✔ Early socialization – Puppies get constant attention to develop great social skills.
✔ High-quality nutrition – We feed PawTree Lamb & Salmon dog food, plus NuVet vitamins.
✔ Early Neurological Stimulation – Helps puppies grow into confident, well-adjusted dogs.
✔ Potty & Crate Training – Begins at 3-4 weeks for an easier transition into their new home.
✔ Nursing as long as possible – Strengthens immunity.
✔ Exposure to other dogs, people, and cats – Builds confidence and adaptability.
✔ Temperament testing at 7 weeks – Ensures puppies are a great fit for their future families.

Our adult dogs assist in raising the puppies, helping them learn how to interact with other dogs before they leave for their new homes.

We hope this gives you a better understanding of our pricing and the dedication it takes to raise a well-bred, healthy puppy. There’s a big difference between responsible breeders and those who cut corners—and we’re committed to doing things the right way.

Quality Breeding Dogs – We carefully select our breeding stock from some of the best European lines, which can cost between $7,000 and $10,000 per dog. Even then, they must pass extensive health testing before joining our breeding program. If they don’t meet the standard, in any area, we start over—sometimes setting us back a year or more.

‍Health Testing – Every breeding dog goes through breed standard screenings:
- OFA Heart, elbow, and eye exams. (eyes are done annually)
- Penn HIP measurements or OFA Hips
- DNA testing for diseases like PRA, DM, and ichthyosis

These tests are expensive and time-consuming but are essential to responsible breeding.

‍Medical & Care Costs – This may include C-sections when needed, vaccinations, deworming, microchipping, vet checkups, and high-quality nutrition for both our adult dogs and puppies.

‍Daily Expenses – Nutritional supplements, grooming supplies, toys, crates, heating, cooling—it all adds up to ensure our dogs are well cared for.

While no breeder can guarantee perfection, we make every effort to ensure our puppies are as healthy and well-bred as possible. Our goal is to provide you with a Golden Retriever that is healthy, structurally sound, and has the temperament Goldens are known and loved for.

Breeding healthy, well-adjusted puppies takes a lot of time, effort, and money. With the rising costs of food, medical care, and supplies, responsible breeding is more challenging than ever.

We carefully plan our breeding years in advance. While natural breedings are ideal, they’re not always possible. We often rely on progesterone testing, semen shipping, and ultrasounds to ensure successful pregnancies. Once a litter is on the way, we monitor the mother closely, using X-rays to determine if a natural birth is possible or if a C-section is needed.

Once the puppies arrive, the real work begins—staying up with mom for days, starting potty and crate training at 3-4 weeks, doing endless loads of laundry, socializing, leash training, temperament testing, and making multiple vet visits to ensure each puppy is healthy and thriving.

DAM:
The average cost of buying a top-quality female from solid lines is $7000-10,000Penn Hips $545 - $645 plus travel expenses $80 Fuel $60 meals 10 hours driving RTOFA - Heart, Hips, Elbows & Eyes (Eyes are done annually) - $1840 - $3160 Embark Genetics - $139 - $199

‍Dam and all health testing expenses divided by an average of 3-4 litters   $2416 - $4714

BREEDING COSTS:
Vet Check on Dam Blood Work/test for Infections $150 - $200
‍
Timing/Progesterone Tests $140 per test/3-6 tests per breeding $420 to $840 STUD DOG FEE  $2,500 to $4,500

SHIPPING SEMEN EXPENSES:
• A. Fresh Chilled Semen (X2) Canine Shipping Box; Semen Extender; Ice (stud dog owner packaging. More $ if a vet prepares it for shipping) $500
• B. Frozen Semen Tank Rental; Preparation Fee; Tank Return $400 to $600
Plus Shipping Fees: FedEx; UPS; Airplane-Counter to Counter;  $200-600.00 • SEMEN INSEMINATION: (Pick one: A. B. C. or D. Expenses)
A. Natural breeding, driving to Stud Dogs Location (several hours of driving, meals, hotel)
B. Artificial Insemination (A-I) If performed by a Vet $150 to 600
C. Transcervical "Vet Procedure" (usually inseminated twice) $500 to 800.
D. Surgical "Vet Procedure" $1,000 to 1,500

