Frequently Asked Questions

Reservations are filled strictly in the order we receive them. From birth, each puppy wears a distinct colored collar so we can closely monitor and document their personalities as they develop. We welcome and consider your preferences, but the final decision rests with us: we match each puppy with the family best suited to their temperament and needs.

Pickup depends on the breed and on the puppy's readiness, especially weight and overall health. Larger breeds like Golden Retrievers may be ready earlier, while smaller breeds need a longer holding period to be robust and well developed before leaving us.

When you bring your puppy home, keep the environment calm and stable. The first few days should be relaxed, with minimal chaos and a consistent routine. That helps your puppy adjust and lays the foundation for a happy, confident companion.

A puppy is reserved with a $400 non-refundable deposit (sent by Venmo). The final payment is due in cash at pickup: $3,400 for Golden Retrievers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Boston Terriers, and $3,000 for French Bulldogs. Good Dog financing is available with a surcharge. Reservations are filled in the order received.

The first three weeks are crucial for building trust, so each puppy is held, loved and gently touched often. We use Early Neurological Stimulation and Touch Desensitization, proven methods that improve neurological development and build resilience to future handling. Our fully heated and air-conditioned indoor facility keeps puppies safe and comfortable.

We also follow the "Rule of 7," adapted from Dr. Carmen Battaglia's guide to puppy exposure. Before they leave, puppies have:

• been on 7 different surfaces (carpet, tile, concrete, wood, grass, gravel and more)
• played with 7 different types of objects
• been in 7 different locations, such as the kitchen, car, bathroom or vet's office
• met and played with 7 new people, including children, older adults and someone in a hat or using a wheelchair
• faced 7 challenges, like climbing steps, going through a tunnel or a doorway with a step
• eaten from 7 different containers
• eaten in 7 different locations

We start feeding puppies in crates at 7 weeks, they learn a dog door around 4 weeks, and a small trampoline teaches them footing, which helps with car rides. Puppies are bathed regularly with a body-handling routine: sitting still for grooming, ear cleaning, bathing and nail trimming. Please keep training fair and fun — harsh methods break the bond of trust.

Every puppy comes with a one-year health guarantee, and we extend it to two years when you use NuVet vitamins. After seeing remarkable results in our own pets, show dogs and breeding stock, NuVet became our first and only endorsement. Order it before you pick up your puppy: it is not sold in stores. Use our order code 37695 (nuvet.com/37695 or 800-474-7044); autoship saves up to 15%, and there is a 60-day money-back guarantee. See the NuVet page for more. Disclosure: we endorse NuVet and may receive a referral benefit when you order with our code.

We will send you an email with our food and treat recommendations to help you.

Puppies are washed with NuVet Puppy & Kitten Shampoo (soap and detergent free), followed by NuVet Oatmeal Spray to soften the skin and coat, and ears are cleaned with NuVet Ear Cleaner. Our adult dogs rotate NuVet Odor Control, Tea Tree and Conditioning Oatmeal shampoos, plus FURminator deShedding shampoo and conditioner during heavy shedding in spring and fall. NuVet Soothing Skin Spray helps with minor skin irritation. NuVet products are free of alcohol and animal by-products.

Yes. Puppies are Limited Registered with the AKC. Limited Registration means the dog is registered, but no litters it produces are eligible for AKC registration, and it cannot be entered in breed competition at licensed or member dog shows. It can still compete in obedience, tracking, field trials, hunting tests, herding, lure coursing, agility and Earthdog.

Full registration is for breeding and show dogs. We review breeders who apply, asking for their state and animal control licenses, veterinarian information and current clearances on their dogs. It costs more, and 99% of our dogs go to pet homes.

Every breed has its own health issues, so testing on a parent dog is specialized to its breed.

Hips — PennHIP is the most accurate hip test available. A specially trained veterinarian takes a series of films, with and without pressure on the hips, on a microchipped, sedated dog. It measures ligament strength and looks for osteoarthritis, femoral head remodeling, dysplasia and shallow sockets, and can be done as early as 16 weeks. OFA hips use a single X-ray view, need no sedation, and are read by three radiologists (the two that agree set the grade); OFA is not considered accurate before two years of age.

Elbows — OFA elbows are fairly accurate; if a reading is abnormal, we confirm with a 3D CT scan.

Heart — OFA hearts are checked by a cardiologist.

Eyes — OFA eyes are checked by an ophthalmologist, and breed-specific genetic eye diseases are tested for.

Dentition — keeps the bites of our dogs in line.

Patellas — checks that the kneecaps are not loose and are held in the correct position.

Thyroid — Goldens get OFA thyroid testing because the breed can have thyroid problems.

Airways — French Bulldogs are X-rayed for a narrow trachea, and their soft palates are checked so they do not overlap the trachea.

Genetics — breed-specific and general health conditions are screened on every parent.

Hip dysplasia is a combination of problems, and genetics is only one piece. To lower your dog's chances:

• Choose a breeder whose dogs have had clearances.
• Do not spay or neuter too early. Goldens should wait until 16 months, when they are finished growing; smaller dogs such as Cavaliers finish growing by about 11 months.
• Feed a good diet with enough vitamin C, which keeps tendons and ligaments elastic.
• Keep your puppy a little lean while it grows — overfeeding causes rapid growth, a major contributor.
• Exercise regularly to strengthen the muscles that hold the hip in place, but avoid extreme exercise on growing joints.
• Never let them become overweight. Extra weight stresses joints and speeds up arthritis.

Even with the highest quality dog and a dysplasia-free family tree, a dog that is not kept on proper nutrition and exercise can still develop hip dysplasia later in life.

Bring a travel crate, or arrange for someone to hold the puppy securely during the trip; a large bath towel for warmth and cushioning; paper towels and garbage bags in case of accidents; and water and a water dish to keep your puppy hydrated on the way home.

If for any reason — a move, financial difficulties or something else — you cannot keep your dog, our policy is that you must give us the opportunity to rehome the dog in a loving, quality home. That way no dog from Promise Land is ever sent to a shelter or placed in an unsuitable environment.

European Goldens follow the British Kennel Club standard, which permits cream coats; American Goldens follow the AKC standard. The breed diverged on either side of the Atlantic during and after World War II. Type differences include a more level topline in European Goldens. "English cream" describes the standard, not necessarily where the dog was bred. Whatever the color, health and longevity should come first when choosing a breeder.

Please never feed your dog people food or candy, and keep indoor plants out of reach. If you suspect your puppy has eaten something toxic, these hotlines can help: ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435 ($50 fee), Animal Poison Hotline 888-232-8870 ($35 fee), Pet Poison Hotline 800-213-6680 ($35 fee).

The FDA keeps current recall data at fda.gov/animal-veterinary/safety-health/recalls-withdrawals.

Email: goldens@mail.promiselandpups.com

Owner: Lori Froderman

Address: 8012 Harpers Lane, Pasadena, MD 21122

We are a family-owned and operated breeder. You can also use the Contact page and we will get back to you.