My boy Winston from Princeton. As you can see, he is absolutely perfect in every way it has been phenomenal since we got him three years ago. Second Gold Rush Golden. Murphy lived to 12 had horrible ear issues but was So beautiful in loving to my five kids that were born during his lifetime. He died of cancer of the stomach. Waited a year and contacted gold rush. Ann Johnson had dementia and her kennel was taken over by Amy Who brought the dogs in a different place outside of Princeton where picked Winston up. that was three years ago. A lump on his throat was discovered a few weeks ago, It was diagnosed as cancerous. Because he's three years old we're going to go through with chemo and spend $8000. still this the Statistics are No chemo & dies in three months. CHEMO & prednisone with 12 week treatment will give him 12 months to 2 years and 25% of the dogs who reached two years can live a few extra bonus years. we're praying that the fact that he's three years old will give him an added boost. At first we thought it was bad luck and maybe some environmental issues but then we started looking at all these bad reviews and so many talking about lymphoma, young dogs, no association with Golden breeder association and genetic Findings that the dogs were over bread by 25% when breeders Association recommends below 10%. So with that informationn it becomes pretty clear to stay away from Gold Rush. I tried to call Amy and the original number for gold rush and both have been disconnected so I don't think they're out of business. If anyone wants to reach out and tell me a good breeder and some good techniques to look for before we purchase another dog it woul. Be apprecitated. That said I'm not bitter just a little angry. Amy was very helpful when we started looking for a dog and when we picked him up it was a very professional operation in a beautiful setting and the dogs we're all gorgeous. I didn't do my due diligence and I went into the transaction and I got a dog that I will love forever whether he lives another day or not. driscoll@gate.net. Martin Driscoll Highland Beach Florida read more

Gold Rush Goldens - My boy Winston from Princeton. As you can see, he is absolutely perfect in every way - Pet Sitting Near Me - Wrightstown, New Jersey

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Thankfully I write this review and our boys are still with us, our Murphy had his first hip replacement at 9 months old, 2 more hip surgeries and a knee and a broken leg and close to $45,000 he is still around and happy. When I contacted Ann to explain about our boy she simply said it couldn't be one of her pups. I wasn't complaining or asking for anything just saying maybe don't breed dog A with Dog b in the future but she just insisted it couldn't be one of her pups . I would spend the money all over again for our boy but it won't be a Gold Rush Golden ever again. read more

My beautiful Belle passes last Tuesday. Both her parents were Goldrush, Goldens and she was 11 years old on March 7th 2010. She was beautiful and if I could afford another she was worth every penny. I hope there is a rainbow bridge. I loved her so much. read more

My brother and I purchased 3 male puppies from this breeder over the last 10 years. All died early (less than 7 yrs old) of cancer or heart attack. Would not recommend this breeder. read more

While this breeder does produce dogs with great temperaments, I have to agree with everyone on this list, AVOID this breeder. I have had two Goldens from this breeder and mine have died at 9 and 10 from some form of cancer. We lost our second over the weekend. My friend had his male die at 3 from cancer too. If you are looking for a great breeder, check out, Honor Golden Retrievers, https://honorservicedogs.org/ truly amazing healthy dogs. Our current golden, now almost 7 has never been sick a day in his life. read more

If I could give this breeder 0 stars I would. We purchased our Jake back in 2015 and as of this past Sunday we lost him due to Lymphoma. He was 7 years old. This was our first non rescue golden and his life ended too soon because of NEGLIGENT BREEDING. We have never lost a dog so young. His cancer was fast moving and he had 0 symptoms until his nose started bleeding and he was seizing. Stay the F away from these breeders. We are now heart broken !!!! read more

My husband and I bred Golden Retrievers until 11 years ago, when we stopped for personal reasons. We only ever had 2 females at once, both family pets. We took them to Gold Rush Goldens to be sired. Our puppies were family raised and we now have generation number 7. Her name is Bella and she is almost 11. She is in good health, extremely smart and was very easy to train. All of our girls have lived until at least 10, which we consider a good age for a Golden Retriever. When that sad days comes, I am certain we will contact Amy, at Gold Rush, for our next family pet. read more

