Frequently asked questions

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I do not have a kennel!  I have a home where I live with my husband and my dogs and where I raise my puppies.  My dogs are never in kennels and have free roam of my home and our property.  The puppies are born in my bedroom and raised inside of my home.

At this time I do not have any older dogs that I am looking to place.  I am a believer that a dog is for life.  If I keep a dog, I keep it forever.  This might mean there will be long periods of time without litters, but this is how I do it.

Yes!  All of my dogs and those I breed to have all required health clearances.  

Links to those are listed under each girls information on the "Our girls" page.  Links for the Sire health information is listed as well and all puppy parents go home with printed copies from both dam and sire.  Clearances include (but not limited to):  eyes, heart, hips and elbows.  

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What health clearances should golden retriever breeders do?

As outlined by the Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA) code of ethics all breeders should perform hips, elbows, eyes and heart clearances on the parents of any litter. 

And, more recently most of us are now performing genetic testing as well.

You can read more about this on the GRCA website here:  https://grca.org/about-the-breed/health-research/health-screenings-for-the-parents-of-a-litter/

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What is OFA testing for golden retrievers?

OFA stands for the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, a nonprofit organization that helps improve the health of future generations of dogs through standardized health testing.

Golden Retrievers are prone to certain inherited health conditions, so responsible breeders have their breeding dogs evaluated before they are bred. Depending on the dog's age and the recommended health clearances for the breed, these screenings may include the hips, elbows, heart, eyes, and DNA testing for specific inherited diseases.

These health clearances help breeders make informed breeding decisions, reduce the risk of passing on hereditary conditions, and produce healthier puppies. The results are published in the OFA's public database, giving puppy buyers confidence that the breeder is committed to health, transparency, and responsible breeding practices.

At Dream Golden Retrievers, I complete the recommended health clearances on all of my breeding dogs because I believe every puppy deserves the healthiest possible start in life.

• Hips – to screen for hip dysplasia. 
• Elbows – to screen for elbow dysplasia. 
• Heart – evaluated by a veterinary cardiologist for inherited heart disease. 
• Eyes – examined annually by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist. 
• DNA testing – for inherited diseases such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA1 & PRA2), Ichthyosis, Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL), Degenerative Myelopathy(DM), and other conditions as appropriate.

The puppies are dewormed on a schedule by myself starting at 2 weeks of age.  

At approximately 7 weeks of age each puppy is seen by my local veterinarian for an overall check up.  He/she is given the first series of DHPP shots which includes, canine distemper, infectious hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus.   The puppies are also micro-chipped.  

Documentation for all of this is sent home in the puppy binder.

No.  I will not ship a puppy out of state or out of the country.  However, I am happy to assist you with making arrangements to fly home with your puppy in cabin.  

But, keep in mind that I do require that we meet at least one time, face to face, prior to the day you take your puppy home, so you would need to make 2 trips out here.

I generally have a wait list for future litters.  I am happy to add your name to the interest list once you have completed my questionnaire.  Please email me to be added.

Submission of a questionnaire does not guarantee you a puppy.  I reserve the right to choose my buyers.  

If you are selected for one of my litters you will be contacted about one week after they are born.  You will then need to fill out my contract and return it to me along with a fully refundable $500 deposit.   

Both buyer and seller have a right to cancel a contract up until the time the puppy goes home.

Once the puppies are 5 weeks old you can start visiting them.  I do require that we meet face to face at least one time prior to the day you pick up your puppy.  This is to ensure that we are a good match as we will be family once you take one of my puppies home and I need to be sure we have good communication and understanding of what we each expect from one another.

Puppies DO NOT go home prior to 8 weeks of age!  No exceptions!

The puppies are introduced to numerous stimuli from the very beginning of life.  Because they are raised in my home they are subject to the normal household noises such as vacuum cleaners, televisions, radios, washing machines, dogs barking, etc.  

I introduce them to ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation) as well as ESI (Early Scent Introduction) from 3 days old.  Read more on both of these topics through my menu.

Once the puppies are a little older I begin to introduce different toys and sounds to them.  I have a very extensive "check list" that I work on to cover a multitude of sights, sounds and scenarios. 

I have numerous toys such as slides, ramps, activity box, suspension bridge, balance boards and tunnels.  I introduce the puppies to many different friends of mine, both old and young.  

I work very hard to ensure that each puppy is ready for the big world ahead of them and I pride myself in my "fearless" puppies. 

Yes!  Golden Retrievers are widely considered one of the best family companions because of their friendly, gentle, and eager-to-please nature.  They are known for forming strong bonds with their families and enjoy being involved in everyday family life.

Golden Retrievers are typically patient with children, affectionate with adults, and sociable with other dogs and pets when they are properly socialized.  They are intelligent and highly trainable, making them an excellent choice for both first-time and experienced dog owners.

Like all dogs, Golden Retrievers thrive when they receive regular exercise, training, mental stimulation, and plenty of love and attention.  Teaching children how to respectfully interact with a dog and supervising young children during play helps create a safe and positive relationship for everyone.

