Frequently Asked Questions

Prices and deposit information for our puppies can be found on our Puppies Page . We only hold a puppy once a  deposit is placed. If we do not have your deposit, we cannot hold a puppy. If we have puppies that stay longer than 8-weeks, we charge a fee to board and begin training and continue socializing your puppy ($75/day).

If we cannot provide you with a puppy of the gender you reserved, there are 3 options:

1) We will fully refund your deposit.

OR

2) You may be offered a puppy of the opposite sex (if available). 

OR

3) You can transfer your deposit towards a later litter. 

If we have puppies that stay longer than 8-weeks, we charge a fee to board and begin training and continue socializing your puppy ($75/day). This includes food, continuation of crate training, recall, etc. This needs to be arranged on an individual basis. 

Once you have placed a deposit for a litter, we will add you to our list. When our females go into heat, we create a private Facebook group only for the families on that litter. We post photos and videos regularly documenting the pre-natal veterinary ultrasounds and radiographs and the daily activities of the puppies from birth until they go home! We offer a very unique experience for our families to be involved in the lives of their developing puppies!

Currently, we are not having visits of our dogs & puppies. Since our puppies & dogs do not live at a facility, they live in our home in a family environment, we want our  dogs to have safety and privacy. However, we do want you, our future puppy family, to feel comfortable with where your puppy is coming from and lives. Technology offers great options for a virtual visit and experience. We can Utilize FaceTime, zoom, Instagram video and live so you can see in detail where your puppy is being raised. You will get to pick out your pup in person when they are around 6 weeks old. 

Golden Retrievers are loving, obedient, and we find they are easy to train because they thrive on pleasing the humans in their life. In addition, they have a well-mannered temperament, making them great family pets which is what we breed for. They are extremely active and are always happy to go on a walk, play fetch, and interact with people and other pets. Our breed's nature tends to mature slowly and maintains a silly puppy personality for many years after they're grown, which is one of the reasons they are referred to as the "FOREVER PUPPY" in personality. Both males and females follow the temperament described above. We absolutely love our males and females at our kennel, and cannot see one being better than the other, unless you just love a certain gender's name. 

Generally at 8-weeks-old. There is a lot of different information on when the optimal time for a puppy to leave mama and siblings. We have found 8-weeks is a great time to start training and avoid the hierarchy that can happen among litter mates. As long as we feel comfortable with the puppy's progress, our puppies are ready to leave our home at 8-weeks-old. Even though puppies are weaned at 6-7 weeks, puppies do learn bite inhibition around 6-7 weeks of age, so keeping puppies with litter mates and mom can help the puppy learn that it hurts to be bitten by another puppy and they tend to bite less. This is not always the case because puppies have a strong need to bite and chew, but it's a great start. Additional training is also extremely important.

From Frontiers in Veterinary Science: The suggested guideline for males, based on the increased risks of joint disorders and cancers, is delaying neutering until beyond a year of age. The suggested guideline for females, based on the increased occurrence of cancers at all spaying ages, is spaying at one year and remaining vigilant for the cancers. Be sure to consult your veterinarian and click the link above to access full publication.

1. To Ensure the Health and Well-being of Our Puppies
Our primary focus is the health, temperament, and overall well-being of our puppies. Breeding dogs responsibly requires knowledge, experience, and dedication to maintaining proper genetic lines, health screenings, and understanding canine behavior. Allowing unregulated breeding could lead to health complications or compromised genetics, which would affect the future of these puppies and the breed.

2. We Care About Responsible Breeding Practices
We believe in ethical breeding practices that enhance and preserve the integrity of the breed. Unfortunately, not all breeders follow these principles. By limiting breeding rights, we can ensure that only carefully planned litters are brought into the world, with the appropriate genetic testing and health clearances.

3. Preventing Overpopulation
There are already many dogs looking for loving homes, and allowing unrestricted breeding can contribute to pet overpopulation. We want to ensure that our puppies go to homes where they will be loved as family members, not used solely for breeding purposes.

4. Maintaining Quality of the Breed
We strive to produce healthy, well-tempered, and high-quality puppies. By placing restrictions on breeding, we can maintain control over the quality of our lines, ensuring the best possible outcome for future generations of our breed.

5. A Commitment to Our Puppies' Future
Each of our puppies is a part of our extended family. By limiting breeding, we can provide a guarantee that they will live happy, fulfilling lives as companions rather than be exploited for profit or become part of irresponsible breeding programs.

Congratulations on bringing a new puppy into your life! If your goal is have a happy, well-behaved adult dog that you can accompany you wherever you go for years to come, then early socialization is the MOST important thing you can do for him. Socialization is the process of introducing your puppy to the world in a way that will help him be confident and unafraid of people, places and things that he will encounter throughout his life. The most critical socialization window occurs before the age of 12 weeks, and that window is considered to be closing by 5 months. Here is a great check-list!

1. Backed by Science and Research
These brands are developed by leading veterinary nutritionists and backed by decades of research into canine health and nutrition. Each formula is specifically designed to meet the nutritional needs of puppies, ensuring they grow healthy and strong. They provide balanced levels of essential nutrients like protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals that are critical for your Golden Retriever’s growth.

2. Formulated for Large-Breed Puppies
Golden Retrievers are large-breed dogs, and their nutritional needs are different from smaller breeds. Hill’s, Purina ProPlan, and Royal Canin offer specialized large-breed puppy formulas that support controlled growth, which helps prevent joint and bone issues later in life, such as hip dysplasia.

3. Reliable Quality Control
These brands have rigorous quality control standards to ensure the safety and consistency of their products. You can trust that every bag or can of food is made to the same high standard, with no dangerous fluctuations in ingredients or nutrients.

4. Grain-Free Diet Concerns
While grain-free diets have become popular, recent studies have raised concerns about their connection to heart disease (dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM) in dogs, particularly large breeds like Golden Retrievers. The brands we recommend provide a balanced diet that includes grains, which are an important source of essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and energy. These diets have been proven safe and effective for puppies.

5. Caution with Raw Diets
Raw diets are often promoted for their "natural" benefits, but they carry significant risks, especially for puppies. Raw diets can expose dogs to harmful bacteria (like salmonella and E. coli) and parasites, which can lead to serious health problems. Moreover, it’s difficult to ensure that a raw diet is nutritionally balanced, which can lead to deficiencies or excesses in important nutrients, potentially stunting your puppy’s development.

6. Trusted by Veterinarians
Hill’s Science Diet, Purina ProPlan, and Royal Canin are widely recommended by veterinarians because they are trusted, proven brands that consistently deliver optimal nutrition. Your puppy’s long-term health and well-being are our top priority, and we believe these brands provide the best foundation for healthy growth and development.

By feeding your Golden Retriever puppy one of these vet-recommended brands, you’re giving them the best start in life with a diet that supports their specific needs as a large, active breed.