More About Us...
Although I have been involved in various activities with my dogs since 1976, it was not until 1996 that "ACADIA" was born. In 1998 our first litter of Golden Retrievers was whelped and in 2004 our first litter of Afghan Hound pups arrived - a life long dream! Over the years, I have truly been blessed with the wonderful, loyal companionship and love that my dogs have unconditionally shared with me and my family . It has been an amazing journey, one that has recently led me to participate in animal communication workshops and Reiki classes which benefit both my dogs and my family .
ACADIA developed into a small family kennel (everyone helps), and we consider our dogs to be a part of our family. I, along with two of my sons, enjoy competing with them, but most of all, my family enjoys their companionship. Golden litters arrive only once or twice per year. I very rarely breed our Afghan Hounds as suitable homes can be difficult to find for them. This is a hobby - not our income. 100% of the money earned from puppy sales goes toward the care, training and showing of our dogs and the improvement of our breeding program, which in turn helps to improve the breed.
Our puppies are bred for soundness of body and mind to be loving family companions - some going on to therapy work and competition. Our goal is that each generation will improve upon the last. Our breeding choices are carefully selected and all obtain the Golden Retriever Club of America recommended health clearances before being bred. A tremendous amount of time, effort and love go into researching pedigrees, genetic studies and caring for our puppies and adults. There are numerous generations of health clearances in our pedigrees and we also research available information concerning the health and temperament of littermates to the dogs in the pedigrees we are using. Most of our puppies are placed in companion homes, keeping ourselves what we choose to compete with and/or add to our breeding program. Health, temperament and longevity are our main priorities.
In 2002, at the Golden Retriever National Specialty, I fell in love with an English style Golden who was competing there. Since then, I have been researching pedigrees and talking with various, long time breeders of this type of Golden to gain as much knowledge as possible. In 2006, I acquired my first full English style Golden and began blending carefully selected European/English lines with our established American lines, building on the best qualities of both, with the goal to produce Goldens with full international lineage, always maintaining our high standards.
The English type Golden has a strong head with a typically wide back-skull, a thick muzzle with a deep stop, beautiful jet black pigment and dark eyes. Coat color can range from cream (these are not "rare" as some breeders are advertising and selling for exorbitant prices) to light/medium gold and a wave is not uncommon. Most important to us, these lines are giving us not only the "type" we want, but also the biddable, stable temperaments we strive to produce.
Raising Puppies
You've probably seen many ads that say "champion bloodlines". Regardless of how good the pedigree is, or how beautiful and successful the sire and dam are, the environment throughout pregnancy and the impressionable weeks that follow birth have a lifelong effect on a puppy's personality and health. Even if the sire and dam are top quality, a breeder needs to have the experience and knowledge necessary to raise a litter properly, to lay the foundation and be available for the life of their puppies. I am here to answer questions, no matter how trivial they may seem, give guidance, or just plain friendship. I enjoy keeping in touch and regard puppy buyers as my extended families.
30+ years spent gaining experience and knowledge in the sport of purebred dogs has enabled me to develop a unique method of raising puppies that I take extreme pride in. Every puppy, in every litter receives the same attention. To give puppies a strong foundation, resulting in loving, well adjusted adults, the following will give you an idea of what is involved:
Puppies are whelped beside my bed and someone is always at home with them. Their first week is spent just sleeping and eating except for the early neurological stimulation, a series of 5 exercises, 3-5 seconds each, which is started on day 3 and continues thru day 16. The benefits observed in canines exposed to this Bio Sensor stimulation are: improved cardio vascular performance, stronger heart beats, stronger adrenal glands, more tolerance to stress, and greater resistance to disease. At the end of the first week, toe nail clipping begins. At 3 weeks of age the puppies move from the whelping box to the puppy playpen and potty training begins! During the next 2 weeks, our puppies are getting accustomed to a very busy household - the everyday activities of adults and children - the sounds of the clothes dryer, TV's, radios, etc. Our puppies are handled and cuddled from the time they are born, this is the time when socialization really begins - the puppies are constantly being picked up, carried and snuggled. This associates the puppy to the human scent, developing a bond which can never be broken. At approximately 4 to 5 weeks weaning begins and the puppies begin to learn the "come" command which we use at each feeding time, with a clicker. Up until this point we do not supplement mother's milk unless absolutely necessary as this will put stress on a puppy's immature digestive system. At approximately 4 1/2 weeks, puppy visits begin - families who have reserved puppies are encouraged to visit and play with them. By 5 weeks of age the puppies are capable of being separated from the dam and littermates for short periods of time. This is when we introduce them to crates, first with a littermate and later by themselves with food, water and a bone. This allows them to build their confidence in familiar surroundings. At this age they are also introduced to baths, blow drying, leash training, and car rides. At 7 weeks of age, we temperament test and and a couple of days later, the puppies are taken to the vet for a thorough examination.
Our methods have provided us with wonderful results, whether it be.....
Is it a full time job? YES!! Is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY!!
