Salata Goldens

Maria S.

Breeder of Golden Retrievers

  • Taylor Ridge, IL
  • Responds within a few days

Meet the breeder

I'm Maria S., the breeder behind Salata Goldens located in Taylor Ridge, IL. We adhere to the breed standard and breed for temperament and trainability. We use Puppy Culture and work with the pups every day. We strive to breed the very best pups possible. It is very important for us to find just the right home for each puppy. They can all have such different personalities and need to find a home that can optimize their personality. See more on social media at Salata Golden Retriever.

Q. & A. with Maria

  • Why did you start breeding?

    I wanted to raise better therapy dogs. I thought if I could start their training from the time they are born I would have better-trained dogs knowing how well they were bred.
  • What makes your program special?

    The amount of time I put into every litter and every breeder I have. When the puppies go home they are already started with basic obedience, crate trained, and housebreaking. The families that get my puppies just need to reinforce what I have started for them.
  • What are the different breed coat colors in your program?

    Our puppies are 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.

Getting a puppy from Maria

Maria 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 $700 non-refundable deposit and $3,000 final payment, before taxes & fees.
Pay over time with Klarna.

“Price includes limited AKC registration, microchip, dewclaws removed, first vaccinations, dewormed at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks, introduced to commands, potty training and exposed to social interactions with dogs, cats, adults and children. Your non refundable deposit will hold your place on our waitlist until a litter and puppy are matched to your household.”

Contract & health guarantee

Maria 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 Maria 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 Maria 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
      • Microchip
    • Extras
      • Registration
      • Initial potty training
      • Basic obedience & manners

Location & pick-up

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

Breeder’s location

Meet in Taylor Ridge, IL

4463 miles away

·

Other pick-up locations

Meet at Quad City Airport

4453 miles away

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Flexible meeting point

Maria can meet at a location that works for both of you

More about Maria

  • Certifications & recognitions

    Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, Professional Groomer.

  • Maria has been a member of Good Dog for about 5 years

    Maria was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2020.

  • Maria’s links

Maria is a trusted Good Dog breeder

Salata Goldens 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

Great level

Salata Goldens 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, Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd), PRA, Golden Retriever 1, PRA, Golden Retriever 2, 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).

Verified owner stories

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

  • Pyper T.

    Verified owner · June 2025

    My pup Sawyer has brought such joy into my life. Finding Maria was a blessing. Not only are her puppies from amazing parents and pedigree but Maria’s care in raising her puppies to be ready for life is what sets her apart from others. Our little Sawyer once in his new home welcomed his kennel at night with no fuss, slept through the night and was trained to do his business in the yard right when he arrived. Maria brought us through an entire backstory of the dogs parents, health and even provided a detailed manual on how to care, train and raise your pup, which you can see is written from the heart and love of raising dogs and her many years of service dog training. I am so glad we found Maria and our lovely Pup Sawyer!

  • Bri H.

    Verified owner · Nov. 2024

    Maria was very helpful and informative throughout the entire process. She is a very knowledgeable and competent breeder. She picked a puppy that seemed best suited for me and he is my soul dog.

Photos

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.

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