22/09/2025
A Breeder’s Q&A
Over the years, I’ve been asked a lot of questions about my Goldens, and yesterday’s comments got me fired up enough to finally sit down and answer some of them. So here we go…
Q: How much do you make as a breeder?
A: Honestly, not much. I put way more money into my program than I ever get back. Just while I’m raising a litter, I spend about $1,200 on food and around $5,000 on vet bills—and that doesn’t include the expenses I carry year-round when there aren’t any puppies in the house. The truth is, I don’t do this for the money. I do it because I love it. I love seeing the updates, getting pictures, and connecting with other dog lovers who feel the same way about Goldens as I do.
Q: Why are your Goldens so expensive?
A: Every dollar reflects the years of time, love, and energy I’ve poured into this program. I’ve committed myself to bettering the Golden Retriever breed and giving families the same joy my dogs bring to me every single day.
Q: Why are you rehoming your female?
A: This is probably one of the hardest questions I get. As a breeder, I only let my girls have 3–4 litters. After that, they deserve to just be loved. For example, Prim is 5 years old now and has given me 3 beautiful litters. She’s done her job, and now she deserves to spend the rest of her life soaking up one-on-one attention. Retiring a dog doesn’t mean I don’t love her—it means I love her enough to let her have a quiet, happy life without the stress of puppies. I don’t “get rid of” my girls; I carefully choose families where they’ll be cherished for the rest of their lives.
Q: What happens if the dog/puppy doesn’t work out?
A: I always want to be your first call before you ever think about a shelter. I know these dogs, I have the network, and I will always help find a safe and loving home for one of my puppies if life takes an unexpected turn.
Q: What is a guardian home?
A: A guardian home is a special family who raises a puppy that will eventually be part of my program. The family pays for her everyday care, while I cover breeding-related costs. When she’s old enough (around two), she’ll come back to me for her litter and stay until her puppies are ready for new homes (about 6–8 weeks). In return, the family gets to love and raise an amazing dog without the upfront cost.
I want you all to know something important: I love my Goldens. If I could keep every single one of them, I absolutely would. But my bigger mission is to improve the breed and share these incredible dogs with other families. That means sometimes I have to make hard decisions for the good of my girls and for the breed.
Breeding has been a 13-year journey for me—full of research, trial and error, sleepless nights, and endless hours of training, play, and care. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Because at the end of the day, seeing my puppies grow into happy, beloved family members is why I do
