Only a registered breeder can help you get a pure retriever puppy.  Adopting them from a shelter can lead to several issues regarding their health and you might be unknowingly investing in a mixed breed golden retriever.  It’s hard to differentiate while buying a newborn golden retriever puppy but with some insight, you can escape from getting duped. These are some tricks to keep a note of in order to check the purity of a golden retriever puppy (if you are buying your first pure golden): 1. A healthy golden pup will have a thick golden coat, not a lighter shade.  2. The tail of a purebred golden retriever will be straight with a thick coat of fur.