Frequently Asked Questions
What Would You Like to Know?
Learn more about our dogs, lifestyle and how we raise our puppies. If you have any questions about anything that is going on at Golden Borealis, take a look at our list of frequently asked questions. Everything you want to know about Golden Borealis is right here. However, if you still have questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Beginning The Search For A Golden Retriever
Please click here to be taken to the GRCA (Golden Retriever Club of America) website to help you make important decisions about your future best friend. Such as, Is A Golden Retriever Right For You? , and Health Issues - An Introduction , and Puppy Or Adult?
They have some amazing advice for anyone starting out in the breed.
About Breeders and Breed Enthusiasts
Please click here to be taken to the GRCA (Golden Retriever Club of America) website for some extremely useful information on selecting a breeder (in our case breed enthusiast), such as, What Responsible Breeders Do , Finding A Golden Retriever Puppy , and Selecting A Breeder
What Makes Golden Borealis Unique?
Well, for starters:
Getting a Golden Borealis puppy means you're investing in an incredible event. It's different than "shopping" for a dog, or even adopting a dog, because unlike any other place out there; you are also acquiring the memories, the moments, and the exclusive puppy experience you can't get from simply shopping for a puppy, or even buying from a rescue.
If you aren't worried about breed personality characteristics, breed traits, predictability in adulthood, long term preventative health care, known breed genetic issues, and individual dog history and previous experiences, I STRONGLY encourage you to reach out to your local rescue. There are plenty of dogs that need good homes.
Golden Borealis believes in a happily ever after for ALL dogs. Read more here
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But if you believe the journey is just as important as the destination, you found the right place.
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Seond: We don't think of ourselves as breeders. That name has many negative connotations to it. And it's not essentially what we are, what we believe in, and why we do what we do. We like to think of ourselves as Breed Enthusiasts. We are SO enthused about the breed that we want to contribute to the betterment of it. We live, and breathe Golden Retrievers. Literally. You can always find Golden Retriever hair on our clothes... (We call it Golden Glitter, and your puppy will come with it too.)... We are so obsessed with them that we want to help create outstanding examples of the breed standard. Making the next generation of Goldens even better than the last!
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But seriously... who doesnt love Golden Retrievers?
What does the term "Field Bred" Golden Retriever mean?
In short, field bred Golden Retrievers exhibit shorter coats, and a better personality for hunting. They are the goldens typically needed for hunting and for dog sports.
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They will look a little bit different than the show goldens, and will have the right drive and retrieving desire.
Here at Golden Borealis, we breed for drive and athleticism. Our goldens excel at agility and other competitive sports which endurance and drive have a play in.
Does A "Field Bred" Golden make a good house pet?
ALL Goldens make good house pets! Field Bred Goldens however, have a intense desire for a hard working job. If you are able to provide your Golden with an outlet, you will be rewarded with an eager to please companion.
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Make no mistake though, Field Bred Goldens NEED a job. Please consider the show golden if you do not have the physical capabilities or need for a dog who has energy for a hard working job.
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Field Bred Goldens love to jog/run, compete in agility, show obedience, compete in hunting/tracking, frisbee, etc.
Do you Belong To Any Clubs Or Affiliations?
We are a member with
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Greater Sierra Vista Kennel Club
Southwest Kennel Club
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Our Dogs Are Registered With:
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RAINE (Rockstar Agility Network)
NADAC (North American Dog Agility Council)
USDAA (United States Dog Agility Association)
CPE (Canine Performance Events)
WCFO (World Canine Freestyle Organization)
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We have volunteered with the Pima County Dog 4H Project teaching kids about showmanship, agility, obedience, and rally obedience
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We have been professional dog trainers for over 10 years. Achieving champion titles on our dogs.
Read more in our About Us section
Are The Puppies Parents Certified?
Both sire and dam have AKC registration (American Kennel Club.)
They also compete in AKC events, and have titles to their name. Proving their excellent temperaments and easy trainability.
In addition, both sire and dam are in the OFA database, as well as have the proper DNA testing to test against genetic diseases, clearing all 162 tested diseases and all 9 of the most common Golden Retriever diseases.
Your new puppy will also be AKC register-able, with limited registration.
Full registration may be available for some pups.
Can I Meet The Puppies Parents?
You are encouraged and most welcome to come visit Golden Borealis to meet the parents, see where the puppies are raised, view their temperaments, etc.
We do ask however, that you do NOT visit other puppies before coming to visit ours. This help prevent illnesses and sicknesses coming in contact with our puppies.
Our puppies will be free of any sickness and vet checked before they go home with you.
What Is AKC Limited Registration?
AKC Limited Registration allows you to do everything with your Golden Retriever, except enter the show ring (Confirmation ring) and breed them with AKC rights. You can still show them in Obedience, Rally Obedience, Agility, Barn Hunt, etc. and it doesn't stop them from getting a pedigree.
Why AKC Limited Registration?
By limiting the number of dogs for breeding that are ideal enough to the breed standard; we help regulate to the standard as best we can.
Golden Borealis reserves the first choice female, and the first choice male as potential breeding prospects.
