Getting Started
Do you have puppies available?
Our Puppies page is always the best place to find the most current information about upcoming litters, confirmed pregnancies, and puppy availability.
When do you accept applications?
Applications open only after a pregnancy has been confirmed. Depending on the litter, approved homes may be selected before birth or after the puppies arrive.
How do I apply for a GoldRox puppy?
Once applications are open for a confirmed litter, prospective families may submit a puppy application through our Puppy Application page. We review each application carefully to determine whether the home is a good fit for one of our puppies.
What happens after I submit an application?
If your application is approved, we will contact you by email with the next steps, including instructions for submitting the $1,000 deposit required to reserve a placement.
Due to the volume of applications we receive, applicants who are not selected will not receive an individual response.
Price & Reservations
How much is a GoldRox puppy?
All GoldRox puppies are $5,000, regardless of sex or whether they are placed as a pet or show prospect.
What is included in the puppy price?
Each puppy goes home with their microchip and registration, AKC paperwork, routine deworming, first vaccinations, Florida Health Certificate, GoldRox Puppy Handbook, tote bag, and slip leash.
Is a deposit required?
Yes. Approved applicants are asked to submit a $1,000 deposit to reserve their placement.
Is the deposit refundable?
Yes. Deposits are refundable for any reason until the puppies reach six weeks of age. After six weeks, deposits become non-refundable.
Can my deposit be transferred to a future litter?
Yes. If your circumstances change or you prefer to wait, your deposit may be transferred to a future GoldRox litter, subject to availability.
When is the remaining balance due?
The remaining balance is due at puppy pickup.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, check, Venmo, and Zelle. We do not accept credit cards directly, although Venmo may offer the option to fund a payment by credit card for an additional fee charged by Venmo.
Do you offer payment plans?
No. We do not offer payment plans.
Do you offer discounts?
We do not offer discounts on our puppies. Returning GoldRox families, however, are given priority over new applicants when placements are available.
Choosing Your Puppy
Can I choose my own puppy?
GoldRox makes the final puppy selection for each family. However, buyer preferences are an important part of the process and are carefully considered when making matches.
Throughout the litter’s first eight weeks, we get to know each puppy’s temperament, energy level, confidence, sociability, and individual personality. We use those observations alongside the information provided in your application to select the puppy we believe is the best fit for your home and lifestyle.
Can I request a male or female?
Absolutely. Buyers are encouraged to tell us which sex they prefer, and sex preference is taken seriously when placements are planned.
Can I request a certain color or shade?
Yes. You are welcome to share your color preferences, although not every litter will produce the full range of Golden Retriever shades. Many of our litters fall somewhere in the middle of the Golden spectrum.
Color is considered when possible, but it is typically a lower priority than temperament, lifestyle fit, sex preference, and overall compatibility.
Can I request a specific personality or energy level?
Yes, and we encourage it! Many families have preferences such as laid-back, outgoing, confident, highly social, or more moderate in energy.
While no puppy’s adult personality can be predicted perfectly at eight weeks old, your preferences help us understand what qualities may be the best fit for your household.
When will I know which puppy is mine?
Most puppy matches are finalized during the last week before go-home and may be made as late as eight weeks of age.
Waiting until this stage gives us as much time as possible to observe each puppy’s developing temperament and allows us to complete final evaluations before making placement decisions.
How are show prospects selected?
Potential show puppies are evaluated at approximately eight weeks of age, with structure, movement, temperament, and overall breed type taken into consideration. Puppies identified as potential show prospects are selected before pet placements are finalized.
Because puppies continue to grow and change, placement as a show prospect is never a guarantee of future success in the show ring.
Can I purchase two puppies from the same litter?
No. GoldRox does not place two puppies from the same litter into the same home.
Raising two same-age puppies together can make training, social development, independence, and bonding more difficult. In most cases, we also prefer that a family’s existing dog be approximately 18 months to two years old before adding a new puppy.
Can I get a GoldRox puppy if I already have another dog?
Yes. Many GoldRox puppies join homes with existing dogs.
We consider the age, size, temperament, play style, training, and overall compatibility of resident dogs when reviewing applications. Our priority is placing each puppy in an environment where both the new puppy and the existing animals are likely to live safely and successfully together.
