I'm the breeder behind Koloa Hunting Goldens located in Live Oak, CA. We are a small family kennel, which has evolved to a father-daughter operation. Our first Koloa Golden joined our pack in 1985, and our first litter was welcomed in 1990. All of our dogs are primarily members of the family and have strong field lines. For our lines, we always look for appropriate health clearances and a low coefficient of inbreeding.
About David Richter
We are a small family kennel that breeds AKC Golden Retrievers. Since we started Koloa Hunting Goldens in 1985, we've had a total of 11 Goldens in our own home. An additional 4 have been in the homes of our family. All of our dogs have been full members of the family; they are fully socialized with adults, kids, and grandkids. They make excellent enthusiastic hunting and retrieving partners!
What makes David Richter’s program special
We exceed the health standards set by the Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA) as our primary goal is to produce the healthiest and happiest puppies possible that lead to the betterment of the breed. We always look for a low coefficient of inbreeding, good health, and traits that make good home and working companions. All of our puppies are family dogs, but they have also been used in therapy, search and rescue, wildlife conservation (i.e., nest searches/population studies), obedience, agility, field trials, and hunt tests!
David Richter is a member of a club
Golden Retriever Club of America
David Richter’s certifications & recognitions
Royal Canin Crown Breeder, Understanding Hip & Elbow Dysplasia (Institute of Canine Biology), Basic Population Genetics for Dog Breeders (Institute of Canine Biology), Golden Retriever Breed Course (AKC Canine College), AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T, Fit To Be Tied (Good Breeder Center), Dog Breeding Fundamentals (AKC Canine College), Coefficient of Inbreeding Bootcamp (Institute of Canine Biology), Cat and Dog First Aid Certified (American Red Cross), Breeding Foundations (Good Breeder Center), Breeding Basics (AKC Canine College), Savvy Socialization (Good Breeder Center), The First 3 Weeks After Whelping (Good Breeder Center), Your Litter A-to-Z (Good Breeder Center), Whelping and Medical Intervention (AKC Canine College), CHIC Certified
David Richter 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. You'll also have the chance to share a bit about yourself and what you're looking for in a new companion. 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.
Puppy prices range from $2,500 - $3,000 and include a refundable deposit of $500.
“Price is for a Golden Retriever puppy with Limited AKC Registration from Koloa Hunting Goldens. Buyers will have the option to change to Full AKC Registration after meeting conditions detailed in our contract. The deposit is fully refundable if a new puppy buyer is found prior to the 8th week home release date. If there is no new buyer by then, the refund is prorated at $100/wk until a new buyer is found, or until the deposit is reduced to $0.”
David Richter 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 David Richter 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 David Richter directly.
Our puppies are well adjusted and are socialized with adults, children, and other dogs. The puppies will have begun paper and crate training. They spend time on different surfaces, including outside. Puppies will also be introduced to duck wings and begin fetching and retrieving. All puppies will be administered the Volhard Aptitude Test. I utilize the following enrichment methods: PAWS Working Dog Testing, Early Scent Introduction (ESI), Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS), Socialized with Cats, Crate Training , Human Interactions, Car Training, Various Surfaces, Car Rides, Basic Manners, Early Socialization, Volhard Testing, Outdoors, e.g. rain, Structures, e.g. Climbing, Scents, Chew, e.g. Bone, Toys, e.g. Ball, Touch Desensitization, Grooming Desensitization, Household Desensitization, Sound Stimulation, Socialized with Elderly, Socialized with Adult Dogs, Socialized with Children, Come Command, Stay Command, Bird Introduction, Sit Command, "No" Biting or Chewing, Crate Training, and Potty Training.
All puppies will have their first round of vaccinations, deworming, and a signed certificate of health from our veterinarian.
We send our puppies home with Early Scent Introduction, Early Neurological Stimulation, Tennis Ball, Training Pads, PAWS Working Dog Evaluation, Puppy Treats, Compostable Poop Bags, Breed Club Registration, Toy with Littermates' Scent, Welcome Home bag, Volhard Personality Test, Puppy Starter Kit, Certificate of Health, AKC Registration, Vaccinations, Puppy Collar, Food Starter Bag, and Bone.
David Richter offers options to help you easily get your new puppy home.
If you’re nearby, you can visit in person to pick up your pup. If you’re far away, you can travel by car or plane.
“The buyer will need to make an appointment to pick up their puppy from our home.”
Why David Richter started breeding
We fell in love with Goldens in 1975 and wanted to continue field lines for hunting. Our first breeding pair joined our pack in '85 and '88, respectively, welcoming their first litter in '90. Since then, we've had a total of five litters with four dams. We only breed when we, or a family member, are ready for a puppy, and we ensure good homes for the remainder of the litter every time. We don't breed often, but we always strive to do it as responsibly and proficiently as possible.
David Richter has been a member of Good Dog for almost 4 years
David Richter was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2021.
Koloa Hunting Goldens meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
All breeds
Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever
About Elektra
CHIC: 184432
Excellent health testing
Dentition, DNA Profile, +14 more
Golden Retriever
About Ruby
https://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=1077514
Excellent health testing
Brucellosis, PRA, Golden Retriever 1, +10 more
Golden Retriever
Excellent level
Koloa Hunting 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 , 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.
Thyroid (Autoimmune Thyroiditis, registered with OFA), Ichthyosis, Golden Retriever Type, Temperament Test, Standard Veterinary Blood Panel, Brucellosis
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.
Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Golden Retriever Type, DNA Profile, Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), Golden Retriever Type, OFA/CHIC DNA Repository, Full Embark Panel, Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5 (NCL5), Golden Retriever Type, Ichthyosis, Golden Retriever Type 1, 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).
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.