Apple Country Retrievers

Lauren W.

Breeder of Golden Retrievers

  • Hendersonville, NC ·
  • Responds within a day

Meet the breeder

I'm Lauren W., the breeder behind Apple Country Retrievers located in Hendersonville, NC. At Apple Country Retrievers, we are passionate about providing beautiful, healthy family pets that bring lasting joy to every home. Our top priority is the health, temperament, and well-being of every animal we raise. Each pet is nurtured in a loving environment, receiving the care and attention.

Q. & A. with Lauren

  • Why did you start breeding?

    My journey into breeding began when I learned that a local program was closing—one that had so much potential and promise. Rather than let that legacy fade, I felt called to continue the work, driven by my lifelong love of goldens and her deep appreciation for the breed’s intelligence, loyalty, and gentle spirit.

  • What makes your program special?

    Our puppies are born and raised at our home, surrounded by love and family life. They are socialized with Children, other dogs and everyday experiences to prepare them for their forever homes.

  • What are the different breed coat colors in your program?

    Our puppies include dark golden, golden, and light golden. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.

  • Where do your breeding dogs live?

    They live in my home and guardian homes.

Matched dogs

These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.

Getting a puppy from Lauren

Lauren has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready, reach out to ask about the puppies or anything else on your mind. You’ll get to know each other through messaging, phone, or video and pay securely, all on Good Dog.

Lauren partners with buyers to find the best match as the puppies develop and their personalities take shape. Typically, matches are finalized when the puppies reach about 6 weeks old.

“Around week 5 or 6 when personalities and temperaments start to show, we match puppies with individuals based on each person preferences. ”

Price

Puppy prices include a $300 non-refundable deposit and between $2,500 - $3,200 final payment, before taxes & fees.
Pay over time with Klarna.

“Price for puppies with limited registration is $2800, puppies with full registration are $3500. Includes AKC paperwork, up to date vaccines, de worming and vet check. All limited registration puppies are $2800 and full registration are $3500. Includes AKC registration paper work, up to date vaccines and de-worming.”

Contract & health guarantee

Lauren may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Lauren offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don't hesitate to reach out to Lauren directly.

All contracts are handled securely through Good Dog.

You’re protected
on Good Dog

When you pay and communicate on Good Dog, you’re covered by Payment Protection.

What's included

    • From Good Dog
      • Lifetime support from Good Dog’s Care Team
      • 10% lifetime discount on Figo pet insurance
      • Puppy Training Program & private community
    • Enrichment & socialization
      • Various sounds
      • Car rides
      • Surface & tactile stimulation
      • Socialized with children
      • Socialized in new places
      • Daily handling
      • Socialized with other dogs
      • Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
    • Puppy health practices
      • Vet check
      • First round of shots and deworming
      • Vet records
    • Extras
      • Food & treats
      • Puppy starter kit
      • Toys
      • Initial potty training
      • AKC registration

Location & pick-up

You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Lauren.

Breeder's location

Meet in Hendersonville, NC

4437 miles away

·

Other pick-up locations

Meet at Asheville Airport

4442 miles away

·

Meet in Asheville, NC

4434 miles away

·

More about Lauren

  • Lauren has been a member of Good Dog for about 1 year

    Lauren was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2025.

  • Lauren’s links

Lauren is a trusted Good Dog breeder

Apple Country Retrievers meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:

  • Responsible breeding practices
  • Health of breeding dogs and puppies
  • Puppy environment and enrichment
  • Buyer education and policies

Litter and program updates

Parent dogs

Parent health testing

Breeder-Reported Testing

Good level

Apple Country Retrievers reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Golden Retrievers.

  • Hip Dysplasia

    Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.

  • Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)

    Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.

  • Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA)

    Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.

Verified owner stories

Hear what other owners say about working with Lauren to bring home their puppies.

  • Christy J.

    Verified owner · June 2026

    Lauren was fantastic at communicating through this entire process. We loved receiving updates and pictures of our Oscar as he was growing. We had the opportunity to meet Oscar and his mom and dad before pick up, and absolutely fell in love with him there. Because of some travel plans, they kept him an extra week, helping us make sure that were stable and consistent when he came home. He adapted so well to coming home, with minimal accidents inside the house. He is a great match for what we were looking for, and Lauren did a fantastic job matching us to the right pup. He's getting along great with his new family, people and pets. We couldn't be happier with him.

    Taylor K.

    Verified owner · May 2026

      • +4

    We had an amazing experience getting Manning through Lauren and Apple Country Retrievers. From the very beginning, communication was excellent. We received regular updates, photos, and information throughout the process, and every question we had was answered quickly and thoughtfully. The matching process was incredible and it’s clear they truly care about placing each puppy in the right home. We are absolutely obsessed with our little girl and couldn’t imagine a better fit for our family. Everything exceeded our expectations, and we couldn’t be more pleased with our experience. We highly recommend them to anyone looking for a well-loved, well-socialized puppy from a breeder who genuinely cares about both their dogs and the families they join.

    Rebecca F.

    Verified owner · May 2026

    Lauren was amazing to work with! Incredibly responsive and was able to answer all my questions. We loved getting to meet both Lauren and Jordan, who were incredibly kind and knowledgeable. Our pup is absolutely perfect. She is adorable, very cuddly, smart, and loves being around people. Thank you Apple Country Retrievers!

  • Marrion S.

    Verified owner · May 2026

    Lauren and her family were super responsive and respectful, we had a great experience with them and our puppy is amazing and healthy, we are trully happy to have worked with them.

    Brittany O.

    Verified owner · May 2026

    Apple County Retrievers made birthday magic happen for my 6 year old. He wanted a puppy desperately. We asked me to wait until we moved, then to wait until we had a fence, then to wait until summer break. Bless his sweet little heart; he was so patient. I contacted Lauren because we thought since the school year ending coincided a day apart for birthday, it would be the perfect time! We now have the sweetest little addition to our family and a little boy who will remember his 6th birthday forever!

Photos

Related breeds

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

View puppies

Curly-Coated Retriever

View puppies

Flat-Coated Retriever

View puppies

Labrador Retriever

View puppiesLearn about breed

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

View puppiesLearn about breed

Poodle

View puppiesLearn about breed

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

your favorites
your favorites
your favorites
your favorites
your favorites
your favorites
your favorites
your favorites
your favorites
your favorites
your favorites
your favorites
your favorites
your favorites
your favorites
your favorites
your favorites
your favorites
your favorites
your favorites