Pre-Reservation Questions
How much is a Golden Retriever Puppy?
Do you have any puppies available?
The answer is probably not at the time most people tend to ask this question. Most of our pups are reserved before they are born or have people waiting to make a reservation who have already gone through the application and interview process. We occasionally have availability immediately following a birth, but more often than not, you will need to wait for a while after completing the application process.
How do I pursue obtaining a Golden Retriever from you?
You will need to start by filling out an application. If you’re interested in getting a puppy, fill out the Puppy Application, and if you’re interested in an adult, fill out the Adult Waiting List Application. We will then contact applicants and give them further instructions.
I want a puppy ASAP, so how can I guarantee that from you?
Pursueing Priority or Full registration (or considering guardianship) is the fastest way to obtain a puppy if that is your goal. We keep 2 lists. We meets the requirements of the Priority/Full reservations list first, and then we fill in the remaining availability from the more flexible General reservations.
Can I pay less for a puppy if I don’t want AKC Registration?
No
Can I get on a wait list?
We keep a pool of approved applicants up to date on what’s going on in our breeding program via an email subscription, but those who want to get on our official wait-list need to complete a phone interview, complete a reservation contract, and pay the reservation fee. An official place in line on our wait-list is not solidified until those steps have been taken.
Will you let me know personally when you have availability?
Not always, we cannot contact hundreds of people individually. If you are interested in knowing our availability, visit our Litters page, watch our social media, and monitor the updates section of our website. We’ll announce when we have specific availability after a birth as well.
Is there any way I can pay less for a puppy?
Yes, check out our Guardianship Program and fill out the Guardianship Application if you’re interested.
Post Reservation Tips
Please refrain from requesting more updates or pictures
We realize you’re excited, but so are the dozens of other clients that we have. There is not much to report during a pregnancy other than the breeding, the ultrasound, the x-ray, and the birth unless something goes wrong. After the birth, we are extremely busy and possibly very sleep deprived. We do not like to share pictures that we aren’t proud of, and taking good pictures of wiggly things that make messes all the time takes presence of mind, patience, and energy. We will try to make sure we post some information or pictures every 1-2 weeks on our private Facebook page (and sometimes on our public one as well) depending on the litter(s).
Update your family
We often communicate important details to one phone number or person. Please make sure this person is responsible enough to convey the important information to the rest of the family. We want to avoid extra family members contacting us to ask questions that we have already answered.
Respond promptly to texts
We send out multiple mass texts, and every once in a while something doesn’t go through to everyone. Having people send us some sort of confirmation back helps us identify any issues quickly.
The selection process
We retain full control over how pups are placed, but we carefully match them to their families. If you insist on selecting your puppy yourself, you are welcome to discuss how that might be possible with us after you have filled out an application.
We do not typically send home a blanket with mom/sibling’s scent on it
You are welcome to request this, but our philosophy is different than the old school practice of sending a blanket with the mother’s and siblings’ scent on it home with the pup. Sometimes we will send a little nylabone home with them that they are comfortable chewing on, but a memory of something the pup will never have again is not as helpful or important as setting up the new bond. We believe it’s more important to make a clean break and establish deep trust with the new family as soon as possible. We can put a blanket or toy in with the pups to play with, but it will get dirty very quickly. You’re welcome to chat with us about your preferences on this topic. We’re flexible about it.
Show up on time and communicate
If you do not show up to pick up your puppy on the scheduled pickup day, and you do not call or text us, we may send the pup home with another family, and we will not refund your Reservation Fee.
What to expect for your pup
When you take your puppy home, it will at the very least have received a vet exam, it’s first vaccinations, early neurological stimulation, area training, a variety of desensitization, love, and snuggles. It will have a head start on potty training, and will be sent home with a bag of food, some puppy pads, AKC registration, vaccination record, microchipped, and bathed.