Nelson Retrievers
- Ramsey, MN
Meet the breeder
I'm Joel N., the breeder behind Nelson Retrievers located in Ramsey, MN. We strive to produce healthy healthy puppies. We provide a 27 month health guarantee against genetic defects. We have many repeat customers and happy owners, ask us for references. Our goldens are typically darker red in color and very athletic in form.
Q. & A. with Joel
Why did you start breeding?
We have had Golden Retrievers for over 30 years. We started to breed goldens when we found the dog we wanted to reproduce. We try to create puppies that are all very similar in color, size, and temperament.What makes your program special?
We raise our pups in our home. They are used to normal noises like TV's, kitchen noises, doorbells, vacuum cleaners, etc. We feel that helps to socialize them. Because they are in our house they are held and handled regularly.What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include dark golden and golden. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Girl 4
Went homeFemale
Boy 5
Went homeMale
Boy 4
Went homeMale
Boy 3
Went homeMale
Boy 2
Went homeMale
Boy 1
Went homeMale
Girl 3
Went homeFemale
Girl 2
Went homeFemale
Girl 1
Went homeFemale
Boy 1
Went homeMale
Girl 3
Went homeFemale
Girl 2
Went homeFemale
Girl 1
Went homeFemale
Boy 1
Went homeMale
Girl 1
Went homeFemale
Boy 4
Went homeMale
Boy 3
Went homeMale
Boy 5
Went homeMale
Boy 2
Went homeMale
Boy 8
Went homeMale
Boy 7
Went homeMale
Boy 6
Went homeMale
Girl 1
Went homeFemale
Girl 4
Went homeFemale
Girl 2
Went homeFemale
Girl 3
Went homeFemale
Boy 1
Went homeMale
Boy 2
Went homeMale
Boy 4
Went homeMale
Boy 3
Went homeMale
Boy 5
Went homeMale
Boy 3
Went homeMale
Boy 1
Went homeMale
Boy 2
Went homeMale
Boy 4
Went homeMale
Getting a puppy from Joel
Joel 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 $750 refundable deposit and between $1,500 - $2,000 final payment, before taxes & fees.
“Our puppy pricing includes dew claw removal, first set of vaccinations, deworming, 27 month health guarantee, puppy packets, and full registration paperwork. We do not ask for a deposit until we have puppies on the ground and we are actively seeking them.”
Contract & health guarantee
Joel 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 Joel 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 Joel 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
Enrichment & socialization
- Various sounds
- Car rides
- Surface & tactile stimulation
- Socialized with children
- Socialized in new places
- Scent introduction
- Daily handling
- Socialized with other dogs
- Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
- Socialized with other animals
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
- Vet records
Extras
- Initial potty training
- Puppy starter kit
- Registration
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Joel.
Breeder’s location
Meet in Ramsey, MN
More about Joel
Certifications & recognitions
Hunt test titles.
Joel has been a member of Good Dog for about 3 years
Joel was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2022.
Joel is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Nelson 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
Joel N.
Litter update on 23 June •…These little puppies are getting big! Hurry if you want one to train while it is nice out this summer. We have two girls available to go home on the fourth of July weekend.
Chevy and Randi's litter
Parent dogs
Randi, mom
Golden Retriever
About Randi
Randi is everything you want in a field bred Golden. She has tons of drive to hunt all day ong, but is a great family dog and all around pet. She loves to please and has a great disposition. Her abilities in the field are second to none and she has a Junior hunut test title.
Ginger, mom
Golden Retriever
About Ginger
Ginger is a beautiful dark red golden. She is athletic and loves to hunt and retrieve. She is a great house dog and lives with a two year old little boy as her buddy.
Reba, mom
Golden Retriever
About Reba
Reba is a female Golden Retriever. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Joel decided to make her part of their program. Joel 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.
Reba, mom
Golden Retriever
About Reba
Reba is a female Golden Retriever. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Joel decided to make her part of their program. Joel 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
Nelson 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.
Ichthyosis, Golden Retriever Type
A breeder may perform additional tests on their dogs that do not fall into these general categories. These tests may be more uncommon or very specific to a particular breed.
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5 (NCL5), Golden Retriever Type, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A), PRA, Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd), PRA, Golden Retriever 2, PRA, Golden Retriever 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).
Verified owner stories
Hear what other owners say about working with Joel to bring home their puppies.
Kate A.
Verified owner · Nov. 2022
Joel at Nelson Kennels was great to work with. He asked good questions during our phone conversation and really cares about getting good, quality matches for both pups and future owners.
