FAQ: Our Golden Retriever puppies and Dogs

---

Our puppy cost is $3500.00 for AKC Limited Registration. Our prices represent not only the quality of the sire and dam but the way our puppies are raised, cared for, guarantee and the lifetime support we provide. Your deposit of $500 goes toward the cost of the puppy.

If you want to be considered for a current or future litter, please click 'Application' button below.  Once the application has been submitted, I will contact you for a phone interview within 24 hours.   We want to ensure that our puppies go to the best of families and we want you to be assured that we are the right breeder for you.  After approval, the contract will be sent for review and a non-refundable $500 deposit is due along with the counter-signed contract within five days. 

If gender is not available or pregnancy is not viable then we will refund your deposit or you may move your deposit to the next available litter.

If the deposit it not received within the agreement terms, I cannot guarantee your placement.  

Only deposits can be made by check, cash, PayPal, or Venmo.  Final payment must be cash on day of pick up or by check 21 days prior to pick up.

We find that puppy personalities and behavioral traits don’t begin until around 5-7 weeks of age. We observe all of our puppies throughout their development and at 7 weeks old we temperament test. This test will indicate factors including dominance, independence, sound sensitivity, confidence, etc. We will offer choices that will meet the needs of the family’s desires and lifestyle. 

If a family does not wish to choose their puppy from the choices offered, they can move their deposit to the next available litter.

Note: During the Covid-19 pandemic and everyone’s safety, we reserve the right to use pictures, videos, and/or facetime to choose your puppy instead of in-person. 

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

Yes. All of our dogs must pass hip, elbow, heart and eye clearances 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. Our dogs are OFA Certified for heart and eyes.  

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. 

No. There are studies reveling by removing the dew claws increases the chances of carpal arthritis.  Some believe the dew claws provide an extra grip when needed such as holding a toy, running a tight turn or even pulling oneself from a lake, etc.

All of our dogs have their dew claws.  We have never had a dew claw injury and studies show there are benefits for not removing.  For these reasons we have chosen to keep our puppies dew claws intact. 

Yes we do! We are committed to responsible breeding and only breed from the healthiest dogs that have solid pedigrees. We have done everything possible to minimize risks however 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 as well.

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.

Absolutely not!  Our dogs are part of our family.  Goldens belong indoors with their humans.  

No.  While we understand that puppies can bring in a substantial contribution to a worthy cause, there is not a way to pre-screen potential bidders to ensure the puppy will go to a loving home and family.

We do, however, make significant donations throughout the year to different animal rescue organizations.

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 they do!  

A golden is a double-coat breed. Its coat is made up of two parts – the long and smooth outer coat, and the soft and fuzzy undercoat. These two layers work together to protect the skin from sun, heat, cold and moisture. The fur acts as an insulator against ALL weather conditions.  DO NOT shave your Golden! Removing their coat does not make them cooler, but compromises their body’s protection. 

We have found that a daily brushing routine and an undercoat rake as well as using Health Extension Skin and Coat care that have natural ingredients of Primrose and Fish oil will significantly improve shedding.   

Research has discovered that spaying/ neutering at a young age before puberty will have negative effects, increasing chances of joint disorders and cancer.  We ask that you do not spay/neuter before the age of one year old but prefer you wait until the age of 18 months - two years old.

A female in season is not as bad as some may think it is.  Most females will keep themselves clean or perhaps leave a few drops of blood which is manageable to clean.  A longer healthy life in the long run is worth the short -term minor inconvenience.  

Males tend to grow taller and lankier if neutered early due to the lack of testosterone.

We feel that waiting to spay/neuter is beneficial for health and longevity.  There are many articles online so please do research to learn more or speak to us directly.  We hope you will consider the health advantages to make an informative decision.