Golden Retriever Puppies
About Our
Devanley Golden Puppies
Our reason for breeding a litter of Golden Retriever puppies is to improve the Devanley bloodline -much thought goes into selecting the right stud to bring out the best our girl has to offer. We carefully examine pedigrees and put health (genetic testing included), temperament, and conformation as equal parts in the breeding equation. The commitment to quality and attention to detail makes our puppies so special. As Golden breeders, we decide which puppies are staying on here at Devanley and those who are not; we are excited to share our well-bred beautiful Golden puppies with families who genuinely want the best.
Typically, Devanley Goldens has between 1-2 litters per year. Raising puppies is a family affair, and we devote ourselves to each litter. Typically, girls that live together cycle (or come into heat) together, so it is normal for a breeder to have more than one litter within a short period of time. Female dogs (bitches) come into season every 6-9 months, so it is usually only a couple of times a year that breeding can occur at most.
Devanley puppies receive the finest care – far beyond what most breeders provide. The attention to every detail begins long before conception, ensuring our prospective mothers (& sires if we are using one of our males) are in the best health & condition. Our mothers are provided with optimal care & nutrition during their pregnancy and lactation. We personally assist in deliveries & continually monitor from that grand entrance into this world until the puppies meet their new loving & joyful families. We realize the importance of what we do here – our attention to our labor-intensive puppy-rearing process is exhausting but worth every waking moment, including the hours we do not sleep. The result is healthy, socialized puppies ready to greet the world physically & mentally when they begin to leave here at 8-9 weeks of age.
How To Find a Reputable Golden Retriever Breeder
Before you begin looking for your perfect puppy, we ask that you consider proper puppy buyer etiquette. The first step to ensure success is to stop “looking for a puppy” and start “looking for a breeder.” Working with a reputable breeder will put you on the path to finding the perfect puppy. A reputable breeder does not breed for profit or to ‘sell’ puppies but to improve their lines with each carefully planned litter. My puppy families need patience as they wait for a girl to have a litter and for those puppies to be 8-10 weeks old before leaving here. Anticipation is wonderful!
What Should You Ask A Breeder?
Remember, you are bringing in a new family member for the next 10 to 15 years. This is unlike shopping at Walmart, where you can pick up a name brand at a bargain price.
Picking Your Puppy
Golden pups are given special consideration when placed with their new families. Each puppy is different as well as each family is different. So the puppy’s personality and temperament, as well as the family’s makeup and expectations, are all considered when puppies are matched with their new families, so a win-win situation is created for both the puppy and its new family.
Puppies are raised on our home’s main floor and observed from Day 1. As the pups mature, they are exposed to many new & different things, including various textures in toys, surfaces, noises, everyday family/household life, music, people, including children, problem-solving activities, and temperament testing. We take those observations and notes from the Puppy Inquiry Questionnaire & phone interview to determine the ideal placement. Final placement decisions are made right before these puppies go home and after conformation evaluations are done for our personal keeper pick(s).
The Puppy Process
All Devanley puppies are placed in approved homes only. If, after reading through this entire Puppy page to learn all about Devanley Goldens and the love, passion, & dedication we have towards our dogs, you decide that Devanley is the right Golden breeder for you, please complete the Golden Puppy Inquiry Questionnaire to begin the approval process. After we receive your completed questionnaire, we will contact your veterinarian to complete your reference check. Please call ahead to grant us permission to release your information to us. Next, we will conduct a phone interview to get to know each other better and address any questions and concerns that may arise.
How Much Does A Golden Puppy Cost?
Devanley Golden Retriever puppies are priced at $3,000.00 plus Ohio Sales tax as required by law. Devanley Golden puppies possess the qualities that make them excellent examples of the breed – which we sell to discerning Golden lovers, not AKC show homes. No other Golden breeder makes this quality of puppies available to pet families or puts the amount of time, love & passion into in-home foundation training. The difference in quality, breed type, and behavior between Devanley Labradors and others is remarkable. If you would like to be considered for a Devanley puppy, please take the time to complete the Golden Retriever Inquiry Questionnaire to begin the approval process.
I Am So Excited That I Have Been Approved & A Litter Has Been Whelped – What’s Next?
The Breeder’s To-Do List
- We will inform puppy families that the litter is on the ground and everyone is doing well.
- We will provide updated pictures & videos via text messages regularly.
The Buyer’s To-Do List
- Submit the $900 holding fee to hold a puppy for you based on your preference for gender.
- Make an appointment with your veterinarian for a wellness check within three business days of taking your puppy home.
At the time of pickup, the buyer will be provided with an extensive Puppy Notebook complete with thorough health & weight records, parental health clearances, pedigree, contract, AKC registration information, microchip information, bill of sale, and a hard copy of the Devanley Puppy Instruction booklet (we will email you this booklet to read over approximately a week before puppies go home). Buyer will also receive a “litter & mom scented” toy.
Devanley does provide lifelong support -if you ever have a question or a need, please get in touch with us by phone, text, or email.
Devanley Goldens reserves the Right of First Refusal if, for any reason, during the lifetime of your Devanley puppy, you need to rehome your puppy/dog; Devanley Goldenss will rehome your puppy/dog for you. This prevents any Devanley puppy from ending up in a rescue or shelter situation.