Health & Veterinary Care
What health testing do you perform on your breeding dogs?
GoldRox follows the health-screening recommendations outlined in the Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA) Code of Ethics. Breeding dogs are screened for hips, elbows, heart, and eyes, with results recorded through recognized health registries whenever applicable.
For hips, OFA certification is our preferred standard, although PennHIP evaluation at the appropriate age is also accepted under the GRCA Code of Ethics.
We also use DNA testing when planning breedings. Because recessive genetic conditions are evaluated based on the pairing as a whole, both parents do not always need identical DNA testing. Our breedings are planned so puppies will not be genetically affected by the DNA-testable diseases we screen for, although some puppies may be carriers.
Can health-tested parents still produce a puppy with a health problem?
Yes. Health testing significantly improves our ability to make informed breeding decisions, but it cannot eliminate every health risk.
Some conditions have reliable screening tests, while others are influenced by multiple genes, environmental factors, or causes that are not yet fully understood. Conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, allergies, and some orthopedic or autoimmune disorders do not have a simple screening test that allows breeders to eliminate them entirely.
For this reason, we look beyond the individual parents whenever possible and consider health, longevity, and known conditions throughout the extended pedigree when planning a litter.
Is there cancer in your bloodlines?
Unfortunately, yes. Cancer occurs in our pedigrees, as it does throughout the Golden Retriever breed.
Cancer is very common in Golden Retrievers, and we do not believe it is realistic for any breeder to claim that their lines are completely free of it. We carefully consider cancer history, ages and causes of death, longevity, and the health of relatives when making breeding decisions, but there is currently no genetic test or breeding strategy capable of eliminating cancer from the breed.
Anyone considering a Golden Retriever should understand that cancer is a significant health concern within the breed. Our goal is to use the information available to us to make thoughtful breeding decisions that improve the odds of long, healthy lives, not to promise that a risk does not exist.
What veterinary care does my puppy receive before pickup?
Every GoldRox puppy receives routine deworming, their first vaccinations, fecal testing, microchipping, and a complete veterinary examination before leaving for their new home.
Each puppy also receives a Florida Health Certificate confirming that they met the health requirements for placement at the time of examination. Complete veterinary and vaccination records are provided at pickup.
Do GoldRox puppies come with a health guarantee?
Yes. Every GoldRox puppy is covered by our written health guarantee.
The guarantee provides protection for congenital defects identified by your veterinarian during your puppy’s first veterinary examination after pickup. Complete terms, requirements, and available remedies are outlined in the GoldRox puppy contract.
What happens if your veterinarian finds something during my puppy’s examination?
If our veterinarian identifies any health concern or abnormal finding before placement, the prospective owner is notified immediately.
Depending on the finding, families may choose to proceed with the placement, select another puppy if one is available and appropriate, receive a refund of their deposit, or transfer their placement to a future litter. Each situation is evaluated individually based on the nature of the finding and the puppy’s expected long-term outlook.
Price adjustments are uncommon but may be considered in certain circumstances.
AKC Registration & Breeding
What type of AKC registration do pet puppies receive?
All GoldRox pet puppies are placed on AKC Limited Registration.
Limited Registration means your dog is fully AKC registered and may participate in most AKC performance and companion events, including obedience, rally, agility, scent work, tracking, hunting tests, Fast CAT, and more. The primary restrictions are that dogs on Limited Registration may not compete in AKC conformation and any puppies they produce are not eligible for AKC registration.
Can I breed my GoldRox pet puppy?
No. Pet puppies are placed strictly as companions and may not be bred at any time.
This requirement is outlined in our pet puppy contract, which includes substantial financial penalties for unauthorized breeding. Limited Registration is an additional safeguard, but the contractual prohibition against breeding applies regardless of whether a resulting litter could be AKC registered.
Do I have to spay or neuter my GoldRox puppy?
No. GoldRox does not require pet owners to spay or neuter their dogs.
If you choose elective spay or neuter, however, our contract requires that you wait until the dog is at least 18 months old.
Do you require proof of spay or neuter?
No. Because spaying or neutering is not required, we do not routinely request proof.
Documentation may be requested if there is reason to believe the breeding provisions of the contract have been violated.
Can I buy a puppy because I want to breed just one litter?
No. GoldRox pet puppies are not sold with breeding rights, including for a single or planned future litter.
