Every breed has its share of health problems, and the Golden Retriever is no exception. Many dogs carry the genes for hereditary problems without showing expressions of the disease themselves. These dogs can pass those problems on to future offspring, however, and this is why it is so important to be an informed buyer when you are purchasing a puppy. Making sure that the puppy's parents have been cleared for certain genetic diseases will give you the best chance at a healthy puppy that grows up to be a healthy adult dog.