Joyful Golden Retrievers
Meet the breeder
I'm Joy M., the breeder behind Joyful Golden Retrievers located in Defiance, MO. We strive to deliver the best possible companions to our future owners. We never kennel our dogs. They live in our home with us or with carefully selected guardian families. Our breeding dogs are OFA hip, elbow, cardiac, yearly eye checked and have a full geneitc panel to ensure we are producing healthy puppies. We use an early neurological puppy program to ensure your puppy has the tools to jump right into your family without fear or anxiety. All our puppies are whelped in our home where they are comfortable and attended to at all times. We adore these puppies and hope to bring your family an amazing Joyful puppy.
Q. & A. with Joy
Why did you start breeding?
I got into breeding after being a guardian for another breeder. I grew up with big dogs and once we received our first Golden... I knew my life had changed forever. I couldn't get over the temperament of our sweet Estee. My breeder friend then helped me get started and taught me all the important aspects of being a responsible breeder. This has changed our lives in such a positive way... we absolutely love what we do. I have the best job, and I'm so happy I get to bring such "joy" to another family and dog when we make the perfect match.What makes your program special?
Our breeding program is special because we are very involved with our owners. I have cameras in our whelping room and outdoors so owners can log on and see what their new addition is up to at all times. We build lifelong relationships with our owners. Our dogs are part of our family and NEVER kenneled. When you receive your puppy it will be socialized, extremely loved, and ready for your family. I fly puppies personally to owners because I want to meet them in person if they can not come to our home. I am passionate about my work and look forward to connecting with you!What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies are 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.
Girl 1
Went homeFemale
Girl 2 - purple collare
Went homeFemale
Boy 1
Went homeMale
Boy 2
Went homeMale
Boy 3
Went homeMale
Boy 3
Went homeMale
Girl 2
Went homeFemale
Girl 3
Went homeFemale
Girl 4
Went homeFemale
Boy - Black Collar
Went homeMale
Boy 6
Went homeMale
Boy - Navy Collar
Went homeMale
Girl 1 - Guardian Opportunity!
Went homeFemale
Boy 1
Went homeMale
Boy 2
Went homeMale
Getting a puppy from Joy
Joy has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies.
Together, you’ll choose the puppy that’s right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Price
Puppy prices include a $500 non-refundable deposit and $3,000 final payment, before taxes & fees.
“Puppies come with first round of vaccinations, deworming, microchip, and AKC registration. Parents are fully health tested: OFA hips, elbows, cardiac and yearly eye exams. Full genetic panel. The deposit is refundable if I cannot deliver a puppy to you within 1 year of deposit.”
Contract & health guarantee
Joy 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 Joy 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 Joy directly.
Always communicate and pay on Good Dog.Learn more
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
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Joy.
Breeder’s location
Meet in Defiance, MO
717 miles away
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Other pick-up locations
Meet at St. Louis Lambert Airport
693 miles away
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More about Joy
Joy has been a member of Good Dog for almost 5 years
Joy was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2021.
Joy is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Joyful Golden 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
Parent dogs
Fisher, dad
Golden Retriever
About Fisher
Fisher is a male Golden Retriever. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Joy decided to make him part of their program. Joy has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Good health testing
OFA Auscultation and Echocardiogram, PawPrint Genetic Panel (Breed Specific), +3 more.
Harley, mom
Golden Retriever
About Harley
Harley is the sweetest soul. She lives in a great friend of mines home where she has a cat friend and three school age boys to play with all day! She walks the boys to school daily and is the hit of the neighborhood! She has a soft and white coat, dark nose and stocky head. She weighs in around 75 pounds.
Uploaded health tests
Full Embark Panel, Hip Dysplasia Prelims (registered with OFA), +1 more.
Harper, mom
Golden Retriever
About Harper
Harper is a loving soul who has a best friend dog at home named Cinnamon. Harper and Chance had their first litter in 2023 and they were healthy and gorgeous! Harper will have 3 more litters with us. We are highly anticipating her second litter with Winston!
Uploaded health tests
Full Embark Panel, OFA Auscultation and Echocardiogram, +2 more.
Aspen, mom
Golden Retriever
About Aspen
Aspen is a gorgeous girl with a beautiful white coat, black nose and amazing temperament. She is a puppy from Nala & Fisher who made wonderfully healthy puppies for Joyful Golden Retrievers. She spends her time on her guardian family's boat at the Lake of the Ozarks in the summer and helping mom and dad work during the days. She is extremely loving and friendly. We are very excited about Aspen puppies!
Uploaded health tests
Full Embark Panel, Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI), +1 more.
Penelope, mom
Golden Retriever
About Penelope
Penelope is a female Golden Retriever. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Joy decided to make her part of their program. Joy has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Parent health testing
Breeder-Reported Testing
Excellent level
Joyful Golden 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.
Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA)
Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5 (NCL5), Golden Retriever Type, PRA, Golden Retriever 1, PRA, Golden Retriever 2, PRA, Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd), Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A), Ichthyosis, Golden Retriever Type 1
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).
