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FAQ

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Past Puppies - Now and Then

What is your philosophy on breeding Irish Goldens?
Sunshine Acres specializes in hybrid crosses of Golden Retriever and Irish Setter, often called the Golden Irish, Irish Golden, or Irish Retriever. This intentional mix of breeds allows us to have the predictability of the purebred, while maintaining the genetic diversity of a mixed breed dog. A hybrid puppy’s characteristics will fall within the range of the two breeds his parents are from. All of our Irish Golden puppies are first generation (F1 or F1B) crosses. These hybrids are the healthiest cross possible due to “hybrid vigor” or genetic diversity. We carefully select each purebred or F1 parent for the characteristics that would result in puppies with the most desirable qualities. Learn more about our journey in raising Golden Irish on our About Us page.

Our goal in raising the Irish Retriever (also called Golden Irish) puppies is to breed a very healthy puppy with the desirable companion traits found in their parents. We do not breed multigenerational Irish Goldens (hybrids bred to hybrids) as we have no desire to produce a “pure breed” and we don’t want to see the Irish Golden hybrid begin to have the inbred genetic problems found in the purebreds.

How much does a puppy cost, and what payment is accepted?
We ask $3000 for our puppies, with $200 of rebates. For payment we accept PayPal, Venmo, MasterCard, VISA, personal check (with photo ID) or cash. If you opt for PayPal or a credit card, a 3% fee will be aded to the total. See below for an explanation of our rebate program.
What is the rebate?
Our rebates are financial incentives for our puppies’ owners to do good things with their Irish Golden puppy. Each of our puppies comes with the option for up to $200 in “rebates”. $100 of the rebate is for having the puppy spayed or neutered. Present proof of your puppy’s Spay or Neuter (receipt or invoice from your vet) and you will be reimbursed $100.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) features a Canine Good Citizen program which is a 10-step test that certifies dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. CGC is an excellent program, and one we wish to promote and encourage. Any Golden Irish puppy purchased from Sunshine Acres who becomes certified CGC is eligible for a $100 rebate. Click here to find CGC training classes in your area. All breeds of purebred dogs, hybrids such as the Golden Irish, and even mutts are welcomed by the AKC to receive CGC certification. See the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Participant’s Handbook.

Who are the puppies' parents and what are their health clearances?
You can see the parents information on the Get A Puppy Parents page.
What is the process for purchasing a Sunshine Acres Puppy?
If you are looking to get a puppy now (i.e. the puppy is  shown on the puppies for sale page)  this is the procedure for getting a puppy:

  • Select the puppy you are interested in from the “Puppies for Sale” page.
  • You can then contact us.  We will confirm availability and answer any questions you have about the puppy.
  • If you decide you have found the right puppy, please fill out the online application.  This application is a short questionnaire asking about when you would like your puppy to come home to you, your current pets, past puppy experience and your basic contact information.  We will then reply to your application and give you an invoice for the nonrefundable deposit to hold your puppy in the amount of $500.  Your payment options are cash, check, PayPal, Visa, or MasterCard.
  • You must then decide whether you will come here to get your puppy, or have it shipped to a major airport near you.  We can make all flight arrangements for your puppy’s arrival.  We will need to know what dates and times work for you to receive your puppy.
  • We will send you the puppy’s care information, shot/health record and payment information for the puppy’s final balance and shipping cost a few days before the puppy flies home.  Set aside some time to visit on the phone to go over any questions you have about the puppy’s arrival, and feeding/general care instructions.
  • If you will be picking up your puppy here, you will receive all the above at that time.  We love to meet our puppies’ new families.

 

If you are looking to get a puppy at a future date (i.e. the puppy is not shown on the puppies for sale page at this time), this is the procedure for getting a puppy:

  • First, fill out the application, and request to be placed on the waiting list. You will be notified when the litter is expected to arrive, and given a chance to place the application fee on a litter, in the order that you filled out the application. The application fee to be placed on the reserved list for a litter is $75.  Fill out the online application/waiting list  and request a link to pay through PayPal. This application is a short questionnaire asking about what characteristics you are wanting in your puppy, when you would like your puppy to come home to you, your current pets, past puppy experience and your basic contact information.  This reserved list fee will be applied toward your puppy’s $500 deposit.  This application will place you on our “notify when born” list, which means when a litter is born that matches the criteria you specified in your application, we will notify you.
  • Once the litter has been born that matches the criteria/timing you indicated on your application, all applicants for that litter will be notified.  If you decide you do not wish to get a puppy from that litter, you are welcome to forward your deposit on to a future litter indefinitely.  However, if you chose to pass on the litter that matched your criteria, you would be placed on the next litter’s list after any other family who had already committed to that litter.
  • At the time we notify you of the litter’s arrival, you will be given the option to go ahead and make a Deposit to Reserve an Individual Puppy which is $425 ($500 minus the $75 application fee). Once the puppies reach 7 to 8 weeks of age, you will then be asked to choose which puppy from the litter you want.  You can come here to choose your puppy in person if logistics permit, or via photos and a video clip if you are from a distance. Puppies will be chosen in the order their families were placed on that litter’s waiting list.  Puppies can go home beginning at 9 weeks of age.
What Supplies do I need to have on hand when my Golden Irish puppy comes home?