At Dream Golden Retrievers, I focus on breeding dogs with excellent health, sound temperaments, and the classic Golden Retriever personality that has made the breed such a beloved member of families for generations.

For more in depth information on the breed please visit this page: 

https://grca.org/find-a-golden/begin-the-search/is-a-golden-retriever-right-for-you/

 This is one of the questions that gets asked a lot! 

The truth is that there is no "better" choice—both male and female Golden Retrievers make wonderful companions.

In general, males tend to be a little larger than females a bit smaller.  Females often mature slightly earlier and can sometimes be a little more independent. However, these are only general tendencies—not guarantees.

What matters far more than gender is the individual puppy's personality, genetics, early socialization, and training.  A well-bred, well-socialized Golden Retriever—whether male or female—should be friendly, intelligent, affectionate, eager to please, and a joy to live with.

The biggest practical difference is that an intact female will experience heat cycles until she is spayed.  Aside from these reproductive differences, most families find that the individual dog's temperament is much more important than whether it's a boy or a girl.

At Dream Golden Retrievers, I spend time getting to know each puppy's personality. 

Rather than encouraging families to focus solely on gender, I help match each puppy to the home and lifestyle where I believe they will thrive.

Absolutely without question!! 

These are my grandbabies and I will always be here for them.  I actually even insist that I am listed on a living trust if my buyers happen to be a bit older so that there is a definitive place for the puppy/dog to go should something happen and a family member not be willing or able to take the puppy/dog. 

I always have families looking for older or slightly older dogs, so I am more than happy to take in one of my babies and find them a perfect new home.  I understand that life can happen sometimes and I never pass judgement. 

I want what is best for everyone and I am here to help. Always

This is a pretty in-depth answer so I’m going to refer you to the GRCA website. 

https://grca.org/find-a-golden/about-breeders/selecting-a-breeder/

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How do I know if a golden retriever breeder is reputable?

My general answer to this question is honesty and transparency. You should be able to find all information and answers to your questions right on their website. You should find their name, specific information on their dogs including registered names and links to their health clearances. 

They will provide you with an application with in depth questions that you should fill out completely!  You are applying for a puppy, one of their beloved puppies and this is the first step of the process.  If you do not fill out that application completely, you likely will not make it through that first step to even be considered.  

A reputable breeder should ask just as many questions of you as you ask of them!

                                  The following is not my own writing.**

Let me say a few words to you, yes you, the person who writes an email to simply ask the price. The person who calls and after hearing a price surprisingly states: “I can buy a cheaper pup elsewhere”. I also address you; the person who doesn’t care about papers because I want “just a pet”.

No dog is “just a pet”!

Behind every pure bred puppy/dog is a BREEDER. I’m using capital letters to differentiate a breeder from a pet factory or mill.

A reputable breeder does not breed dogs without papers, that does not protect the integrity of the breed. Registration (papers) are records of lineage that document bloodline and allow one to research any possible health issues present in the lineage. When you tell a Breeder you don’t care about papers what you’re really telling them is you couldn’t care less about the health of the puppy you just want the cheapest thing you can find!

When you select to buy a puppy from a reputable and quality breeder, this breeder is responsible for the health of every pup ; both dogs owned and every pup they’ve sold for its lifetime.

This breeder will skip holidays, miss sleeping, and most of their personal house space has been turned into space for their dogs .

The truly passionate breeder who loves what they breed, puts their whole heart and soul into it. Not only in puppies that are sold, but also in each client who owns a piece of their heart and now is a member of their extended family.

This does not take into account any puppy/dog who might get sick or need extra help to thrive.

Breeders worry about their babies after they leave and will take one back without question.

A breeder will get their hands dirty, often covered in everything accompanied with birthing. Because that’s what life is about...In the middle of birth and death is life. The wheel that keeps turning.

A breeder will do tests, echocardiograms, x-rays, analysis, emergency c sections, vaccinations, register litters, research pedigrees, de-worm, as well as microchip their puppies and get them evaluated by specialists.

Last but by no means least, a breeder CHOOSES the family lucky enough to have one of their puppies. Yes, you read that right. A true breeder chooses who they sell to because they are not making money off the sale. There is no compensation that can offset the investment a Breeder has made so they need to be confident its the right fit. Many times saying more no’s then yes...

A good Breeder will have different criteria for those wanting to carry on their bloodline, why? Because breeding is not a responsibility to ever be taken lightly, it’s a lifestyle choice set aside for ONLY the few devoted people willing to sacrifice.

Because a dog is never “just a pet” it’s the Breeder’s legacy, a little boy’s best friend, a little girls protector, an elderly persons therapy, a member of the family, someone’s whole world!!!

**( Written in part by: Sr. Eduardo Loredo Muller.  Translated into English by: Angel Sophia Nogga.  Modified for dogs by: Amber French)