Frequently Asked Questions

​

Contract & Health Guarantee

When you decide to bring home one of our puppies, we ask all families to sign a contract. This agreement outlines our return policy, our 1-year health guarantee and lastly, what we expect of our puppy families in regards to their care.  We want our puppies going to amazing homes and to be well loved & cared for. 

​

What is the first step to adopting one of your puppies?

That is a great question! First, we would love for you to view our social media platforms via facebook, instagram, youtube, and tiktok to get a feel for who we are. Also don't forget to thoroughly read through our website. Once you decide we are the breeder for you, please contact us for our pricing, check our website for future litters, and contact us with any questions. Once you have the answer to your questions please fill out an application on the HOME page, and once that is complete we will schedule a phone interview to get to know each other.

 

It is VERY important to us that we connect with each and every family. During our phone interview we will answer any questions you have for moving forward and THEN once you are confident in moving forward we will then accept a holding fee for the litter you choose. 

​

Holding fee & Waiting List

Once application is approved and you are ready to get on a list, a $500 holding fee is required to hold a specific litter.  This can be done via Venmo or Check/Money order. When placing a holding fee, you need to designate which litter you'd like a puppy from as well as gender preference. This will "guarantee" that pick from the litter for your family. These holding fees are NON refundable but ARE transferable. So if life happens, and you need to switch to another litter that is no problem. We are even okay with transferring it multiple litters out for when ever timing is right for you. It may not guarantee your exact spot in choosing order, but it would guarantee you a puppy from that litter in whatever spot is available at the time.

 

Holding fees are a way for us to recognize the seriousness of a future puppy owner.  Placing a non-refundable holding fee will mean that we will hold a puppy for your family.  In the event a pregnancy doesn't take or there are not enough puppies based on the deposits placed, you will have the following options:

 

          1)  Switch genders should there be availability after the last deposit on the opposite gender.

          2)  Full Deposit Refund

          3)  Move your deposit to a future litter.

 

 We will accept 4 deposits of each gender before a litter is born.  Once those are filled, all families thereafter will be moved to our current wait list following the last deposit on that list.  Puppy Selection will be done based on order of holding fees received.

 

If at any point between the holding fee being placed and the puppy going to their new homes, we reserve the right to fully refund your holding fee if we feel a puppy going into a home will not be a good fit. Our puppies health & happiness is our top priority.

​

​

What form of payment is acceptable and when is it due?

Holding fees can be paid via Venmo or Check/Money order. Remainder of payment is due in CASH  on puppy pick up day. No exceptions so please come prepared.

​

Limited vs Full AKC Registration:

Our puppies are adopted with "Limited" AKC registration.  This means that our puppies will be going into "pet only" homes.  You can still register your puppy with AKC, however you will not be permitted to breed any of our puppies in the future nor be able to register the litter.  We do not currently require a spay and neuter contract to be signed.  There is some research and studies in regards to these procedures increasing the potential of cancer & hip dysplasia if done to early.  We do not want to make that choice for our families.  However it is with the understanding that should you choose to leave your dog intact, you agree to not leave your dog unsupervised with another intact dog or to be in a fenced in area when left outside without supervision.  Choosing to leave your puppy intact is a huge responsibility and not one to be taken lightly. 

 

"Full" AKC registration may be granted to approved small in home hobby breeders. We do not take this decision lightly and have a strict policy in regards to whom we approve. Inquiries for full registration must be made known in the initial contact with Bostick English Goldens.  We reserve the right to refuse any families/breeders the rights of Full Registration. It is most important to us that our puppies are FAMILY FIRST. Which means that their happiness is our TOP priority. If I do not feel they would be happy, I will have to politely decline the request.                   

​

When can we visit and pick out our puppy?

Puppy selection will be done during the "Puppy Meet & Greet" day and will be done in the order in which holding fees have been placed. (Please reference the holding fee section above).  In the event the family is not available to attend that particular day, they will be asked to work with Liz given their preferences and a puppy can be chosen via a video, pictures and/or facetime.  

 

"Puppy Meet & Greet" will be scheduled for between 6-7 weeks old. This day/time frame will be announced by the 1st week following the birth of the puppies so you can ensure your schedule is clear.  

​

What is a "Meet & Greet"?

A meet & greet is a specific day that you come to meet your puppies, other pup families, our family, and your puppy parents. This day we will serve you Lunch, teach a short class on training, answer any extra questions, and then you get to choose your puppy!!! 

​

Do you ship your puppies?

