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.


A Message from Kathy

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!

kathy burgess holding a mini golden retriever
woman trainer with a mini golden retriever

Kathy Burgess

Founder and CEO

For more than 45 years, Kathy Burgess has been dedicated to bringing comfort, companionship, and joy into families’ lives with her creation of the Comfort® Retriever. Inspired by her beloved Golden Retriever, Beacon, Kathy set out to develop a smaller, hypoallergenic Golden Retriever. After years of careful breeding, she created the Comfort® Retriever, blending the qualities that make Golden Retrievers beloved with the added benefits of reduced shedding and a more manageable size.


Recognition and Featured Appearances

GoldenQuest® and Kathy Burgess have gained notable media attention for their innovative breeding practices. Some of Kathy’s Comfort® Retrievers have been spotlighted in major publications and outlets. Notable appearances include a cover feature in VOGUE Japan.  We are celebrating the breed’s unique characteristics and hypoallergenic appeal. Additionally, Comfort® Retrievers have gained attention among prominent clients, including high-profile families like those of the Kansas City Chiefs, who have a Comfort Retriever named “Chief.”


A Health-First Approach

Kathy’s commitment to ethical, health-focused breeding drives the GoldenQuest® program. She’s established rigorous health and temperament standards, combining science-backed methods with a compassionate touch. Each Comfort® Retriever undergoes comprehensive health screening, making them especially well-suited for service and emotional support roles. Kathy’s commitment to healthy, well-adjusted pets has set a standard for quality and care in breeding.


The “Win-Win-Win” Philosophy

Kathy’s philosophy centers on a win for the dogs, a win for the families, and a win for the community. By producing healthy, adaptable dogs, she ensures that each Comfort® Retriever brings happiness to their new families while supporting community-oriented goals, including therapy and support services. This guiding principle has helped GoldenQuest® become a trusted name, producing dogs that genuinely enrich people’s lives.


A Legacy of Leadership

Kathy has continued to be an innovator’s in the breeding community which is shaped by her unique blending of science and technology. She continues to lead GoldenQuest® with a vision for excellence, raising the bar on what responsible breeding means. Her legacy at GoldenQuest® reflects a lifelong commitment to animals and families alike, creating a lasting impact on the world of breeding and pet companionship.

Dr. Stephen Pinkston, DVM

Veterinarian Extraordinaire

Dr. Stephen Pinkston, DVM, brings over 40 years of veterinary experience to his work at GoldenQuest®, where he focuses on health and is available to consult on genetics and breeding practices for Comfort® Retrievers, a miniaturized Golden Retriever blend bred for service, therapy, and companionship. With a background in clinical care and an interest in responsible breeding, Dr. Pinkston contributes to the health protocols and breed standards that help ensure Comfort® Retrievers are well-suited to family life and specialized roles alike.


At GoldenQuest®, he supports long-term wellness and temperament working with a team dedicated to reducing genetic health care risks and maximizing health and longevity.  His role includes incorporating his many years of schooling and practice to aid in our mutual goal to utilize medical best practice foe each and every dog. 


Dr. Pinkston’s work at GoldenQuest® is rooted in the belief that responsible breeding can create healthier, happier pets. By focusing on both the physical and emotional needs of the dogs, he helps GoldenQuest® maintain a breeding program that is attentive to each animal’s well-being from birth onward. This approach not only produces well-adjusted, friendly companions but also supports the unique qualities Comfort® Retrievers are known for—loyalty, intelligence, and a lower-shedding coat—traits that make them ideal for families and therapy work alike.


Dr. Stephen Pinkston, DVM, graduated from Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1980. His education at Auburn provided a solid foundation in clinical care and animal health, equipping him with the expertise he has applied throughout his 40-year career.

Are You A Breeder? Partner with Us!

We have always strived to bring joy to the world, one Comfort at a time. To aid in this, the owner Kathy Burgess has opened her horizon and is now open to selling breeding packages to both national and 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