Why We're Special
Our Puppy Care Package
When you choose a Studley Hill Golden, you're receiving a piece of our hearts. The following features are included in our exclusive Puppy Package when you purchase a puppy from us:
​
-
Parent health testing (OFA)
-
Parent genetic testing (Embark)
-
Exceptional temperament traits
-
Early Neurologic Stimulation (ENS)
-
Early Scent Introduction (ESI)
-
Puppy enrichment curriculum
-
Veterinarian clearance
-
First vaccinations
-
Deworming
-
Microchip
-
AKC registration papers
-
24-month health guarantee
-
Puppy Go-Home Care Package
Features We're Proud Of:
Embark Genetics
Our goldens undergo genetic testing through Embark DNA testing. This helps to screen for congenital diseases and remove problematic traits from our breeding line. You can access more information about Embark below:
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
Our dogs also undergo additional testing through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). The OFA is an organization dedicated to researching and preventing orthopedic and hereditary diseases in companion animals.
​
Although OFA and Embark testing do not necessarily "ensure" a perfectly healthy puppy, they do help us to reduce the risk of unwanted traits and dangerous health conditions among our puppies.
Temperament Testing
Before breeding, we extensively evaluate the temperaments of our breeding dogs. Our goal is to ensure that they are well-behaved with everyone, particularly children and the elderly. We also search for important qualities like friendliness, workability, gentleness, drive, and resilience, which have made our breeding program famous.
.png)
Puppy Personality Testing
Yes - you read that right!
We perform puppy personality and aptitude testing (PAT) on all our puppies at 7 weeks old. Our unique assessment process enables us to more appropriately match puppies with prospective clients. We test for several key attributes including, but not limited to: workability, drive, tenderheartedness, human connection, scenting ability, and reactivity. Click on the links below to learn more.
Our Mission: To Better the Breed
How? Go back to the basics!
Congratulations on doing your own research and investing in a reputable breeder. As you may know, the golden retriever breed is prone to several health issues such as heart problems, eye problems, and hip dysplasia. We believe that years of breeding have, in many cases, deviated from the original design and purpose of the breed. To address this, we prioritize health, genetic, and temperament testing in our breeding program. Unlike other programs that focus solely on health and genetics, we strive to balance these with the quintessential golden retriever attributes, drive, and athleticism. Our approach is to blend exceptional specimens from both field and show lines to produce genetically diversified, well-balanced, and temperamentally sound canines, which will benefit future pedigrees for years to come. We also strive to better the breed through the use of the COI (coefficient of inbreeding), the measure of genetic overlap in the mother's and father's lines. At Studley Hill Goldens, we take pride in our dogs' mental, physical, and emotional health.
