FAQ: Our Golden Retriever puppies and Dogs

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Our puppies are priced at $4,000.00. 

This price reflects:

• The quality and health of the sire and dam 
• The exceptional care and upbringing of each puppy 
• Our health guarantee 
• Lifetime support 

We value the families who return to us for a second (or third!) puppy, so we are happy to offer a discount to past Ingold puppy owners as a thank-you for your continued trust and love for our dogs.

Adult Golden Retrievers
From time to time, we may have a retired breeding Golden available or know of a family that needs to rehome their Golden. 

• All adult Goldens will be spayed or neutered before leaving our home 
• A rehoming fee will apply 
• If interested, please complete our Questionnaire and note your interest anywhere on the form that you are interested in an older dog.  Please do not apply if you do not have a fenced in yard 

If you’d like to be considered for a current or future litter, simply click the “Questionnaire” button below and fill out the form. Once submitted, we’ll reach out to schedule a phone call. This lets us get to know you and ensures both that our puppies go to the best families and that we’re the right breeder for you.

Steps to secure your spot:

1. Submit the Questionnaire → We’ll schedule a phone call. 
2. Approval → We’ll send you a contract to review. 
3. Holding Fee → A non-refundable $500 holding fee (applied to your final purchase price) is due along with the signed contract. 

Payment details:

• Holding fee can be paid by check, cash, Zelle, or Venmo. 
• Final payment must be cash on pick-up day or check 14 days prior to pick-up. 
• If the fee is not received within the agreed timeframe, your spot cannot be guaranteed. 

Refund policy:
If your preferred gender is not available or a pregnancy is not viable, you may choose to have your holding fee refunded or move it to the next available litter.

Note: Most of our litters are reserved before they’re born, so we recommend joining the waiting list early!

Puppies are chosen in the order deposits are received, with separate waitlists for males and females. When it is time for families to select their puppy, each family will be contacted in deposit order for their preferred gender. Selections take place on or after day 49, once the puppies have completed Volhard temperament testing with a third-party evaluator. 

Families are welcome to visit in person to meet the puppies, or we can provide photos, videos, and FaceTime calls for those unable to travel.

If there are not enough puppies of the gender originally requested, families may be offered the option of choosing from the opposite gender (if available). Please note that the order of selection may not remain the same when moving between genders, as placements are based on both availability and suitability.

As the breeder, I will guide families by recommending puppies that best fit their household, lifestyle, and goals (for example: activity level, temperament, or family needs). Families are welcome to make their own final choice, provided they understand why a particular puppy may not have been my first recommendation. My priority is always to ensure that both the puppy and the family are set up for the happiest, healthiest future together.

Note: For everyone’s safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, we may rely exclusively on videos, photos, and FaceTime instead of in-person visits.

Please see our section under the header tab, OUR PUPPIES - OUR  PROGRAM. 

Yes. All of our dogs have had their hips, elbows, heart and eyes evaluated before being considered for breeding. We follow guidelines for BVA or AVA for hips and elbows with the exception that we prefer growth plates to be closed before scoring under the age of two years old. We feel that the scheme is more inclusive and less subjective than OFA, by seeing the score of each hip rather than an overall rating.  We also DNA genetic test for PRCD-PRA, PRA1, PRA2, DM, NCL, MD and Ichthyosis 

No!  We do not make any exceptions to fly a puppy cargo. The puppy can be jostled around, experience motion sickness, vomiting and diarrhea. Excessive delays and flight cancellations can prolong the flight time and lead to anxiety and dehydration.  We do have other options depending on where you live.  We will personally deliver your puppy via commercial air (in cabin) or by car.  We can also meet you at the Chicago or Indianapolis Airport to pick up your puppy.   

Note: Due to Covid-19, flight deliveries could be limited or non-existent. 

Yes we do! In an unlikely event that your puppy should have a genetic defect, that we have tested for, we offer a one-year guarantee with an option to extend. It is impossible to guarantee perfect health. While genetics play a key role in your puppy’s overall health so does nutrition and environmental factors.

We will be happy to provide you with a list of owners upon request.

No.  We only breed purebred, AKC Golden Retrievers and are committed to the Golden Retriever only.

Natural rearing is our commitment to raising the healthiest, happiest puppies possible. We feed a fresh, species-appropriate diet, minimize chemical exposure, and follow a limited vaccine schedule—using titers instead of routine annual boosters. Our goal is to build strong immune systems and promote overall wellness through holistic, natural care. While this is our preferred approach, we also work closely with our trusted veterinarians to provide traditional medical care whenever it’s needed, ensuring our puppies receive the very best of both worlds. 

Absolutely not!  Our dogs are part of our family and live in our home with us.

 Yes! We’re happy to offer a special one-week extended training option for families who’d like their puppy to stay a little longer with us. During this extra week, your pup will continue building skills in socialization, housebreaking, crate training, and basic obedience—making the transition to your home even smoother. Space is limited, so we recommend reserving early. 

No, We do not remove dew claws. Studies have shown that removing them may increase the risk of carpal arthritis later in life. Dew claws can also provide functional benefits, such as extra grip when holding a toy, making sharp turns while running, or pulling themselves out of the water.

All of our dogs keep their dew claws intact, and we have never experienced a dew claw injury. Based on both research and our own experience, we believe the benefits of keeping dew claws far outweigh any potential risks.

No.  We do not donate puppies for auction. While we understand that puppies can raise substantial funds for worthy causes, auctions do not allow us to pre-screen potential bidders to ensure the puppy will be placed in a loving, responsible home.

We do, however, make significant donations throughout the year to support reputable animal rescue organizations and other animal causes close to our hearts.

An English Cream Golden Retriever is a Golden Retriever. The breed standard of the Golden Retriever can range from a light cream color to a dark copper gold but regardless of what a lighter colored Golden is called, the dog is a purebred Golden Retriever and not a different or rare breed.  We breed only 100% English-type bloodlines packed full of champions that have been health tested.  

In 1999 the Golden Retriever Club of America conducted a study of Golden Retrievers.  The statistics stated that over 60% of the surveyed dogs died of cancer.

In 2004 the Kennel Club in England performed a study on Golden Retrievers releasing that less than 40% died of cancer.

Looking at the different percentages it could be assumed that the English Golden Retriever is not at such a high risk for cancer as the American.  These studies were not meant to be compared and both surveys were not large enough to make the results conclusive.  Since there are so many English type Goldens in the US and vise versa, both studies fail to narrow down the ancestry.  In essence, there was no way in the Golden Retriever Club of America to single out if the English Golden was included in the survey.

Both findings however do show there is a serious health issue with Goldens regardless of the standard.  All Goldens can get cancer and all dogs for that matter.  

Yes! Golden Retrievers have a double coat made up of two layers:

• Outer coat: long, smooth, and water-repellent
   
• Undercoat: soft, dense, and fuzzy
   

These layers work together to protect the skin from sun, heat, cold, and moisture—acting as natural insulation in all weather conditions.

With the right grooming and nutrition, shedding becomes far more manageable (even if it never fully goes away).

We recommend waiting until your Golden Retriever is at least 18–24 months old before spaying or neutering. This timing allows their bones and joints to fully develop and lets them benefit from natural hormonal protection during growth. In our experience, the long-term health advantages make it worth the wait.