IF there are other potential breeding prospects in the litter, we will discuss options with potential owners.
Do You Solely Specialize In One Coat Color In Golden Retrievers?
We don't believe in reducing our Golden Retriever breeding pool based around one color coat.
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We believe in evaluating the dog based off breed standard structure, quality of the dog, health testing, temperament, and genetic testing, and of course drive and athleticism. And then we select from the best based off of that.
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We see all breed standard specific colors of coats from our litters.
How Have You Socialized The Puppies?
Our puppies are socialized with many different methods including
They are worked daily using positive and encouraging methods to experiment and try new things.
Because of using these methods, our puppies are typically more outgoing and willing to try new things.
They will be introduced to crate training, pottying outside, sit, down, come, and stay, as well as fundamental skills to teach them body awareness training using "fitpaws" exercise equipment.
Our puppies will be introduced to the foundations of different dog sports with the hopes that their new homes will continue on and involve them in as many dog sports as they can. They will be introduced to sports such as nose work, agility, obedience, and dock diving.
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Please reach out to us if you have an interest in getting your Golden Retriever into any dog sport, and we will be happy to assist in finding you an instructor near you.
What Vet Visits Have Your Puppies Had?
Our puppies have visits with the vet for routine vaccinations as well as routine wellness checks. They are vaccinated with their puppy shots, and are wormed every 2 weeks. Before they leave to you they will have one final visit to the vet to confirm they are healthy enough to go to their new home.
What is a Puppy Contract?
A puppy contract is a contract between us, and any potential puppy buyers. The contract outlines the responsibilities for both interested parties. It helps everyone plan out the future for the puppy, and helps instill a sense of pride for the ownership of the puppy.
As well as goes over important topics such as health of your puppy, reproduction resulting from your puppy, titling and showing your puppy, and in the worst case scenario; finding a new home for your puppy.
Do You Have A Puppy Contract?
We do include a puppy contract to help outline the details of this puppy. We want insure the very best for all of our Golden Borealis puppies
What Is Your Guarantee?
We guarantee our puppies against any genetic disease for life. We outline the details of this in our Puppy Contract.
What Comes In My Puppy Package?
For each puppy we do include a brand new puppy package.
This includes a personal daily journal that I used to document your puppies life from day one up until the day they leave. Including any and all memories, daily activities, precious moments, and all other information I can share with you.
A copy of the sire and dam's portfolio, including professional photos, copies of AKC pedigrees, copies of health clearances, show certificates, show results, and vet records.
Your Puppy's AKC registration paperwork
Your puppy contract detailing out the responsibilities of both the breeder and the new owner
Copies of your puppies current shot records, vet exam results, and health records.
A blanket with mom and siblings scent
Training secrets and tips to starting off right with your new puppy
A complete schedule of your puppies day.
Why Should We Wait Until 18 Months To Spay/Neuter?
Your puppy is not fully done growing until 18 months of age, so why would you perform a major surgery before then? Spaying or neutering too young causes major health complications later on in life such as, hip dysplasia, torn ligaments, bone cancer, and urinary incontinence.
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See the Morris Animal Foundation article, about Spaying and Neutering your Golden Here
What Are The Puppies Being Fed?
We feed Royal Canin and will provide new puppy owners of a detailed schedule they can follow with their new puppy.
We do require that you purchase at least 2 weeks worth of the food they are being fed so that you can help transition your puppy.
When Will I Be Able To Take My Puppy Home?
Your puppy will be ready to go home at a minimum of 8 weeks old.
How Can We Contact You After We Get Our Puppy?
We prefer to keep in close contact with all our Golden Retriever Puppies, and we love to see how they are all growing up. We will give new puppy owners our personal cell phone numbers and information so that they can always reach us if they want to.
Do You Ship Puppies?
Yes, we are located in Sierra Vista, AZ. But we understand that sometimes its not possible for you to come to us.
We have arrangements made to either fly cargo, car transport, or use a flight nanny fly with your puppy to you, and hand deliver them at the airport.
What's Your Policy On Returning A Puppy?
We will ALWAYS take a puppy back, no matter the circumstance.
Any Golden Borealis puppy can be brought back. No matter the age, or the circumstance.
Please contact us first, in the event that you cannot keep them before rehoming them on your own.
What is our Privacy Policy?
These samples are found from the Wix website
We receive, collect and store any information you enter on our website or provide us in any other way. In addition, we collect the Internet protocol (IP) address used to connect your computer to the Internet; login; e-mail address; password; computer and connection information and purchase history. We may use software tools to measure and collect session information, including page response times, length of visits to certain pages, page interaction information, and methods used to browse away from the page. We also collect personally identifiable information (including name, email, password, communications); payment details (including credit card information), comments, feedback, product reviews, recommendations, and personal profile.
We collect such Non-personal and Personal Information for the following purposes:
To provide and operate the Services;
To provide our Users with ongoing customer assistance and technical support;
To be able to contact our Visitors and Users with general or personalized service-related notices and promotional messages;
To create aggregated statistical data and other aggregated and/or inferred Non-personal Information, which we or our business partners may use to provide and improve our respective services;
To comply with any applicable laws and regulations.