Frequently Asked Questions
Full vs limited registration
All puppies will come with AKC registration. There are two different types of AKC registration. Limited registration, which is "pet" AKC registration; this means that the puppy cannot be bred or shown. Full AKC registration allows the puppy to bred or shown when they are of age. Full registration is available to approved homes only.
Breeding rights
We will sell puppies with full AKC registration to approved homes. We would need to know about your breeding program and must speak to you over the phone, no one liner emails. We need to know that our puppies will receive the attention and care they need. For this reason, we do not sell puppies to breeders with large numbers of dogs (more than ten breeding dogs) or puppy mills. If we find out that we have been mislead by a buyer and the puppy is in a large kennel, the health guarantee on that puppy is null and void. How the process works is that the puppy price is the same as a pet when it goes home. Once the dog is 18 months - 2 years old and has had it’s (prelim or final) OFA hips and elbows completed and the results shown to us, we will upgrade breeding status to full registration. NOTE: the dog must be at least 18 months old when the films are taken. We will accept Pennhip as well. The additional fee to upgrade to full AKC registration is $1500.
Whats the next step In Reserving a puppy?
Contact us via email, phone, or text. We would love to know more about you and the home you could provide one of our puppies. Feel free to ask us any questions as well.
What is ICT Clear and Carrier mean?
Ichthyosis (ICT) results in a profusion of dandruff. ICT is generally not dangerous to a dog's health, but can be unsightly, and uncomfortable for the dog. ICH-A is frequently related to other health issues such as yeast overgrowth and fungal infections. An affected (has ICT) dog will usually require more care with special shampoos and treatments.
ICT is an autosomal recessive genetic mutation that affects the skin of Golden Retrievers. Therefore to pass ICT to any offspring, both parents must carry a copy of the mutation. An "affected" dog has two copies of the gene and therefore has the disease. A "carrier" has one copy of the genetic mutation and will not have the disease, but could pass it on if bred with another carrier or and affected dog. An ICT "clear" dog does not have the genetic mutation anywhere in their DNA and therefore cannot pass it on. Since to have an affected dog requires getting an ICT gene from each parent, an ICT clear dog can be bred with either a carrier or an affected dog and no offspring will have the disease. A majority of the Golden Retrievers are carriers of the gene responsible for the disease, about 50%. An estimated 30% are affected and the remaining 20% are clear. A reliable DNA test can screen stud dogs and brood bitches, in order to adapt matings and avoid birth of affected puppies and spread of the disease in the breed. We have tested all of our breeding dogs to make sure this disease is not passed on. To find out more on ICT and and how to test for it, visit the following links.
http://www.antagene.com/en/no/ichthyosis-golden-retriever-breed
When do I Get to pick my puppy?
To make the selection process easier for everyone, therefore we letting people come select and take home their puppy at 8 weeks of age. Plus is one less trip to make for those who live far away and want to select their puppy out in person. You can always select your puppy ahead of time if you are unable to make it at 8 weeks of age in person or via video/pictures.
Do you offer a health guarantee?
Yes, all puppies come with a two year health guarantee. It covers one year of any genetic problems, and two years for hips and elbows, heart and eyes.
Do you offer Delivery?
Yes, depending on your location, we can fly or drive your puppy to you. If it is flown, it needs to be done between 8 -9 weeks old since after that time it is too large to fit in cabin on a plane with a pet nanny. Depending on location, pricing usually ranges between $400-$600.
Is the Deposit non refundable?
The deposit is 100% refundable if something were to happen on our end. For example, female did not become pregnant after bred; if you had 3rd pick male, but there were only 2; or for some unforeseen reason something were to happen to the puppy. You also have the option to move your deposit to the next available litter if there aren’t enough puppies. Once the puppies are born, the deposit cannot be moved or refunded if there are enough puppies.
The deposit is non refundable if you are unable to get the puppy for any reason. You can move your deposit to a different litter if you would like, but it has to be done before the puppies in the litter you have signed up for are 2 weeks old. Deposits can only be moved twice.
What kind of Dog food should I feed my puppy?
Golden Retrievers should NEVER be fed Grain-free commercial dog food. Recent studies have shown a link between grain free dog food and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). DCM can cause heart failure and death.
Grain free commercial dog food contains high amounts of legumes and potatoes usually in the first 5 ingredients. The condition is linked to a taurine deficiency. Taurine is an amino acid that most animals, including humans, can create on their own. Dogs get a lot of it from their diet. Chicken and beef are high in taurine, while rabbit, lamb, legumes, pea-protein and other ingredients found in some grain-free foods have little or no taurine. If items that are naturally low in taurine are placed in food formulas, they need to be supplemented with taurine. The FDA issued a warning: https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm613305.htm
Golden Retrievers need a good quality large breed puppy food for proper growth. Dog Food Advisor does a great job of rating dog foods: https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com You can type in a dog food you are interested in to see it’s score; our health guarantee requires a 4 or 5 star dog food for your puppy.
