1. Do I get to pick out my puppy?
Because most of our puppies go to homes outside of Utah, it's logistically challenging to schedule video calls long enough to make an informed decision for each family. Fortunately, we spend 6–8 weeks getting to know each puppy and conduct a formal temperament test at around 6.5 weeks old. Based on those results, we match each puppy with the family best suited for their individual temperament.
For example, a confident pup with strong bird drive may be placed with a hunting family, while a more laid-back puppy may go to a non-hunting but active home. While temperament is our top priority, we do our best to honor preferences regarding size and color as well.
Tyce has worked with thousands of dogs over the years and has a keen ability to assess personality and trainability—we’re proud of the success we’ve had in pairing the right puppy with the right home.
Note: We reserve the right to retain a puppy (male or female) from any litter for our program.
2. What food do you use?
We feed our dogs Purina Pro Plan Sport Performance All Life Stages 30/20 Chicken & Rice Formula. This high-protein kibble has worked very well for our dogs over the years. Your puppy will be fully weaned and eating dry kibble at the time of pickup—no need to soften or wet it.
If you’d prefer to switch foods, we recommend buying a small bag of this same formula to transition slowly. A gradual switch helps avoid digestive upset.
3. What size carrier do I need for travel?
A standard airline-approved soft or hard carrier will work well. Our puppies are typically under 10 lbs at 8 weeks old. If you’d like to ship a new carrier to us ahead of time, we’re happy to introduce your puppy to it before they travel—using it for naps and crate time.
We also highly recommend Gunner Kennels—our go-to for safety, durability, and long-term travel use. They’re crash-tested and built to last a lifetime. We personally use the Intermediate size for our Goldens and can help you purchase one with our affiliate discount. It can be shipped directly to your home.
4. What supplements do you recommend?
We recommend NuVet Plus K-9 Wafers, especially during your puppy’s first year of growth and development. Even premium dog foods lose nutrients during cooking, but NuVet uses a patented cold-processing method to preserve key vitamins, enzymes, and minerals.
“NuVet Plus® uses real chicken liver that’s paddle-dried to retain Vitamins A, E, B1, digestive enzymes, and omega fatty acids. Cold-processing ensures easier absorption and digestion for your pup.”
NuVet is sold directly to consumers, not in stores. Use our link www.nuvet.com/56496 to order. We do receive a small bonus when you purchase through that link—thank you for supporting our program!
5. How do I pay for my puppy and deposit?
We accept:
6. When can my puppy go home?
Puppies are fully weaned by 6 weeks and are eligible to go home as early as 7 weeks. That said, we typically recommend pickup between 8–9 weeks, which gives them extra time for social development, and for us to keep an eye on them during their crucial "immunity gap": those weeks after being weaned and losing the antibodies from mommas milk, and when their own immune system is strengthened.
If you need us to keep your puppy beyond 9 weeks, we’re happy to accommodate. A boarding fee will apply.
7. Do you ship puppies?
No, due to airline changes post-COVID, we do not ship puppies via cargo. We highly encourage families to pick up their puppy in person at our farm—this allows time for questions and meeting the dam.
If you’re flying in, we can meet you at the Salt Lake City airport for a $120 fee, depending on availability. Please confirm flight plans with us before booking. We generally avoid Sunday travel, but exceptions can be made with prior notice.
If flying isn’t an option, we can refer you to trusted ground transporters or flight nannies. Coordination and payment for these services are the responsibility of the buyer.
8. Is my deposit refundable if life circumstances change?
Deposits are non-refundable at any time. We ask that you only place a deposit if you’re confident you’ll be ready to bring a puppy home within the next year.
If your spot comes up and you’re not ready, you can defer to a future litter. However, if you commit to a litter and back out after the puppies are 5 weeks old, your deposit will be forfeited and a new deposit will be required for future litters.
We understand that life happens—just please communicate with us early and openly so we can plan accordingly.
9. I don’t hunt—are your puppies still a good fit?
Absolutely! While many of our families are hunters, nearly 50% of our puppies go to active, non-hunting homes. Field-bred Golden Retrievers thrive when they have mental stimulation and a job—whether that’s hiking, running, playing fetch, or just being a loyal family companion.
They’re eager to please, highly trainable, and love people—especially kids! That said, they do need an outlet for their energy, so please don’t consider one of our puppies if you’re not prepared to provide an active lifestyle.
Whether your goals are hunting, agility, obedience, dock diving, or simply having an adventure buddy, our Goldens can do it all—with plenty of zoomies and snuggles along the way!
10. Do you offer training?
Yes! We offer professional board-and-train programs through Utah Bird Dog Training, typically beginning around 6 months of age. Your dog will come back to us for customized training ranging from basic obedience to advanced gun dog and retriever work.
We recommend letting your puppy go home with you first to bond, potty train, and socialize—then return to us at the ideal time for training (around the teenage “testing” phase).
If you'd like us to raise and train your puppy beyond 8 weeks, you would pay for the puppy first and then begin monthly tuition for the training program of your choice.
