How long can I expect to wait for a field-line golden retriever? And how can I minimize the wait?
I’m looking for a field line or performance golden retriever puppy, eventually. My conundrum is that my current dog (Australian cattle dog mix from the shelter) is very dog aggressive and needs to be an only dog, so I absolutely cannot bring home a new dog while she’s alive. She’s about to turn 11 and while she’s slowing down a little she still seems very healthy and I think we have some good years left. But I know I’ll eventually be dogless for a period of time. It’s unavoidable, but I’d also like to minimize it as much as possible.
I’m looking for a health tested, ethically bred golden retriever from field or performance lines. I’ve done a little bit of agility and more nosework with my current dog and I’d like the next dog to have enough brains, drive, and temperament to do reasonably well at both in the future, (current dog has the brains and the drive but is way too reactive for trialing to be any fun). I’m not looking for a dog with crazy drive or unlimited energy, I envision playing fetch for 15-20 minutes at a time twice a day, 2-3 mile walks 3-5 days of the week, and nosework or agility training 1-2 times a week. This is pretty similar to what I do with my current dog, though we do less walking and break the fetch into shorter chunks in the heat of the summer.
I’ve seen a lot of advice on this sub to go and meet breeders at shows, but I’m not really looking for a show-line dog, so I’m not sure that would help. I like the look of the field line Goldens better and I think a dog bred to do a job well is going to be healthier than a dog bred to look pretty in the ring. I think field line breeders bring their dogs to hunt tests, but are those places where spectators are welcomed? The videos I’ve seen don’t really look like there are spectators around, and when I look up retriever clubs the events near me are on private land.
I’m located near Dallas, Texas and I’ve found a few field line golden breeders in Texas who look promising. I’m also willing to drive or fly anywhere in the country to pick up a puppy. I haven’t reached out to any breeders yet, since I can’t bring home a puppy now and don’t want to bother people when I probably won’t be looking for a couple years.
Edit: OK, I get it. Y'all are united in the opinion that 30-40 minutes of fetch, a 2-3 mile walk, and dog sports is the bare minimum exercise for a show line golden. Same questions for show line Goldens, then.