FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Golden retrievers, smart, active, and loving dogs, rank among the most popular dog breeds in the world. They originated in the Scottish Highlands and were originally bred to help hunters gently carry prey in their mouths without damaging them. They make great family dogs as they get along with children and other animals. Additionally, they are well-known for their service, therapy, and emotional support roles because of their caring nature. With a strong desire to please their owners, they are one of the easier breeds to train. For more information: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/golden-retriever/

-Deworming at 2 , 4, 6, & 8 weeks of age.

-1st Puppy Vaccinations is at 6 weeks old:

       -Veterinarian Visit is at 6 weeks old, to be cleared for their new home.

       -If needs be the 2nd Puppy Vaccinations is at 9 weeks old.

We breed beautiful Golden Retrievers that adhere to the breed standard. We believe in improving the breed by ensuring that our dogs are AKC registered, have done the required OFA health clearances, DNA testing for genetic health, possess good temperaments, receive proper socialization, and earn titles.

We keep them in our home where they receive constant attention, care and handling. The mother is fed high-quality food to maintain a healthy milk supply for the puppies. We conduct early exercises such as Early Neurological Stimulation, expose them to car rides, grooming sessions, visits from guests for human interaction, provide toys, a fenced-in area, basic training and introduce them to other pets. Additionally, we ensure their bedding is cleaned daily to keep them clean and comfortable.

They are genetic tested to confirm they are clear from over 200 genetic diseases. Following that, we perform OFA clearances on their hips, elbows, heart, and eyes.

Puppies will only be placed in homes where they are considered part of the family. They will receive love, high-quality food, daily training, proper veterinary care, and have proper supplies. A pre-screening questionnaire is available on our contact page, and there will be a puppy agreement between us and the buyer.

To reserve a puppy from The Golden Virtues, please complete the puppy request form on our contact page. Once approved, you will be asked to sign our puppy agreement and submit a deposit to secure your place on the waiting list. You will receive regular updates on the progress of our breeding program. For more information, we invite you to visit our dedicated puppy page.

$3500.

We closely observe our puppies as they grow to understand their personalities, temperaments, and physical characteristics. This allows us to make personalized recommendations to families based on their lifestyle, activity level, and preferences. Additionally, we conduct a temperament test to further assist families in making their decision.

Yes, we conduct a temperament test at 7.5 weeks of age. The test is administered by an AKC evaluator unfamiliar to the puppies, placing them in an entirely new situation to ensure accurate results.

Socialization is a crucial part of our breeding program. Our puppies are exposed to a variety of experiences, sounds, and environments from an early age. This includes interaction with adults and children, exposure to household noises, and introduction to different textures and objects. We also begin crate training and basic obedience commands to give our puppies a strong foundation for their future training.

At 8 weeks old, the puppy will go home with AKC Limited Registration, educational materials, vaccine and deworming records, a small bag of food, a stuffed toy, and extras

Yes, we welcome visits by appointment. It’s a great opportunity for you to meet us, play with the puppies, and for us to meet prospective families. This visit helps ensure that both parties feel comfortable and confident in the placement of our puppies into their forever homes.

No, we do not ship puppies. However, we offer alternatives: 

• Pickup: You can pick up your puppy directly from our home.
• Local Meet-Up: For local owners, we can arrange to meet halfway ($50 per hour of travel, with the first hour free).
• Airport Pickup: You can fly into Salt Lake City Airport, where we will meet you, and you can return home with your puppy.
• Pet Transporter/Flight Nanny: You can hire a professional pet transporter or flight nanny who will accompany your puppy the entire time.

We prioritize the puppy’s mental well-being and do not believe in leaving them alone during shipping, as it can be unsafe. All travel costs are the responsibility of the buyer.

Yes, we provide both short-term and long-term guarantees. Further information is available in our agreement, which will be reviewed with you prior to any payments.

The best way to stay updated is to follow us on our website and social media channels. We announce upcoming litters, share updates about our dogs, and post lots of photos and stories about life at The Golden Virtues.