Because most of our puppies go to homes outside of Utah, it's logistically challenging to schedule video calls long enough to make an informed decision for each family. Fortunately, we spend 6–8 weeks getting to know each puppy and conduct a formal temperament test at around 6.5 weeks old. Based on those results, we match each puppy with the family best suited for their individual temperament.
For example, a confident pup with strong bird drive may be placed with a hunting family, while a more laid-back puppy may go to a non-hunting but active home. While temperament is our top priority, we do our best to honor preferences regarding size and color as well.
Tyce has worked with thousands of dogs over the years and has a keen ability to assess personality and trainability—we’re proud of the success we’ve had in pairing the right puppy with the right home.
Note: We reserve the right to retain a puppy (male or female) from any litter for our program.
2. What food do you use?
We feed our dogs Purina Pro Plan Sport Performance All Life Stages 30/20 Chicken & Rice Formula. This high-protein kibble has worked very well for our dogs over the years. Your puppy will be fully weaned and eating dry kibble at the time of pickup—no need to soften or wet it.
If you’d prefer to switch foods, we recommend buying a small bag of this same formula to transition slowly. A gradual switch helps avoid digestive upset.
3. What size carrier do I need for travel?
A standard airline-approved soft or hard carrier will work well. Our puppies are typically under 10 lbs at 8 weeks old. If you’d like to ship a new carrier to us ahead of time, we’re happy to introduce your puppy to it before they travel—using it for naps and crate time.
We also highly recommend Gunner Kennels—our go-to for safety, durability, and long-term travel use. They’re crash-tested and built to last a lifetime. We personally use the Intermediate size for our Goldens and can help you purchase one with our affiliate discount. It can be shipped directly to your home.
4. What supplements do you recommend?
We recommend NuVet Plus K-9 Wafers, especially during your puppy’s first year of growth and development. Even premium dog foods lose nutrients during cooking, but NuVet uses a patented cold-processing method to preserve key vitamins, enzymes, and minerals.
“NuVet Plus® uses real chicken liver that’s paddle-dried to retain Vitamins A, E, B1, digestive enzymes, and omega fatty acids. Cold-processing ensures easier absorption and digestion for your pup.”
NuVet is sold directly to consumers, not in stores. Use our link www.nuvet.com/56496 to order. We do receive a small bonus when you purchase through that link—thank you for supporting our program!
5. How do I pay for my puppy and deposit?
We accept:
- Cash
- Venmo
- Zelle
- Personal Check (must be received at least two weeks before pickup)
- Credit Card (additional processing fees apply)
6. When can my puppy go home?
Puppies are fully weaned by 6 weeks and are eligible to go home as early as 7 weeks. That said, we typically recommend pickup between 8–9 weeks, which gives them extra time for social development, and for us to keep an eye on them during their crucial "immunity gap": those weeks after being weaned and losing the antibodies from mommas milk, and when their own immune system is strengthened.
If you need us to keep your puppy beyond 9 weeks, we’re happy to accommodate. A boarding fee will apply.
7. Do you ship puppies?
No, due to airline changes post-COVID, we do not ship puppies via cargo. We highly encourage families to pick up their puppy in person at our farm—this allows time for questions and meeting the dam.
If you’re flying in, we can meet you at the Salt Lake City airport for a $120 fee, depending on availability. Please confirm flight plans with us before booking. We generally avoid Sunday travel, but exceptions can be made with prior notice.
If flying isn’t an option, we can refer you to trusted ground transporters or flight nannies. Coordination and payment for these services are the responsibility of the buyer.
8. Is my deposit refundable if life circumstances change?
Deposits are non-refundable at any time. We ask that you only place a deposit if you’re confident you’ll be ready to bring a puppy home within the next year.
If your spot comes up and you’re not ready, you can defer to a future litter. However, if you commit to a litter and back out after the puppies are 5 weeks old, your deposit will be forfeited and a new deposit will be required for future litters.
We understand that life happens—just please communicate with us early and openly so we can plan accordingly.
9. I don’t hunt—are your puppies still a good fit?
Absolutely! While many of our families are hunters, nearly 50% of our puppies go to active, non-hunting homes. Field-bred Golden Retrievers thrive when they have mental stimulation and a job—whether that’s hiking, running, playing fetch, or just being a loyal family companion.
They’re eager to please, highly trainable, and love people—especially kids! That said, they do need an outlet for their energy, so please don’t consider one of our puppies if you’re not prepared to provide an active lifestyle.
Whether your goals are hunting, agility, obedience, dock diving, or simply having an adventure buddy, our Goldens can do it all—with plenty of zoomies and snuggles along the way!
10. Do you offer training?
Yes! We offer professional board-and-train programs through Utah Bird Dog Training, typically beginning around 6 months of age. Your dog will come back to us for customized training ranging from basic obedience to advanced gun dog and retriever work.
We recommend letting your puppy go home with you first to bond, potty train, and socialize—then return to us at the ideal time for training (around the teenage “testing” phase).
If you'd like us to raise and train your puppy beyond 8 weeks, you would pay for the puppy first and then begin monthly tuition for the training program of your choice.
The Gentleman's Hunting Companion
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