I have been blessed with 2 amazing pups from Recherche Goldens in the past year. I had always owed American Golden Retrievers in the past, so I was new to the English Cream, and I had never imagined buying a pup sight unseen without ever meeting the breeder or potential puppy. I acquired my first boy, Shay, last January after deciding to make a trip down to NC to meet Jamel and Charity, and their dogs. I was so impressed with their care, knowledge, passion, and desire to connect me with the best fit in their available litter. We spent several hours together, and I drove home that day with my boy Shay. He had a very tough act to follow and big shoes to fill, after losing my prior Golden in December. But he won my heart immediately with his sweet soul, gentle spirit, happy, humorous ways and noticeable maturity for a retriever. I have owed several in my life and I can honestly say that the English Creams definitely are calmer, easier to train, and show stoppers on daily basis. I cannot walk my dog ever, without being stopped and asked to greet my boy and learn more about him. People are so impressed and so drawn to them. He has been the absolute perfect fit in my life, bringing joy to our home daily. My experience has been so positive with Recherche, that I decided for the first time ever to purchase a second Golden from Jamel and Charity this past October! I never dreamed I could manage 2 large dogs alone, and find that my happiness, love and joy could double so profoundly. This time I put complete faith in Jamel and simply picked a pup from photos and a video he shared. I knew that I could trust my choice without meeting in person. I drove to meet Charity and pick up my new puppy, having never met, at a 1/2 way point and fell in love the moment I saw him. Gus is now 5 months old and Shay is 1 year. The boys have been inseparable since the day I brought Gus home, and love each other beyond words. Gus has been so easy to train, as he mirrors all that Shay does daily. I am astounded at how easy it was to bring a second puppy into my home, both under 1 year old, and find it even easier than having one! I take so much pleasure each day seeing how much happier Shay is having not only me, but also a "pack mate", so that they can enjoy being adored and babied my me, and yet still know the joys of being a dog, and sharing that animal bond with each other that is so meaningful in their lives. It is the happiest I have ever been, and my 2 boys play and snuggle all day, so at peace with their life together. I now know that I will never go back to having just one Golden. I have given Shay the greatest gift in life, his brother, and all of our lives are richer for it. Not only do I highly praise and recommend this breeder, but I encourage anyone looking to buy one, to consider two if possible!! You will never regret it!!!!!! Thank you endlessly Jamel, and Charity!!!!! Julie Paulussen read more

There are no words to describe the wonderful experience we have had with Recherche Goldens - Jamel and Charity are amazing! I have had American Golden Retrievers for over 18 years and have been intrigued by the English Cream Golden for several years. The information provided through the website or direct contact with Jamel and Charity was invaluable. As we live in Maine, we determined that it was best for us to have the pup we chose flown directly to us. This was a daunting thought, at first, but soon realized we were, without a doubt, worrying for no reason. Throughout the process, from birth to the day we received our little Baylie, we were informed every step of the way. Baylie is everything that Recherche Goldens described she would be, based on in-depth observations. She is loyal, loving and wants to be by my side most of the time. If she were a black dog, I would call her Shadow! Baylie is incredibly intelligent - we only use voice command. She actually is a role model for other dogs that she has befriended. We have two five year old cats that snuggle up with her - especially as it continues to get colder. As we live in Maine, she has had much exposure to the ocean and mountains. As a family, we hike dog friendly mountains in New England (some on the Appalachian Trial) and she has become an expert at this. She is walked at least three times a day, mostly off-leash as we have two beautiful estuaries near us, as well as gorgeous beaches. Baylie's intelligence is incredible, on so many levels. We just adore her and cannot even remember what life was like without her. Recherche Goldens is absolutely the best!!! Thank you for bringing such joy and love into our home! read more

Rewarding work with a purpose - helping puppies find their perfect homes! Working at Recherche Kennels as part of the Puppy Adoption Team has been one of the most fulfilling roles I've ever had. This isn't your average kennel job -- it's a place where professionalism, animal care, and human connection all come together. From day one, I felt like my role made a real difference. I got to know the puppies personally -- their personalities, training progress, and needs -- and then worked directly with families to match them with the right dog. It's incredibly rewarding to be the bridge between these beautifully raised puppies and the loving homes they go to. What I love about the job: Meaningful work: Every adoption feels like a win. You're helping these well-socialized, trained pups find the best homes -- and you get to see the joy on the family's face. Structured process: Recherche doesn't just hand over puppies; they have a thoughtful, consultative process to match families with the right fit. It makes you feel like you're part of something ethical and responsible. Training and support: I was trained in how to understand temperament scores, health protocols, and training levels, so I could confidently guide families. Professional team: The staff here genuinely cares -- not just about the dogs but about each other. you're surrounded by passionate, hard-working people. Top-quality dogs: The puppies here are raised in a structured environment, often with over 300+ hours of training. It's easy to stand behind the product when you know the pups are so well prepared. read more