We do not offer breeding rights as an upgrade, add-on, or higher-priced option.
Do you place show or breeding prospects?
Occasionally. Show prospects are placed only with established, proven show homes and are sold under a separate show contract.
Show placements receive Full AKC Registration and are placed on mandatory co-ownership with GoldRox. Because these arrangements are highly individualized and only a small number of homes qualify, prospective show homes should contact us directly to discuss availability and expectations.
Can I pay more to receive Full Registration or breeding rights?
No. Full Registration and breeding rights are not available simply for an additional fee.
They are reserved for carefully selected show placements that meet our requirements and are placed under our separate show contract.
Pickup & Travel
Do you place puppies outside of Florida?
Yes. GoldRox puppies are placed with approved families throughout the United States.
Can I fly in to pick up my puppy?
Absolutely. For families traveling by air, we typically recommend flying into Orlando International Airport or Orlando Sanford International Airport and booking your puppy as an in-cabin pet for the return flight.
Buyers are responsible for confirming their airline’s current pet-travel requirements before booking.
Do you ship puppies?
No. GoldRox puppies are never shipped by air cargo or sent unaccompanied.
At least one legal owner listed on the contract must attend pickup in person.
Can I use a flight nanny or ground transporter?
No. At least one legal owner listed on the contract must personally attend pickup.
We do not release puppies to flight nannies, commercial transporters, or other third parties.
Do you offer delivery?
No. Puppy pickup takes place directly with GoldRox, and buyers are responsible for arranging their own travel.
How old are puppies when they go home?
Puppies leave for their new homes no earlier than eight weeks of age.
What are your requirements if I fly home with my puppy?
The puppy must travel in the aircraft cabin with their new owner as an under-seat pet. GoldRox puppies may not travel as checked baggage or air cargo.
We recommend reviewing your airline’s pet policies, carrier requirements, and reservation procedures well in advance, as space for in-cabin pets is often limited.
Do you place puppies internationally?
GoldRox puppies are generally placed within the United States only.
Canada may be considered on a limited, case-by-case basis, provided the prospective owner can personally travel to GoldRox for pickup and meet all applicable import and travel requirements.
Special Placements
Do you place puppies as service dogs?
No. GoldRox does not place puppies specifically for service work.
We are happy to recommend breeders or organizations that specialize in evaluating and placing dogs for service work.
Do you place therapy-dog prospects?
Yes. We are happy to consider homes interested in therapy work when evaluating puppy placements.
As with all placements, suitability is based on the individual puppy’s temperament and the needs of the prospective home.
After Your Puppy Goes Home
What support do you provide after pickup?
GoldRox families receive our comprehensive Puppy Handbook, an extensive series of educational emails, and lifetime support.
We are always available for questions about training, nutrition, grooming, health, behavior, or anything else that comes up throughout your dog’s life. If you are unsure about something, we would always rather you reach out and ask.
Do you stay in contact with owners as their dogs grow?
Yes. Most ongoing communication happens through Facebook, Instagram, and our private GoldRox Owners Group, where we regularly share updates, education, and information for our puppy families.
We love receiving updates and hearing how our dogs are doing as they grow.
Should I let you know about major health issues?
Absolutely. Please keep us informed of any significant health diagnoses, hereditary concerns, or other major medical issues that arise during your dog’s lifetime.
We also ask families to share age and cause of death, when known, when the time eventually comes. This information is extremely valuable to our breeding program and helps us make better-informed decisions for future generations.
What happens if I can no longer keep my GoldRox dog?
GoldRox dogs may not be surrendered to a shelter, abandoned, given away, sold, or rehomed without our express permission.
Our contract requires owners to contact GoldRox if they are ever unable to keep their dog. We will work with the family to determine the appropriate next steps, including return to GoldRox when necessary.
Our responsibility to the dogs we produce lasts for their entire lives.
Do you require a specific veterinarian, food, trainer, or insurance company?
No. We do not require families to use a specific veterinarian, trainer, pet insurance company, or brand of food.
GoldRox dogs may not be fed grain-free diets. Beyond that requirement, owners are free to make the choices that work best for their dog and household. We are always happy to provide recommendations for nutrition, veterinary care, training, pet insurance, and other resources when requested.