The food I currently give my adult dogs is Victor Select Lamb and Rice food, it has great ingredients and my dogs do so well on it. Many dogs are sensitive or allergic to chicken and beef so lamb and salmon varieties are better. I have notice an improvement in my dogs stools on this and they have a healthy weight, and nice coat. You can find this food at online at Chewy or Amazon, or at Tractor Supply. For my puppies I give Purina Pro Plan Puppy Lamb & Rice Formula.
Other puppy foods I have ok to use with puppies are Simply Nourish Large Breed dog food. It doesn’t have any legumes or potatoes in the first five ingredients on the list. I’ve found it’s easily digested and tolerated by puppies. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed puppy food is another good choice and it actually has taurine supplemented in it. I have found though that with some puppies, stools are more loose on these foods.
Price doesn’t always dictate the quality of the dog food, some “expensive” formulas are only rated 2 1/2 stars and are mostly grains as first ingredients instead of meat. Royal Canin puppy food is an expensive food that lists its first ingredient as chicken by-product meal, not good. Please do your homework when selecting a food for your new puppy.
What is NUVEt and why is it part of the Health guarantee?
Why I recommend NuVet Plus -
As a quality breeder, my highest priority is the health of the dogs I breed. Part of that responsibility includes doing everything possible to assure their wellbeing after they go to a new home. All of my dogs, from puppies to seniors are on Nuvet.
While all quality dog foods will provide everything needed to sustain life, virtually all of them are cooked during the manufacturing process. The heat from cooking causes much of the nutrients to be lost during the process. NuVet Plus is cold processed allowing all of the benefits of its rich nutrients to be retained, giving your new puppy an extra layer of protection, especially during the most critical first year of life.
Additionally, when puppies nurse, they rely on their mother’s colostrum (highly nutritious milk produced right after birth) for the antibodies they need to fight foreign substances. However, the maternal antibodies’ effectiveness declines as the puppy’s immune system begins to mature. By 8 weeks, your puppy’s immune system is at a vulnerable point and will soon be challenged on multiple fronts.
When a puppy is moved away from its mother and siblings to live with its new family, the immune system is weakened by the stress of adoption and exposure to bacteria and viruses in its new home. These are pathogens for which the puppy’s body has not yet developed antibodies, and it is widely recognized that the immune system is less effective in times of stress. So starting NuVet Plus now is important to helping your puppy grow into a healthy adult.
The vaccine series is also started during this time period. Vaccines are most effective if the immune system can respond properly. If the immune system is distracted by combating free radicals and it does not receive the nutrients required to keep it strong during times of stress, the health of the puppy is at risk. The best way to stay healthy during this critical time is to provide the nutritional support required for proper immune system function.
For dogs in their prime - it improves the luster of their skin and coat while protecting against allergies, skin and coat problems, staining from tears, digestive problems, etc.
For older dogs - it helps protect against, tumors, premature aging, cataracts, heart conditions, diabetes and many types of cancer, while extending the life and improving the vitality of many dogs.About NuVet Plus -
NuVet Plus is a synergistic combination of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals known to boost immune system function. All of NuVet Labs’ ingredients are sourced in the United States, manufactured in a human-grade U.S. FDA registered pharmaceutical laboratory, and cold processed to maximize the potency of the nutrients. NuVet Labs has been in business since 1997 and has never had a product recall. By including NuVet Plus® into your puppy’s daily diet, you can be confident that you are providing the nutrients required for optimal immune system performance.
Health Guarantee: NuVet Plus is recommended for your puppy because your new baby’s health is that important to me. With my order code NuVet keeps track of who and when my puppy families place their orders so that I know to keep your puppy’s Health Guarantee in place. You order directly from the manufacturer by calling 800-474-7044 using Order Code: 13305, or ordering online at www.nuvet.com/13305. You can also save an additional 15% and assure you don’t jeopardize your guarantee extension or run out of your pup’s NuVet vitamin supplements by choosing the “AutoShip” option at check out.
Stud service
At this time I do offer stud service with Iggy and Tetris. They have all their health clearances: hip/elbows, heart, and eyes. Both are also genetically clear for ICT, PRA1, PRA2, Prcd, MD, DM, and NCL.
Iggy has frozen semen in Knoxville with the International Canine Semen Banks (ICSB) that can be sent at anytime. Occasionally I will allow natural breeding on a case by case basis. Stud fee is $3000. If you are interested in a stud service contact me via phone at 423-322-3963