Golden Puppy Care
Daily Care
Numbers matter since the first sign of failure to thrive is failure to gain/maintain weight. We weigh and closely monitor our puppies daily to ensure everyone is thriving. You will receive information regarding your puppy’s weekly weight status in your Puppy Notebook.
Puppy Vaccines
Puppies leave here with all age-appropriate vaccinations as recommended by our veterinarian. We will provide a detailed vaccination recommendation schedule to share with your veterinarian. This schedule will be included in your Puppy Notebook.
Veterinarian Health Exam
Every one of our puppies is examined by an experienced small animal veterinarian before it goes to its new home. This exam includes a complete physical and is often done in our home. You will receive the written result of the exam in your Puppy Notebook.
We strongly encourage you to have your puppy examined by your veterinarian within 3 business days of going home. This assures that both vets have the same findings and that you are getting a healthy Labrador puppy.
Puppy Socialization
Puppies are raised on our home’s main floor and are given an abundance of love & gentle handling from Day 1. As the pups mature, they are exposed to many new & different things, including various textures in toys, surfaces, noises, everyday family/household life, music, people, including children, and problem-solving activities. Proper socialization is the key to ensuring that your puppy transitions easily into his/her new home.
We start with Early Neurological Stimulation between the ages of 3 and 16 days. This is the first stage in a program known as “Bio Sensor” and “Super Dog” used by the U.S. Military in their canine programs. The second stage is Socialization, which begins at four weeks of age and continues through 16 weeks of age. New families are given information on how to continue this stage and start the third stage – Enrichment.
Puppy Culture methods are incorporated in raising Devanley puppies and leave here with a foundation in clicker training, “manding” for attention, and bite inhibition. Please click here for more information regarding the Puppy Culture program by Jill Killion.
Housebreaking
We begin by keeping the whelping box clean with the help of the mom, who is attentive to stimulating her puppies to urinate and defecate. We replace the bedding daily and wipe down the walls of the whelping box with a puppy-safe cleaner called Rescue. By nature, puppies are clean and will seek out an area away from where they sleep to eliminate. Around four weeks, the puppies are introduced to a litter box. We use plastic rabbit hutch trays filled with recyclable paper cat litter. This creates a designated potty area to which the puppies quickly take to. The oblong pellets also create a new surface for them to walk on, confidently reinforcing that the shifting pellets are safe to walk on. These trays are scooped constantly when the puppies are awake. I send each puppy home with a gallon bag of pellets to be used in his/her new yard. Summer puppies get to spend some time outside in our puppy yard, which has wood shavings potty area, and sometimes in the grass for elimination.
Once in their new home, our puppy families tell us how easy their pup was to housebreak since they were taught early on that there was a proper place to eliminate.
Dewclaws
We are of the opinion that dewclaws serve an essential anatomical purpose on a Golden Retriever. According to Jennifer Coates, DVM from petMD by Chewy, “A dewclaw that’s attached by bone to a dog’s front foot has a definite purpose. When dogs run, their front feet often bend to the point where their dewclaws contact the ground. At high speeds (especially when turning) or on slippery surfaces, these dewclaws provide extra traction, and help stabilize the carpal (wrist) joint.” Dogs also will use them as thumbs when chewing on bones and favorite toys.
Deworming
Our puppies receive regular preventative deworming to avoid any parasitic issues. We have a complete protocol beginning at 2.5 weeks incorporating fenbendazole & toltrazuril. This ensures your puppy has a settled stomach and no dormant problems that will surprise you just after getting home. We use ivermectin and fenbendazole to protect against heartworm and other internal parasites in our older puppies and adults. Once you take your puppy home, your veterinarian can advise you on a recommended program based on your location.
Health Testing
As conservationist dog breeders who purposely breed and are committed to excellence, we firmly believe that every puppy deserves the healthiest life possible, so health testing our breeding stock is the first step in ensuring that our puppies live whole and healthy lives. In accordance with the GRCA Code of Ethics, we test through OFA, hips, elbows, eyes, & cardiac. Our Goldens are DNA tested for prcd-PRA, PRA1, PRA2, Ichthyosis, & DM. We will not produce any puppy affected by these DNA genetic diseases. We are committed to producing Goldens that are as healthy as they are beautiful.
We will not produce any puppy affected by these DNA genetic diseases. We are committed to producing Golden Retrievers that are as healthy as they are beautiful.
Health Warranty
All of our puppies are sold with a full written warranty that they are in good health. We offer a 26-month health warranty for hips and a lifetime warranty for the DNA genetic disorder the dam and sire tested for. We want your puppy to be able to lead a happy & healthy life as a member of your family.
Microchips
All Devanley Golden puppies are implanted with microchips from AKC Reunite. This is done to safeguard your puppy in case s/he ever gets separated from you. As a breeder, the microchip is registered to me, and your name will be added to the registration. This is done so that, in a worst-case scenario, the puppy does not end up in a shelter/rescue situation.
AKC Limited Registration
All pet puppies are sold under the AKC Limited Registration program. This gives them eligibility for all AKC Events, Programs & Competition, except Conformation. Any offspring are ineligible for AKC registration.
Spay/Neuter Contract
All of our pet puppies are sold on a spay/neuter contract. Our puppies must be spayed/neutered and are not eligible to be used for breeding purposes.