Frequently Asked Questions

• Golden Irish puppies – $2,800 USD
• Irish Setter puppies – Contact us for pricing and availability
• Shipping – Est $600 – $900
• If we meet you in person, we will add an additional 7.0% for Indiana state sales tax on the total.

*No rebates or warranties apply for any puppy purchased for less than the full price

This can be a very disappointing situation but does occasionally happen since we cannot predict the outcome of a litter. We typically give you 3 options to choose from.

1. If a puppy of the opposite gender is available, you would have the option to reserve that puppy instead.
2. You can transfer your deposit on to the next litter.
3. We can refund your deposit ($500).

Our waitlist is used to keep track of those who are interested in purchasing a puppy from Golden Ridge Hi-Breds. In order to get on our waitlist, we request that you submit an application. We then send you a deposit form. After you’ve submitted your $500 *refundable* deposit, you will be placed on our waitlist.

Once you are on our waitlist, you will be among those that we contact first as we have availability or new litters planned. We accept up to 8 deposits for an expected litter – 4 deposits for boys and 4 deposits for girls. When the litter is born, we then adjust our deposits accordingly*.

*This $500 deposit is fully refundable up until the litter you request to be placed on is born. At that point, it becomes non-refundable unless your pick of the litter was not born.

*Refer to FAQ on What happens if my pick isn’t born?

1. Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Dry Puppy Food – You can purchase this dog food online at Chewy.com.
2. Treats – Small soft ones work well.  For an extra special treat, use cheese or small pieces of cooked ground beef or chicken.
3. A copy of Jan Fennel’s book or DVD of “The Dog Listener” – This book is a must read/watch for any dog owner who wants willing cooperation from their pet.  If you only read one thing, be sure this is it.  Here is a link to Jan’s site where you can learn about her methods.  Purchase her book on Amazon.
4. Stainless-steel non-tipping food and water bowls
5. I.D. Tags with the contact information for yourself and your veterinarian
6. A collar (8 to 12 inch size) and a 6-foot leather or nylon leash
7. A 37- 42 inch wire crate with an adjustable divider in the center so the crate can grow with your puppy.
8. Dog shampoo – preferably the hypoallergenic kind
9. Brush and comb – A pin brush goes over the top of the coat to make it look smooth, and a steel toothed comb works great for going deep into the coat
10. Nail clippers
11. Cleanup supplies such as a stain remover, paper towels, deodorizing  and odor neutralizing spray (like Natures Miracle)
12. Chew Toys – Kong is one of our favorite brands. Do not get any rawhide chews.

This is a list of the basic necessities.  Your trainer may have additional items.  There are many other helpful and fun products available at pet supply stores.

We use an aggressive immunization and deworming schedule to keep your puppies healthy! Here is our schedule.

• Day 4 – Toltrazuril
• Day 7 – Pyrantel
• Day 14 – Pyrantel & Toltrazuril
• Day 21 – Pyrantel
• Day 28 – Pyrantel & Toltrazuril
• Day 35 – Pyrantel & 1st round of NeoPar
• Day 38 – 5 days of Panacur
• Day 42 – Pyrantel, Toltrazuril, Ivomec, & 1st round of NeoVac
• Day 49 – 2nd round of NeoPar
• Day 52 – 5 days of Panacur
• Day 56 – Toltrazuril, Ivomec, & 2nd round of NeoVac
• Day 66 – 5 days of Panacur
• Day 70 – Toltrazuril, 3rd round of NeoVac & NeoPar
• Day 84 – Toltrazuril
• Day 98 – Toltrazuril, 4th round of NeoVac & NeoPar

Around 6 weeks of age they are taken to our licensed veterinarian for a health checkup.

What is NeoPar?

• NeoPar^® provides protection against Parvovirus, the most lethal and prevalent viral disease of dogs
• Stimulates antibody production in the presence of existing maternal antibodies
• Provides maximum protection and a long duration of immunity
• Modified live virus
• Injectable vaccination

What is NeoVac DA2?

• NeoVac^® DA2 provides protection against canine Distemper and Adenovirus Type 2
• Stimulates antibody production in the presence of existing maternal antibodies
• Provides maximum protection and a long duration of immunity
• Modified live virus
• Injectable vaccination

What are Panacur, Pyrantel, and Marquis?

• Panacur, Pyrantel, and Marquis are used to prevent/kill various worms and microrganisms in the gut.

What is Ivomec?

• Ivomec is used for flea, tick, and heartworm prevention.

*The above list is not exhaustive and may be  subject to change*

Most of our puppies fall into the 50-80 pound range as adults. The larger boys may possibly have the ability to to reach close to 100 lbs. It is difficult to determine what size a puppy will be when they are younger than 7 weeks of age. After they reach that age, it is a little easier to cast a judgment as to what size they will be when fully grown. We still can’t be for sure though and so that is why we give a range.