My husband and I adopted our second Recherche Golden in February, 2016. At the time, we didn't think it would be possible to love a second pup as much as we adored our first. Nonetheless, gentle Ben has stolen our hearts and actually enhances our six-year relationship with his older sister, Lilah. Both of our Recherche dogs are of gentle and happy temperament. Ben, now just ten months old, watches and learns from his older sibling. Neither has expressed a dominant role over the other as yet, although we had a rather possessive female on our hands during their first two weeks together. But it didn't take long for the pair to adjust to sharing the limelight with their human companions and now are the best of pals! Ben was only 14 weeks old when we picked him up early from the puppy academy (due to my husband leaving the country). Despite losing a couple of important weeks of training, he was immediately obedient within a new family dynamic and followed all the basic commands. We were able to watch and learn from his online training videos, and the Hamkas were in regular communication with throughout the adoption process. Ben continues to grow and excel, and eagerly awaits his two daily swims in our pool. A hit with every stranger he meets, he constantly amazes us with his affectionate nature. Our world simply wouldn't be the same without our Goldens! read more

Recherche Goldens is in my opinion the gold standard for breeding magnificent looking English Golden's with beautiful temperaments and the highest health clearances. I bought my male from this breeder in the fall of 2015. Bentley stayed with them through their masters program although I had chosen him at 12 weeks. The owner, Jamel Hamka worked with the airlines and shipped Bentley to San Francisco. Upon arrival he already could sit, heal, stay, walk on a leash. He has never messed in the house and immediately after being shown where to do his business in the yard has never strayed from that area. Bentley is the most loyal and well behaved dog imaginable. I'm in my 50s and have spent my entire life with many furry friends. I've bought dog after dog from reputable breeders but have never had such a positive experience as I've had with Recherche Goldens. Jamal and his team really care and strive to breed the best in class but what is so unique is that it doesn't stop there. The team works tirelessly to train your puppy so your total experience is beyond anything you could imagine...my 85lb 15 month old boy is calm, well behaved, independent in the sense that I can go out and leave him but dependent in the sense that when I'm home he's always near me. If I could give Recherche Goldens six stars I would; they are Cadillac breeders! read more

We purchased our pup from Jamel last year. Our pup was five moths old at time of purchase and well-trained. The crew at Recherché really knew their dog. They had his personality identified to the detail. Our pup was everything that they said he was. He is stunning, sweet, and perfect for our family. Jamel was easy to work with. He was prompt and thorough with email correspondence. He communicated clearly and presented an accurate picture of what we were getting into. We ran into a hiccup with our pup when he moved into our home in regard to potty-traning. (He was confused about where to go, probably because he didn't live in a home prior). Once we were able to communicate with each other (me and the dog) he had it figured out quite quickly. Jamel was very helpful through this. He responded in a timely manner to my concerns. There has never been a regression in our pup's training. We do however, keep the same expectations that Recherché had of the dogs, set clear boundaries, and work with him frequently. We love our dog dearly. We feel Recherché was the most reputable breeder we've ever worked with. We cannot imagine any other dog... read more

Working in a professional environment can be both challenging and rewarding. My experience at Recherche has been a positive one overall. The company culture is supportive, and everyone is encouraged to work collaboratively towards achieving common goals. The work environment is pleasant and conducive to productivity, and the tools and resources provided enable me to perform my tasks efficiently. The management team is fair and approachable, addressing any concerns and providing constructive feedback. Moreover, the company offers career growth and development opportunities, which significantly motivates me. However, like any workplace, there are also challenges to be faced. Some days can be stressful due to high workloads and deadlines. Still, the team spirit and colleague support make it easier to overcome these challenges. Overall, I recommend this workplace to anyone looking for a unique and supportive work environment that provides opportunities for growth and development. read more

Charlie came to our family from Recherche Goldens in August 2015. He's a beautiful, very sweet and calm boy who barely barks. He's the perfect addition to our family and playmate to our two young boys. Charlie's training was more than evident when he arrived. He knew basic commands, was great on leash and rarely had any potty training accidents. After a horrible experience with a disreputable breeder a couple years back, we were gun-shy about purchasing another dog from an out of state breeder, but after research and a number of conversations with owner Jamel Hamka, we decided to get our pup for Recherché. They've not disappointed. They're reliable, professional, thorough and have very high quality dogs. And the relationship didn't end following delivery of Charlie. We continue to communicate with Recherche, tapping into their wisdom and experience with the breed. We can definitely recommend Recherche Goldens. read more

These puppies are incredible, period! Why, mostly because they shower them with love from the moment they are born and it shows. Who would ever think you could take a 5 month old puppy to work in a professional office each day? Well, we do. Our male dog is incredibly calm, loving and devoted. Don't worry about the distance, the flight, or the business end of the transaction. If you are looking for a beautiful extremely behaved dog, listen exactly to what the folks at Recherche tell you. If you do, you will have the best of both worlds, an incredible dog and a resource for every training, medical and behavioral question you can think of. Don't be foolish or thrifty and take your puppy home too early. Let them train and work with it. Every dollar you spend, and every week they have the pup is a benefit to the both of you (emphasis added). No Regrets! Carl K. read more