Eukanuba Puppy Early Advantage Food 

Treats-small soft ones work well.  For an extra special treat, use cheese or small pieces of cooked ground beef or chicken.

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.  Buy her book on Amazon.

Stainless-steel non-tipping food and water bowls   

I.D. Tags with the contact information for yourself and your veterinarian   

A collar (8 to 12 inch size) and a 6-foot leather or nylon leash   

A 42 inch wire crate with an adjustable divider in the center so you can grow the crate with your puppy.

Dog shampoo  (I like the hypoallergenic kind)

Brush – A pin brush goes over the top of the coat to make it look smooth and also will go deep enough to get any tangles closer to the skin

Nail clippers

Cleanup supplies such as a stain remover, paper towels, deodorizing  and odor neutralizing spray(like Natures Miracle)  

Chew Toys (Kong is one of my 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.

What vaccinations, dewormers, etc do you give?
The puppies receive a vaccination of NeoPar at about 7 weeks as well as their first 5 way combination vaccination (DA2PP). They will continue to receive their DA2PP vaccination (spaced at 2 to 3 week intervals) as long as they are here with us for a total of three. If a puppy is shipped by air to it’s new home after 12 weeks of age it will also receive its Rabies vaccination. Our puppies also receive Pyrantel as a preventative dewormer and Marquis as a preventative anti-microbial.
What size will the puppies be?
Our average Golden Irish puppies will fall between 50 to 65 pounds, within an occasional litter being up to 80+ pounds. A narrower weight range for expected adult size can be given for a specific litter, but in general, this is what one would find for size in a Sunshine Acres Irish Goldens.
Can a puppy be shipped to me?
We are experienced in shipping puppies to their new families and can make arrangements for your puppy to fly to you via American, United or Delta Airlines. Shipping cost is usually $375.
What testing do you do?
Hips – Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) merits concern by all large breed dog 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 can then be certified by either the OFA or PennHip organizations. The parents of our puppies are screened by OFA, certified by Pennhip, or come from lines that have both of their parents certified through OFA or Pennhip.

Heart – A second health issue is 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 more 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 a percentage of their puppies may also have heart murmurs.

All the parents at Sunshine Acres have had their hearts screened.

How are your puppies socialized?
The training your puppy receives in its first 8 weeks can last a lifetime. Thus socialization is not taken lightly at Sunshine Acres. 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 frequent but short contacts.

3-6 weeks — The puppies are imprinted to human contact with petting and light play as well as continued training from their mother.

6-8 weeks — The puppies spend time meeting different aged humans (primarily children) and are placed in different environments to accustom them to change. They will also interact with other adult dogs and see and hear various other animals.

8-12 weeks — The puppies are 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. Although we love them dearly, 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 as early as allowed by the instructor. Classes are offered at most pet supply stores and canine schools in your area. This class not only teaches your puppy skills, but continues your puppy’s socialization to you, other people, and other dogs.

The importance of beginning to train your Irish Golden as soon as he comes to your home cannot be over emphasized. Just a few minutes each day spent in fun interaction and 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 Irish Golden puppy is one who will be loved by all and welcome everywhere!

Following is my recommended schedule for your Irish Golden puppy once he/she is in your care:

8-16 weeks — Take your puppy to its veterinarian for a wellness check shortly after your puppy comes home (within 3 days). Start to potty train your puppy. I recommend the crate-training method. Teach your puppy to sit and stay. Take your puppy for short walks, but limit interaction with strangers and their pets until his or her immunizations are complete. Finally, enroll your puppy in an obedience class. This class will strengthen the bond between you and your puppy, teach you both about basic obedience and be a continued socialization opportunity for your puppy. This class can be started as soon as your puppy has complete his puppy shots (usually between 12 and 16 weeks). If you prefer, professional trainers can also do individual classes, or come to your home for private lessons.

16+ weeks — Once a puppy is trained, he or she will occasionally relapse or possibly start an undesired behavior. Review the basics with your puppy to remind them of your expectations. There are many additional courses and training that is offered and you may consider more classes..

What do your puppies do?
My dogs have been involved in search and rescue, hunting, and therapy work. With their socialization skills and intelligence, they are the most suitable for therapy and companion-assistance type of work. I have personally seen lives touched and it does make a difference.
What do you mean __-Mart mentality?
Be prepared! Our society has taught us that all we need to do is take our purchases out of the box, put in batteries, and away we go. Real live puppies p__p and pee where we do not want them to, chew on your belongings (especially through teething time), and require a part of your busy schedule. They in turn reward you with unconditional love, much happiness, and relief of stress.

It is so so important to train them up in the way you want them to go or else they will be the biggest menace in your life! You must learn how to communicate with them. Read the books and attend a Basics class of your choice. I do recommend the formal class setting for at least the first part of training so your puppy may continue to socialize with other puppies and people.

Where is Sunshine Acres?
We are located in northwest Indiana, about halfway between Indianapolis and Chicago off I-65.
Can you ship into Canada?
Yes, we are able to ship into Canada.
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Golden Irish Puppies

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