Ultrasound to Confirm Pregnancy $175.00 to 250.00

BREEDING TOTAL: (NO PUPPIES YET) $3,450.00 - 8,490.00

CARING FOR DAM & PUPPIES: (Not including cost of the whelping box, pig rails and pads)

• Dam (gestation through whelping) Extra Food, raw meat, and supplements for Dam: $750 -$1,000
• Whelping Natural-Cesarean $0 to 2,500.
• Post Whelping Vet Check $150 to 350
• Whelping Supplies: Bedding, Oxytocin/Vet on call, Extra towels, Pedialyte, Formula for supplemental feedings, Puppy Collars, Heating Source, Disinfectants  $800 to 1,000.
• Washing and More Washing. Bedding is washed Daily $100 - $200
• Puppy Food, Bedding, potty material, Toys, Pens, Possible Pet Sitter, Deworming Supplies and go home bags $1500 -$1800
• Vet (when no complications) Vaccinations, Microchip, Health Checks $80 x 4 =$320.00 - $125 x 4 $600

CARE FOR DAM & PUPPIES TOTAL: LOW TO HIGH $3,620- $7,450
• No value on the lack of sleep involved with this all

GRAND TOTAL: LOW TO HIGH $9,486 to $20,654
Divide by litter of 4 puppies. Cost of 1 puppy $2,371 to $5,163
Divide by litter of 8 puppies. Cost of 1 puppy $1,185 to $2,581

Housing, yard fencing, ground material, setup, maintenance fees, website, parasite control, replacement puppy items???

Cost of raising a potential mom of puppies from birth to adulthood???

Time invested into studying the breed standard, pedigrees, current health issues, genetic concerns, new testing requirements, temperament, training, availability to clients for questions, etc.....

This is an average cost of raising a litter of 4 - 8 pups.
I do all this with a love for the breed and a passion to give back to the breed and to share the best possible puppies with you. There are many trials and setbacks in this business and many a sleepless night. My heart has been broken more than once, but also has been filled to overflowing because I love what I do and the awesome families we connect with. Witnessing the joy when you get to come pick up your floof is so rewarding.  It’s all worth it in the end.

I HOPE THIS PUTS THE COST VS PRICE WE CHARGE FOR A PUPPY INTO PERSPECTIVE.

We are dedicated to producing healthy, well-rounded, puppies who will be lifelong companions and possibly support friends. Our program focuses on quality over quantity, ensuring that each puppy gets the best start in life.

‍Find Out More Today!

‍Contact us at FreedomRetrievers@gmail.com to learn more.

European English Cream Golden Retriever Puppy with Limited AKC Registration

‍$3,500 + (WA Sales Tax)

‍Once you have completed the application process, had your phone interview and we have mutually decided that Freedom Retrievers is a good fit, then the real fun begins. By making your $500 deposit, you are securing your spot on the list. Understand we don’t have control over how many boys and girls are born in each litter and at times, folk have had to wait a litter.  You may make your deposit by cash, check, money order or through Stripe or Zelle. The deposit is applied toward the total purchase price of the puppy.  The balance and any add-ons are due by the time the puppies are 7 weeks old.

Once we have a Lady ready to be bred, you will be notified. When we get a confirmed pregnancy, a group chat is created in WhatsApp where you will receive weekly updates on the momma-to-be. As time approaches, the contact will increase. We take you on the journey with us through pre-labor, to whelping and beyond via photos and videos. We want you to see the journey your newest family member has been on. Transparency is important to us and we strive to keep you in the loop. This group continues beyond taking your puppy home and is used by a lot of families to ask questions or compare behaviors. It is also a great place to reconnect and send photos of the growing floofs.

So if you are ready, let’s spread some Golden Glitter!