About Us

What is a Miniature Golden Retriever?

A Mini Golden Retriever is a crossbreed between a Golden Retriever and a variety of other Breeds. Our Mini Golden Retrievers are exclusively Golden Retriever and Poodle.

Kathy originally started out breeding Golden Retrievers and Cocker Spaniels. However, she quickly realized that was not the most ideal match after dealing with looks, long term health, and temperaments that were not top par. Because of this, she switched to only breeding Golden Retrievers and Poodles, and has had great success ever since!


Our larger Comfort Retrievers® are generally from a Golden Retriever bred to a Comfort Retriever®. They generally have more Golden Retriever in them, so they are a closer carbon copy than the smaller Comforts. Their parents’ average weight is 45 pounds or larger.


The smaller Comfort Retrievers® are generally from a breeding of two Comfort Retrievers®. They generally have a little more poodle, so they may have more hypoallergenic and reduced shedding traits. Their parents’ average weight is below 45 pounds.


Meet Kathy Burgess

Kathy Burgess, Owner & Founder

My name is Kathy Burgess, and I am the owner and founder of GoldenQuest Comfort Retrievers®. I am so glad you've chosen to learn more about us and our Miniature Goldens!


My love for animals started at my birth. The first word I spoke was “cat.”


Don't judge me, all you dog lovers out there!


I grew up in a loving family in Connecticut. When I was a teenager, I had an event that changed my life forever. I did not know how to handle it, so I pretended it never happened. Over time, my world became sad, and I felt very alone.


Then, I got my first dog. A Golden Retriever I named Beacon.


She was given the name because she was a bright light in my life. She gave me unconditional love and comfort. I loved her more than life itself. Unfortunately, Beacon developed many medical issues throughout her life, and although she was loved and cared for until the end, that inevitably was my big push.


My experience with Beacon would eventually lead me to breed Comfort Retrievers® that would bring the same comfort Beacon gave me to families around the world, without the medical issues my sweet Beacon unfortunately faced.

Q & A with Kathy

We sat down with Kathy to learn more about why she founded GoldenQuest Comfort Retreivers® and why these dogs are so unique!

  • How did you start GoldenQuest®?

    I asked myself why someone would produce a dog with behavioral and medical problems that reduced her quality of life, and it hurt my heart. I knew that I could do better. I set the goal of being the world’s best breeder bar none. I adopted the name “GoldenQuest” and started breeding golden retrievers.


    I believe in giving back to the community, and I placed many dogs as service, therapy, and emotional support dogs. I loved knowing my dogs were making a difference in people’s lives. One year, I even was honored to produce the “Kansas Dog of the Year.”  


    After breeding goldens for many years, I said to myself: “This is such an amazing breed. Everyone should be able to own a golden retriever, but they are too big for some. Someone should shrink the breed.” I waited for 15 years, and nobody stepped up to the plate. Eventually, I decided to give it a try. The breeders around me laughed. They told me that I was crazy, but I was undeterred.


    I decided the breed would be called “Comfort Retrievers®.” They would be a comfortable-sized retriever. In 2003, I produced my first Comfort Retriever® and trademarked the breed. Not only was I able to downsize the dog. I was able to add hypoallergenic qualities, decrease shedding, increase intelligence, and increase longevity to the breed.

  • What is unique about GoldenQuest®?

    We marry science and technology to our breeding program to give our dogs the best odds of lifetime health. 


    We also have dedicated staff that enrich the puppies pre- and post-birth. This enrichment helps us to produce amazing pets, as well as service, therapy, and emotional support dogs in fifty states and nine countries, notable Comfort Retrievers® include Nola (featured on the cover of VOGUE Japan), Chief (homed with the owners of the Kansas City Chiefs), as well as Valco and Luigi (who live with famous TikTok star ChipGirlHere)!


    We value both the dogs we produce and the clients that we serve, and we believe in the “Win-Win-Win” philosophy. If our dogs win, and our families win, then we win by default.


    Many clients are like family. 46 plus years of breeding, and my passion has not faltered. In times like these, everyone deserves a little Comfort®!

  • There are now other Mini Golden breeders. How are you different?

    I like to say that imitation is flattery. I created the breed decades ago, and other breeders have popped up over the years.


    The Comfort Retriever® came from my drive  to be unique — something special and different from the rest. After seeing other breeders’ Mini Goldens, I wanted to make sure ours continued to stand out from the rest. 


    I went on a mission to better both their personality and their health. I also developed my Health and Longevity Program, which I'm still very proud of to this day, and encourage you to click and read about it! 

Meet the Team

Dedicated dog lovers, here to help you and your furever friend in every way, from the beginning of your journey, to their home coming, and beyond!

Are You A Breeder? Partner with Us!

Covid may still be trying to slow the world down. However, the inquiries for Comfort in homes, have not. We have always strived to bring joy to the world, one Comfort at a time. Because of the growing difficulty we have faced in doing this internationally, the owner Kathy Burgess has opened her horizon and is now open to selling breeding packages to international breeders interested in helping expand all the greatness of GoldenQuest.


If you are interested in this rare opportunity, email Kathy directly:


Email Kathy

"Our family owns the KC Chiefs. We have won the AFC West each year since we’ve had our Comfort Retriever, Chief. And this year—he finally won the Super Bowl! He’s the best dog ever too! Thank you!"

- The Hunt Family

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