Litters

Our Breeding Philosophy

Every breeding combination is made with the breed's purpose in mind — the Golden Retriever is, first and foremost, a hunting dog. The breed standard, temperament, natural instinct, and health are our focus when producing a litter.

Ultimately, we keep our pick puppy to further the breeding program, and the rest of the litter is placed on an individual home basis. Volhard Puppy Aptitude Testing is arranged when the litter is about seven weeks of age.

How We Health Test

Every dog in our breeding program, and every stud dog we use, goes through the health screening the Golden Retriever Club of America recommends for the breed: hips, elbows, heart, and eyes, evaluated through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), along with DNA screening for the genetic conditions known in the breed.

Those results arrive on a schedule, not all at once. The OFA does not issue final hip and elbow certification until a dog is two years old, because earlier evaluations are less reliable; before then, a dog can only be evaluated on a preliminary basis. Hearts are examined by a veterinary cardiologist once a dog is at least a year old, and eyes are examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist and re-checked every year.

That is why our young dogs complete their clearances as they come of age. Each dog on the Our Dogs page links to its K9Data record, where clearances are listed as they are recorded — and we are always glad to talk through any dog's results with you.

How We Place Our Puppies

Our puppies are placed on a home-to-home basis — we match each puppy to the family we believe is right for that particular dog, rather than simply in the order inquiries arrive. Every placement begins with a personal conversation. Before a puppy goes home, we like to talk with each prospective family about their home and daily life, their experience with dogs, and what they are hoping for in a Golden — and to answer any questions they have for us. It matters to us that each puppy and each family are a genuine fit for one another.

The work continues long after a puppy leaves our home, and we remain a resource for the life of your dog. We are always glad to talk through what responsible Golden ownership looks like for your household — from early puppy kindergarten and crate training to keeping your dog safe, well-socialized, and part of the family.

We keep a waiting list, and a deposit reserves a place on it. Puppies placed as companions go home with a spay/neuter agreement, which we discuss with each family beforehand. And our commitment does not end when a puppy leaves: a Sheaman dog is welcome back with us at any point in its life, for any reason.