_id 6780) is the state-resident affiliate. It is AKC-listed in Charleston WV and serves the West Virginia and Southeastern Ohio regions. The club’s puppy referral page lists three WV-resident member breeders at time of research: Pine Mountain Goldens (Hurricane), Labradorite Kennels (Charleston), and Starrise Goldens (Morgantown).

Are there any AKC Breeders of Merit in West Virginia for golden retrievers?

At time of research, no strict-WV-resident golden retriever breeders surfaced in the AKC Breeder of Merit search. AGRCWV membership combined with verified OFA testing is the canonical WV verification pathway, comparable to BoM status in lower-volume states. Belle Terre’s stated full GRCA Code of Ethics clearance stack is the most explicit credentialing pattern we documented in WV.

How long is the waitlist for a golden retriever puppy in West Virginia?

Expect 6 to 18 months with the top reputable WV breeders. The state’s small pool of state-resident programs means top picks book out 1-2 years in advance. Goldens at Maple Valley Farm’s site, for example, shows May 2026 Golden litters fully reserved with 2027 reservations now open.

What health tests should a West Virginia 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. Belle Terre is the only WV breeder on this list whose website explicitly cites all four clearances plus prcd/PRA and ichthyosis DNA clearance.

Where in West Virginia are most reputable golden retriever breeders located?

The verified state-resident programs cluster in four regions: Charleston / Kanawha Valley (Pine Mountain in Hurricane, Labradorite in Charleston), Morgantown / Northern WV (Starrise, Sickler Farm in Moatsville, Deer Creek), the Eastern Panhandle (Maple Valley Farm in Shenandoah Junction), and Beckley / SE WV / Mercer-Greenbrier counties (Belle Terre in Bluefield, Princeton Goldens, Sunstriders in White Sulphur Springs, Newman Goldens in Fairdale).

How do I find a golden retriever rescue in West Virginia?

Golden Retriever Rescue Education and Training (GRREAT) serves DC, MD, Northern Virginia, and reaches into WV’s Eastern Panhandle. WV all-breed rescues occasionally place goldens; check Petfinder for current WV listings.

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