Common Questions

To begin the process, please complete our puppy application. Once submitted, you may text your name so we can locate and review your application.

If approved, you will be invited to place a $500 non-refundable deposit, which secures your spot on our Official Waitlist. Once your deposit is received, your name will be added in order of deposit date.

When a litter is born, families at the top of the list will be contacted and given 24 hours to decide whether they would like to commit to that specific litter or wait for a future pairing. If you choose to wait, your name will continue to move up the list for the next available litter.

Deposits are applied toward the total purchase price of your puppy.

Our waitlist is reserved for families who are fully prepared and excited to welcome an Ivory & Pine puppy within the next 12 months.

Be sure to watch for “Litter Opening” announcements on our website and through Instagram notifications.

Ivory & Pine Goldens reserves the right to retain first and second pick of any litter, male or female, to support and strengthen our program.

At six weeks of age, our puppies begin the official selection process.

At that time, we will share individual photos, short videos, and personality notes for each puppy through our Instagram and Facebook stories. This allows families to begin getting to know each pup’s unique energy, temperament, and emerging traits.

Puppy selection is completed in the order of deposits placed. The family at the top of the waitlist will select first, followed by the next, and so on until each puppy has been matched with their forever home.

In the weeks leading up to selection, we make every effort to highlight the puppies frequently so you can watch their growth, observe their personalities develop, and begin building a connection long before choice day arrives. Our goal is for you to feel confident, informed, and at ease when your turn comes.

Families are welcome to visit in person at 6 weeks, or we can schedule a FaceTime call to walk through the puppies together and help guide your decision from afar.

This process ensures each puppy is thoughtfully matched with a family who feels connected and prepared for their newest member.

Yes, absolutely. Responsible breeding is non-negotiable at Ivory & Pine Goldens.

We only breed exceptional dogs who are both beautiful and structurally sound, and just as importantly, healthy on the inside. Our goal is to produce emotionally balanced, long-living companions with outstanding temperaments and strong genetic foundations.

All of our breeding dogs undergo comprehensive health testing, including:

• Full DNA testing

• OFA or PennHIP evaluations for hips and elbows

• Cardiac exams performed by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist

• Annual OFA eye examinations

We believe health testing is not optional — it is a responsibility we owe to the breed, to our puppies, and to every family that places their trust in our program.

Absolutely. We believe the foundation for a well-balanced dog begins long before a puppy ever comes home — and it starts with the breeder.

At Ivory & Pine Goldens, we intentionally follow proven early-development methods, including inspiration from respected programs such as Puppy Culture, to give each puppy the best possible start in life.

From their earliest days, our puppies are raised in our home and surrounded by the gentle rhythms of everyday family life. They are exposed to young children, normal household sounds, and a variety of safe, age-appropriate experiences that help build confidence and emotional resilience.

Throughout their first weeks, we focus daily on:

• Thoughtful socialization

• Safe desensitization and startle recovery

• Gentle, consistent handling

• Exposure to new smells, sounds, and textures

• Early crate and litter box training

These foundational practices help create puppies who are not only beautiful, but calm, adaptable, and prepared for real life.

Proper early development is one of our highest priorities, and we’re honored to give each Ivory & Pine puppy a steady, loving, well-rounded beginning.

Yes. Every Ivory & Pine puppy is closely monitored by our veterinarian and will receive age-appropriate vaccinations and preventative care before going home.

Each puppy is given a full health check prior to placement. Our current protocol includes:

Vaccinations:

• 5 weeks: Neopar (early parvo protection)

• 7 weeks: 5-way combination vaccine + Bordetella (kennel cough)

The 5-way vaccine protects against:

• Distemper

• Parainfluenza

• Parvovirus

• CAV-2 (Adenovirus)

After your puppy goes home, the typical continued schedule is:

• 12 weeks: Second set of vaccinations

• 16 weeks: Third set of vaccinations — at this point, your puppy is considered fully vaccinated

Rabies and additional boosters are typically administered by your veterinarian between 6–12 months of age.

Additional care

• Puppies are dewormed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age

• Each puppy is microchipped before going home

• A full health record will be provided to you at pickup

We take the health and long-term well-being of our puppies very seriously and work closely with our veterinarian to ensure each one receives the very best possible start.