On rare occasions, it is difficult for families to travel  to pick up their newest family member.  An additional cost for shipping/transporting is $500 and up. If flying or transporting with a service, this pricing will include the travel crate, food & water bowl necessary for travel, flight or ground travel, our travel time and additional vet appointment for travel clearances. Puppies will fly in the later part of the week to help ensure vet appointment deadlines established by airlines can be met. Pricing can be determined more accurately when dates & location are determined. If available at the time we also offer to meet personally for an additional fee up to 5 hours driving. We do have our own crates for travel but can purchase a crate for you to keep if you want that added into your fee.

 

What should we expect to be included with our puppy purchase? 

Please click the link below:

Adoption information | bostickenglishgolden (wixsite.com)

​

What do you feed your puppies and recommend to feed them?

We highly recommend TLC Dog Food. This specefic food is "All life stages" and is the healthiest choice for a growing golden. TLC is an AMAZING quality food. So many perks. Please see attached link for more information, and ingredients.

TLC Dog Food | bostickenglishgolden (wixsite.com)

​

We do NOT recommend switching foods if you don't need to. Switching foods that a puppy is raised on can cause digestion issues and stomach upset. If you choose to switch foods please see contract for approved food choices, or do a balanced raw diet. No matter what you choose, PLEASE do transitioning VERY slowly. 

​

Why do we not get to pick out our puppy at birth?

Since our puppies typically all look similar, and they are all around the same color. We want to focus more on personality matching. So we take the time to study each puppy and see what type of personality they have whether dominant, submissive, more active, more calm and try to match them to the family that fits their personality best. This helps with making sure each puppy has what they need to be successful and for each family to  be more successful in training as well. 

​

Why do you recommend a vitamin till a minimum of 2 years old?

Our biggest priority is LONGTERM HEALTH which means we took the time to research even the tiniest details about a dogs health and we want to help you and your pup be successful for the rest of their life not just past the 1 year health guarantee. It is very important that each dog, no matter who the breeder, no matter what brand of food (with the exception of raw feeding) or what the situation or home is like, gets a vitamin. Let me tell you why puppies and dogs need a vitamin. Well they go through stress DAILY, you may not even see it, and they may act totally fine, but inside they are stressed. Stress depletes vitamins. A lot of vitamins. So with the stress of meeting new people, new environments, the vet, the kids running and being loud, the mailman coming, a loud car, etc. They are loosing many nutrients a day that help them grow. These nutrients are so important for their growth, each and every body part to function properly, their hips, elbows, heart, eyes, and their immune system. So by adding a vitamin a day you are helping replenish what they loose. You are ensuring that even though the stress causes chaos in their body that they are still getting what they need to grow long term. Vitamins are insanely important and contrary to what your vet will tell you, or any dog food company, they NEED vitamins added to ANY dry food. Even if its the best food on the market. Ask yourself this...Do you want to prevent dysplasia long term? Well then lets do this together! A vitamin, genetics and an array of environmental factors play a roll in dysplasia, by adding a vitamin then we are ensuring they have everything they need till they stop growing at age 2. Now, that doesn't mean you need to stop at age 2. Just like humans, it is good to be on a NATURALLY sourced vitamin for life IF you are not eating the appropriate rations of RAW food. So if you choose to not raw feed, a vitamin to keep that immune system strong is smart!

​

What vitamin do you recommend?

After MUCH research into how vitamins work in the body and long term effects of synthetic vitamins we stay clear of those types. That means being very cautious when researching different companies. We were very fortunate to find NuVet vitamins. These vitamins are ALL NATURAL - non synthetic, and are COLD PRESSED. With being cold pressed it ensures they are not cooking the nutrients out of the vitamins. They are getting ALL the good stuff in ONE pill. On top of the many great things about these vitamins, they are made in the US (not china), and are the quality I would happily give to my kids if they made kids vitamins. lol. I am very picky about what I put into my children and fur children so as I do my research I want to make sure they are exactly what I want, and feel confident in giving them to our growing puppies. More information on our vitamins can be found here. NUVET LABS | bostickenglishgolden (wixsite.com)

​

Male vs Female pups? Which is better? 

​

Females pros & cons: Typically smaller in size. Has a heat, will need to be kept away from male dogs during heat, may need to wear a diaper in the house for a week every 6-8 months typically after 1 year. Sometimes earlier. More invasive surgery when spayed.

 

Male pros & cons: Typically larger in size. Less invasive surgery when neutered. Will need to be kept away from females in heat or will go crazy for a week or 2. 

​

Both- Personality varies, can be dominant or submissive, can be active or calm, are both equally amazing! Typically people choose based off what sex they had in previous pets or as a childhood pet. You can't go wrong either way. Both love their family. Both do well with other animals. Both are awesome family pets. 

​