TL;DR: There are lots of breeders in NJ and on the east coast... Go somewhere else. All of the reviewers below are correct. We have had two Gold Rush goldens and both passed prematurely at around six years old--the latter just yesterday--with sudden illnesses. We were recommended to Gold Rush Goldens by the AKC. Our first female had hip dysplasia which made the latter years of her life challenging, but ultimately passed very suddenly from what our vet believed was a stomach cancer or other issue. Our second female very suddenly developed hemangiosarcoma, an invasive and rapidly-developing form of cancer. We went to the vet after noticing a bulge on her leg and was told that she had 6-8 weeks to live. She passed just shy of six years old. Prior to their sudden illnesses, our pups were happy, healthy members of our family with the absolute best food, care, and exercise regimens they could have had. read more

We also had a Gold Rush dog that passed away from intestinal cancer at 6 yrs. old. It was so sad as he was so full of life. I did notify the breeder to what was going on but she had nothing to say. He was amazing for 6 years but life too short! read more

I wish I could score Ann a zero. I loved my dog dearly and did everything I could to keep her on this earth as long as possible. When I got her she had worms and then had it again. I was at the vets once a month for 8 years. She had hip displaysia, and had stem cell surgery to correct it, developed allergies and ulcers in her eyes. She had to go to the allergist 2 times a year and was put on Allegra once a day plus expensive drops by mouth twice a day, I gave her eye drops twice a day and took her to the ophthalmologist twice a year. I was told she would become blind. Ann should not be allowed to breed dogs. They are not genetically healthy. read more

Agree with reviewer below. Please, please beware of this breeder. We impulsively bought a puppy from Gold Rush after the death of our last dog. She was a wonderful puppy with a happy disposition. However; she was diagnosed, not only with epilepsy at 5, but with lymphoma at 8 and it broke our hearts. Initially, we felt this was just an unfortunate luck of the draw. We investigated further, researching her lineage beyond the 3 generations the breeder provides. Come to find out, the coefficient of inbreeding was +24% on our dog. The "acceptable" amount of inbreeding is somewhere around 10% among reputable breeders. This breeder is known by vets and breeders alike as a money-making operation without care or regard to the dogs and lives involved. We wish we had taken more caution and had done more research which would have steered us away from this breeder. read more

Update: Our Gold Rush Golden pup that I previously referred to passed away within two weeks of her 5th birthday last year, several months after my post. We researched her pedigree and lineage and were horrified. Beware! Gold Rush ARE NOT members of the GRCA (Golden Retriever Club of America) which says a lot. They have so many champions one would assume of course they're part of the GRCA. Hopefully this information helps others out there! My updated advice: Please, please, please, get a golden elsewhere. Gold Rush does not have any form of reputable standing with the GRCA. As I've since learned reputable breeders stick to 1-2 litters a year...not 4 litters at once. Buyer beware! Even if you choose to go with GR consider the following: 1. Look up breeder profiles on the AKC website. 2. Research your local Golden clubs and ask about what breeders they recommend. 3. Look at the pedigrees and check out k9data online. Pay special attention (and follow the links) to the hip, eye, heart, and elbow clearances. Familiarize yourself with the terminology and compare breeders. It may seem like a lot of work but it is worth it in the end. 4. Regarding the heart cardiac clearance it is a red flag when the heart clearance is done by a general practitioner. They need to be conducted by a cardiologist. Doing otherwise prevents the breeder from being a member of breed clubs. There are so many breeders in NJ, and along the east coast, so please know there are other options out there! Take the time to be an informed consumer. My family suffered so much heartbreak from Gold Rush and I hope no one has to experience what we went through, twice, with them. read more

I don't know if it is ethical to ask, however, I am advising a friend on the purchase of a golden (have advised against Gold Rush). But I did wonder what the current cost is of a Gold Rush puppy? Any information would be helpful. Thanks! read more

I was looking for a golden retriever puppy. Growing up in NJ we had a golden from here back in the 1980's he died of cancer at 12. GREAT DOG. I wanted to go back but with every question I asked she became more and more frustrated with me. In the end I found breeder that I trust and I have seen her dogs. Gold Rush Goldens was not the place for me. read more

My sweet Golden Chloe was 7 years and 3 months old and died instantly of a heart attack just the other week. We had gone on a walk that morning, she was totally happy and healthy. Clearly overbred, but wonderful dog. read more

Has anyone had a Gold Rush golden retriever that lived past the age of 6? We have a 3.4 year old Golden Retriever and he is healthy so far. I worry about him based on these reviews. He is the sweetest and best dog EVER! My kids will be heartbroken if something happens to him. We did own another Gold Rush Golden Retriever that we purchased in 1997 and he died at 6 years old from cancer. read more