We have had many wonderful dogs in our lives, both rescued and not, but our Aspen who we got from Recherche Goldens is beyond special. We contacted Jamel at Recherche in July of 2015 and took Aspen home in August. Not only is he beautiful (people still stop us on the street every time we walk him), but he also came well trained, well behaved, and with the most gentle and friendly demeanor in a dog that we have ever experienced. It is now nine months later and Aspen continues to be all of those things. Working with Recherche was also a pleasure from the very start. Every email I sent was replied to quickly and every call returned within a matter of hours. The most impressive thing about our interaction with Recherche was there willingness to continue any and all communication long after we received Aspen offering any help and advice they could. Thank you Jamel for everything!!!!!! read more

Recherche Goldens are amazing. Our Sadee is by far the most beautiful, smart, healthy, sweet golden I have ever had and that totals 9 of the traditional Goldens also from great breeders. When searching and making the decision to choose an English creme i came upon Recherches site and was very impressed but continued searching. I am so happy I kept coming back and know I made the right decision. Sadee is so sweet, calm, smart, funny, well trained and so well adjusted. She loves her 2 "brothers" and 1 "sister" and from the first day I brought her home she fit right in. She knew who was the pack leader and who she could play with and loves to play by herself. The support I get from Jamel is ongoing even after 2 years and he always has time to comment on pictures I send. I would have a houseful of Recherche Goldens if I could but most definitely I can see 1 more in the future read more

Working at Recherche Kennels has been a rewarding experience. As a team member, I've had the opportunity to contribute to an organization that holds itself to high standards in both dog breeding and training. The commitment to excellence in the care, training, socialization and development of each puppy is evident in every aspect of the kennel's operations. One of the things I appreciate the most is the emphasis on professionalism and structure. The management team is highly focused on quality, clear expectations, protocol and feedback. Everyone has a strong sense of purpose to produce well mannered, healthy and highly trained dogs for families around the world. Each employee brings their best and are encouraged to improve. It is a joy to be surrounded by people who care deeply about what they do and strive to do better. read more

My husband and I have owned Golden Retrievers for 25 years. After our English Golden Winston passed at age twelve and a half, my husband remembered Recherche Kennels because he had their contact information available on his phone. We saw that Sammy was available for adoption at 12 weeks and inquired about him. The team at Recherche sent us videos of Sammy's impressive training and details about his personality. We drove to North Carolina to bring Sammy home. He's a doll! He's calm, intelligent, sweet, and just adorable. We love him! Recherche sent Sammy home with a very detailed puppy packet, we also met with one of his trainers for an hour before the drive home. It was a truly fantastic experience, and we highly recommend them if you are seeking a new pup to add to your family! read more

My husband and I have owned Golden Retrievers for 25 years. After losing our beloved Winston at age 12.5, we wanted another puppy to love. My husband saved Recherche on his phone and we saw that 12 week old Sammy was available. The communication with Recherche was excellent. The puppy training is incredible. We went home with proper puppy medication and health clearances, the trainer spent a good deal of time with us and sent us many puppy training video. I did not have to house train Sammy. He came to me walking by my side. Best of all, Sammy is incredibly sweet, gentle, kind and smart. We are grateful to have him! Wonderful experience!! Sammy is now a year and four months of age. He's 67 pounds of pure joy! read more

What truly sets Recherche Kennels apart is the level of care and attention given to every dog. Each dog is well cared for, thoughtfully trained, and raised with intention in a clean, state-of-the-art environment where wellbeing and cleanliness are top priorities. The entire team is outstanding--attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in your experience. Their care goes beyond a transaction; they take the time to ensure you feel informed, comfortable, and confident throughout the adoption process. The training staff is top notch! The regular video updates are a wonderful touch, keeping you informed and connected to your pup every step of the way. I highly recommend Recherche Kennels. read more

Recherche has an Amazing selection of pups. Ive had my Bernedoodle for about 3 months, He's a great dog! The trainers take their time with the dogs so when they're brought home they understand their commands and follow. I would bring all of them home if I could. A Side note.. this is a wonderful place to work, from the staff to the work environment. Workers who love their job and will help you, if you don't know yours! Its a good feeling waking up getting to come to a job I truly enjoy! read more

best breeder in the world hands down! after month of research we purchased our dog last year and he is better then we could ever imagine. looks, demeanor, all around package. impossible to walk in public with out being envied . our experience from day one has Been a++++++ till today Jamel replies to any questions that come up . his instructions are clear and work like a charm. can't thank them enough for bringing so much joy to our lives. read more

I currently work at Recherche and let me just say I will never leave. This is the best place I have ever worked. The manager is one of the best you could ask for in a leader. The love that I see day in and day out from everyone caring for the dogs is unimaginable. Our staff are the most caring, funny, outgoing people you could ever meet. I would highly recommend our facility if you're looking for a top notch furry friend for life! read more

Something that really stands out about Recherche Kennels is the attention to, and care for, the dogs. They are well-loved and highly trained. Cleanliness is of the utmost priority. The sales team is very attentive and knowledgeable. They care. They really put in the effort to make you comfortable and confident throughout the adoption process! The videos they make are so helpful in keeping you updated and informed about your pup! read more