A Golden Irish is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Irish Setter. There are many different variations of this breed but our Golden Irish puppies are a first generation (F1) cross between a Golden Retriever and an Irish Setter. This means that our puppies are 50% Golden Retriever and 50% Irish Setter.  The F1 hybrid is the healthiest cross possible due to “hybrid vigor”.  It is our desire to raise and promote this hybrid.  We carefully select each purebred parent for the characteristics that would result in puppies with the most desirable pet qualities.

Hips/Elbows – Canine Hip Displasia (CHD) merits concern by all Golden Irish breeders and its prevalence may be reduced with selective breeding.  CHD is caused by a poorly formed ball-and-socket joint in the hip.  The quality of this joint may be screened by x-ray and certified by either the OFA or PennHip organizations.

Our new parents at Golden Ridge Hi-Breds are either OFA certified or screened by PennHip.  We carefully select the parents for each litter of puppies to ensure their offspring will have healthy hips.

Heart – A second health issue affecting the Golden Irish are heart murmurs.  Heart murmurs come in two different forms.  Many puppies, like human babies, can have heart murmurs that go away around 16 weeks of age.  A severe heart murmur may not go away and develop into an adult dog health issue.  If adult parents have heart murmurs, there is a good chance that some of their puppies may also have heart murmurs.  

Eyes – PRA is an inheritable eye disease of which both the Irish Setter and Golden Retriever are susceptible. All of my new mothers have had their eyes examined by a licensed veterinarian to ensure they are free from observable inherited eye disease. 

We also test for various other variants for genetic health conditions. Visit our parents page to see the test result of our dogs’ health screenings.

The training your puppy receives in its first 8 weeks can last a lifetime.  Thus, socialization is not taken lightly at Golden Ridge Hi-Breds.  Following is a general schedule each litter follows while here:

• 0-3 weeks — The puppies are maternally socialized.  This simply means they are cared for and taught by their mother.  Human contact is limited to healthcare and short contacts, such as acquainting them with our scent.
• 3-6 weeks — Our puppies are exposed to greater human contact with petting and holding. They also receive continued training from their mother.
• 6-9 weeks — The puppies continue to receive the same interaction. We also place them in different environments to help them acclimate better to change.
• 9-12 weeks — Each puppy is now ready to go to their new homes and start their skills training.

Socialization never ends.  As puppies join their new packs, they will instinctively seek their level in the family hierarchy.  They must be trained and taught that they are at the bottom of the family hierarchy.  A very big help to learn how to communicate with your puppy is to enroll him or her in a puppy basic obedience course at as early an age as your instructor allows.  Classes are offered at most pet supply stores and canine schools.  This class not only teaches your puppy skills, but continues building your puppy’s social skills with you, other people, and other dogs.

The importance of beginning to train your Golden Irish as soon as he comes to your home cannot be over-emphasized.  Just a few minutes each day spent in fun interaction and obedience training with your puppy will reap life-long benefits.  By learning how to interact with your puppy, and understanding how a dog’s mind works, potential behavior problems will be avoided.  Help your puppy understand what your expectations are through obedience training.  A well-mannered Golden Irish puppy is one who will be loved by all and welcome everywhere!

Contrary to what you may have heard, pet-friendly airlines act responsibly to get your puppy where you want it to go. We have never seen or heard an airline employee do anything that would be harmful to our puppies. In our experience, airline employees are usually very friendly and love our puppies! Airlines that accept liability for your pets would not put an employee in their pet service departments if they could not be trusted to work well with them. With thousands of pets flying every day cross-country, the airlines can not afford to mis-handle their pet services.

In all the years we have been shipping puppies, none have been lost or sent to the wrong destination. In only one instance, a puppy didn’t make a connecting flight. It waited overnight in Houston, TX in the airline’s fully staffed kennel. If this were to ever happen to your puppy, you can rest assured that they are in good hands. These airline kennels are staffed with veterinarians and other technicians who are fully trained to take care of puppies. We try to get your puppy on a nonstop flight to minimize the amount of time our puppies have to be in the airline’s hands.

Our puppies are usually pretty trusting and flying does not stress them out too much. They experience the normal travel stress that is not much different than if we were to go to someplace new and not know anyone or anything. We have our moments and so do our puppies.

All in all, we are comfortable shipping our puppies to you.  It is a safe method to get your puppy from our home to yours.

A deposit of $500 will reserve a puppy from Golden Ridge Hi-Breds and your spot in line for the litter. This deposit is fully refundable (less any applicable fees) up until a specific puppy is chosen.