Frequently Asked Questions
What does Halcyon mean?
Halcyon is a state of zen or nirvana. People often refer to the "Halcyon Days of Summer". Halcyon is also the name of a mythical bird that charmed the wind and waves to calm. Years ago Peter bought a beautiful sailboat named Halcyon and decided to carry over the name to his nautical dogs.
Are your dogs registered with the American Kennel Club?
Yes. All of our dogs are registered with the AKC which means that they are purebred dogs.
Do your dogs have health clearances?
Yes they do! We want to do our best to make sure we are producing the healthiest puppies possible, and heath clearances help us achieve that. No one can guarantee they are making perfect puppies, but we strive to better the breed and create healthier generations for the future. Our breeding dogs all have PennHIP certifications, DNA panels (testing for the most common genetic diseases in Golden Retrievers) and OFA clearances for hips/elbows/heart/eyes.
Why are puppies so expensive?
To be quite honest, the initial cost of a puppy is not the expensive part of getting a dog. It is a "drop in the bucket" compared to the costs of providing quality care for the life of a dog. The reasoning behind most responsible breeder's prices are based on many factors- the costs to provide for breeding dogs, the costs associated with performing health clearances and genetic testing, the costs associated with raising and socializing puppies and much more! We do our very best to provide healthy, well socialized, and happy puppies and there is a lot of love, work, and money that goes into them!
What does the puppy picking process consist of? When can I leave a deposit? Do I get to pick my puppy?
If you are interested in a future litter please join the email list! (See our "Litters" page for more information.) We send out updates about the breeding, pregnancy, and arrival of the puppies. The puppies will go home after they have been vet checked and are between 10-12 weeks of age. We make individual appointments with each family to pick their puppy. We try to guide families toward puppies with personalities that will best fit their lifestyle, but the ultimate decision is up to the new owners! The puppy picking order is determined by the order in which we receive deposits.
Have the puppies been vet checked?
The pups will be vet checked, given their first vaccine, dewormed, and microchipped before you take them home. Owners will receive all of their medical records when they go to their new homes.
Do you provide a health guarantee?
We provide a health guarantee which is detailed in our sales contract. Please contact us if you wish to view it.
What if I can no longer take care of my dog?
We do our best to place our puppies in forever homes, but we know that things can change and unfortunate circumstances can arise. Our puppies will be welcomed here at any stage of life and for any reason.
Do you recommend spaying/neutering?
Recent research has shown that early spaying and neutering (before 1 year of age) in Golden Retrievers can increase the chance that your dog will develop certain types of cancers, as well as common bone and joint diseases (hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, cranial cruciate tears etc). There are pros and cons to spaying/neutering at the traditional age (~6 months) or waiting until pups are a bit older. In an ideal world, we would wait until they are fully mature at 2 years old, but we highly encourage you to discuss this with us as well as your veterinarian in order to make the best decision for you and your dog. Please research the UC Davis Golden Retriever Study for more information!
Do you recommend crate training?
YES! A crate for a dog is like a den for a wolf. It is a place where they feel comfortable and safe. Dogs do not like to eliminate in the same space that they eat or sleep, so by crate training you are limiting the places and time your dog has to go to the bathroom. This makes house training so much easier! However, you do not want to leave your puppy in the crate for any extended period of time (most training experts say no more than three or four hours for a puppy, and no more than eight hours for an adult dog). We recommend crate training and also recommend bringing your dog to at least one obedience class. This will be the first step to making your cute new puppy a great family pet.
Do you recommend puppy kindergarten?
Yes! We require new owners to bring their puppy to AT LEAST one training course. This helps foster a strong bond between dog and owner, teaches your puppy basic training commands, and supports early socialization.