Reserving A Golden Retriever Puppy
* Puppies are placed in approved homes only, on AKC Limited Registration with a spay/neuter
agreement. The first step is to call or e-mail and request a Puppy Adoption Questionnaire or go to
you on our waiting list for the next litter. No deposit is requested until after puppies are whelped.
Questionnaires are accepted at any time, however, I ask that if you find a puppy elsewhere after
submitting a Puppy Adoption Questionnaire that you let me know, as the number of people on the
waiting list effects breeding plans.
Once a breeding is accomplished, the families on the waiting list are notified. When the pregnancy is
confirmed approximately 30 days later, it will be announced on the "Litters" page and the families are
contacted with the good news!
We put a great amount of time and effort into providing puppies which will be the most compatible
with each family situation and lifestyle, therefore, after the birth, a reservation deposit of $200 is
required to hold a puppy. Once deposits are received, I mail the Puppy Packets. If I do not receive
your deposit by the time the puppies are 2 weeks old, we then contact the next family on our waiting
list. Deposits are deducted from the total cost of the puppy.
Deposits are 100% refundable if:
- I do not feel that we have a puppy that has a suitable personality for your needs.
- either the breeder or the buyer feel uncomfortable for any reason
- you change your mind - deposit is refunded after the puppy is placed in another home if
reservations are canceled after puppies are 6 weeks old.
- in all instances, the Puppy Packet must be returned in reusable condition, and received by
us within 7 days of the reservation cancellation, otherwise $50 is deducted.
* I post weekly pictures to the web site. If you have a puppy reserved, you also receive
additional pictures and updates each week, e-mailed privately. The weeks of preparation are a
very exciting and important time!
* I realize that situations can change unexpectedly, however, this special time of preparation and
watching the puppies grow throughout the early weeks is missed by families if reservations are
canceled so I ask that you please be sure that you are ready to commit to sharing your home with
one of our puppies as an addition to your family before sending a reservation deposit. I am glad to
answer any questions you may have.
* I mail a very comprehensive "Puppy Packet" after the puppies are born and I have received
your reservation deposit. This manual contains various info on training, feeding, vaccination, etc,
and also includes pictures of the sire and dam, copies of health clearances, pedigrees, the sales
contract, and warranty information. This gives you plenty of time to learn, ask questions,
and get supplies.
* I am here to answer all questions. It is not only my responsibility as a breeder, I truly enjoy sharing
my experience and knowledge and am available for the life of our puppies. With continuing research
through Universities, veterinarians, the internet and fellow breeders, I am continually trying to learn
more, and try to keep on top of the latest information on health, environmental and nutritional topics,
especially preventative measures, which I strongly believe in.
* Each puppy is thoroughly vet checked before leaving at 8-9 weeks of age.
Purchase Prices
* Golden Retriever puppy prices depend on the breeding. Puppies from American lines and American/English/European blends range from $1200 to $1300. Full English/European breedings are $1500 to $1600. We occasionally have older puppies and adult Goldens available.
* Please contact us for availability and prices on Acadia Afghan Hound puppies , or I can recommend a breeder.
Our Promise:
"I an committed to placing our puppies in "forever homes" where
they will be treated properly, with gentle, loving guidance, and will be
treasured, family members. This is my promise to our puppies that
we help bring into this world."
Although we give our puppies the best possible start in life, please be aware that Golden Retrievers and Afghan Hounds may not be the right breeds for every family.
The Golden Retriever breed is a "man made" breed. They were originally bred to be strong bodied water hunters able to fend with the heavy vegetation in which upland game was found. In general, Golden Retrievers can have a high activity level as puppies and adolescents and shed quite a bit. Goldens want and need people time and owners must be able to provide plenty of exercise opportunities and attention, otherwise unacceptable behavior can be exhibited. Being retrievers, Goldens also like to carry things around in their mouths and will gladly find every sock they can.
Unlike Goldens, the Afghan Hound, as we know the breed, was "discovered" during the 19'th century. Little is known about the breed's origin and history prior to then. They are primarily a coursing hound, pursuing by sight. They have highly individual personalities and are very capable of thinking for themselves. They are very intelligent, but on their own terms - it is not unusual to see an Afghan Hound turn a door knob to open a door. Afghan Hounds are not as needy for attention as Goldens but none the less, form strong bonds with their families and can be very protective of them.
If you are considering these breeds please:
* Life is a gift whether it be human or animal - please make sure you are willing to make a 10+ year
commitment before bringing a dog into your home and family.
* Find a reputable breeder you feel comfortable with who will be there for you for the life of your
dog and be willing to follow the advise the breeder gives you. They have years of knowledge and
experience to share that is not only breed specific, but also specific to the lines they are breeding.
You must be willing to continue the efforts begun by the breeder to raise a happy, healthy puppy.
* Gain as much knowledge as you can about the breed you are considering and how to choose a
breeder. A good place to start is the National Club web sites on our "Links" page.
Don't forget to visit our updated "Info Links" page!
